Vicars, Masters or Provosts, and Perpetual Curates of the Church of St Gregory and St Martin, Wye

( 311 ) THE VICARS, MASTERS OR PROVOSTS, AND PERPETUAL CURATES OE THE CHURCH OE SS. GREGORY AND MARTIN, WYE. COMPILED, WITH NOTES, BY THE REV. T. S. FRAMPTON, E.S.A. THE "Royal Vill which is called Wyth " is mentioned in a grant of Ethelbert II., King of Kent, A.D. 762; and that it was early visited by royalty is evident from the fact that A.D. 839 a charter of King Ethelwulf was dated at " TJuias." At this period there were two " Wiwarawics," or Wyepeople- dwellings ; and both the name " Townborough " and local tradition favour the idea that the chief one, which would include the church, was where the hamlet of Pett Street is now. If this was the case, it may be further surmised that the site of the existing church was selected and built on by the monks of Battle Abbey, to whom William the Conqueror gave the " Royal Manor of W i " as an endowment soon after his decisive victory over Harold at Hastings. There can be very little doubt that the present church occupies the site of the one mentioned in Domesday Book, A.D. 1086. VICARS. WILLIAM, mentioned before the year 1173.* Little is known of this vicar beyond the fact that he died soon after his patron, Walter de Luci, or Lucy, Abbot of Battle, whose decease took place 21 June 1171. He was contemporary with Archbishop Thomas a Becket. * Brit. Mus., Cott. MS. Dom. A. II., ff. 105", 123". 312 THE VICARS, MASTERS, ETC., OE THE GODFREY DE LUCI, inst. in 1173, on d. of the last.* After William's death, Richard de Lucy, brother of the late abbot, approached the Prior and Convent of Battle on behalf of his son Godfrey. His request was granted, and they presented him to a moiety of their church at Wye. Not satisfied with this, Godfrey petitioned the king that he might have the benefice in full. This was conceded, and he was instituted by Richard, the Archbishop-elect of Canterbury, before his consecration, and a second time after it. Litigation subsequently arose respecting this presentation and institution, but a compromise was effected, and Godfrey retained the benefice. Some years later he was raised to the episcopate, being consecrated Bishop of Winchester in 1189. He completed the Abbey of Lesnes, near Erith, which his father Richard had founded. He died in 1204. WILLIAM DE BRUNEFORD, mentioned in 1271-2.f "Master William de Bruneford" became at this time an owner of land at Wye. In 1280 " WiUiam, Vicar of Wy," is mentioned in a case of novel disseisin; and before the end of the century an anniversary service was instituted at Battle Abbey for " Will, de Bruneford, quondam Vicar, de Wy." In the spring of the year 1291-2 an ordination was held in Wye Church, when forty-six candidates were ordained, two of them being of Wye. GEOFFREY DE HOREWODE, mentioned in 1297.£ As vicar he was ordained priest on Saturday, 8 June 1297, in the Church of Chartham. WILLIAM DE NORTONE, mentioned in 1348.§ He was present with other clergy at an official inquiry, held 24 November 1348, respecting a vacancy in the vicarage of Westwell. On 3 July 1349 he was present under similar circumstances at Godmersham. * Brit. Mus., Cott. MS. Dom. A. II., ff. 105d, 123".- t Ancient Deeds, vol. iii., p. 441, D. 311. J Reg. Winohelsey, f. 100". § Cant. Ch. Ch. S.V. Scrap Book, vol. ii., p. 6. CHURCH OE SS. CREGORY AND MARTIN, WYE. 313 JOHN EWAN, or EWAYN, adm. 24 December 1350.* He was admitted, on the presentation of the Abbot and Convent of Battle, by Archbishop Islip. A month earlier the same prelate had admitted him to Kingsnorth, which was also in the patronage of the Abbot and Convent of Battle. REYNER DE ASTON, exch. with the last, c. 1 April 1357.f Previously Rector of Balcombe, in the Chichester diocese. RICHARD DE DENYNGTON, exch. with the last, 7 November 1357.f Previously Rector of Aspeden, in the diocese of Lincoln. HENRY PORESTER, exch. with the last, 7 July 1371.