Wispington is situated about 4 miles from Horncastle, in a north-westerly
direction; adjoining Edlington on the east, Baumber on the north,
Waddingworth on the west, and Horsington and Edlington on the south.
Letters arrive from Horncastle at 9 a.m. The nearest money order office
is at Horncastle, and telegraph office at Baumber.
Like two of the parishes just mentioned as contiguous, the name of
Wispington contains the Anglo-Saxon patronymic “ing.” A Saxon settler
named Uisp, or Wisp, probably took up his residence here; his children
formed the “family” of Uisp, or Wisp-“ing”; and the settlement or
enclosure, which they occupied, was the Uisp-ing-town, or Wispington.
{231} Under the ruthless rule of William the Conqueror, these early
occupants would be displaced, and their land given to some favourite of
that King; under whom possibly the late Saxon thane, and his family,
might, at least, be allowed to labour as serfs. Accordingly we find, in
the great survey made for the Conqueror, called “Doomsday Book,” because
it recorded the doom of so many, whom he subjugated, or dispossessed, two
mentions of this parish. The first of these, places it amongst the
possessions of William de Karilepho, who had been Abbot of St. Vincent,
but was promoted by the Conqueror to the Bishopric of Durham, as well as
being made Chief Justice of England. Old Chroniclers say that he was a
man of great determination, but regulated by judgment; and he ingratiated
himself with the King, who gave him large possessions in Lincolnshire,
and other counties; a quarrel, however, with the succeeding King, Rufus,
so wounded his pride, that he died of chagrin. He held of the King, a
large part of this parish, viz., 4 carucates (or 480 acres), 2 carucates
of which were rateable to the tax called “gelt” (2_s._ to the carucate,
or 120 acres). Wispington is there said to be “in the soke” of Great
Stourton, and Kirkby-on-Bain, _i.e._, within the liberty, or under the
jurisdiction, of those parishes. There was no resident proprietor at
that date, but 9 sokemen (or free tenants) and 6 bordars worked the land
under their “Mesne or Lord” the land being his “de-mense” or domain,
_i.e._, Lordship. The second mention of the parish in Domesday gives its
whole extent as 8 carucates (or 960 acres), divided between the
above-named Bishop and another of the Conqueror’s favourites, not seldom
named in these records, viz., Eudo, son of Spirewic, Lord of Tattershall,
who claimed, over the Bishop, the lion’s share, namely, two thirds of the
parish.
How long the Bishops of Durham continued in possession does not appear,
but in the “Lindsey Survey” (circa A.D., 1114) Ranulph, Bishop of that
See, had 9 carucates of land (or 1080 acres) in Wispington, Kirkby, and
two other parishes; and, according to the old record, “Testa de Nevill”
(p. 335), the Bishop of that day still held the same (circa 1214, A.D.);
while in the 46th year of the reign of Edwd. III. (A.D. 1373), on the
death of John Willoughby of Eresby, it is stated that he held all his
manors, among which Wispington is named, “of the Bishop of Durham, by the
service of being his steward, and carrying to the table the messes of
meat, on the day of his consecration, and on the feasts of Christmas and
Whitsuntide,” so that, at that date, the Bishop would seem to have been
still the superior Lord of Wispington, as of the other connected Manors.
(“Fragmenta Antiquitatis”; quoted “Linc. N. & Q.,” July 1896, p. 38).
After this period the ownership is not quite clear. But this we can
state. We have seen that Eudo, son of Spirewic, owned two thirds of
Wispington, by gift from the Conqueror. His son, Hugh Fitz Eudo,
commonly called Brito, founded Kirkstead Abbey, in 1137, A.D., and that
religious house, at a later period, became possessed of land in
Wispington, and the benefice thereof. But meanwhile the ownership
changed more than once. From the Lansdowne M.S. (207 e., f. 455) in the
British Museum, we find that Walter Bek, {233} who had come from
Flanders, late in the 12 century, married Agnes, daughter of Pinso, and
became, through his wife, Lord of Spilsby, Eresby, Lusby, Wispington, and
other parishes; so that Eudo, and his later representatives, seem to have
passed from the scene, and the successors of his quondam companion in
arms, Pinso, to have taken their place.
