Sir Christopher Wren, Knt., Surveyor of his Majesties buildings, the eldest sonne of Dr. Christopher Wren, Deane of Windsor, was born at Knoyle, in this county, where his father was rector, in the parsonage-house, anno 1631; christened November the 10th; but he tells me that he was born October the 20th. His mother fell in labour with him when the bell rung eight.
[Richard] Blackmore, M.D., born in Cosham parish, the sonne of an attorney, went to schoole to Parson…. of Dracot. Scripsit an Epique poeme, called Prince Arthur, 1694.
Sir William Penn, Vice-Admirall, born at Minety, in the hundred of
Malmesbury. His father was a keeper in Braden forest: the lodge is
called Penn's lodge to this day. He was father to William Penn, Esq.
Lord Proprietor of Pensylvania; it is a very ancient family in
Buckinghamshire. This family in North Wilts had heretofore a
dependence on the Abbey of Malmesbury as stewards or officers. [Sir
William Penn was buried in Redcliffe Church, Bristol. See Britten's
Account of Redcliffe Church. - J. B.]
T. Byfield, a physician, sonn of Adoniram Byfield, the Assembly man, born at Collingbourn Ducis, where his father was rector. He published a book of Waters about 1684.
Mr. Edward Whatman, of Mayden Bradley, practitioner in physick, and very successfull in his practise. By reason of the civill warrs he was of no university, but he was a young man of great parts and great hopes. He died shortly after his Majesties restauration, aged about 35. He onely printed "Funerall Obsequies on the Honourable the Ladie Elizabeth Hopton, wife to Sir Ralph Hopton," London, 1647.
Mr. William Gardiner, the eminent schoolemaster at Blandford, about twenty yeares; born in this county; died about 1636, aetatis 47. ___________________________________
MUSICIANS.-The quire of Salisbury Cathedral hath produced as many able musicians, if not more, than any quire in this nation.
Andrew Markes, of Salisbury, where his father was a fiddle maker, was the best lutinist in England in his time - sc. the latter end of Queen Elizabeth and King James, and the best composer of lute lessons; and as to his compositions, Mr. Sam. Cowper, the famous limner, who was an excellent lutinist, did affirme that they are of great value to this time.
Jo. Coperario, whose reall name I have been told was Cowper, and
Alfonso Ferrabosco, lived most in Wiltshire, sc. at Amesbury, and
Wulfall, with Edward Earle of Hertford, who was the great patrone of
musicians.
Davys Mell, born at Wilton, was the best violinist of any Englishman in England: he also took a fancy to make clocks and watches, and had a great name for the goodness of his work. He was of the King's musick, and died in London about 1663.