[84] Dom. Charles II., 1681, November 15. I find, dated November 25, “The names of such Nonconformists who being presented in the Attorney-General’s name, are actually served with subpœnas returnable on Monday last:—
- “John Collins, D.D.
- “John Owen, D.D.
- “Samuel Annesley, D.D.
- “Thomas Jacomb, D.D.
- “Thomas Watson.
- “Matthew Meade.
- “Robert Fergusson.
- “Edmund Calamy.
- “Thomas Doolittle.
- “Samuel Slater.
- “Nicholas Blackley.
“Sir,
“There are two informations filed against every one of the above-named Nonconformist ministers, i.e., one on the Statute for not repairing to Church, upon which they forfeit £20 per mensem. This information is laid for twenty months. The other is on the Oxford Act, prohibiting Nonconformist ministers, &c., to reside within five miles of any corporation, upon the penalty of £40. So that the penalties against the persons above-named, if recovered, and not remitted, will amount to the sum of £4,840.
“Yours,
“Wm. Shermar”
[85] The Minutes of Council show that the Mayors of Plymouth and Reading were directed to put the Oxford Act in execution against the preachers in Conventicles.—December 2. The constables of the East Riding of Yorkshire refused to disturb meetings.—State Papers, bundle 260, No. 474. The magistrates at Hickes’ Hall complain that the laws respecting Conventicles had been long silent.—December 10.
[86] Echard, Neal, iv. 507.
[87] Calamy’s Continuation, 137.
[88] State Papers, Dec. 19.