in 1728, when he was followed by 'Anthony Atkey, and Atkey by John Stiffe. Stiffe conformed. On our Lord's day (he) preached his farewell sermon at the meeting, and having, in the course of the following week, received episcopal ordination, on the next Sunday he .. preached his first sermon in the parochial edifice.' He was succeeded by Richard Denny, Denny by Evan Jones, and Jones by William Parry, one of the ablest and most accomplished ministers of his day. In 1798, Parry became president of the college at Wymendley, and was succeeded by Stephen Morell, the father of the present minifter.* BOXTED.-Lax. He seems to have succeeded John Hubbert, who was the vicar in 1648 and 1649, as at those dates respectively, he signed the 'Essex Teftimony' and the Essex Watchword.' I am informed by the Rev. Charles Norman that there are no traces of Lax in the parish regifter. His successor, Edward Hickeringill, was admitted October 22, 1662. One Carr was also ejected or silenced at Boxted. † BRAINTREE.-John Argor. He was a native of Layer Breton, and educated at the University of Cambridge. He was first rector of Lee, in the Hundred of Rochford, to which living he was presented by Robert, Earl of Warwick, 12th of February, 1639. His name is printed in the 'Classis,' Augar. He was one of the subscribers to the Effex Tesimony in 1648, and also to the Effex Watchword in 1649. In 1650, he is returned John Augar (sic.), well approved for learning and doctrine, and an able preaching minister.' On the death of Samuel Collins, Argor removed to the vicarage of Braintree, to which also it should appear that he was presented by the Earl of Warwick. His name frequently appears in the parish books at Braintree. In October, 1657, he received a gift of 100 from his parishioners, as a token of the estimation in which they held him. After his ejection from the vicarage, 260. The history of this church well the Effex Remembrancer iii. 211, 255, deserves a much more complete record than my limits will allow. There are valuable papers on the subject in + Cal. Acc. 307; Palmer, N. M. ii. 188; N. ii. 80; Hickeringill, p. 304. Argor continued to reside in Braintree for some time as teacher in the parish school. In 1655, the infamous statute, commonly known as the 'Five Mile Act,' but whose proper title is, 'An Act for restraining Nonconformists from inhabiting in Corporations,' passed both houses, and received the royal assent. This act provided that no person who had not made the declarations' required by the Act of Uniformity, and should not also take and subscribe the oath following: 'I do swear, that it is not lawful, upon any pretence whatever, to take arms against the King, and that I do abhor that traitorous position of taking arms by his authority against his power, or against those that are commiffioned by him . . . . and that I will not at any time endeavour any alteration either in church or state;' and should take upon them to preach in any unlawful assembly under colour . . . . of any exercise of religion contrary to the laws and statutes of this kingdome, should at any time, unless only in passing upon the road, come, or be within five miles of any city or town corporate, or borough that sends burgesses to Parliament, or within five miles of any parifh, town, or place wherein he had been parson, vicar, stipendiary, or lecturer, . on forfeiture for every such offence, of forty pounds.' It also provided that 'it should be lawful for any two Justices of the Peace . . . to commit the offender for six months.' This rendering Argor's longer refidence at Braintree illegal, he removed, as it should appear, to Copford. John Argor was the first of the Essex ejected ministers to avail themselves of the measure of liberty which was allowed by the Declaration of Indulgence in 1672. He was accordingly licensed on the 2nd of April, in that year, to be a Presbyterian teacher, in 'Hezekiah Haynes' house at Copford, and Zachariah Seaman's,' in Birch Magna. These houses were also licensed as places of meeting of the Presbyterian way' at the same date, as was also Argor's own house in Copford. He continued to reside, and also to preach at Copford, until his death in December, 1679, at the age of seventy-seven. His remains were buried in Copford Church. Palmer relates that he often used to say, he left his living upon no other terms than he would, if called to it, have laid down his life.' Palmer adds, he was exceedingly beloved, and the loss of him was much lamented. He was a very serious and lovely Chriftian, who had a sense of religion betimes, and in his advanced years often had raptures of joy. When his livelihood was taken from him, he lived comfortably by faith. Being asked by some friends how he thought he should live, having a great family of children, his answer was, 'as long as his God was his housekeeper he believed He would provide for him and his.' He kept a diary of God's providences towards him, and among other things in stirring up friends to assist him. The following are a few inftances in his own words: Jan. 2, 1663. I received £5 2s. This was when I was laid aside for not conforming. So graciously did the Lord provide for his unworthy servant. Jan. 3. I received £3 19s. The Lord have the praise. And I received £3 15s. which was gathered for me by my friends. This great experience of God's gracious providence I received at one and the same time. All glory be to God, blessed for ever. Apl. 2, 1663. I received 5 12s., so