§ Previously Rector of Water Eton, in the Sarum diocese. HUGH DE EDYNHAM, C. 1372. The date of his institution does not appear in Archbishop Whittlesey's Register, but it was probably in 1372. He exchanged for St. Paul's, Canterbury, where he remained about four years, and then again exchanged for Stowting. ANCELLINUS PRENTYS, exch. with the last, 22 March 1372-3.11 Previously Vicar of St. Paul's, Canterbury. OLIVER WATENOWE, adm. 18 January 1378-9.% He was admitted by Archbishop Sudbury. JOHN CORDELAY, adm. 14 March 1393-4.** He was ordained deacon on the same day that Archbishop Courtenay admitted him to this vicarage. He was ordained priest five weeks later. He held office less than two months. SILVESTER BAKER, adm. 5 May 1394.ft After a residence of rather more than eleven years he exchanged for the Chap- * Reg. Islip, f. 255*. f Ibid; f- 275°. t Ibid., I 279". § Reg. Whittlesey, f. 86". II Ibid., f. 93b. IF Reg. Sudbury, f. 127b. ** Reg. Courtenay, II., f. 216". tt Ibid., f. 217 \ 314 THE VICARS, MASTERS, ETC., OE THE laincy of St. Mary's Chantry, founded in Canterbury Cathedral by Edward the Black Prince. THOMAS BROUN, exch. with the last, 31 October 1405.* On leaving Wye he went into the Chichester diocese, having effected an exchange for Norfchiam. HAMO OFFYNGTON, exch. with the last, 22 January 1426-7.f Before becoming Rector of Northiam he had worked in the Chichester diocese as Chaplain at Battle, Rector of Ewhurst, and Rector of Brede. PHILIP USKE, LL.D., adm. 30 March 1447, on d. of the last.J He was the last of the series of vicars presented to this benefice by the Abbot and Convent of Battle. On 22 November 1449 he was instituted to the Prebend of Warthill, in York Minster. In 1466 he is mentioned as Rector of Brede. John, the son of Thomas and Beatrice Kemp, or Kempe, was born at Olantigh in or about the year 1380. Fifteen years later his name appears on the books of Merton College, Oxford, of which he was afterwards elected a Pellow. Among his earliest preferments were Aldington, 1408 ; Hawkhurst, 1416 ; and a prebend at Wingham in the same year. His subsequent rise to the highest ecclesiastical dignity was very rapid. He was Archdeacon of Durham in 1418, Bishop of Rochester in 1419, translated to Chichester in 1421, to London in 1422, and elected Archbishop of York in 1426. As early as February 1431-2 he obtained a royal licence for founding a college at Wye. In December 1439 he was created Cardinal Priest of St. Balbina. Iu 1447 he was able to carry out his long-cherished intention of founding a college here, and he converted the parish church into a collegiate church, finding the existing building of sufficient capacity for the purpose, or, to quote his own words : " he * Reg. Arundel, I., f. 305". t Reg- Ohiohele, I., f. 166". $ Reg. Stafford, f. 92". CHURCH 01 SS. GREGORY AND MARTIN, WYE. 315 consid'ith now that the chirch is feir, large, and covenable to a notable nomb'r of God's ministrs to be occupyd th'inne in divine s'vice, wher as thr be of prestis for duite no mo belongyng th'to for ex'cice of the cur or to say divine s'vice th'inne but a viker, his p'issh prest, and the p'issh clerk." In furtherance of his object he proceeded " to ordeyne and stablissh in the said chirch a felaship of God's ministrs, that is to say, a maist'r and vj prests, two clerks, and two queristrs." He also drew up a set of statutes for their proper government, in the course of which it is ordained that on a vacancy occurring in the mastership the selection of a successor should be made from Fellows of Merton ; also that the master should appoint the most discreet and able Pellow of his house to take upon him the cure of souls in the parish of Wye. In 1452 the archbishop was translated from York to Canterbury, and at the same time was created Cardinal Bishop of St. Rufina. He died 22 March 1453-4. He was thus spared for some six years to witness the growth of his collegiate foundation, which he designed to be a monument of bis gratitude for numberless Divine mercies and of affection for his native place. MASTERS OR PROVOSTS. RICHARD EWAN, mentioned in 1447-8.