It would be extremely interesting to trace, if possible, the descent of such families, but the difficulties are very great. The absence of wills of yeoman families prior to the fifteenth century is one great obstacle; the dearth of documents in that century is another.
SPALDING GENTLEMEN’S SOCIETY
By Marten Perry, M.D.
“If thou hast gathered nothing in thy youth, how canst thou find anything in thy age?” (Motto on title-page of 1st vol. of S.G.S. Minutes.)
At the very commencement of the eighteenth century, a number of gentlemen interested in antiquarian pursuits were in the habit of meeting weekly in London at various coffee-houses in the vicinity of the Temple. At one of these places Maurice Johnson was introduced by John Gay, the poet, to Pope, Addison, Steele, and other learned men. The Tatler was here read and discussed, but one of the principal subjects for discussion seems to have been the resuscitation of the London Society of Antiquaries. It was then agreed that, so soon as sufficient funds should be obtained, a start should be made. Among other arrangements, Maurice Johnson was designated its first librarian.
Johnson, however, having completed his studies, and been admitted a member of the Inner Temple, removed to his native town of Spalding.
Born in this town (baptized June 26, 1688), a member of a very influential family in Lincolnshire, he soon met with several professional and other appointments. These led him into the society of many eminent men. He also continued in touch with his friends in London, and retained his love for antiquarian pursuits.
In 1709 he took up his residence in Spalding, and the same year married Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph Ambler, and granddaughter of Anthony Oldfield, who was lineally descended from Sir Thomas Gresham. He, perforce, exchanged the society of the wits at Buttons’ Coffee-house and of antiquaries at the Temple ’Change, for the ordinary society of a small country town. So great, however, was his love of learning and science that he at once entertained the bold design of establishing a literary society in the very heart of the Fens of Lincolnshire. It was, as he very truly said, “an endeavour new and untried before.” Those to whom he looked for assistance “were unaccustomed to such a mode of spending an evening.” He took care not to alarm the country gentlemen by premature mention of antiquities, but endeavoured to allure them into the more flowery paths of literature.
The Tatler came into service; it was read at a coffee-house in the Abbey Yard to some friends who were induced to meet him there.