[7]Memorandum:—<Thomas> Bourman, Dr. of Divinity, of Kingston upon Thames, did know Mr. Isaacson, and told me that he was a learned man, which I easily believed when I heard he was secretary to that learned prelate, who made use of none but for merit. The Dr. told me that when he presented his Chronologie to his majestie King Charles the first, 'twas in the matted gallery at White-hall[III.]. The <king> presently discerned the purpose of the treatise, and turned to his owne birth; sayd the King, 'Here's one lye to begin with.' It seemes that Mr. Isaacson had taken it out of ... (a foreigner), who used the other account. Poor Mr. Isaacson was so ashamed at this unlucky rencounter, that he immediately sneak't away and stayd not for prayse or reward, both which perhaps he might have had, for his majestie was well pleased with it. He wrote severall little bookes, besides his Chronologie: quaere of the minister's wife (his niece) their titles. He was of Pembroke-hall, in Cambridge. He was there about Master of Arts standing.
[III.] 'Twas presented in an ill hower. An astrologer would give something to know that day and hower. He wanted a good election.
[8]Concerning Henry Isaacson[9].
Sir,
I find that my grandfather dyed in St. Cathrin Coleman's parish London, the 19e January, 1620, and to my best rememberance upon his gravestone in the chancell it was ingraven that hee had lived in the said parrish 58 yeares. He <was> fined for not serving the office of shereif of London, being chosen in the yeare 1618.
My father died in St. Cathrin Coleman's parrish above-said about the 7e of December, 1654, which is neare 34 years after my grandfather's death. I calculate from the tyme of his birth to my grandfather's death to bee 39 yeares: ad[10] the 34 yeares after my grandfather's death to the 39 before: 39 + 34 makes 73 yeares his age—which all the familie agree that hee was seaventy three yeares of age when hee died, soe that hee was borne in anno 1581. Borne in anno 1581, dyed aged 73, makes 1654 the yeare when he dyed. And in all probabillity hee was borne in St. Kathrin Coleman's parrish, my grandfather having lived soe long tyme there: the church booke, if extant, will soone resolve yow—I never heard any thing to the contrary.
My brother William Isaacson could more exactly give you an account of the degrees he tooke, if any, but the University was Cambriege and the College Pembrooke-Hall. I thinke I have heard hee was Mr. of Arts standing, but am somthing uncertayne of this.
Rand. Isaacson.
Fifeild,
the 21e Aprill 1681.
[11]In the table of benefactors in the Church of St. Catherine Colman, viz.—