graciously doth the Lord regard the low condition of his servant. Blessed be His holy name for ever. I received likewise, on the 8th day, £4, so good is the Lord in stirring up hearts and opening hands to the relief of His unworthy servant.' Many similar observations are contained in his papers. Towards the close of his life, Argor had a people at Wivenhoe.' The congregation at Wivenhoe survived for many years. In 1719, Samuel Wood, who had been pastor for some time previously, removed to Lavenham. Shortly afterwards a division seems to have taken place, one part of the congregation being Presbyterian and another Baptist. These now worfhipped separately for some time. In 1794, both chapels had been closed, and Isaac Taylor, then paftor of St. Helen's Lane, Colchester, recommenced preaching in the village, in conjunction with William Kemp, who was then assistant to Giles Hobbs. They succeeded in gathering a church; and in 1803, James Hyde settled as minister there. A new chapel was now erected on the site of the present British School Rooms. Hyde died in 1823, and was succeeded by Estcourt; Estcourt by the Rev. C. Riggs, late of Tiptree; Riggs by Joseph Woods; Woods by Samuel Hubbard; Hubbard by the Rev. G. Frost, now of Woodbridge; and Frost by the present minister, the Rev. J. R. Smith. * LITTLE BROMLEY.-John Chandler. He is called Candler in Newcourt, who merely mentions his name, and assigns no date to his inftitution. He probably succeeded .Thomas Felton, who was rector there, certainly as recently as September 3, 1640. Chandler was first settled at Danbury, which living was sequestered to him from Clement Vincent, before February 6, 1644. By June 13, 1646, he had left Danbury, and it was now probably that he became rector of Little Bromley. He seems to have been ejected because he would not submit to re-ordination, having been ordained by John Fairfax, afterwards ejected from Barking, and others, as a Presbyterian. After his ejectment from Bromley he had communication on the subject with Reynolds, bishop of Norwich, who said he was as good a minister as he could make him; and told him he might go and preach the gospel at Pettaugh,' in the county of Suffolk. Chandler accordingly went there. Palmer's Nonconformist Memorials ii. 188; Newc. ii. 384; Lands. MSS. 459; Cunnington MSS. of Braintree i. 86, ii. 83. The parish school was endowed with a farm at Stoke by Nayland, by James Coke, for the teaching and educating of the poor children of Braintree to read and learn English and Latin.' See John Ray, infra; Lands. MSS. 459; 17 Charles II. ii. 2, 3, 4; Rapin, Hist. of England ii. 662. Hezekiah Haynes was of Copford Hall (p. 318). In 1661 he was in cuftody on suspicion of being implicated in one of the reported conspiracies of the time. He petitioned Charles, on the allegation that he had taken the oath of allegiance, and utterly abhorred any such designs, and from the beginning of Dec., 1660, to the beginning of Oct., had never left the country, but lived privately at his own house ;' that he might have his liberty on giving security for his peaceable living.' MSS. S.P.O. Charles II. 1661. His father, John Haynes, who was also of Copford Hall, was one of those who accompanied Thomas Hooker to New England. He and several of his family settled at Cambridge, Mass. Farmer, Genealogical Register of First Settlers in N. E. 139. The Seamans were a numerous and influential family at that date. Mor. ii. 195, 408. Morison and Blackburn MSS. and Wivenhoe Church Books. 358 Edward Symmes, Mark Mott, Thomas Archer. Calamy says that he there read some of the common prayer, and now and then wore the surplice, but was threatened for not observing all the ceremonies. * 、 BUMPSTEAD STEEPLE.-Edward Symmes. The return for this parish in 1650 is, last incumbent lately dead. The parish has allowed to him that officiates, twenty shillings per diem.' The last incumbent was John Wilson, who subscribed the Essex Testimony in 1648. Edward Symmes was admitted vicar after this date. He was ejected by the Act of Uniformity. His successor, George Hyer, was admitted 22nd September, 1662. Symmes is said, by Calamy, to have been 'a very humble, modest, holy person.' † CHELMSFORD.-Mark Mott. The living had been sequeftered from John Michaelson, for political delinquency, and Mott was his immediate successor, as appears from the order of the House of Commons, February 9, 1643. Michaelson was presented to the living of Afheldham not long afterwards. Mott had previously been Michaelson's curate. His signature appears to the petition in favour of Thomas Hooker. He also signed the Essex Teftimony in 1648. In 1650 the return for Chelmsford is, Mark Mott, by the Parliament, on the sequeftration of J. Michaelson, an able preaching minister.' The Motts were a considerable family in Essex at that period. They may be found in Morant, at Shalford, Braintree, and Birch. The name of Mark is also frequently to be met with in the family. A Mark Mott, B.D., was vicar of Little Raine, 1611 to 1630. Michaelson recovered his living at the restoration, when he was also presented to the rectory of Orsett. Mott was therefore ejected under the act of 1660. CHICKNEY.-Thomas Archer. The rectory had been sequestered from William Mitchell. It would appear from the Cal. Acc. 315; Add. MSS. 15669, 15670, 208. Vincent, see Danbury. John Man, infra. + Cal. Acc. 306; Lands. MSS. 459 ; N. i. 112, see p. 287. Cal. Acc. 304; Cont. 467; Jour. H. of C. iii. 394; N. ii. 17, 454; |