By a Court Roll (9. Richard I., A.D., 1198), it appears that Philip, son
of Robert, “put in a plea against Henry Bek, for a Knight’s fee,” _i.e._,
a certain portion of land “in Tattershall, Wispington, and Kirkby.”
(“Architect S. Journ,” xxiv. pt. i. p. 39).
We further find, from “Testa de Nevill,” (p. 335, “Wapentake of
Horncastle,”) that Simon de Driby, held, “of the Fee of Tattershall,”
(circa A.D. 1215), lands in Kirkby, Waddingworth, Wispington, and other
places under Robert of Tattershall; the Wispington portion, therefore,
was probably that formerly held by Eudo.
When Walter Bek’s sons succeeded to his property, the eldest, Henry,
received as his portion the manors of Spilsby, Scrivelsby, Wispington,
etc. (Harleian MS., 3720, f. 23.)
With the beginning of the 14th century, another prominent family is found
connected with this parish. Sir William Willoughby married Alice,
daughter of John Bek, Lord of Eresby; and a “Feet of Fines,” of date A.D.
1304, (Lincoln, file 69, 31 Edwd. I.) shows that a law-suit arose between
John Bek, plaintiff, and Robert Willoughby, defendant, as to the
possession of lands in Wispington, Thimbleby, Langton, Woodhall, etc.,
and the advowson of Wispington, which ended in a compromise, Robert
granting the lands and advowson to John, for his life-time, but to
revert, on his decease, to Robert and his heirs for ever. (“Architect S.
Journal,” xxiv. p. 52). The manor and advowson of Wispington thus passed
to the ancestors of the Lords of Willoughby. In the next century, we
find these transferred to Kirkstead Abbey, as shown by the following
entry, in the “Kalendar of Patent Rolls 1399–1401”:—“1401, April 20.
Licence paid in the hanaper for Philip de Dispenser, Knight; James Roos,
knight; Eudo de Zouche, clerk; Richard de Wynnewick, clerk; Richard de
Chesterfield, clerk; Henry Malbys, parson of the Church of Wylughby; and
Thomas Fitz William of Mablethorpe, to grant in mortmain a toft and 4
bovates of land, in Wyspyngton, and the advowson of the Church of the
same town, not held in chief, to the Abbot, and Convent of Kirkstede, in
aid of their maintenance.” (p. 477). {234}
This was further confirmed, A.D. 1401, May 2, with the addition that the
“Abbot and Convent of Kirkstede” might “serve the Benefice by a Chaplain,
Monk, or Secular” (pp. 278, 279).
We are, after this period, unable to give (as has been done in the cases
of some other parishes), a connected series of proprietors. There are
however, various scattered records of individual owners, which possess
some interest. In a Bardney Abbey Charter, lately recovered by the Rev.
J. A. Penny, the present Vicar of Wispington, Thomas Sely of Wispington,
and Henry son of Andrew, of the same place, are witnesses to a deed, of
date May 22, 1281, signed in the Chapter House of that Monastery, “on the
Sunday next after the Ascension of our Lord,” by which the Abbot of that
House gives up for himself and his successors, all claim to his bondman,
William, son of Peter Hardigray, with all his goods and chattels, in
favour of Thomas Thorley of Gautby. It is worthy of notice, that, by
another charter, this same Thomas Thorley, of Gautby, grants to the above
William Hardigray, no longer a bondman, but Rector of Mareham, certain
lands and tenements in the adjoining parish of Edlington. The two were,
therefore, evidently close friends. This deed is witnessed by Henry, son
of John, of Wispington, Simon Francis, of Edlington, William son of
Master Bartholomew, of Thimbleby, and others.
By a third charter, dated at Edlington, the day of Mercury (Wednesday)
next after the feast of St. Michael, A.D. 1285, William, son of William
of Wispington, gives, grants, and confirms, to the same William
Hardigray, now of Edlington, clerk, a toft with the tenements thereon,
situated in Edlington, for which he is to pay annually the rent of one
farthing, at the feast of Easter. {235}
Among Gibbons’ “Early Lincolnshire Wills” (pp. 35, 36.) we find, that
Henry de Brauncewell, Canon of Lincoln, by will in 1395, leaves money to
his poor parishioners, at Wispington, Leasingham, St. Peter’s at Arches,
and elsewhere.
