_To the Editor._
Sir,--The publication of the paper, entitled “Catherine Mompesson’s
Tomb,” on “The Desolation of Eyam, and other Poems, by William and Mary
Howitt,” at p. 482 of the _Table Book_, gives me an opportunity, with
your good offices, of rescuing from a degree of oblivion the name and
merits of an individual, who has unaccountably been almost generally
overlooked, but who ought, at least, to be equally identified in any
notice of the “Plague at Eyam” with Mr. Mompesson himself.
The Rev. Thomas Stanley was instituted to the rectory of Eyam by the
ruling powers in 1644, which he held till the “Act of Uniformity,” in
1662, threw him out.
It appears that he continued to reside at Eyam after his ejectment, and
the tradition of the place at this day is, that he was supported by the
voluntary contributions of _two-thirds_ of the inhabitants; this may
have been the cause of some jealousy in those who might have been
satisfied with his removal from the living.
His comparative disinterestedness, with other circumstances worthy of
notice, are recorded by his friend and fellow-sufferer Bagshaw, usually
called “the Apostle of the Peak;” he concludes a most interesting
account of Mr. Stanley in these words:--“When he could not serve his
people publickly, some (yet alive) will testifie, how helpful he was to
’em in private; especially when the sickness (by way of eminency so
called, I mean the Pestilence) prevailed in that town, he continuing
with ’em, when, as it is written, 259 persons of ripe age, and 58
children were cut off thereby. When some, who might have been better
employed, moved the then noble earl of Devonshire, lord lieutenant, to
remove him out of the town; I am told by the credible, that he said, ‘It
was more reasonable that the whole country should, in more than words,
testify their thankfulness to him, who, together with his care of the
town, had taken such care as no one else did, to prevent the infection
of the towns adjacent.’”
Mr. Stanley died at Eyam 24th August, and was buried there on the 26th
following, 1670.
I have thus extracted what, as an act of justice, ought to have been
published long since, and which, indeed, ought to accompany every
memorial of the plague at Eyam: though I scarcely regret that it has
waited for the extensive circulation the _Table Book_ must give to
it--if it is so fortunate as to be considered a communication to your
purpose. My authority is, “_De Spiritualibus Pecci_. Notes (or Notices)
concerning the Work of God, and some of those who have been workers
together with God in the High Peak of Derbyshire,” &c. 12mo. 1702.
(Sheffield.)
Some farther account of Stanley may be seen in Calamy’s “Nonconformist’s
Memorial,” and Hunter’s “History of Hallamshire,” but both follow
Bagshaw.
I exceedingly regret that “William and Mary Howitt” were unacquainted
with Mr. Stanley’s services at Eyam.