—The ensuing Note, although it has no reference to the Tradescants who have been the subject of many interesting communications in "N. & Q.," will, perhaps, not be considered unacceptable; for, in conjunction with the mention made in the will of the younger John Tradescant (p. 367.) of his "two namesakes, Robert Tradescant and Thomas Tradescant of Walberswick in the Countie of Suffolk," to whom the testator, if his love is to be estimated by the amount of their legacies, would not appear to have borne much esteem,—it establishes the fact that there was, at that time, at least one collateral branch of the Tradescant family. I find in the town books of Harleston, in Norfolk, the name of a John Tredeskin as a resident in that town in the year 1682-83, and of Mr. Robert Tredeskin from 1683-84 to 1688-89 inclusive, and from that time to 1691-92 Mrs. Tradeskin, widow, appears as the occupier, in the last year the name being spelt Tradescant. The name also occurs in the Court Books of the Manor of Harleston. Robert Tradescant, and Martha his wife, are mentioned in 1687, and it appears that she survived and was afterwards the wife of Charles Fox, gentleman. In 1721 John Tradescant is described as son and heir of the said Robert and Martha, both deceased. I have not met with it at a later period. Whether this Harleston family branched from Walberswick, or whether either were actually related to the Lambeth Tradescants,—for the term "namesake" does not of itself imply relationship—is not certain, but both are at all events probable. I may observe that the prefix Mr. indicated a person above the rank of a tradesman, and such as we should now address upon a letter as "Esquire."
G. A. C.
Movable Organs and Pulpits (Vol. v., p. 345.).
—Of the first-named class of curious ecclesiastical structures I know of no examples; of one of the latter, the following notice occurs in Mr. Wesley's Journal, vol. iv. p. 213.:—
"Aug. 15 (1781). I went to Sheffield: in the afternoon I took a view of the chapel lately built by the Duke of Norfolk. One may safely say, there is none like it in the three kingdoms, nor, I suppose, in the world. It is a stone building, an octagon, about eighty feet in diameter.... The pulpit is movable: it rolls upon wheels; and is shifted once a quarter, that all the pews may face it in their turns: I presume the first contrivance of the kind in Europe."
This was an episcopal place of worship connected with a noble charity, "The Shrewsbury Hospital," a suite of liberally-endowed almshouses for old people of both sexes. The "chapel" in question, as well as the almshouses, have, many years ago, given place to a large market. But I must add, the charity still flourishes, and its recipients enjoy a suite of beautiful little dwellings, and a commodious place of worship, in a pleasant and airy part of "Sheffield Park."
J. H.
There is a movable pulpit in Norwich Cathedral.
J. B.