We now get another name, which was one of weight in this parish and
elsewhere for many years. Among the list of noblemen and gentry, who
subscribed for the defence of the country, when the Spanish Armada was
expected, in 1589, we find the name of “Roberte Phillippes, of
Wispington,” who, like his neighbour Vincent Welby, of Halstead Hall,
contributed £25, which was a large sum in those days. (“Linc. N. & Q.”
vol. ii., p. 133). In the next century, among the list of gentry of
Lincolnshire, made on the Herald’s Visitation, in 1634, along with the
well-known names of Heneage, Pelham, Massingberd, Monson, &c., we also
find Robert Phillips, of Wispington. (“Linc. N. & Q.” vol. ii., p. 73).
This family, which afterwards by marriage acquired the name of Glover,
{236} possessed property outside of Wispington, for we find from a bond
dated October 25, 1735, that disputes having arisen as to the boundary of
the estate of Phillips Glover, at Walmsgate, and that of the estate of
Matthew Lister, of Burwell Park, adjoining it, the two proprietors agreed
to place 12 stones, in the presence of witnesses, to fix for the future
the line of separation between the properties. (Notes on the Manor of
Burwell, by R. W. Goulding; “Architect. S. Journal,” xxiv., pt. i., p.
91.) Other records in connection with this family, are as follows:—
(1.) Walter Harpham, by his will dated 10 Feb. 1607–8, leaves the
reversion of £100 to Alice Phillips, his daughter, and £300 to his
granddaughter, Elizabeth Phillips, and to his grandson, Willoughby
Phillips, £100, and makes his son-in-law, Thomas Phillips, executor.
(Maddison’s “Wills of Lincolnshire,” 1600–1617, p. 180).
(2.) John Holland, of Hemingby, by will, of date 15 Sep., 1608, leaves
20s. to Mr. Stephen Phillips, of Wispington, for supervising his will.
(Maddison’s “Wills of Lincolnshire,” 1600–1617, p. 27.)
(3.) Margery Neale, of Horncastle, by her will, dated July 10, 1611,
leaves to Jane Phillips, wife of Vincent Smithe, £6 in money, herself to
keep £3 of it, and to give £3 to her daughter Elizabeth, “my
Goddaughter.” (Ibidem, p. 51.)
In the Register of Admissions to Gray’s Inn, London (edited by J. Foster,
1889), “Robert Phillips, of Wispington, Co., Lincoln,” is named as a
student “admitted Feb. 7, 1653–4.”
Phillips Glover, Esq., of Wispington, or Colonel Glover, married, circa.
1790, being then resident at Stainfield, Rebecca, eldest daughter of Mr.
William Jepson Proctor, Chapter Clerk, &c., of the Bail, Lincoln, and
sister to the Rev. George Jepson, M.A., Prebendary of Lincoln, 1781–1787.
(“Linc. N. & Q.” vol. ii., p. 150).
Colonel Glover had a daughter, who married Robert Vyner, Esq., of
Eathorpe, Co. Warwick, and had a numerous family. He, or more probably
his father, was Sheriff of the county of Lincoln, in the year 1727.
Early in the 19th century was issued a large mezzotint portrait of
Phillips Glover, Esq., of Wispington, described “as a steady
disinterested friend, who never courted popularity, but was ever
deserving of it.” (“Linc. N. & Q.” vol. ii., p. 87). The Glovers, or
Phillipses, were patrons of the Benefice; John Phillips, according to
“Liber Regis,” presenting in 1707, and Mrs. Glover in 1755. In 1769,
“pro hac vice,” Henry Martinson, Gent., presented, having doubtless
bought the next presentation, since we find his relative John Martinson,
instituted to the vicarage at that date. On his death a Glover presented
for the last time, the entire property being subsequently sold to Mr.
Turnor, of Stoke Rockford, Panton, &c.
