102
NOTES AND QUERIES. [us. VIL FEB. s,
commence in the early part of the reign of
Edw. III. (1327-77). References from the
earlier books are set out at pp. 30614 of
the work.*
A list of the Wardens from 1345 onward was compiled by Grantham in 1907.
Haberdashers. Eagleton's pamphlet of 'Notes' in regard to this Company (1911) quotes Minutes of the Interregnum period, the earliest dated reference relating to the year 1648. This would approximately agree with the statement made by Herbert in his ' History ' at p. 534, to the effect that
" the Haberdashers' Court books are stated to ex- tend no further back than the reign of Charles I."
Homers. It is remarked by Rosedale in his ' History ' (1912). at p. 39, that " the earliest Minute Book in the possession of the Company covers the period 1731-1796." Dr. Rosedale has also issued some ' Notes on the Old Book of Records, 1455-1635,' which, however, lie outside the scope of the present inquiry.
Ironmongers. At p. 56 of the second edition of Nicholl's ' Account ' (1866) it is remarked that
" the Company's Accounts of receipts and expenditure commence in 1540, and are very neatly and regularly kept in a series of books denominated Register-books."
In regard to the Minutes, it would appear from various printed extracts (as, notably, one given at p. 68) that they begin about 1555. A list of Masters from 1463 is given, the list being complete from 1531.
Herbert says of the Company in a foot- note at p. 572 that
" their first Court book commences in 1540, but they have other books and documents of much earlier date."
Leather setters. From Black's ' History ' (1871) we gather that the Accounts date from 1471 onward (save for sundry breaks within the period 1489-1532), while the Minutes commence in 1608, the Registers of Apprentices and Freemen dating respec- tively from 1629 and 1630 (pp. 97, 100, 101). Lists of Wardens from 1470, and of Masters from 1559, are given.
Masons. Conder informs us in his ' Chro- nicle ' (1894) that the Company are in posses- sion of
" no existing documents earlier than a book of Accounts dated 1620, all their loose papers having
- The early records of this Company have
been printed in extenso (see MK. RHODES 's refer- ence at 11 S. iv. 452). They contain numerous lists of Members, &c., including complete returns for 1373 and 1428.
been either destroyed, sold, or otherwise lost'"
(p. 53) :
while we are also told (at p. 141) that "all the Minute Books previous to the year 1670> are missing." The ' Quarterage Book ' com- mences in 1663 (p. 178). A list of the Masters from 1620 is given, together with periodical lists of Members from 1537 (following upon an early list of 1356).
Mercers. Brabrook's ' Charters ' (1889) quotes J. C4. Nichols to the effect that the Minutes of this Company date back to the year 1344. Herbert in his ' History ' is not so precise, but contents himself by stating presumably with reference to the Accounts- in a foot-note, at p. 288, that "the second Warden's fair book, for the year end- ing 1641 ; the like for the years 1666, 1667/1684. and 1713-14,"
were produced with other records to a Par- liamentary Committee in 1747.
Merchant Taylors. It appears from Clode's ' Memorials ' (1875) that the earlier Accounts are extant for the periods 1399 1445, 1453-84, and 1544-57, there being also a distinct volume of ' Treasury Accounts 7 covering the years 1489-1503. The Minutes, date from 1562, and the Registers (according to Herbert) from 1580. A list very in- complete as regards its earlier period is given in Clode's 'Early History' of (1888) the Masters and Wardens from 1392 to 1700. Herbert's schedule of the Com- pany's records, as set out at pp. 391-2 of his work, appears to be somewhat at variance with the facts as disclosed by Clode,
WILLIAM McMuBBAY, (To be continued.)
MEWCE : WASHINGTON : HALLEY r
PYKE.
(See 10 S. vii. 263.)
THE family of Mewce, connected with those of Washington and Halley, seems to be traced from Mewce of Calais (c. 1625), but its ancient French history is apparently unknown at least, a query of mine relating- thereto, inserted in L 'Intermediate des- Chercheurs et Curieux for 20 April, 1910 (No. 1253, vol. Ixi. col. 559), has not, so- far as I am aware, elicited any response. " Will of Henry Atkins, proved 6 Nov., 1630 i
To Mrs. Elizabeth Mewce one Holland pillow
beer .... My loving and worthy friend Mr. Francis Mewce my sole executor/' Northampton Wills, O.E., 1626-30, 298 ; cf. ' Genealogical Glean- ings in England,' by Waters, pp. 769-70.
