HOLME MSS.—THE CRADOCKS.
(Vol. ii., p. 429.).
In answer to the Query of Mr. Ellacombe, "I should like to know whether the MSS. of Randle Holme, of Chester, 1670, which afterwards were penes Dr. Latham, are still accessible?"
1. The MSS. alluded to are those of four successive antiquaries of that name, of whom an account will be found in Ormerod's Hist. Chesh., vol. ii., under "Tranmere."
2. The person intended was not Dr. Latham, but Mr. William Latham, of Eltham, afterwards of Quenby Hall, Leicestershire, brother of Dr. Latham, of Romsey, the naturalist.
3. The Holme MSS. were never in the possession of Mr. Latham, but if Mr. Ellacombe will refer to Dr. Gower's prospectus, reissued by Mr. Latham in 1800, he will find a correct statement of their having been obtained by Bishop Gastrell for the Earl of Oxford, and "eventually for the mighty emolument of the public." (p. 40.)
4. These MSS. (being part of the Harleian Collection), are accessible to visitors of the reading room at the Museum, and extend, in the Harleian Catalogue, from No. 1920. to No. 2180. inclusive.
5. With respect to Cradocks, as connected with Cheshire, Mr. E. will find notice in Ormerod's Hist. Chesh., iii. 236., of the tomb of Sir John Cradock in Nantwich Church, as lately, and perhaps now, remaining, and an account of its former state in Chaloner's and Holme's Church Notes, Harl. MSS. 2151., and in Ordinary of Arms in King's Vale Royall, 1656, arms assigned to Cradock:—"Argent, on a chevron azure three garbs, or. Partridge (Hist. of Nantwich, 1773) names him Sir David, and states that the arms were not then discoverable." Platt's later History quotes Derrick's Letters for naming him Sir Roger.
The pedigree of Newton, previously Cradock, will be found at length in Lewys Dwnn's Visitation of Wales (vol. i. p. 145.), published by the late Sir Samuel Meyrick, under the auspices of the Welsh MSS. Society. It places Newton in Pembrokeshire, and differs in some other respects from Mr. Ellacombe's account. The entry was made in 39 Eliz., 1597, and the close of the pedigree, translated into English, is as follows:
Sir John Newton, Kt.==
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Henry Newton of 2 John Newton Frances, wife
Hanham, Somersetshire. of Frusto. of William
Lord Cobham.
Lancastriensis.