Whereas, I Humphrey Wickham Esquire, in Company with my own man John Harbert, and John Austin, Son of Nich. Austin, did carry a black Hoggs Skin Trunk, marked with the Letters
H. W. 1688.
Wherein are the Deeds of my Estate at Sowgrave and Apple-tree Ducy; these are to desire you to deliver them to the Executors, signed with his own Name, thus
Humphrey Wickham
Memorandum, there are two Mortgages in the hands of Austin, the one for 1400l. and the other for 400l. In the name of Oliver Charles, in the hands of Mr. Ambrose Holbech.
In answer to this Letter came a Gentleman from Oxford to tell Mr. Cullin, that the Christian name of this Mr. Wickham of Gazington was mistaken, which gave the first Alarm of an Imposture, otherwise Horse and Mourning had been provided to have carried him down to Swackley for his Interment there.
Mr. Cullin being not over apt to believe himself cheated, but more to satisfie the rest of the World, sent down a Messenger to Swackley, with fifteen shillings in his Pocket, mounted upon a poor Hackney, but ordered to return upon the Bright Bay Gelding bequeathed him in his Will; being not convinced of the Delusion till his Messengers Return notwithstanding several persons of Reputation had declared him a counterfeit; & Major Richardson and Mr. Compton had both inspected the Corps, and averred him to be the very man formerly Judged for six Wives as before mentioned, and more than once their Prisoner in Newgate.
The Messenger returning Tuesday the 12th of January he brought a Compliment to the Executors from Captain Wickham, (who had treated the Messenger very civilly,) to this effect; that he gave 'em his hearty thanks for their intended kindness to him, and if they would please to come to Swackley for a Month or more they should be very welcome, and have the use of all the Geldings, viz. the Black, the Bright Bay, and Dapple Grey, tho he could not well part with 'em for good and all.
Upon this full satisfaction received, about three the next Morning with no more than a Watchman and a Lanthorn in a Coffin of four shillings price, he was laid in Earth in a Nook of St. Clements Churchyard.
Postscript.