was Dr. William Stukeley. A native of Holbeach, he became a member of
Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, graduated M.B. in 1709, commenced
to practice medicine at Boston in 1710, was admitted F.R.S. in 1717,
graduated M.D., Cantab., in 1719, and became F.R.C.P., London, in 1720.
Dr. Stukeley removed to Grantham in 1725; he then forsook the medical
profession, and was ordained in 1729. He became vicar of All Saints’,
Stamford, with St. Peter’s attached, in 1730. We find his name as one of
the founders of the Egyptian Society in 1741, and in 1747 he accepted
the rectory of St. George’s, Queen’s Square, London, on the presentation
of the Duke of Montagu. The Society still possesses some forty of his
communications, nearly all being illustrated. In this collection are a
set of drawings of the figures on the west front of Croyland Abbey, and
of the triangular bridge. These are now of value as showing the state of
those structures in the year 1746. When in London in 1740 to 1750, he
used to go to the meetings of the Royal Society, and on his return in
the evening he wrote down what he could remember of the debates. In this
manner he filled five small volumes, which were sent down to Spalding.
These volumes were bound in vellum, and are still carefully preserved.
Stukeley’s publications were very numerous, and they contain many
references to this Society. His _Itinerarium Curiosum_ is dedicated to
Maurice Johnson, to whom he was much indebted for assistance in composing
his _Medallic History of Marcus Aurelius Valerius Carausius_.
Browne Willis, Roger Gale, and Beaupré Bell wrote many letters and
essays which were read at the weekly meetings. George Vertue, among
many other benefactions, presented to the Society a copy of “_Justes
at Westmʳ_, the 12th of Febʳ., by the KING, my Lord of DEVON, Sir Tho.
Knyvet, and Edw. Nevill, Aᵒ 1ᵒ H. viij.” It was long unknown who was
the engraver, but the S.G.S. minute books prove that it was the work of
Vertue himself. John Grundy, jun., engineer for the Deeping Fen drainage,
drew the map of Spalding, surrounded by views of twelve ancient buildings
in the neighbourhood of the town, which still adorns the Society’s room.
This map has been since engraved, and even reproduced, by a firm at
Chicago, to illustrate a volume on the family of Spalding in America.
Dr. Bolton, of Boston, gave some engravings of Albrecht Dürer, Heinrich
Aldegreve, and Callot, which were purchased by him in Holland.
Imitation being the most sincere form of flattery, other societies
were formed upon the same model at Stamford, Boston, Peterborough,
Oundle, and Wisbech. At Lincoln, Worcester, Doncaster, and Dublin
similar institutions also arose. Most of these soon became extinct. The
Peterborough Society, established by Archdeacon Neve, lived sufficiently
long to enable it to complete two or more volumes of minutes, becoming
known as the Peterborough Book Society in 1810. It has now ceased to
exist. The Brazenose Society at Stamford, established by Dr. Stukeley,
did not long prosper, and an effort to revive it some time afterwards
appears to have completely failed. Of the other societies little, if
anything, is known. The Gentlemen’s Society at Spalding is probably the
only survivor.
The esteem in which this Society was held is proved, not only by a number
of letters written by leading men of the day, notably by Kortholt (Epist.
ad Kappium de Soc. Ant. Lond. Lips. 1730, p. 6), but also by the action
of the Royal Society who, by order of the president, showed its approval
by sending their Transactions. The Society of Antiquaries also ordered
all their works, “as published,” to be sent by their Directors. They also
exchanged their papers, after having been read in London, for those read
at Spalding. On the minutes of the Society of Antiquaries are recorded
several of these communications, but the minute books of the Gentlemen’s
Society show that a still larger number were sent up.
To the end of his life (obiit Feb. 7ᵒ, sepult. Feb. 11ᵒ, 1755, as
recorded in the Register at Spalding Parish Church) Maurice Johnson
continued to be the mainstay of this Society. As long as he lived the
Society flourished. The greater part of the communications were made by
him, or obtained through his activity. The minute books were chiefly his
penmanship, and the beautiful illustrations therein mainly his handiwork.
To the library he gave many of its most valuable books, and the museum
owed much to his liberality. Even to the very last he showed his love for
the Society, by providing in his will an endowment for the chaplain of
Wykeham, who was, previous to his appointment, to undertake the duties of
librarian and take charge of its _supellex literaria_.