* He was elected a Fellow of Merton in 1432. He is mentioned as being constituted Perpetual Provost, Master, or Governor of the College of Wye, in the statutes drawn up by the founder, and dated 14 January 1447-8. That Richard Ewan was master-designate there can be no doubt, but that he was ever admitted seems open to question, inasmuch as Thomas Gauge is distinctly spoken of as "primum Prapositmn sive Magistrum," in an indemnity made with the Archdeacon of Canterbury, apparently in the year 1449. THOMAS GAUGE, mentioned in 1449.f Elected a Fellow of Merton in 1487. The exact date of his appointment has * Statutes of the College. t Cant. Ch. Ch. Reg. S., f. 183\ 316 THE VICARS, MASTERS, ETC., OE THE not been ascertained. In 1460 he was Rector of Wrotham, which he held until his death, 22 October 1470. His other preferments were the prebends of Tockerington, York, 1451; Sleford, Lincoln, 1468-4; and St. Pancras, in St. Paul's Cathedral, which he held at the time of his death. In accordance with his will, made on the day of his decease, he was buried in the chancel of Wrotham Church, where his monumental brass was to be seen in Thorpe's time. It described him as " Doctor of Theology, and Chancellor of the Right Noble Duchess of York,"—Cicely, the mother of Edward IV. During his mastership the possessions of the college were augmented by the grant of the Church of Boughton Aluph, with other property, made by the king. NICHOLAS WRIGHT, S.T. Schol., adm. 24 August 1462, on resig. of the last.* Elected a Fellow of Merton in 1455. The provostship was his earliest preferment. Ten years later he was presented to Stowting by Thomas Kemp, Bishop of London, as lord of the manor. He resigned that benefice early in 1474, when he was presented by his College of Wye to the vicarage of Promhill, and by his former patron, the Bishop of London, to the rectory of Staplehurst. His will is dated 30 August 1499, and was proved in the same year. His numerous godchildren betoken his popularity, and his bequests were extensive. Merton and All Souls' Colleges received £5 each, and the same sum was left to both Canterbury Cathedral and St. Augustine's Abbey. His own Collegiate Church of Wye and his other benefices, together with their poor parishioners, were bountifully remembered, and not even the laundress of the college was forgotten, a legacy being left her of 6s. 8d. In the year 1465 the endowment of the college was increased by the grant in mortmain of the churches of Newington near Hythe, Brenzett, and Promhill, formerly held by the Abbess of Guynes, or Guisnes. * Reg. Bourchier, f. 84b. CHURCH OE SS. GREGORY AND MARTIN, WYE. 317 JOHN GUDHEUE, or GOODHEWE, S.T.B., adm. 31 October 1500, on d. of the last* Elected a Pellow of Merton in 1490, and Chaplain of the University in 1498. Like his predecessor he held Staplehurst with the provostship. His appointment was made during a vacancy in the see, and the Prior and Convent of Canterbury presented him to both benefices on the same day. In 1511 Archbishop Warham held his visitation of the college, at which time Goodhewe exhibited his letters of institution to Staplehurst, but it was noted that he had not a dispensation for holding two incompatible benefices. He resigned the office of provost before 23 March 1518-9. On 22 February 1526-7 he was admitted to the church of St. Mary Magdalene, Canterbury, on the presentation of the Abbot and Convent of St. Augustine's. RICHARD WALOARE, or WALKER, M.A., adm. 23 March 1518-19, on resig. of the last.f Elected a Fellow of Merton in 1504. He was Principal of St. Alban Hall in 1509-10, and Proctor in 1516. In 1542 a loan was made to the king, towards which Richard Walker contributed £10. In addition to other bequests he left one for an annual memorial service in Wye Church for twenty years ; also for a similar one at Warwick, and "to the gylde priests ffoure almes howses, and prisoners there ffyve shillings yerely. Also like maner to the gylde priests and almes howses in Stratforthe vpon havyn ffyve shillings by the space of ffyve yeres next folowyng my Deathe." These bequests suggest Warwick or Stratford as his birthplace. EDWARD BOWDON, M.A., adm. 17 March 1543-4, on d. of the last. J Perhaps a Fellow of All Souls' College, Oxford. His parochial experiences were gained at St. Mildred's, Canterbury, 