and Hereditaments whatsoever, called by the name of_ Apple-tree Ducy,
_in_ Cropridee, _in the County of_ Northampton, _unto_ John Brooking
_of_ Rashly, _in the County of_ Devon, _Esquire, and the said_ William
Davis senior, _and_ Thomas Cullin senior, _and the Survivor of them,
and their Heirs, and the Survivor of them upon Trust and Confidence:
Nevertheless, that they the said_ John Brooking, William Davis, _and_
Thomas Cullin, _shall sell and dispose of the same; and out of the
Money thereby raised, pay, or cause to be paid, the respective Legacies
herein before bequeathed unto the said_ Anne Cullin, Thomas Cullin
Junior, Dorothy Halford, Richard Davis, William Davis Junior, _and_
Anne Fowkes. _And whereas I have herein before bequeathed unto my
Kinsman_ Will. Wickham, _and his Heirs, all my Mansion-house at_
Swacklift _aforesaid, with the Lands, Tenements, and Hereditaments
thereunto belonging; my true Will and Meaning is, That the same Devise
is upon this special Trust and Confidence, That the said_ William
Wickham _shall pay, or cause to be paid, the several Legacies herein
before bequeathed unto the said_ Rob. Croker, _and_ Will. Croker,
Robert Penniston, _and_ Jane Penniston; _and also pay and discharge one
Bond for the Principal Sum of five hundred pounds, with Interest, which
I became bound for with_ Thomas Walker, _to one_ Thomas Irons, _any
thing herein before contained, to the contrary thereof in any wise
notwithstanding; and also that he the said_ William Wickham, _shall out
of his Legacy, and Lands, and Premises aforesaid, to him devised, pay,
or cause to be paid unto my Executors hereafter named, the Sum of five
hundred pounds, to be by them bestowed, distributed, or employed for
the use and benefit of the Poor of the Parish of_ Swacklift _aforesaid,
in such manner as they, or the major part of them shall think fit and
convenient_.
Item, _I give and bequeath unto the said_ John Brooking _out of the
Moneys that shall be raised of the Sale of the said Lands and
Tenements, called_ Apple-tree Ducy _aforesaid, the Summ of Five hundred
Pounds: And all the rest and residue of the Moneys that shall be
thereby raised, I do hereby give and bequeath unto the said_ William
Davies _Senior, and_ Thomas Cullin _Senior, to be equally divided
between them and the Survivor of them_.
Item, _I give and bequeath unto_ Alice Cullin, _Wife of the said_
Thomas Cullin _Senior, the Sum of Six hundred Pounds to her own proper
Use and Disposal_.
Item, _I give and bequeath in like manner the Sum of Six hundred Pounds
unto_ Jane Davis, _the Wife of the said_ William Davis.
Item, _I give unto the said_ Robert Croker _and_ Will. Croker, _the Sum
of Ten Pounds a piece to buy them Mourning: and also to each of them a
Ring of Twelve Shillings_.
Item, _I give unto_ Jane Croker _and_ Mary Croker; _and also to the
said_ Robert Penniston, _and_ Jane Penniston, _and all other my Legates
herein before mentioned, and to every of them the Sum of Ten Pounds a
piece to buy them Mourning, and a Ring of Twelve Shillings_.
Item, _Whereas I have the Sum of Seven hundred Pounds lying at Interest
in the hands of Mr._ Ambrose Holbitch, _in the name of_ Oliver Charles,
_my Servant, I do hereby give and bequeath the same to and amongst my
Four Servants_, Oliver Charles, John Harber, Sarah Winn, _and_ Margery
Smith, _and the Survivor of them, to be equally divided amongst them,
share and share alike_.
Item, _I give and bequeath my Three Geldings, and all my Accoutrements
belonging to them unto the said_ John Brookeing, William Davis _Senior,
and_ Thomas Cullin, _Senior_, viz. _my Bright Bay Gelding to the said_
Thomas Cullin, _and my Black Gelding to the said_ William Davis, _and
my Dapple-grey Gelding to the said_ John Brookeing. _All the Arrears of
Rent in my Tenants Hands at the time of my Decease I do hereby freely
acquit and discharge. And all the rest and Residue of my Personal
Estate, not herein before devised, after my Debts, Legacies and Funeral
Expences, paid and discharged, I do hereby give and bequeath unto my
said Kinsman_ William Wickham.
