[LXXXIX.] M. Lock maryed Mr. Garnon's daughter, in Herefordshire.
His father left him a pretty good estate, but he bought church lands and had the moeity of the bishop's palace, at Hereford, where he layd out much money in building and altering. Col. John Burch[1064] had the other moeity.
The times turning, he was faine to disgorge all he had gott, and was ruined, but Sir Paul Neile got for him the keeper of the King's stores at Harwich, worth about Cli. per annum.
He was a great lover of antiquities, and ransackt the MSS. of the Church of Hereford (there were a great many that lay uncouth and unkiss).
He also garbled the library of the church of Worcester, and evidences, where he had the originall grant of King Edgar (θαλασσιαρχης) whence the Kings of England derive their right to the soveraignty of the sea. 'Tis printed in Mr. Selden's Mare Clausum. I have seen it many times, and it is as legible as but lately written (Roman character). He offered it to the king for 120li. but his majesty would not give so much. Since his death, I acquainted the Secretary of Estate that he dyed in debt, and his creditors seised on his goods and papers. He told me that it did of right belong to Worcester Church. I told one of their prebends, and they cared not for such things. I beleeve it haz wrapt herings by this time.
He had severall MSS. by him of great antiquity: one thin 4to. of the Philosopher's Stone, in Hieroglyphicks, with some few Latin verses underneath; the most curiously limned that ever I sawe. His Majesty offered him 100li. for it, and he would not accept it. Tell Dr. Crowder[1065] of the deed of king Edgar.
Memorandum:—Capt. Tayler search<ed> the Records in the Tower, etc., and retrived some privileges that the borough[1066] had lost, for which the borough ought ever to have his remembrance in esteeme: and tho' he dyed above 100li. in their debt, yet the towne lost not by him, for the reason aforesaid.
The history or collection of this ancient borough he pawned a little before his death to Mr. Baker, the printseller by the Old Exchange, for 4li. 15s. I acquainted Sir Philip Parker, whom the borough uses to choose for their burghesse, to buy it for his borough. He would not lay out so much money, which would doe them more service then all his roast-beefe, wine, and ale at an election.
Digitus Dei[1067]. All that family came to unfortunate ends. His eldest sonne, wife, and children, were all burnt in their beds in ... near Lothbury; another son, ...; another son (a dragoon[1068]), a churchyard wall fell on him and killed him.
[1069]He surveyed very ingeniously and carefully the antiquities of Herefordshire, scil. about 3/4 of the county, before the restauration of his majesty. He then left the country and went to his friend, Sir Edward Harley, then governour of Dunkirke, who gave him some command.—These papers[1070] are in the hands of Sir Edward Harley at Brampton-Bryan Castle.