Before his death Johnson, with reference to the state of this Society,
observed in a letter to his friend Gale, “realms and all communities
have their periods.” Nevertheless, as Gale in return assured him, “the
_supellex literaria_ of the Society still remains a glorious monument of
the public spirit and learning of its founder, and the record of a noble
attempt, which otherwise would scarcely be credited by posterity.”
After Johnson’s decease a change comes over the scene; the Society
continued to meet every week, and the accounts were duly kept, but the
minute book ceased to be used, little was added to the library or museum,
and the Physic Garden was given up. It is not, however, to be supposed
that the objects for which the Society was established were entirely
neglected. The “Books of Accompts” contain several instances of money
having been spent for the purchase of books, &c., but its activity
decidedly slackened.
A further evidence that the Society was not defunct is shown by the
following extract from the will of Mr. Michael Cox, an apothecary and the
“Operator” to the Society:—
“I do hereby order that neither my said wife nor the said John
Motson, or his heirs, nor the person or persons to whom they
shall sell the same estates, shall have power to discharge or
eject the Gentlemen of the Literary Society in Spalding from
the occupation of the room they now hold of me, with whatever
Liberty’s they now enjoy ... they continuing well, duly and
faithfully to pay the Annual Rent of Five pounds and to occupy
the same as and for a Literary Society room only.”
This room remained in the occupation of the Society until, in the year
1878, the Improvement Commissioners, being anxious to widen the street
near the High Bridge, made an offer of £100 for its interest therein.
This sum was accepted, and the contents of the library and museum were
removed to a room in Double Street until the trustees of the Johnson
Hospital, which had recently been erected, offered the use of the
Board-room and other accommodation at a small rental.
The “Books of Accompts” above referred to are three in number. Each
volume is bound in parchment and is 16 inches high by 6½ inches wide.
They are ruled by hand, and have on each page a debit and credit
account side by side. The entries therein are very conclusive as to the
continuity of the Society, as they contain the weekly expenditures and
annual contributions of the members. The election of new members and
of the officers of the Society are recorded, although omissions are
evidently numerous. In order to show that the original objects of the
Society were not overlooked, the following items, taken at different
periods, will suffice:—
On August 21, 1760, a payment is made to Mr. E. Kingston for experiments
in electricity. On June 11, 1761, a reflecting telescope is paid for. On
December 24, 1767, seven guineas are given for an electrical machine.
On December 27, 1789, there is an entry of payment for repairs to the
telescope. On January 1, 1805, an order is made to have the books,
manuscripts, prints, &c., catalogued. This order was carried out, and
several copies of “A Catalogue of the Spalding Gentlemen’s Society, by T.
Albin, 1808,” still exist. On January 1, 1811, is the last entry in the
account books. This is a revised set of “Rules and Regulations,” wherein
the following items are noticeable:—
“All books, maps, prints, papers, medals, curiosities,
furniture, &c., already in the possession of the Society, or
which may hereafter be purchased by or be bequeathed to them,
shall be considered the joint property of all the existing
members, and no person shall claim a separate right to them.”
(Needless to say, this rule remains unrepealed.) At the same meeting a
sub-librarian was appointed and his duties defined; regulations were
made as to the issue of books to the members; ladies were to be admitted
to the Society, but were not to have votes; and minutes were to be
entered in a book to be provided for that purpose. These minutes were
signed by the Rev. Maurice Johnson as president, and by fifteen other
members. Possibly this new book was never procured, as from this time
neither minutes nor accounts are anywhere to be found, until 1828, when
the entry of minutes was resumed in the old book (vol. vi.), and this
book continued in use up to the 15th July 1889, when another volume was
commenced.
On the 18th of February 1828, Dr. Maurice Johnson resigned the office of
president, and the Rev. Dr. William Moore was elected to succeed him. The
Rev. J. H. Marsden, then an assistant curate of Spalding, was appointed
librarian and secretary. At that time the number of members was only
fifteen, but seven others were admitted at the same meeting.
At the next meeting, on February 25, the secretary was requested “to
examine the Society’s records in order to ascertain the terms upon which
certain books were deposited in the church and school.” He gave in his
report on March 3, and the members present were unanimously of opinion
“that the books appear to have been a free gift.” At this meeting a
committee was appointed for the purpose of examining and arranging the
museum.
From this time the election of members and the gifts of books to the
library are duly recorded. The meetings, however, do not appear to
have been held regularly, but all the entries refer to the work of the
Society—_e.g._ on 25th July 1838, “examined Mr. Grundy’s plan of the town
of Spalding, the same being in a state of dilapidation, and resolved that
it will be advisable to obtain a lithographic fac-simile.” This order was
duly carried out, and copies were sold at fifteen shillings each. It was
then arranged that the meetings should be held quarterly.