_And, lastly. I do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint the said_
William Wickham, John Brooking, William Davis senior, _and_ Thomas
Cullin senior, _Executors of this my Will; hereby revoking and making
void all other, and former Will or Wills by me made_.
_In Witness whereof I the said_ Humphrey Wickham _have to this my last
Will, containing one side of a Sheet of Paper, and almost half the
back, thereof, set my Hand and Seal this Twentieth day of_ Decemb. Anno
Dom. 1691.
Humphrey Wickham.
_Signed, Sealed, Published and Declared in the presence of us, with the
words_ (Will. Wickham) _being first interlined_, Rob. Smith, Jo.
Chapman, Rich. Chapman, Mart. Pinckard.
_I, the above-named_ Humphrey Wickham, _having omitted out of my Will
above-mentioned, the Disposition of my Estate in_ Huntingtonshire, _do
hereby make this Addition to, and part of my said Will, in manner
following: I give and bequeath all my Lands, Tenements and
Hereditaments, called_ Pryor'_s Farm, and all other my Estate in_
Holly-well _and_ Needingworth, _unto the above-named_ John Brooking,
William Davis senior, _and_ Tho. Cullin senior, _and the Survivor of
them, and their Heirs, and the Heirs of the Survivor of them, under
this special Trust and Confidence, that the said_ Jo. Brooking, William
Davis, _and_ Thomas Cullin, _shall sell and dispose of the same; and
out of the Moneys thereby raised, pay, or cause to be paid the
respective Legacies hereafter named_; viz. _I give and bequeath to_
Humphrey Longford _the sum of six hundred pounds, and to his Sister_
Mary Longford _the like sum of six hundred pounds_.
Item, _I give and bequeath unto the said_ Tho. Cullin _Sen. the further
Sum of_ 800 l. _and all the Remainder of the Moneys thereby raised, I
give and bequeath unto the said_ Will. Davis _Sen. and_ Jane _his Wife,
and the Survivor of them_.
Item, _Whereas I have by Will above-said, given unto_ John Cullin, _Son
of the said_ Thomas Cullin, _the impropriated Parsonage of_ Sowgrave;
_my true meaning is, That I do give and devise the same to the said_
John Cullin, _and his Heirs for ever. In Witness whereof, I the said_
Humphrey Wickham _have to this Codicil Addition, or further part of my
said Will, set my Hand and Seal, this Twenty eighth Day of_ December,
_Anno Dom._ 1691.
Humphrey Wickham.
_Signed, Sealed, Published, and Declared, in the Presence of us_,
Robert Smith, John Chapman, Rich. Chapman, Martin Pinkard. Probatum
fuit, _&c._
This stupendious confidence of a dying man is very amazing, nay he
drove on the Masquerade at that strange rate, that he may be truly
said to have ended as he began, having received the blessed
Sacrament, pretended the settlement of his Conscience, and making
peace with Heaven with that seeming sincerity, as if he had
resolved to prevaricate with God with the same assurance he had all
along done with Mankind. The credulity of these deluded persons his
Landlord, and the rest, is not much to be wonder'd at, when the
last Gasps of Death could carry so fair an Hypocrisie, and their
Transports for his extravagant Legacies bequeathed 'em are rather
to be pittied then rediculed. And if they have been faulty in any
little over-fondness of their imaginary good fortune, the Jests and
Gibes they have received, have been their sufficient punishment;
besides Mr. _Cullin's_ being run out of above 30_l._
After his Death care was taken to provide him a Coffin of about
10_l._ value, and the Embalmers were paid for some of their Office
of preserving him sweet, till preparations for a solemn and
sumptuous Funeral could be made, suitable to the remains of the
honourable Deceased. And this Letter was sent as follows.
_Sir_,
These serve to inform you that _Humphrey Wickham_ Esquire of
_Swaclift_ in the County of _Oxon_ died this morning at my House
where he has been about ten days; He has made his Will, and you are
one of his Executors with me and others; A very great share of his
Estate is given to you; therefore pray Sir speed to _London_, that
we may take care of his Funeral and other matters necessary to be
done upon this occasion.
