The Rev. John Reynell,
Rector of this Parish,
5th November,
1688.
That the Prince’s declaration was read from the old cross there can be little doubt, but that the inscription cannot be looked upon as much of an authority is clear from the statement that the declaration was read on the 5th; for the Prince’s army did not commence to land at Brixham until that day, and could not have possibly reached Newton until the 7th; and that it is erroneous also in stating that it was read by Reynell is evident from the following very interesting paragraph from Whittle’s Diary:—
Now being on their march to Newton Abbot, a certain Divine went before the Army; and finding that ’twas their Market-day, he went unto the Cross, or Town Hall; where, pulling out the Declaration of the Prince of Orange, with undaunted Resolution, he began, with a loud and audible voice, to read as follows: William Henry, by the Grace of God, Prince of Orange, &c., of the Reasons inducing him to appear in Arms in the Kingdom of England, for preserving of the Protestant Religion, and restoring the Laws and Liberties of England, Scotland, and Ireland, &c.
When the people heard the Prince of Orange’s name mentioned, they immediately crowded about him in a prodigious manner to hear him, insomuch that some jeoparded their lives.
The Declaration being ended, he said, God bless and preserve the Prince of Orange: To which the People, with one Heart and Voice, answered Amen, Amen; and forthwith shouted for Joy, and made the Town ring with their echoing Huzzas. The Minister, nolens volens, was carried into a Chamber near the Place: the Windows were shut, the doors lock’d and bolted, to prevent the crowd from rushing in.
The People of the House, and others very kindly asked him: Sir, What will you be pleased to eat? or, What shall we provide for you? Name what you love best, it shall be had. The Minister answered, What you please, give me what you will. So they brought forth such as was ready; and having eaten and drunk well, they desired him to spare them but one Declaration. Yes, says he, for I have enow in my Pocket, and pulling them out, he gave Three, because they were of distinct Parishes. He told the People, he would go and visit their Minister, and cause their Bells to ring, because the Prince of Orange was come into the Parish, at Sir Will Courtney’s, tho’ not into the Town; and (says he) this being the first Market-Town, I cannot but think it much the more proper and expedient. Whereupon he went to the Minister’s House, and enquiring for him he was courteously invited in, and desired to sit down: The Reverend Minister of the Parish coming presently to him, they saluted each other; and after some communications passed between them, this Divine from the Army, desired the Keys of his Church Doors, for to welcome the Prince of Orange into England with a Peal (that being the first Market-Town they came to). The Minister answered; Sir, for my own part, I am ready to serve his Highness any way, but of my own accord cannot give the Keys; but you know you may command them, or anything else in my House in the Name of the Prince of Orange, and then I will readily grant it. So the Divine said: Sir, I demand your Keys of the Church Door only for an hour to give his Highness a Peal, and then I will return them safely unto you.
The Minister presently directed him to the Clerk’s house, and desired him to come and take a Glass of Wine with him after the Peal was ended, (but the Ringers coming together, they rung sundry Peals) and he returned the Keys to the Minister.