On 14th June 1848, Sir Charles Anderson wrote asking permission to
have the minute books sent to Lincoln for inspection at the meeting
of the Archæological Institute which was then being arranged. This
request was complied with, and accompanied by a paper entitled “The
Gentlemen’s Society at Spalding: Its Origin and Progress.” This paper
was subsequently printed by the Institute, and afterwards reprinted as a
pamphlet by Pickering in 1851. After the meeting, Mr. Albert Way wrote as
follows:—
“WONHAM, REIGATE, _August 19, 1848_.
“DEAR SIR,—I have the honor to convey to you, and to request
you to communicate to the Gentlemen composing the Spalding
Society, the hearty thanks of the Central Committee of the
Institute for the kindness with which you have been pleased
to transmit the memorials of the Society to Lincoln for the
gratification of our members during the late meeting. I hope
that these precious documents have safely reached you: they
were committed to the custody of Mr. Swan’s clerk in the
absence of that gentleman.
“The Committee request me also to express their acknowledgment
and thanks for your interesting and valuable notice of the
Society of Spalding, and the character of its early labors
in the field of Archæology. The Committee would hail with
the utmost satisfaction the re-establishment in full vigor
of such a Society in your County for the examination and
preservation of historical memorials and ancient monuments or
antiquities. They would hope that the names of Maurice Johnson
and his contemporaries might yet form the watchword to rally
round the Gentlemen of Spalding all those who cherish the
memory of ancient times in your County, so rich in historical
recollections and examples illustrative of ancient usages or
arts. The Committee would most thankfully have esteemed your
kindness had it been compatible with the safe custody of the
valuable memorials of the Spalding Society sent to Lincoln, to
permit any more detail’d examination of them than was feasible
at that time, or had it been practicable to select any portion
of their curious contents which might have been given in the
Lincoln volume about to be published. The memoir, however,
which we owe to your kindness and hope you will permit me to
publish in that volume, will excite curiosity regarding the
labors of the Antiquaries of Spalding, which we would hope
you may feel disposed, on some future occasion, to gratify by
further notices and extracts.—I have the honor to be, Dear Sir,
your obliged and obedient Servant,
ALBERT WAY, _Hon. Sec._
“The Rev. Dr. MOORE.”
The minute book contains reference to, or has copies of correspondence
with, several other antiquaries of note. Amongst them occur the names of
Pishey Thompson, the author of the “History of Boston”; Admiral Smyth,
author of “A Descriptive Catalogue of a Cabinet of Roman Coins, belonging
to His Grace the Duke of Northumberland”; William Hopkinson of Stamford;
John Yonge Akerman, Secretary to the Society of Antiquaries; Rev. A.
Poole, &c.
Several valuable books were given to the Society, and papers on local
antiquities and other subjects read by the members of the Society, and
entered _in extenso_ by Canon Moore, who also wrote memoirs of some of
the members, viz.: John Richard Carter, Maurice Johnson of Blundeston
(the fifth in lineal descent from the founder), Dr. W. Moore, and Dr.
Cammack.
A vacancy having occurred in the presidency by the death of Dr. Moore
in 1867, Thomas Cammack, F.R.C.P., was appointed to that office, which
he retained until his death. On November 22, 1872, Canon Edward Moore,
F.S.A., was chosen president. He was eminent as an architect, the
restorer of the fine Parish Churches of Spalding, and of Weston St.
Mary, and the preserver of the west front of Crowland Abbey. The three
Churches of St. John Baptist, St. Paul, and St. Peter, Spalding, were
built under his auspices, as was also the new Grammar School and the
Johnson Hospital. Canon Moore was well versed in archæology, and added
much to the minute books of S.G.S. He died on 13th May 1889.
Between the years 1828 and 1889, although the meetings were held at
infrequent and varying intervals, much interest must have been taken
in the Society. The valuable papers read by Canon Moore, Dr. Cammack,
Rev. R. Hollis, and others, and the communications from such men as
Bishop Trollope, Matthew Bloxham, and Professor Marsden show that the
Society still retained a considerable amount of energy. In addition to
those whose names appear above, the list of members of this period gives
those of Joseph Banks of Revesby (father of Sir Joseph Banks); Bertie,
Lord Brownlow; Yarrard, the miniature painter; Count Montalembert, Lord
Boston, Sir Gilbert Scott, T. J. Pettigrew, F.R.S.; J. J. Howard, Joseph
Toynbee, F.R.S.; J. Russell Jackson, &c.
