The fourth bell previous to being recast bore this inscription:
Fac et spe. Henri Penn Fusor Peterburgensis.
The benefice is a vicarage, in the presentation of the Bishop of
Carlisle, valued in the King’s books at £14. 4_s._ 2_d._
The registers commence in the year 1559. In them are contained the
following singular entries:
“On the vth daie of October one thousand six hundrete & three, in the
first yere of our Souvraine Lord King James was holden in Horncastle
Church a solemnn fast from eight in the morning until foure a clock
in the afternoone by five preachers vidz. Mr Hollinhedge vicar of
Horncastle, Mr Turner of Edlington, Mr Downes of Lusbye, Mr Phillipe
of Salmonbye, Mr Tanzey of Hagworthingha’, occasioned by a general
and most feareful plague yt yeare in sundrie places of this Land, but
especially upon the Cytie of London.
Pr. me Clementem Whitelock.”
“Thomas Gibson Clerk Master of the Free Schoole of Newcastle uppon
Tine one of the Chapleines of the Right Reverend Father in God
Barnabas by Divine P’vidence Lo. Bpp. of Carliol, presented by the
said Lo. Bpp. was inducted into the Vicarage of Horncastle, April the
xiiij 1643.”
“The said Mr. Thomas Gibson being outed of Horncastle by Cromwell
Commissiner removed to Nether Toynton, lived ther one yeare. After
returne again taught some gentlemen sonnes in his owne house, was
afterwards called to ye schoole at Newark where he continued one
yeare, then was importuned to Sleeford whether he went the week after
Easter 1650, continued there until May ye first 1661 then the King
being restored he returned to his vicaridge and was by Doctor Robet
Sandeson Bishop of Linkcoln made Preban of Sant Marie Crake Poule in
the Church of Linkcoln,”
“Septr. 28, 1662.
“Memorandum the Day and yeere above written that the Booke of Common
Prayer lately set forth by the Authority of the King’s Majestie and
his court was read in the Parish Church of Horncastle by me Thomas
Gibson Vicar there, and freely and willingly assented unto according
to an act of Parliament in that case made and provided. In witness
whereof the said Mr. Gibson with other of the inhabitants whose names
are hereunto subscribed have sette their hands.
THO: GIBSON, Vicar.
JOHN HARDING, Parrish Clerk”
[Picture: Seal of the Grammar School at Horncastle]