I think it may not be amiss that you keep this private, lest any
thing may be Purloyned or Imbezelled by any of the deceaseds
Servants, or any else at his Seat at _Swaclift_, which is all given
to you, some Legacies thereout to be paid; I am, Sir,
_Your Servant_
Tho. Cullin.
London 3. January 169-1/2. From my House at the Wheat-sheaf near
St. _Clements_ Church over against _Arundel_ Street. _Strand_.
To Mr. _William Wickham_ of _Gazington_ inquire at the Blew Boars
Head in _Oxon_.
_These following Lines were inclosed from the aforesaid Executors
in the said Letter being left by the deceased._
Whereas, I _Humphrey Wickham_ Esquire, in Company with my own man
_John Harbert_, _and John Austin_, Son of _Nich. Austin_, did carry
a black Hoggs Skin Trunk, marked with the Letters
_H. W._ 1688.
Wherein are the Deeds of my Estate at _Sowgrave_ and _Apple-tree
Ducy_; these are to desire you to deliver them to the Executors,
signed with his own Name, thus
_Humphrey Wickham_
_Memorandum_, there are two Mortgages in the hands of _Austin_, the
one for 1400_l._ and the other for 400_l._ In the name of _Oliver
Charles_, in the hands of Mr. _Ambrose Holbech_.
In answer to this Letter came a Gentleman from _Oxford_ to tell Mr.
_Cullin_, that the Christian name of this Mr. _Wickham_ of _Gazington_
was mistaken, which gave the first Alarm of an Imposture, otherwise
Horse and Mourning had been provided to have carried him down to
_Swackley_ for his Interment there.
Mr. _Cullin_ being not over apt to believe himself cheated, but more to
satisfie the rest of the World, sent down a Messenger to _Swackley_,
with fifteen shillings in his Pocket, mounted upon a poor Hackney, but
ordered to return upon the Bright Bay Gelding bequeathed him in his
Will; being not convinced of the Delusion till his Messengers Return
notwithstanding several persons of Reputation had declared him a
counterfeit; & Major _Richardson_ and Mr. _Compton_ had both inspected
the Corps, and averred him to be the very man formerly Judged for six
Wives as before mentioned, and more than once their Prisoner in
Newgate.
The Messenger returning _Tuesday_ the 12th of _January_ he brought a
Compliment to the Executors from Captain _Wickham_, (who had treated
the Messenger very civilly,) to this effect; that he gave 'em his
hearty thanks for their intended kindness to him, and if they would
please to come to _Swackley_ for a Month or more they should be very
welcome, and have the use of all the Geldings, _viz._ the Black, the
Bright Bay, and Dapple Grey, tho he could not well part with 'em for
good and all.
Upon this full satisfaction received, about three the next Morning with
no more than a Watchman and a Lanthorn in a Coffin of four shillings
price, he was laid in Earth in a Nook of St. _Clements_ Churchyard.
Postscript.
The Nurse and Assistants that attended him in his sickness now call to
mind, that they once or twice observed him to laugh to himself very
pleasantly, which they suppose proceeded from the pleasure he took in
cheating the World he was then just upon leaving.
_FINIS._
_DIEGO REDIVIVUS:_
or the
Last WILL
AND
TESTAMENT
Of the Pretended
_Humphrey Wickham_, Esq;
Alias WILLIAM MORREL, alias BOWYER, &c.
WITH A Full RELATION of his Notorious CHEATS and IMPOSTURES: Who dyed
at Mr. _Cullins_ House, the Third of this Instant _January_, in the
Parish of St. _Clement Danes_, &c.
_LICENSED and Entred in the REGISTER-BOOK of the Company of
Stationers._
_LONDON_, Printed for _Abel Roper_, at the _Mitre_ near _Temple-Bar_.
1692.
ADVERTISEMENT.
This is to give notice, That the Fine COFFIN, mentioned in the
following Relation, is to be sold in _Shipyard_, without _Temple-bar_.
_The Last_ Will _and_ Testament _of the pretended_ Humphrey Wickham
_Esq_; _alias_ William Morrel, _alias_ Bowyer, _&c. with
Annotations thereupon_.