On July 15, 1889, the few remaining members met in the library, then
situate in Double Street, and decided that an earnest effort should be
made to revivify the Society. A president was elected, and a committee
appointed to consider the rules and report thereon. A paper, _In
Memoriam_ Canon Edward Moore, was read. Several articles were exhibited
and some donations made.
The next meeting was held on September 30 following, when the rules
drawn up by the committee were adopted. A treasurer, a librarian, and a
secretary were elected. A paper on “Numismatics” was read and some books
were presented for the library.
Thus, again, working order was re-established; and from that date
quarterly meetings have been held without a single intermission. At these
meetings one or more papers have been read, gifts and purchases of books
and specimens announced, and articles of interest exhibited.
For some years past the quarterly meetings have been supplemented by
monthly ones, and at these also useful work has been accomplished. Summer
excursions to places of antiquarian interest have also been organised.
Since 1889 many hundreds of volumes have been added to the library and
the donations to the museum have been of considerable value.
The Society of Antiquaries of London continues to show its interest
in the Spalding Gentlemen’s Society, by presenting annually its
_Proceedings_ and _Archæologia_.
The Society has purchased several valuable books at auction and other
sales, _e.g._ from the late Joseph Philips, Esq., Colonel Moore, T. H.
Brogden, Esq., and especially from Mrs. M. Johnson, widow of Maurice
Johnson, Esq., of Ayscoughfee Hall and Blundeston, Suffolk. Most of these
last-named works formerly belonged to our founder and have his book-plate
inside the cover. The following extract from a Spalding newspaper will
show their value:—
“LIBRARY OF MAURICE JOHNSON, Esq., F.S.A.—As the sale of this library
by public auction has been a subject of considerable interest in the
town, on account of the intimate connection of its original owner with
Ayscoughfee Hall, we are pleased to learn from Dr. Perry that the
Spalding Gentlemen’s Society, which was instituted by Maurice Johnson
in the year 1710, has been able to secure the following books and
manuscripts which formerly belonged to their venerated founder, in
addition to the large number of similar works which have been in the
possession of the Society from the beginning of the last century. Most
of the books are in a very satisfactory state, and the officers of the
Society will have pleasure in showing them to any one interested in book
lore. The works are:—
Sir Lawrence Myntling’s Court Book, containing calendars of
the bond tenants, constitutions, orders, customs, &c., of the
Priory of Spalding. MS., _circ._ 1455. This book was also
formerly in possession of Sir Richard Ogle.
Registrum Brevium, Statuta Vetera, Summaria legis. MS., _circ._
A.D. 1300.
Middlecot’s Exchequer Records of Lincoln Holland, &c. MS.
Rental in Comitate Lincoln, by various writers. MS.
Catalogus Librorum Societatis Generos; Spalding, by Maurice
Johnson. MS.
Of Sewers in Lincoln—Johnson’s collection.
Statute of Sewers, principally MS., collected by Maurice
Johnson. This contains Callis’ original manuscript, signed by
himself.
Pleas of the Crown, together with a large treatise of the
Clergy, by M. Johnson. MS.
Rerum Anglicarum Scriptorum Veterum. Quorum Ingulphus nunc
primum integer, ceteri nunc primum prodeunt. Oxoniæ (1684).
A Survey of the Cathedrals of Lincoln, Ely, Oxford, and
Peterborough, by Browne Willis. S.G.S.S. (1730).
Harrington’s History of Croyland, translated by Sir Thomas
Lambert. MS.
Roberti de Avesbury Historia de Mirabilis Gestis Edwardi III.
Oxonii (1720).
Mariani Scoti Chronica; cum Martini Poloni Historia (1559).
Aristotelis de Reip bene administrandæ Ratione Libri Octo. cum
commentariis domini Richardi Ogle Equitis Aurati (1567).
Antiquitates Rutupinæ, auctore Joanne Battely. Oxoniæ (1711).
Chronicon Saxonicum et MSS. Codicibus nunc primum integrum ac
Latinum fecit Edmundus Gibson, Episc. Lincoln. Interleaved and
containing many MS. observations by M. Johnson, F.S.A. (Oxon.
1692).
Fines inter Abbes de Burgo et de Croyland, VII. Regis Johannis
(A.D. 1205); Ibid. inter Croyland et Burgo XXXI. Henrici
Filii Johannis (A.D. 1247); et conventio inter iidem Abbes.
Manuscript on vellum (13th century).