The Glovers, and Phillipses, had a fine residence here, of which
extensive traces still remain, in moats, fish ponds, and terraced mounds,
some 500 yards in length, and covering 5 or 6 acres. The series of ponds
and moats are arranged so as to curl about in a curious serpentine shape,
forming the outline of a snake with double head. This apparent survival
of an old serpent worship, is not unusual in such ancient places as Abury
Hill, on Salisbury Plain; Stanton Drew, in Somersetshire; Carnac, in
Brittany; &c. (Dean’s “Worship of the Serpent,” 1833); but here it would
seem to indicate a greater antiquity than the time of the Glover family.
The gardens, and “pleasaunce,” surrounding the residence, must have been
very extensive; the farmhouse, now occupied by Mr. Andrew Evison, was
part of this residence, and there is some old brickwork among the farm
buildings, said to have been part of a private chapel. {237} To the east
was an avenue of fine trees, of great age, which were felled in the first
half of the 19th century. The family continued at Wispington down to
recent times, though in greatly reduced circumstances, the last of them
being the Rev. Robert Glover, vicar of the parish from 1795 to 1838. He
died leaving a numerous family, scantily provided for. {238a} During his
time the church and parsonage would seem to have participated in the
dilapidated condition of his own fortune, and in the Register we find the
following note, in his own hand:—“The chancell of this church fell in, on
Friday the 22 day of November, 1833, about 9 o’clock at night, R. Glover,
vicar.”
We now proceed to the church. Both Weir and Saunders state that the
edifice, in their day, was without interest. The late Rev. Charles Pratt
Terrott, who was appointed to the vicarage, in 1838, by Mr. Christopher
Turnor, took down this decayed structure, and erected an entirely new
church; and, being well-known as an archæologist of wide learning, and
cultivated tastes, {238b} with the aid of the architect, Mr. G. B.
Atkinson, of York, he produced a church, which, though small, as the
population only required, is one of unusual interest. It was erected in
1863. In the process of demolition of the former church, two late Norman
capitals cut from one stone, {238c} were discovered, indicating that
there had, at one time, been a Norman edifice here; and, from other
relics, it was apparent that this early structure, had been either
rebuilt or added to in the 13th century. That building, however, had in
turn been superseded by a wretched fabric of no architectural
pretensions, now, happily, gone the way of its more worthy predecessors.
The present church, dedicated like so many others in the neighbourhood to
St. Margaret, is of the Early English style, and consists of a tower with
spire, nave, south porch, chancel, and vestry on the north side of the
chancel, from which, for economy of space, access is had to the pulpit,
standing in the north-east corner of the nave. The nave has coupled
lancet windows in the north and south walls; there are detached lancet
windows, with a trefoiled light above them, in the west tower wall; and a
triplet at the east end of the chancel, and two single lights in its
south wall. The tower and spire are almost a copy of the small but
elegant spire of Woodhall St. Margaret. It is supported within by the
rather unusual arrangement of a narthex or arcade of three arches, and
two pillars, instead of the more common single arch. The walls are
relieved by coloured patterns running round the windows, and various
devices elsewhere, which have a very pleasing effect. The roof of the
nave is supported by corbels bearing the symbols of the Evangelists. The
pulpit is of Caen stone, with coloured marble shafts, the panels having
sculptures, the work of Mr. Terrot, assisted by Mr. Watson Moore, of
Horncastle; they represent the Nativity, Nathan and David, and the return
of the Prodigal. The font, of the same materials, is adorned with
medallions, also carved by the reverend artist, representing the animals
mentioned in the New Testament, arranged in groups and intermingled with
foliage. Mrs. Terrot’s artistic skill is also shown in the carving of
the figure of St. Margaret, placed above a dedication stone in the
western wall of the nave, and in various bosses and capitals, as well as
in the oaken eagle lectern. The paving of the nave alley is of red and
black tiles; that of the chancel of Minton’s encaustic tiles, their
richness being increased within the altar rails. The reredos is of the
same material, but differing in character. The subjects in the coloured
east window, by Messrs Ward and Hughes, are scenes from our Lord’s life
on earth; and in the western window, are the figures of St. Margaret, and
St. John the Baptist, by the same artists. These were provided through
the efforts of Mrs. Terrot, who also obtained the 3rd bell to complete
the set. The three bells bear the following inscriptions:—(1) “Ave Maria
Graciæ Plena” (diameter 26¾ inches); (2) “Cast by John Warner and Sons,
London” (diameter 28 inches); (3) “Sancta Maria Ora Pro Nobis” (diameter
36¾ inches). It is curious that the only bells in a minor key, in this
neighbourhood, are those of Baumber and Wispington, contiguous parishes.