The Publick undoubtedly cannot be better entertained, than by the
following Relation, of one of the most notorious Cheats as has been
known in an Age, which has already made a very amazing Noise in the
Town and the Particulars whereof, may be no disacceptable
Entertainment.
A Person not over-well Clad, was seen standing gazing about him in the
Streets, over-against _Arundel_-Buildings in the _Strand_; but the
gravity of his Age (being a Person between 50 and 60) invited the
Curiosity of Mr. _Cullin_ the Baker, to ask this unknown Person what he
wanted? To which he replied, He wanted a Lodging. Upon this, Mr.
_Cullin_ very courteously made answer, He should be welcome to his
House; which he very easily and readily accepted; and accordingly was
received very kindly. Now having no extraordinary Stock of Money,
_viz._ but Two Shillings in his Pocket, he was exposed to the necessity
of making use of some Romantick Narrative of his Quality and Condition,
to make good his Quarters with so slender a Purse, to hold out payment.
Accordingly the Curiosity of his Landlady enquiring what Country-man he
was? He replied, _Oxfordshire_; that his Name was _Wickham_, a Person
of a good Estate near _Banbury_; and that the occasion of his coming to
Town, was only to avoid the payment of 500_l._ which he stood engaged
for by Bond, in behalf of a Person that was run away, and had left him
to pay that Money, and which truly he had made an Oath to himself he
would never pay; not that the Summ was so considerable to a Man of his
plentiful Fortune, only he was resolved to keep his Vow; and that had
made him retire a little from being arrested for it.
The Affability and good Language of this Person of imaginary Quality,
soon found Credit with his believing Landlord and Landlady, and no
Caress was thought kind enough to a Person of his eminent Figure and
Extraction. His first entrance into this indulgent Family was about a
fortnight before _Christmass_, where he gained that daily ground, that
no Respect could be sufficiently paid him: His little Pocket Strength
signified nothing, for his Host was not a little exalted with the
Honour of such a Guest under his Roof.
But, as Providence was pleased to order it, his Reign was ordain'd to
be but short; for he soon fell into a languishing Sickness, in which
time neither Doctor, Apothecary, Nurse, or any other Assistance was
wanting.
Now our pretended Captain, what ever other Faults he had, was resolv'd
not to be guilty of Ingratitude, and accordingly made an ample Last
Will and Testament, and most liberally gave extraordinary large
Donations and Legacies to his kind Landlord, _&c._
It was very remarkable, that during his Sickness, his Landlord, being
Overseer of the Poor, had requested a kind Brother in Office, the
Church-Warden, to pay a small Office of Christian Duty to this poor
languishing Gentleman; who making him a condoling Visit, with wet Eyes
and uplifted Hands, was so kind as to wish his Worship's Soul
everlasting Rest, which was seconded by many a repeated sigh from the
rest of the Condolers about him: And one more especially, having heard
of this great Wind-fall, lamented much his Unhappiness, in not visiting
this Gentleman, saying, _He was never born to do himself good, having
lost by his Negligence at least_ 1000_l._ Also another eminent Man of
the Parish, being dissatisfied that he did not come in for a Share with
the rest of his Neighbours, went and told them, _That the Coroner ought
to be sent for, and an Enquiry made how he died_.
All Care and Application signified but little, for his last _Exit_ was
drawing on; in which time, not in the least to shrink from his
Character of Quality, he still kept up the Honourable Figure he had so
long presented; and accordingly made most prodigious Protestations of
Good-will and Acknowledgments to the Family, avowing that the few
Hundreds he had bequeathed them, was nothing to what he would do for
'em, if please God to lengthen his Life to serve them and theirs.
And now having performed the Part of a good Patron and Friend, as his
last Legacies do sufficiently testifie; he was resolved to be as good a
Christian too, and thereupon requested the taking the Sacrament: To
which, being admitted (with what Integrity you'll find by the Sequel)
with a grave Countenance to the very last, he was very ready to receive
the Sacrament; and upon so serious an Undertaking, was pleased to put a
Case of Conscience to the Minister, _viz._ having made a Vow never to
pay the 500_l._ he stood engaged for, Whether he was obliged to keep
his Vow, or no? To which being answered in the Negative, That he was
obliged to pay his Debts, notwithstanding his rash Vow. He made answer,
That truly now drawing near Heaven, he considered the point, and
acquiesced with his Ghostly Monitor; and thereupon incerted the 500_l._
into the Will.
