Milton's Widow (Vol. vii., p. 596.; Vol. viii., pp. 12. 134. 200.).—Reading up my arrears of "N. & Q.," which a long absence from England has caused to accumulate, I find frequent inquiries made for some information which I once promised, relative to Milton's widow. I fear that your correspondents on this subject have formed an exaggerated idea of the importance of the expected note, and that they will see but a "ridiculus mus" after all. As I have no means at hand at the present moment wherewith to attempt to elucidate the Minshull genealogy, I shall content myself by simply sending my original notes, namely, brief abstracts of the wills of Thomas and Nathan Paget preserved at Doctors' Commons.
Thomas Paget, minister of the gospel at Stockport, in Cheshire, makes his will May 23, 1660; mentions his three daughters Dorothy, Elizabeth, and Mary; and leaves estates at different places in Shropshire to his two sons, Dr. Nathan and Thomas, whom he appoints his executors. He entreats his cousin Minshull, apothecarie in Manchester, to be overseer of his will, which was proved October 16, 1660.
[I have before (Vol. v., p. 327.) shown the connexion between the Pagets and Manchester.]
Nathan Paget, Doctor in Medicine, will dated January 7, 1678, was then living in the parish of St. Stephen's, Coleman Street, London, leaves certain estates, and his house in London where he resided, to his brother Thomas Paget, clerk. Bequests to his cousin John Goldsmith of the Middle Temple, gent., and his cousin Elizabeth Milton, to the Society of Physicians, and the poor of the parish of St. Stephen's. Will proved January 15, 1678.
I have omitted to note what the bequests were. I will only add, that some time ago I dropped my alias of Cranmore, and have occasionally appeared in your sixth Volume as
Arthur Paget.
Watch-paper Inscriptions (Vol. viii., p. 316.).—-I recollect, when at school, having an old silver watch with the following printed lines inside the case:
"Time is—the present moment well employ;
Time was—is past—thou canst not it enjoy;
Time future—is not, and may never be;