Seleucus.
Shearman Family.—Is there a family named either Shearman or Spearman in Yorkshire or in Wales? What are their arms? Is there any record of a member of this family settling in Ireland, county of Kilkenny, about the middle of the seventeenth century; his name, &c.? Are there any genealogical records concerning them?
James Graves.
Kilkenny.
American Fisheries.—Almost from the first settlement of the colony of Massachusetts Bay, this has been a troublesome question; and now that it is under the consideration of the English and American governments, it is to be hoped that it may be finally settled.
In June, 1623, a vessel arrived at Plymouth, Cape Cod, commanded by Admiral West, who had been sent from England for the sole purpose of preventing all persons, whether subjects of Great Britain or foreigners, from fishing on the coast, unless they had previously obtained permission for that purpose from the Council of New England. The admiral meeting with much opposition, and finding he could not settle the question in an amicable manner, left Plymouth in disgust, and sailed for southern Virginia. The colonists then appealed to Parliament, and an act was passed that the fisheries should be free.
Query, In what year was this act passed, and has the permission then granted ever been annulled?
W. W.
Malta.
Grindle.—What is the true meaning of this word, and are any other parts of the kingdom called thus? The one I allude to is still called "The Grindle," close adjoining the town of Bury St. Edmund's; and consists of an encampment and earthworks, very similar to several mentioned before in "N. & Q." under the articles "Grimsdyke" (Vol. iv., pp. 152. 331. 454.; Vol. v., p. 43. &c.). A local guide to the town (Gillingwater, p. 5.) gives the word Grim, a fortress=Grinneal, depths in the ground.