This piece of extraordinary Justice being perform'd with a very
composed and setled mind he left this troublesom World on _Sunday_ the
Third Instant, seeming very well contented to part with his great
Riches and Lands, for the more valuable consideration of future
Happiness.
Now I must do the Family this Right, That notwithstanding the great
Sums they gain'd by so ample a Testament, and such bounteous Legacies,
however their sorrow for the lamented Departure of so worthy a
Gentleman was very hearty and cordial: Nay, some are of Opinion, that
instead of diminishing (as Sorrow generally wears off) theirs, on the
contrary is daily encreasing.
But perhaps nothing was so unkind as excluding the poor Prentice from
visiting the sick Gentleman. For, alas, the poor Boy has been heard
most dolefully to bewail the unkindness of his Master; for undoubtedly
the worthy Gentleman would have left him enough to have set him up, had
he been amongst the Throng of Visitants, who all tasted so highly of
his extravagant Liberality.
Now to assure you that the Kindness of his Executors continued beyond
his Death, they thought themselves so far indebted to his Memory, that
not only the Embalmer was sent for, but likewise a Coffin, price 12_l._
was made, and all little enough for so generous a Patron, so much as
Mourning, and Rings, and what else bespoken, _&c._
But before these Honourable Exequies could be performed, an unhappy
Letter from the True _Humphrey Wickham_ Esq; a Person of a great Estate
and Reputation, detected the whole Fraud and Delusion, and the Remains
of our _Quandam_ Person of Honour was committed to Earth, in a Coffin,
price 4_s._ with Shrowd and other Funeral Materials accordingly.
You are hereby informed, That this grand Impostor, whose true Name was
_VVilliam Morrell_ alias _Bowyer_, formerly a Surgeon in _Banbury_, had
been two Months a Guest at Mr. _Wickham_'s, and thereby so acquainted
with his Family as enabled him to personate the Cheat so artificially,
and so we leave him.
_His_ WILL.
_In the Name of God, Amen_, I _Humphrey Wickham_ of _Swaclift_, in the
County of _Oxon_ Esq; being sick and weak in Body, but of sound Mind
and Memory, do make this my last WILL and TESTAMENT, revoking all Wills
by me formerly made: And as touching such Worldly Estate as God hath
been pleased to bless me withal, I do hereby give and bequeath the same
in manner following:
_Imprimis_, I do give, devise, and bequeath to my Kinsman _William
Wickham_, Son of _George Wickham_, of _Gazington_ in the County of
_Oxon_, all that my Mansion-House of _Swaclift_ aforesaid; and all the
Lands, Tenements, and Hereditaments thereunto belonging, to hold unto
him the said _William Wickham_, and his Heirs forever.
_Item_, I give and bequeath unto _John Cullin_, Son of _Thomas Cullin_,
of the Parish of St. _Clement Danes_, in the County of _Middlesex_,
Baker, all that my impropriated Parsonage of _Sowgrate_, in the County
of _Northampton_, with the Rents, Issues, and Profits thereof.
_Item_, I give unto _Anne Cullin_, Sister of the said _John Cullin_,
the Summ of Two hundred and fifty Pounds.
_Item_, I give unto _Thomas Cullin_, Son of the said _Thomas Cullin_,
the Summ of Three hundred Pounds.
_Item_, I give unto _Dorothy Halford_, Daughter of _Thomas Halford_ of
_Halford_, in the County of _Warwick_, the Summ of Two hundred Pounds.
_Item_, I give unto _Richard Davis_, Son of _William Davis_ of the said
Parish of St. _Clement Danes_, the Summ of Four hundred Pounds.
_Item_, I give unto _William Davis_, Son of the said _William Davis_,
the Summ of Two hundred Pounds.
_Item_, I give unto _Anne Fowkes_, for her Care and Diligence in
Looking after me in my Sickness, the Summ of One hundred Pounds.
_Item_, I give unto _Robert Croker_, Son of _William Croker_ of
_Sanford_, in the said County of _Oxon_ (being my God-son) the Sum of
Five Hundred Pounds.
_Item_, I give unto the said _William Croker_, the Summ of Five hundred
Pounds.