Tracts, viz.: Lewis’ Antiquity and use of Seals (1740); Sale
Catalogue of the collection of Statues, &c., of Edward (Harley)
Earl of Oxford, S.G.S.S.; Sale Catalogue of Coins of the same
(1741-42); Marmor Sandvicense cum Commentario et Notis Tayleri,
folding plates (1743); Sannazerius, The Oziers, translated by
Beaupré Bell, S.G.S.S. (1724); The First and Second Satires
of the Second Book of Horace, by Alexander Pope (1st Edition)
(this was given by Pope, who was a member of the S.G.S., to his
friend Maurice Johnson, 1734); Solomon, de Mundi Vanitate, by
Matthew Prior (1735).
Another book of Tracts, containing Croyland’s Chronicle,
compiled from the Charters, &c., by Sir John Harrington,
Knight, in Latin, and translated into English by Sir Thomas
Lambard, Knight, with additions by Maurice Johnson, Steward of
the Manor of Crowland; Speeches by King Charles I. and others
(1640); The Bedford Level Act (1662); Deeping Fenn Act (1664);
The Allotment made out of the Fenns, by John Johnson and
Timothy Tubbs, 1ᵒ July 1669.
Madox Thomas—History and Antiquities of the Exchequer of the
Kings of England (1711).”
Gifts of books have been made by the Rev. A. W. G. Moore, Rev. E. Adrian
Woodruffe-Peacock, Rev. R. Hollis, Rev. J. Conway Walter, Rev. Dr.
Astley, Rev. Canon Hemmans, Rev. James Penny, Rev. H. Larken, Rev. H.
Kenelm Smith, Canon Atkinson, W. E. Foster, Esq., W. H. Wheeler, Esq.,
H. Peet, Esq., A. K. Maples, Esq., G. L. Nussey, Esq., The President,
S. H. Perry, Esq., and others. The donation of “Sir Laurence Myntling’s
Court Book of the Priory of Spalding” (MS., _circ._ 1455) by Alexander
Peckover, Esq. (now Lord Peckover of Wisbech.), deserves special mention.
His Majesty’s Stationery Office has given a large number of the Master of
Rolls Series.
The books in the Grammar School library have been returned to S.G.S., as
the Headmaster found they were becoming more and more dilapidated. Those
books which were given to the Church library by S.G.S. have also been
sent back for greater security. The other books in the Church library
were removed to the Parsonage.
To the museum have been added various specimens, including coins, tokens,
seals, casts, pottery, glass, ironwork, &c., of dates from the Roman
period downwards.
The number of members has considerably increased, and their interest in
the work and well-being of the Society is manifest.
The names of the present officers of the Society, and dates of their
election, are as under:—
_President_—MARTEN PERRY, M.D., F.R. Numismatic
Society, M.R. Archæological Inst., &c. _elected_ 1889
_Treasurer_—HAROLD STANLEY MAPLES, Esq. ” 1889
_Librarian_—Rev. E. M. TWEED, M.A. ” 1895
_Hon. Sec._—ASHLEY K. MAPLES, Esq. ” 1899
_Hon. Operator_—E. M. M. SMITH, Esq. ” 1907
In consequence of the additions made to the library and the museum, and
with a special view of celebrating its bicentenary, it was resolved that
an effort be made to secure a permanent home for the Society, and with
that object in view an urgent appeal was issued to the members in 1908.
As a result a sum of £1150 was received. An appeal to non-members was
made in the spring of 1909, with the result of a further addition being
made to the funds.
During the present year (1910) the members have made additional
contributions. The Society has purchased a site, and commenced the
erection of a structure to serve as a library, museum, caretaker’s
residence, &c. The foundation stones were laid on July 9, 1910, by
Everard Green, Esq., F.S.A., Rouge Dragon; Major Wingfield; Alderman F.
Howard, High Sheriff of Lincolnshire; M. Perry, M.D.; E. M. E. Welby,
Esq.; H. S. Maples, Esq.; Edward Gentle, Esq.; W. S. Royce, Esq.; E. E.
E. Welby-Everard, Esq.; A. K. Maples, Esq.; G. L. Nussey, Esq.; Rev. S.
Yates; Dr. S. H. Perry; and Rev. P. L. Hooson. The building is dedicated
to the memory of the worthy founder of the Society.
POSTSCRIPT
The following quotation from the _Publications of the Surtees Society_,
vol. lxxvi. p. 321, gives Dr. Stukeley’s opinion of the value of the work
done by Maurice Johnson:—