Between the font and the west window is a blue slate slab, having the
inscription “Here lyeth the body of Robert Phillips, gentleman, who
departed this life, the 24th day of June, 1668.” On the south side of
this stone, close to it, lies the body of Phillips Glover, Esq. On a
white marble monument on the north wall of the chancel, are the arms and
crest, of the Phillips family; crest, a white eagle, with blue crown
round its neck, on a hemlet, mantled, the visor closed; arms, azure,
party per chevron, argent, three white eagles with azure crowns round
their necks passant, 1 and 2. Below is the inscription:—“To the memory
of John Phillips, Esq., this monument is dedicated by his nephew and
heir, Phillips Glover, Esq. He was the second and last surviving son of
Robert Phillips, Esq., who lies buried in this chancel. He died
unmarried on the 19th of February, 1719–20, aged 62, and in him his
family was extinct. In memory of Phillips Glover, Esq: He married Mary
daughter and heiress of Richard Lee, Esq., of Winslade, in Devonshire,
and left two children, Phillips and Mary. He died, June 28, 1745. Veri
cultor et Libertatis. This inscription by his order.”
Opposite this monument is one of white marble, on the south side of the
chancel, behind the desk. The arms and crest are the same, with this
inscription:—“Near this place lyeth ye bodye of Robert Phillips, Esq.,
who departed this life, ye 24th of June, 1668. And of Stephen Phillips,
Esq., eldest son of Robert, who departed this life, ye 9th of Feb.,
1682–3. And of Robert Phillips, of London, Goldsmith, third son of
Robert Phillips, who departed this life, the 12 of December, 1707. And
of Benjamen Phillips, merchant, fourth son of ye above said Robert, who
departed this life, Aug. ye 8th, 1715, æt 49.”
Over the instruments of the Passion, in a medallion above the vestry
door, in the chancel (which are really the masonic signs of a Knight
Templar’s encampment, {240}) is a tablet with this inscription:—“To the
memory of the Rev. Robert Merony Glover, who was upwards of 43 years
vicar of this parish. He died Feb. 8th, 1838, aged 62 years. He was the
poor man’s friend. Also of Ann, relic of the above Robert Merony Glover,
whose remains are interred in the family vault of her parents, at
Horncastle. Four of their children rest in this chancel. This tablet is
consecrated by the affectionate and grateful survivors.”
In the vestry, on a tablet on the north wall, is this
inscription:—“Sacred to the memory of the Rev. John Martinson, late vicar
of this church, and rector of Screamby, who departed this life, the 16th
of July, 1788, aged 51 years.” An incised slab, now in the floor of the
vestry, but whence removed is not known, has an inscription to John
Hetherset, “Rector,” in 1399. The figure is habited in full canonicals,
even to the gloves.
The benefice is now only a “vicarage”; but the explanation of this
difference is, that, at that date, just before the advowson was given to
Kirkstead Abbey, it was a rectory. When the rectorial tithes passed to
the abbot, the incumbent became the abbot’s vicar.
In the south-east corner of the churchyard, is a tombstone with the
inscription:—“In memory of the 18 children of George and Mary Hannath,
who all died in their infancy, 1831–1855. {241} He shall gather the
lambs in His arms, and carry them in His bosom.”
One of the double lancet windows in the nave, nearest the pulpit has
been, within recent years, filled with coloured glass in memory of the
Rev. C. P. Terrot, by his widow. The subjects are four:—(1) Bezaleel
carving cherubim on the altar, and overlaying them with gold; (2)
Aholiab, the cunning workman, looking at his work; (3) our Lord as a
youth, working at his trade of carpenter; (4) a medieval priest,
presenting before the altar, a small church, which is held in his hands.