_Item_, I give unto _Robert Penniston_, Son of Sir _Thomas Penniston_,
and younger Brother to Sir _Farmalis Penniston_ of _Cornhill_, in the
said County of _Oxon_ the Summ of Three hundred Pounds.
_Item_, I give unto Mrs. _Jane Penniston_, Sister of the said Mr.
_Robert Penniston_, the Summ of Two hundred Pounds.
_Item_, I do hereby give, devise, and bequeath, all my Lands,
Tenements, and Hereditaments whatsoever, called by the Name of
_Apple-tree Ducy_, in _Cropridee_, in the County of _Northampton_, unto
_John Brooking_ of _Rashly_, in the County of _Devon_, Esquire, and the
said _William Davis_ Senior, and _Thomas Cullin_ Senior, and the
Survivor of them, and their Heirs, and the Survivor of them upon Trust
and Confidence: Nevertheless, that they the said _John Brooking_,
_VVilliam Davis_, and _Thomas Cullin_, shall sell and dispose of the
same; and out of the Money thereby raised, pay, or cause to be paid,
the respective Legacies herein before bequeathed unto the said _Anne
Cullin_, _Thomas Cullin_ Jun. _Dorothy Halford_, _Richard Davis_,
_VVilliam Davis_ Jun. and _Anne Fowkes_. And whereas I have herein
before bequeathed unto my Kinsman _VVilliam VVickham_, and his Heirs,
all my Mansion-House at _Swaclift_ aforesaid, with the Lands,
Tenements, and Hereditaments thereunto belonging; my true Will and
Meaning is, That the same Devise is upon this special Trust and
Confidence, That the said _VVilliam VVickham_ shall pay, or cause to be
paid, the several Legacies herein before bequeathed unto the said _Rob.
Croker_, and _VVil. Croker_, _Robert Penniston_, and _Jane Penniston_;
and also pay and discharge one Bond for the Principal Sum of five
hundred Pounds, with Interest, which I became bound for and with
_Thomas VValker_, to one _Thomas Irons_, any thing herein
before-contained to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding;
and also that he the said _VVilliam VVickham_, shall out of his Legacy,
and Lands, and Premises aforesaid, to him devised, pay, or cause to be
paid unto my Executors hereafter named, the Sum of Five hundred Pounds,
to be by them bestowed, distributed, or employed for the use and
benefit of the Poor of the Parish of _Swaclift_ aforesaid, in such
manner as they, or the major part of them shall think fit and
convenient.
_Item_, I give and bequeath unto the said _John Brooking_ out of the
Moneys that shall be raised of the Sale of the said Lands and
Tenements, called _Apple-tree Ducy_ aforesaid, the Summ of Five hundred
Pounds: And all the rest and residue of the Moneys that shall be
thereby raised. I do hereby give and bequeath unto the said _VVilliam
Davies_ Senior, and _Thomas Cullin_ Senior, to be equally divided
between them and the Survivor of them.
_Item_, I give and bequeath unto _Alice Cullin_, Wife of the said
_Thomas Cullin_ Senior, the Sum of Six hundred Pounds to her own proper
Use and Disposal.
_Item_, I give and bequeath in like manner the Summ of Six hundred
Pounds unto _Jane Davis_, the Wife of the said _VVilliam Davis_.
_Item_, I give unto the said _Robert Croker_ and _VVill. Croker_, the
Summ of Ten Pounds a-piece to buy them Mourning: and also to each of
them a Ring of Twelve Shillings.
_Item_, I give unto _Jane Croker_ and _Mary Croker_; and also to the
said _Robert Peniston_, and _Jane Peniston_, and all other my Legatees
herein before-mentioned, and to every of them the Summ of Ten Pounds
a-piece to buy them Mourning, and a Ring of Twelve Shillings.
_Item_, Whereas I have the Sum of Seven hundred Pounds, lying at
Interest in the hands of Mr. _Ambrose Holbitch_, in the name of _Oliver
Charles_, my Servant, I do hereby give and bequeath the same to and
amongst my Four Servants, _Oliver Charles_, _John Harbert_, _Sarah
VVinn_, and _Margery Smith_, and the Survivor of them, to be equally
divided amongst them, share and share alike.