1513-23, and at Eastling, 1514-45. His tenure of the provostship lasted less than a year, the surrender taking place 19 January 1544-5. Both church and poor were objects of his care, as appears by the following clauses of * Cant. Ch. Ch. Reg. R., f. 62\ t Reg. Warham, f. 367\ % Reg. Cranmer, f. 391b. 318 THE VICAKS, MASTERS, ETC., OE THE his will: " I bequethe vnto f ortie poore housholders within the parrishe of Wye fortie shillinges. I bequethe to the reparac'ons of the parrishe churche of Wye an owche of golde." He held Eastling until his death in October 1545. PAROCHIAL CHAPLAINS. The following names of curates and chaplains occur within the century of college life : Robert Elys, 1454; John Stack, 1480; Nicholas Garland, 1499; Thomas Penycoke, 1511; William Sowrley, 1513 ; Thomas Deykyn, 1526 ; and Thomas Southby, 1540. At the Dissolution in 1545, the site of the college was granted by the king to Walter Buckler, with the stipulation that he should provide two curates to perform the services of the church, and attend to the spiritual needs of the parishioners ; Thomas Southby, who had the cure of souls at the time of the surrender, becoming one of the first two. At first he had for his colleague Valentine Welton, and then John Stone, but in 1556 he was serving the cure alone. Later on Walter Buckler's place was occupied by Robert Maxwell, who undertook to provide one curate instead of two, and to pay him £40 a year. Subsequently the patronage passed into the family of Finch, Earls of Winchilsea, until, quite recently, it was transferred to the Archbishop of Canterbury. PERPETUAL CURATES. THOMAS SOUTHBY, or SOTHEYBYE, mentioned in 1540,* and fellow of the college at the time of the surrender in 1545. Previously curate of Chart Sutton. He was appointed by "John Rose, of the parishe of Wey," an "overseer" of his will, dated 30 May 1540. He was in office when the inventory of church goods was taken here, 27 November 1552, in which mention is made among other things of " fyve greate bells, and a Morowe Masse bell." His burial is recorded in the earliest Register, under 11 July 1560. * P.C.C, Wills, 17 Alenger, CHURCH OE SS. GREGORY AND MARTIN, WYE. 319 WILLIAM MASTER, mentioned in 1569.* Mentioned in a return made for the archbishop, in which it is stated that there were 130 houses and 557 communicants in the parish. In Mr. Master's time the first great calamity befell the church. A note of this was made in the churchwardens' book of the period, to the following effect: " The steeple was fired by lightning the fifteenth daye of Julie, in the fourteen yeer of our Soverayne Ladye Queene Elizabeth, in the yeere of our Lorde God one thousand five hundred and threescore and twelve, between the houres of two and three in the afternoon of the same daye." Mr. Master was still in office in 1582. ROBERT GOLIPORDE, B.A., lie. 2 August 1585.f Probably identical with Robert Gulliford, B.D., who was Prebendary of Bristol in 1596, and Vicar of Congresbury from 1604 till his death in 1613. On 1 April 1590 William Lause, M.A., was licensed to serve the cure of Wye, and on 25 September of the same year Thomas Wood was similarly licensed. THOMAS POULTER, M.A., mentioned in 15944 He was a graduate of Oxford, and as a deacon was' licensed to the curacy of Hythe, 9 October 1589. Towards the end of 1594 he became Vicar of Ashford, which he held until his death. THOMAS JACKSON, M.A., mentioned in 1596.§ Dr. Jackson's other preferments were all within a limited radius of Wye. In 1604 he was presented by Robert Honywood to Milton, near Canterbury, which he held for twenty years, and resigned in favour of his son. He next received a presentation from King James I. to Boughton Aluph in January 1611-12, but retained it only two years. On 30 March 1614 he was instituted to the third stall in Canterbury Cathedral on presentation by Thomas Twysden of Wye, the patron for that turn. Archbishop Abbot next collated him to Great Chart, 25 January 1616-17. Another patron, Sir Dudley Digges, presented him to Chilham in November 1624. And * Archbishop Parker's Visitation. t Cant. Arohid. Reg. Lib. B., f, 10b, X Hasted, Sist. of Kent, Sj Ibid, 320 THE VICARS, MASTERS, ETC., OE THE finally Archbishop Abbot gave him Ivychurch on 30 September 1629, when he resigned Great Chart. He held Ivychurch until his death in 1646, and was buried in Canterbury Cathedral on 13 November of that year, as appears by the entry in the Burial Register: " Dr. Jackson, one of ye Prebends of this Church." RICHARD SHEPPARD, mentioned in April 1615.