The two small lancets in the south wall of the chancel have stained glass
to the memory of Colonel Charles Terrot, eldest son of the Rev. C. P.
Terrot. The subjects are two:—(1) Samuel presented by Hannah in the
Temple; (2) Joshua commanding the sun to stand still. The small window
over the font was presented by Miss Terrot, the subject being the Holy
Dove hovering. Recently Mrs. Terrot presented to the church a casket,
containing an account of the restoration, and contents, of the church,
beautifully bound. This is kept on a bracket in the east wall of the
nave, opposite the pulpit.
We give here a list of the vicars of this parish during the last two and
a half centuries. William Azlack, 1662–1670; John Smith, 1670–1707;
Thomas Doughty, 1707–8–1754; J. Carr, 1754–1769; John Martinson,
1769–1788; William Chaplin, 1788–1795; Robert Merony Glover, 1795–1838;
C. P. Terrot, 1838–1886; Beauchamp St. John Tyrwhitt, 1886–1890; F. S.
Alston, 1890–1896; James Alpass Penny, 1896.
We have mentioned that the Glovers became very much reduced in pecuniary
means; when the Rev. Robert Merony Glover, died in 1838, he left the
church, vicarage, and farmstead adjoining, almost in ruins; and we think
it should not go unrecorded, that the Rev. Charles Pratt Terrot, who
succeeded him, declined to accept any compensation for these
dilapidations, as the Glover family were so poor.
An ancient font was placed in the church, June 2nd, 1841, having been
removed from the ruins of an oratory in the garden of Poolham Hall. This
is now the font in the church of Woodhall St. Margaret, being placed
there by the vicar, the present writer. It is supported by 4 columns of
serpentine, the gift of the Rev. J. A. Penny, of Wispington.
The register dates from 1662. Some of the entries are peculiar. From
1662 to 1667, the entries of baptisms regularly alternate between
children of William Azlack, clerk, and Mary, his wife, and those of
Robert Phillips, Esq., and Mary, his wife; vicar and squire thus running
each other “neck and neck” in their progeny, a competition which
curiously is terminated by the demise of the vicar’s wife, buried May
10th, 1668, and that of Mr. Robert Phillips, six weeks later, who was
buried June 26th, 1668.
On “Oct. 18th, 1682, Mr. Philip Ormston, rector of Skremby, was buried”
here. Why he was brought to Wispington for burial does not appear,
unless his Christian name indicates relationship to the Phillips family.
On Oct. 27th, 1692, is registered the marriage of “John Spennly, weaver,
and Isabel Hawstead, spinster.” The latter, doubtless derived her name
from the neighbouring hamlet of Halstead, in Stixwould, still pronounced
“Haw-stead.” The addition of “weaver” to the husband’s name is
interesting, as evidence of a bygone craft. Weaving and spinning were at
that time a common occupation of the humbler classes. {243} The epithet
“spinster” we still retain, of the woman to be married, but the term
“weaver” for the man is now obsolete. The Rev. J. A. Penny has part of a
blanket, which was woven by the great grandmother of a parishioner in
Wispington, now 60 years of age.
In 1792, we find “Bartho (Bartholomew) Goe” signing as curate; a
patronymic which, until recently, survived in the neighbourhood. Among a
list of the Vicars of Boston, Bartholomew Goe is given as appointed in
1817 (Thomson’s “Boston,” p. 86). It may also be noticed that on “July
16th, 1788, John Martinson, vicar, was buried”; the next entry recording
the burials of his posthumous son, John, aged 8 weeks, on March 17th,
1789; while the next entry again records the burial of his relict, Mary
Martinson, Sept. 21st, 1791.
On Nov. 2nd, 1710, “William Peascodd of this parish, and Amy Todd of ye
parish of Bardney, were married”; in connection with which entry, we may
mention, that there is in Boston Church, within the altar rails, on the
north side, a fine brass of “Walter Peascod, merchant, 1398.”
Opposite several of the names in the register, both in the 17th and 18th
centuries, are appended curious “hieroglyphic” signs, the meaning of
which is, at the least, obscure.
