[44a] Mr. Fretwell was Curate of Horncastle and Rector of Winceby, (Directory of Horncastle, 1791–2). He would appear to have been, for a time, in sole charge of Horncastle, as we find that on one occasion (Feb. 23, 1790) “sensible of the distresses of the sick poor, he gave 1½ g. from the communion money to be laid out in Salop sago and Bowen’s sago powder, to be distributed at the discretion of the Faculty.” (See account of the Dispensary.)
[44b] The vault of Dr. Madeley is within the chancel rails, beneath the tablet. His son was an officer in the 68th Regiment of Foot, in which also a Horncastle man, named Walker, was sergeant.
[46] There is still, in Westminster Abbey, a chantry named “The Islip Chapel,” which is used as a Robing room, at the consecration of the Bishops.
[50] A List of Institutions given in Lincs. Notes & Queries, vol. v, p. 236 has the date of C. Monke’s appointment, 24 Oct., 1558, and gives his predecessor as Henry Henshaw. In a previous notice (Ibidem, p. 201) the latter is given as Henry Henshoo.
[57a] The patronage and manorial rights (as already stated) were transferred to the Bishop of Lincoln, on the death of the Bishop of Carlisle in 1856.
[57b] We may add that Dr. Madely also left a bequest of £50 towards a much needed church at Woodhall Spa; where through the energy of the Rev. H. Walter, Vicar of the parent parish of Woodhall St. Margaret, and Rector of Langton, the Church of St. Andrew was built before that of Holy Trinity, Horncastle, the foundation stone being laid by Sir H. Dymoke, April 2, 1846, and the consecration by Bishop Kaye taking place Sep. 14, 1847; the architect in this case also being Mr. Stephen Lewin, of Boston, a vicarage being built at the same time.
[59] All the coloured windows are by Messrs. Clayton & Bell.
[60] The sister of the present writer, who was a brilliant pianist, frequently went to play to Mr. Clarke, and, as she touched the piano, he would rouse himself and take his flute and try to accompany her. It is not a little remarkable, that Mr. Clarke’s widow, after a few years married again, a Medical Practitioner, near Windsor, and committed suicide by placing herself on the railway line, near that place, her mangled remains being afterwards found on the line. Whether her mind had been affected by her first husband’s tragic death, who can say?
[61] To show Mr. White’s energy of character the writer may mention that he frequently, as a healthy diversion from his professional work, walked up to Langton Rectory before breakfast, and plied his spade in the garden, and then enjoyed a hearty breakfast with the Rector, returning to Horncastle in time for the daily service at 11 a.m. As an instance of his kindly nature we may give the following: At Horncastle a poor girl was suffering from a “white swelling” in the knee. The doctor declared that her life could only be saved by the leg being amputated above the knee. She dreaded the operation, but consented, if Mr. White would support her in his arms during the process. He was greatly averse to painful scenes, but reluctantly consented. Those were not the days of anæsthetics, when such operations can be performed without the patients feeling it; but he said to her “Let us pray,” and while the doctors were at work they prayed so fervently that she was too much absorbed to notice what was done. At length she said, “Dear Mr. White will they never begin?” His reply was “My good girl, your leg is off, and the Lord has spared you all the pain.” She lived to be a strong healthy woman and always blessed the curate.
[62] The writer had the privilege of visiting Mr. White at Jedburgh, and retaining his valued friendship through life, visiting him a short time before his death, and receiving many kindnesses from him.