* The transcripts of the Parish Register for the year 1615 are signed by him as "Minister," as are also those for the year ending March 1623-4. His burial is thus recorded: "Richard Sheppard, late pastor at Chapl: of Wye, June the 25th, 1638." AMBROSE RICHMAN, M.D., lie. 10 March 1623-4.f His signature occurs on Transcripts dated 7 April 1624, when he describes himself as " Chaplin " of Wye. Church matters are thus referred to in the year 1640-1 : " The parsonage of the Towne and parish of Wye is impropriat unto the Bishopp of Canterbury; and is worth per annum £200, by estimation. The minister is Doctor Richman, who is a painefuU preacher, and of good life, and hath a Stipen of £50 per annum." Another painstaMng clergyman about this time was Ihon Bvst, Rector of Penshurst, described on his brass as " God's painfvll Minister in this place the space of 21 yeares." The handsome silver flagon, still used on chief festivals, dates from this period, having been bequeathed " for the use of the Communion " by Reynold Goatly, Esq., in 1641. ROBERT FERRERS, Chaplain, mentioned in 16424 One of this name, of New Inn Hall, Oxford, graduated B.A. in 1630, and M.A. in 1633. THOMAS SWAN, mentioned in 1648.§ On 30 May 1648 a skirmish took place at Wye between a Royalist party and some Parliamentary troops. Among the casualties Major * Par. Reg. Transcripts. t Cant. Archid. Reg. Lib. I., f. 96\ % Morris, Mist, of Wye. § Hasted, Hist, of Kent* CHURCH OE SS. GREGORY AND MARTIN, WYE. 321 George Somner, brother of William Somner, the historian of Canterbury, was killed. THOMAS FERRERS, mentioned in 1654.* His name is given on Hasted's authority, as also on that of Mr. Morris. WILLIAM BELKE, S.T.P., mentioned in 1656.* He was instituted to Wootton in December 1641, to Chilham in October 1646, and he became Rector of Wickhambreux in December 1658. On 7 July 1660 he was appointed to the Third Stall at Canterbury, which he retained with Wickhambreux until his death, 12 August 1676, and in each of which he was succeeded by his son, Dr. Thomas Belke. He was buried in the cathedral. JEREMY DODSON, mentioned in 1660-1.f A contemporary MS. in the Lambeth Palace Library thus briefly describes him : " A person right for y° Church." Mr. Dodson's signature appears on transcripts as late as 1664-5. SAMUEL SMITH, M.A., lie. 2 December 16684 As his name occurs in the parish register earlier than the date here given, it seems probable that he was stipendiary curate before being nominated to the perpetual curacy by the Earl of Winchilsea in 1668. In 1660 he had obtained from the Crown the rectory of Eastbridge, and in 1666 Archbishop Sheldon appointed him a Six Preacher. He held both appointments till his death in 1670. JOHN WARLY, M.A., lie. 10 November 1670.§ In 1666 he was instituted to the rectory of Charlton, Dover, on the presentation of Mr. Monins; and in February 1671-2 the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury gave him their vicarage of Willesborough, both which he held till his death in 1678. CHRISTOPHER HARGREAVES, B.A., mentioned in 1678.t His connection with the parish seems to have been short, * Hasted, Hist, of Kent. X Cant. Archid. Reg, Lib, S., f. 2", VOL. xxvur, t Par. Reg. § Ibid., Lib. T., f. 27". J 322 THE VICARS, MASTERS, ETC., OE THE and he may have been stipendiary curate. While resident here he obtained a licence, dated 12 November 1678, to marry Ann Knightingale of Badlesmere, he being at the time a bachelor and thirty years of age. In July 1679 Archbishop Sancroft gave him the vicarage of Holy Cross, Canterbury. This he resigned in the following September for Westwell, which he held until his death in 1706. GEORGE GIPPS, M.A., lie. 25 September 1679.