Of the communion plate, the cup and paten are dated 1712, presented by
John Phillips, Esq.
A group of trees in this parish is named “Barrow Plantation.” Whether
there existed formerly a sepulchral barrow, which gave rise to the name,
is not known; the explanation given by the modern bucolic mind is that
the spot is haunted by a spectral wheelbarrow.
A tradition lingers here that, in the 18th century, a duel was fought,
around which the usual accretions have clustered; that the combatants
were two brothers, who were attached to the same “ladye fayre”; that one
killed the other; that they fought in the avenue near the former hall of
the Glovers; while, in a pannelled bedroom at the adjoining hall farm,
there is still preserved a cupboard, which has not been opened for many
years, as it is supposed, in some way, to be connected with “the green
lady” (such ladies are usually “green”), who was the cause of the
quarrel. Careful enquiry, however, has ruthlessly swept away all of the
accumulated romance of this incident, and the bare facts are found to be
as follows, for which, it should be added, the writer is indebted to a
MS. in the possession of Captain Craggs, of Threekingham Hall, confirmed
by the “Gentleman’s Magazine” of 1760, p. 246.:—Thursday, May 1st. The
combatants were Major Glover, of Wispington, of the Lincolnshire Militia,
and Mr. Jackson, an apothecary, of Manchester. “At a rehearsal, at the
playhouse, in that town, Mr. Jackson came behind the Major, and struck
him on the back, seemingly in joke, upon which the Major turned about and
with a switch struck Jackson, saying, also in joke, ‘What! Jackson, is
it you?’ On this Jackson, in a great passion, said ‘D—n you, sir,
although you are a Major, I will not take this from you.’ The Major,
surprised at this, replied, ‘Why, what can you mean? I was only in joke,
as well as yourself.’ But Jackson persisted in his anger, and said he
insisted on satisfaction. The Major was not able to pacify him by saying
that he meant no affront. But Jackson insisted on fighting him with
swords. They went to a coffee-house, and there, in a back room, they
fought. The Major ran Mr. Jackson through the body, after which, on the
former leading Mr. Jackson through the coffee-room for assistance, Mr.
Jackson, owned, before several witnesses, that it was entirely his own
fault, and that he had been wounded by the Major in a very fair and
gentlemanlike manner; and that, if he died, he entirely forgave the
Major.”
The unfortunate Mr. Jackson would seem to have incurred the fatal penalty
of his own folly; for, in the same magazine, under the date “Wednesday,
Aug. 20th, 1760,” p. 440, is the following notice:—“At the Assizes at
Lancaster, Philip Glover, Esq., Major in the Lincolnshire Militia, was
found guilty of manslaughter, for killing Mr. Jackson, of Manchester, in
a duel, and was immediately discharged out of custody in court. It was
with great difficulty that sufficient evidence could be procured to
induce the grand jury to find the bill.”
Thus the one passage of arms, of which we know, connected with
Wispington, although fatal in its effect, is reduced to the farce of
human folly. From the sublime to the ridiculous is but a step.
May Wispington’s future martial sons fight in a nobler cause than that of
self pride.
We may add, that at a court-martial held eight months later, March 24th,
1762, Philip Glover was acquitted of any “behaviour contrary to the
articles of war,” but the court was of opinion that he had, in hasty
heat, used language to Capt. Gardiner, contrary to good order and
discipline, and he was adjudged to be reprimanded publicly in the
presence of the officers and men of his regiment. The member of this
court-martial were the following:—Col. Lord Vincent Mandeville, Hunts.
Militia, president; Lieut.-Col. Richard Townley, Lancashire Militia;
Lieut.-Col. John Lister, Yorkshire Militia; Major Robert Coney, Norfolk
Militia; Major Sir Philip Monoux, Bart., Bedfordshire Militia; Major
Francis Longe, Norfolk Militia; Capt. Edmund Townley, Lancashire Militia;
Capt. Carr Brackenbury, Lincolnshire Militia; Capt. G. De Ligne Gregory,
Lincolnshire Militia, and others; with the Honble. Charles Gould, Deputy
Judge Advocate General.