[382]Mr. Robert Murray is a citizen of London, a milliner, of the company of cloathworkers. His father, a Scotchman; mother, English. Borne in the Strand, Anno Dni. 1633, December; christened <Dec.> 12th.
The penny-post was sett up anno Domini 1680, Our Lady day, being Fryday[383], a most ingeniose and usefull project. Invented by Mr. ... Murray[384] first, and then Mr. Dockery[385] joyned with him. It was set up Feb. 1679/80.
Mr. Murray[386] was formerly clarke to the generall company for the revenue of Ireland, and afterwards clark to the committee of the grand excise of England; and was the first that invented and introduced into this city the club of commerce consisting of one of each trade, whereof there were after very many erected and are still continued in this city. And also continued[387] and sett-up the office or banke of credit at Devonshire house in Bishopsgate Street without, where men depositing their goods and merchandize were furnished with bills of current credit on 2/3 or 3/4 of the value of the said goods answering to the intrinsique value of money, whereby the deficiency of coin might be fully subplyed: and for rendring the same current, a certaine or competent number of traders (viz. 10 or 20 of each trade, wherof there be 500 severall trades within the citty) were to be associated or formed into such a society or company of traders as might amongst them compleat the whole body of commerce, whereby any possest of the said current credit might be furnisht amongst themselves with any kind of goods or merchandise as effectually as for money could do elsewhere.
Richard Napier (1559-1634).
[388]Dr. Richard Napier[AE]:—he was no Doctor, but a divine (rector Lindfordiensis) and practised physick—natus Maii 4, 1559, 11 h. 4´ P.M. in urbe Exoniae.
[389]Dr. Napier was uncle and godfather to Sir Richard Napier.
Note.
[AE] He is found at Exeter College ('Richard Napper'), aet. 17, Dec. 20, 1577. Aubrey intended to include his life in his collection, and has mentioned it in the index to MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 9v:—'... Nepier, M.D.: <his life is> donne by Mr. Ashmole.' Ashmole's, and Aubrey's, interest in him arose from his astrological practice: 'nativities had (Dec. 1681) from Elias Ashmole, esq., out of Dr. Napier's papers,' are found in MS. Aubr. 23, fol. 121, 121v, and on a slip there.