* He was a graduate of Magdalene Hall, Oxford. In September 1677 he was presented by Mr. Brockman to Brenzett, which he held for nearly thirty years. He retained Wye until bis death, 3 January 1706-7, and was buried near the south porch door. During his long tenure of office the second great catastrophe befell the church in the collapse of the steeple, which is thus recorded: "On Sunday Mar: 21st, 1686, after the conclusion of morning prayer, before all the people were out of the churchyard, the Steeple of the Parish Church of Wye fell, and beat down the greatest part of the East Chancel, and almost all the South and North Chancels, together with one pillar of the Church." Another account says that the officiating clergyman noticed the bell ropes shaking, and warned the congregation to leave at once. Temporary repairs were effected, but the restoration of the church was not taken in hand for several years. WILLIAM MARTINANT NEVAR, M.A., lie. 27 October 1710.f He appears to have served the church before his nomination by the Earl of Winchilsea, being at the time Vicar of Willesborough, to which he had been instituted 1 October 1695. He held both benefices till his death in 1729. SAMUEL MARKHAM, M.A., mentioned in 1729. J His name is mentioned at the appointment of his successor. He held the livings of Kennington and Eastwell, which were given to him on the same day, 14 June 1687, until his death. * Cant. Archid. Reg. Lib. V., f. 24b. \ Ibid., Lib, J., f. 160", X Lamb, Lib., Act Book, VIL, 284. CHURCH OE SS. GREGORY AND MARTIN, WYE. 323 JOHN WILKINSON, M.A., lie. 13 May 1730, on d. of the last.* He was a graduate of King's College, Cambridge. On 30 April 1730 he was instituted Rector of Eastwell, on the presentation of the Earl of Winchilsea, and a fortnight later the same patron nominated him to Wye. He resigned the former in 1733 and the latter in 1743. WILLIAM WHITMELL, M.A., lie. 7 February 1743-4, on resig. of the last.f He graduated from Christ's College, Cambridge, and was nominated to this cure by the Earl of Winchilsea. HENEAGE DERING, M.A., lie. 15 April 1754, on d. of the last.J He was son of the Dean of Ripon, and collaterally descended from the Surrenden Derings. He was nominated by Daniel, Earl of Winchilsea and Nottingham, but held the benefice only six months. In 1766 he was presented by the king to the Eighth Stall at Canterbury, which he retained until his death in 1802. JOHNSON TOWERS, M.A., lie. 22 October 1754, on resig. of the last.§ He graduated from Queen's College, Oxford, and was master of the Grammar School here. In the year 1758 Archbishop Seeker issued a series of interrogatories to his clergy. Mr. Towers, in answering one respecting the services, says: "Publick Service is duly performed at present twice every Lord's Day in my Church, and one Sermon preached; tho' the accustomed Duty was but once before I was Minister of the Parish; but upon the Improvement of my School, I gave up another Curacy, which I had upon my first coming. Prayers are read on all the Festivals and Fasts, and on Wednesdays and Fridays in Lent, on which Days I catechise the Children who are regularly sent." On leaving Wye Mr. Towers became master of Tonbridge School. * Lamb. Lib., Act Book, VII., 284. t Ibid., VIII., 256. X Reg. Herring, f. 300b. § Ibid., f. 355". J 2 324 THE VICARS, MASTERS, ETC., OF THE PHILIP PARSONS, B.A., in July 1761, on resig. of the last* Of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge; B.A. 1752, M.A. 1776. Mr. Parsons, like his predecessor, was master of the Grammar School. The Earl of Winchilsea gave him Eastwell in 1766, and ten years later Archbishop Cornwallis gave him Snave, both which he held with Wye until his death in 1812. At the time of his appointment to Snave he was chaplain to the Right Hon. Lewis, Lord Sondes. Notwithstanding parochial and scholastic calls, Mr. Parsons found leisure for literary work, prose and poetical. Being at one time advised to take riding exercise for the benefit of his health, and wanting an object, he visited a large number of churches, and compiled an account of their " Monuments and Painted Glass," which he