On April 6. 1708, Henry Turner was elected, by the vestry, organist of
St. Margaret's, Westminster, in the room of the famous "Father Smith"
(Bernard Schmidt). As regards his musical capabilities, Hawkins does not
assign him a niche in his _Temple of Worthies_, although he names some
of his predecessors and successors in that office. One merit we must
accord him, that of true antiquarian love and zeal in all matters
regarding "this renowned city." "Great materials are said to have been
collected for a full description (of Westminster), by a parish-clerk of
St. Margaret's. I presume this is Henry Turner, mentioned in Widmore's
_Account of the Writers of the History of Westminster Abbey_.... His
book was only a survey of the city of Westminster, purposely omitting
the history of the (collegiate) church."--Gough, _Brit. Top._ vol. i. p.
761. Lond. 1780. "The man's natural parts were very good; he was also
very diligent in making enquiries relating to his subject, and he had
collected a great deal."--Widmore's _Acc. of Writers of the Hist. of
Westm. Abbey_, pp. 6, 7. Lond. 1751. As regards his personal history, I
alighted on some curious notes on a fly-leaf of a transcript of a
register: "Henry Turner, borne at Yearely, Derbyshire, 12. July, 1679:
married Eliz. Sabin, of Clement Danes, in St. Margrts. Westmr. Feb. 26.
1701. by Dr. Onley."
In 1697 it was discovered that some valuable MS. records belonging to
the parish, and taken out of the Tower of London, had been lost by their
keeper. This history in its time appears to have suffered the same fate.
However, there is this entry in the _Harleian MSS._ 7045. fol. 361.:
"From the learned Dr. Kennet, Dean of Peterborough's Collection. MSS.
MS. H. On Aug. 2. 1708, at Windsor, I read over the _History of the
Parish of St. Margaret's, Westminster_, drawn up in MS. by one of the
parish clerks." Some interesting extracts follow. Compare _Aysc. Add.
MSS. Brit. Mus._ 4163. fol. 5. Bishop Kennet resided in St. James's
Street, in this parish, and died there on Dec. 19. 1728. I have applied
in vain for any account of this MS. to the librarians of Windsor Castle
and Eton College.
Can any of your readers give a clue to its recovery? Are any aware that
this survey, which would be valuable now, still exists? There is an
instance, as early as the fifteenth century, of the union of the offices
of lay-clerk and organist in St. Margaret's, in the person of one
Metyngham, and H. Turner also held them at the same time; since, on July
28th, 1713, he was elected parish-clerk by the vestry, in "consideration
of the experience they had of fitness and diligence in executing the
office of deputy-clerk of this parish for several years last past;" and
he did not resign the place of organist until 2nd October, 1718.
May I make another Query?--The gold chain and crucifix, laid in the
grave of K. Edward the Confessor, were removed by Charles Taylor, and
given into the hands of King James II. On the reverse of the same cross
was pictured a Benedictine monk, in his habit, and on each side of him
these capital Roman letter,--
On the right limb thus: and on the left thus:
(A) P.
Z. A. X A. C.
A H.
_Antiq. of St. Peter's_, vol. ii. App. n. iij, Ed. 1722.
What does the inscription mean? Is the former portion to be understood
"[Greek: A. O. Zoae agion Christos]"? What is the import of the latter?