L. (1)
[We are also indebted to J. K. R. W. and other correspondents for similar replies.]
Gale of Rent (Vol. viii., pp. 563. 655.).—The word gale is used in the west of Philadelphia in the sense of an instalment. Thus, if land is
bought to be paid for in annual sums, one of these is called a yearly gale. I have supposed, I cannot now say why, that this was an Irish expression.
Uneda.
Cobb Family (Vol. ix., p. 272).—I have much reason to believe that Mr. Arthur Paget will find a clue to his inquiries in the following particulars extracted from documents in my possession. The estate of St. Katharine's Hall, or St. Kattern's, near Bath, belonged to the family of Blanchard; and in 1748 the property passed to the family of Parry of St. Kattern's by marriage with the heiress of the Blanchards, who is thus described:
"Thomas Parry, and Querinah his wife, niece and heiress-at-law of William Blanchard, who was only son and heir of Henry Blanchard, and Querinah his wife," [only child of John Curle, Esq.].
In 1795 Thomas Parry devised the estate to his son John Parry, who was the rector of Sturmer, co. Essex; and by his will [May, 1797] his property went to his sisters, Elizabeth Knight, Querinah Cobb, and Hannah Parry. Elizabeth married, Aug. 1781, Henry Knight of Lansdown, near Bath. Querinah married, Nov. 1781, William Milles Cobb, of Ringwood, gentleman, third son of Christopher Cobb, merchant, and Sarah his wife.
I have in my possession some portraits of the Blanchard, Curle, and Parry families; two by Sir Peter Lely, which may afford Mr. Paget farther evidence of the consanguinity of Richard Cobb, Esq., and the Cobbs of Ringwood.
J. Knight.