published in 1794. It will be noticed that, although he was at the time Rector of both Eastwell and Snave, he preferred to style himself "Minister of Wye." The work is still highly valued. The comely appearance of God's Sanctuary was not disregarded at this period, as is shewn by the following entries in a churchwarden's book, under 1806 : " Wm Webb, Robe Maker, for Velvett and for Communion Cloth—£19 19s. Mess19 Petter and Pox, Lacemen, for Lace, £15 Is." WILLIAM THOMAS ELLIS, B.A., lie. 16 December 1812, on d. of the last.f He graduated from Trinity College, Cambridge, and was nominated by George Finch Hatton, Esq., of Eastwell Park. WILLIAM MORRIS, M.A., lie. 25 July 1817, on resig. of the last.J Of All Souls' College, Oxford. He was nominated by George Finch Hatton, Esq., of Eastwell Park, Lord of the Royal Manor of Wye. WILLIAM DRAYTON CARTER, lie. 20 November 1832, on d. of the last.§ Of Magdalene Hall, Oxford. He was nominated by the Earl of Winchilsea. • On resigning Wye, * Par. Reg. + Reg. Sutton, II., f. 148, X Ibid.} i. 167, I Reg. Howley, f. §53, CHURCH OF SS. GREGORY AND MARTIN, WYE. 32?) Mr. Carter became Rector of Ridlington, Rutland, and subsequently Vicar of Kirby Moorside, Yorks. ROBERT BILLING, M.A., lie. 24 August 1846, on cess, of the last.* Of Worcester College, Oxford. He was nominated by the Earl of Winchilsea, and held the mastership of the Grammar School. Mr. Billing died very suddenly at Canterbury, 13 July 1854. JOHN MORLAND RICE, M.A., lie. 10 August 1854, on d. of the last.f Of Merton College, and Fellow of Magdalene College, Oxford; B.D. in 1856. Subsequently Rector of Boyton, Wilts, 1860-1, and of Bramber, Sussex, 1864-98. While resident at Wye he was Chaplain to the Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles. FRANCIS EDWARD TUKE, B.A., lie. 23 April 1858, on resig. of the last.} Of Brasenose College, Oxford; B.A. 1846, M.A. 1863. Subsequently Vicar of Borden, 1868-96. He died in 1898, and was buried in the churchyard of St. Martin's, Canterbury, where he began his clerical life as Assistant Curate in 1848. THOMAS ENSOR CATO, M.A., lie. 12 November 1866, on resig. of the last.§ Of Oriel College, Oxford. Before coming to Wye, Mr. Cato had been Assistant Curate of Ashford. He was the last incumbent to receive a nomination from the Earl of Winchilsea and Nottingham. VICARS. JOHN HULKE DIXSON, M.A., coll. 3 May 1877, on resig. of the last. || Of Trinity College, DubUn; B.A. 1866, M.A. 1869; ad eund. M.A. Cambridge 1870. Mr. Dixson was collated to this vicarage by Archbishop Tait, and was the first vicar presented by an archbishop. * Reg. Howley, f. 1070b. f Reg. Sumner, f. 593. X Ibid., f. 619. § Reg. Longley, f. 215. || Inst. Book. 326 CHURCH OF SS. GREGORY AND MARTIN, WYE. THE HON. ADOLPHUS HENRY TUTHILL MASSEY, M.A., exch. with the last, 5 March 1896.* Of Trinity College, Dublin; B.A. 1866, M.A. 1870. His earliest clerical experiences were gained as Assistant Curate of Kells, Ireland, and Chaplain to Lord Clarina, 1867-69. He was afterwards Vicar of All Saints, Bromsgrove, 1875-94, and Vicar of Codicote, Herts, 1894-96. He became Vicar of Wye by exchange with Mr. Dixson. In 1905 he was instituted to the vicarage of Rodmersham. HENRY EDEN OLIVIER, M.A., coll. 20 February 1899, on resig. of the last.* Of New College, Oxford, and Cuddesdon Theol. College; B.A. 1889, M.A. 1894. He was presented and instituted to this benefice by Archbishop Temple, and in December 1902 the same primate, only ten days before his decease, presented him to the vicarage of SS. Michael and All Angels, Maidstone. In 1906 he was instituted to the vicarage of St. James, Croydon. SEYMOUR HENRY RENDALL, M.A., inst. 17 March 1903, on cess, of the last.f Of Rugby; and Scholar of Hertford College, Oxford; B.A. 1893, M.A. 1896. Formerly, 1894- 1903, on the clerical staff of the church of St. Mary the Virgin, Dover, with Prebendary Palmes and Canon Bartram. Mr. Rendall was presented to this vicarage by the King, patron for that turn, by reason of the vacancy of the see of Canterbury, caused by the decease of Archbishop Temple. * Inst. Book. t Letters of Institution.