The Toleration Act of William III gave immunity to all Protestant Dissenters, except those who denied the Trinity, from the penal laws to which they had been subjected. In the Sessions' order book, date 1696, is a "Mem. That the persons under-named in open Court of Sessions did take the oaths mentioned and appointed to be taken in and by an Act made Anno primo Willi et Marie, entitled 'An Act for abrogating of the oaths of allegiance and supremacy, and appointing other oaths;' and also made and subscribed the declaration appointed to be made and subscribed in and by an Act made Anno 25 Caroli Secundi, entitled 'An Act for preventing dangers which may happen from Popish recusants,' according to an Act made Annis 7 et Willi tertii Regis, entitled 'An Act requiring the practicers of the law to take the oaths and subscribe the declarations therein mentioned.'" The following are the names of the subscribers in this county:

  • John Soley, Esq.
  • Charles Cocks, Esq.
  • Richard Nanfan,
  • Henry Toye,
  • Thomas Parker,
  • Joshua Bradley,
  • Richard Cowcher,
  • John Yarranton,
  • Richard Teynton,
  • John Ffownes,
  • Edwyn Eyre,
  • Robert Bird,
  • Thomas Partington,
  • Samuel Grove,
  • Thomas Hayward,
  • Thomas Hart,
  • William Cardale,
  • Epaphroditus Bagnall,
  • William Hart,
  • Richard Norbury,
  • Henry Hodges,
  • Richard Herbert,
  • Thomas Oliver,
  • Edmund Rose,
Gent.
22 Maii, 1696.
  • Samuel Hunt,
  • Edward Walker, Advocate,
  • John Price,
  • William Bowkey,
  • Henry Philpott,
  • Edward Hallen,
  • Thomas Millward,
  • Edward Dyson,
  • Godman Atwood,
  • Anthony Ashfield,
  • James Gilbert,
  • John Morris,
  • Robert Parr,
  • Henry Prescott,
  • Edward Walker, jun.,
  • James Nash,
Gent.
Die eadem—the same time the persons under-named subscribed the association:
  • Richard Norbury,
  • Anthony Ashfield,
  • James Gilbert,
  • John Morris,
  • Robert Parr,
  • Henry Prescott,
  • Edward Walker, jun.
  • Godman Atwood,
  • Thomas Milward,
  • Edward Hallen,
  • Henry Philpott,
  • John Price,
  • Edward Walker, Advocate,
  • William Bowkey,
  • Samuel Hunt,
Gent.

An explanation is necessary with regard to "signing the association," as stated above. In Harris's Life of William III, p. 143, under the date of 1688, it is stated that after the arrival of the gentlemen of Somerset and Dorsetshire, at Exeter, "Sir Edward Seymour asked Dr. Burnet 'Why they had not got an association, without which they were only a rope of sand, and none would think themselves bound to stick to them.' The Doctor told him 'It was for want of a man of his authority and credit to support such an advice.'" He then proposed it to the Prince, who, with the Earl of Shrewsbury and all present, approved the motion. Accordingly the Doctor did urge an association, containing "a solemn engagement firmly to adhere together in pursuance of the ends of the Prince's declaration, and in defence thereof, and never to depart from it till the religion, laws, and liberties of the people should be secured by a free Parliament; and if any attempt should be made on the person of the Prince, that it should be revenged on all by whom any such attempt should be made." This association was speedily signed there and in other places, particularly by many in the University of Oxford. Lord Herbert of Cherbury, and the principal gentlemen of Worcestershire and Herefordshire, met at Worcester, and declared for the Prince of Orange, when Sir Walter Blount and the Sheriff of Worcestershire were sent prisoners to Ludlow Castle. The declaration, I presume, continued to be signed for several subsequent years.

In the Summer Sessions of the same year "the persons under-named did take the oaths and made and subscribed the declaration of 30 Car. II:"