_(For the Mirror.)_
A table showing the various changes in his religion, which by the
statute were required of Henry Jenkins, of Ellerton-upon-Swale, in the
county of York, in compliance with the principle, that the English
Constitution is essentially identified with the religion of the state,
and making it his bounden duty (as that of every subject) to conform to
it. Henry Jenkins was born in 1501, and died at the age of 169, in 1670.
He consequently was required by law, to adopt the following changes in
his religious creed and practice:--
Henry Jenkins
The Constitution should have been
Reigns of being essentially during
1st from Henry VII. and VIII. Catholic 33 years.
1501 to 1534
2nd from Henry VIII. {Between Catholic & } 13
1534 to 1547 {Church of England }
3rd from Edward VI Church of England 6
1547 to 1553
4th from Mary Catholic 5
1553 to 1558
5th from {Elizabeth, James I.} Church of England 91
1558 to 1649 {Charles I }
6th from Interregnum Fanatic 4
1649 to 1654
7th from Protectorate Presbyterian 7
1654 to 1660
8th from Charles II Church of England 10
1660 to 1670
169 years, the
age of Henry Jenkins.
Jenkins was buried at Bolton-upon-Swale. A handsome pyramid marks his
grave, as the oldest Englishman upon record, and in the church is a
monument to his memory, with the following inscription, written by Dr.
Thomas Chapman:--
Blush not marble!
To rescue from oblivion
The memory of
Henry Jenkins,
A person obscure in birth,
But of a life truly memorable,
For
He was enriched
With the goods of nature
If not of fortune;
And happy
In the duration
If not variety
Of his enjoyments,
And tho' the partial world
Despised and disregarded
His low and humble state,
The equal eye of Providence
Beheld and blessed it
With a Patriarch's health and length of days
To teach mistaken man
These blessings
Were entailed on temperance,
A life of labour, and a mind at ease.
He lived to the amazing age of
169 years,
Was interred here the 6th December,
1670,
And had this justice done to his memory,
1743.