Tall Trees and Tiny Acorns
THE LANGSTAFFS OF TEESDALE AND WEARDALE
BY
GEORGE BLUNDELL LONGSTAFF
Transcribed
by
CAROLE A.M. JOHNSON
COPYRIGHT 2001
All Rights Reserved
PART 7
52 Chapter 6
The Quaker Contractor of Auckland
"The first journey of Anne Audland in the work of the ministry was into the County of Durham; and being engaged in preaching to the people in the town of Auckland on a market day, she was arrested and imprisoned. But that love which prompted her to seek the salvation of souls, was not to be restricted by the narrow walls of a prison- house. Under its constraining influence she continued preaching to the people from the window of the jail, declaring the truths of the Gospel, and inculcating the necessity of being seriously engaged for the welfare of the immortal soul. Several persons were much affected by her testimony, and towards evening she was discharged from her confinement. John Langstaffe a man of considerable eminence in the neighbourhood," was so reached by her ministry, that he voluntarily accompanied her to prison, and on her release took her to his house. His wife however, offended at her husband's conduct and apparent change, received him and his guest with language which shewed her disapprobation. Unwilling to take up her lodgings where she perceived her presence was not welcomed by one of the heads of the family, Anne withdrew into the fields designing to seek some shelter there, where she might be secure for the night. But it happened, providentially that Anthony Pearson, a respectable person, of Rampshaw, who had formerly been a justice, hearing through The hearth tax rolls for 14 Charles II [1662] shew that John Langstaff of St. Andrew Auckland had four hearths, so that his house must have been a considerable one.
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George Fox , who was then at his house, that Anne was in Auckland, came where she was, just at this time, and conveyed her to his residence. She continued her journey, to the spiritual benefit of many; and when she believed her allotted service was accomplished, she returned home. From William Sewells "History of Christian People Called Quakers" [London: Printed and sold by the assigns of J Sowle, at the Bible in George-yard, in Lombard Street 1722) we are enabled to fix 1654 at approximately the date of John Langstaffe's conversion. Anne, daughter of Richard Newby of Kendal, co. Westmorland, was born in 1627. "About the year 1650 she was married to John Audland, and in the beginning of 1652 they were both by the Ministry of G. Poz, convinced of the truth he preached; and in the next year they began to preach that Doctrine to others; for which in the following year [i.e. 1654] she was committed to prison in the town of Aukland in the County of Durham, where she had opportunity to speak to people through the window, which she did so pathetically that some were affected by her testimony; and after being released she travelled up and down the Country, etc." (p.697)
Sewel speaks of the bride as a "virtuous Maid, not only of good family, but also excelling in Piety, and therefore she freely gave him up to travel in the service of the Gospel, not withstanding his company was very dear to her" . (p.411)
Myles Halhead, was not so fortunate to his wife, "his going thus often from home, was an exceeding great cross to his wife, who in the first year of his change, not being of his persuasion, was very much troubled in her mind, and would often say from discontent, Would to God I had married a drunkard, then I might have found him in the Ale- House, but now I can't tell where to find my Husband. (Ibid p.71)
John Audland died early in 1664, and two years after Anne married Thomas Camm, the son of John Camm, who was first her husband's bosom friend. She died 30th November 1705, in her 79th year. (Ibid p. 697)
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According to the journals of George Fox, the first meetings for the discipline established by the Society of Friends, were held in the Bishopric of Durham about the year 1653; and amongst the Swathmore MSS. is a document, of a few years later date, relative to the establishment of the Monthly Meetings in the City of Durham; it is endorsed by George Fox himself, and signed by sixteen friends, one of them being John Langstaffe. The document itself proves that he was looked upon as an important member of the body, since it says: And seeing at present, there is a great need for a collection, by reason of some great sums of money that have been laid out, and more is to be laid out, we recommend it to your several meetings to do herein, everyone according to your freedom in the present necessity, and to give notice, the next First-day, that it may be collected for the poor, the First-day following, and to be paid over to John Langstaffe; and a note of the sums subscribed by some Friends from the meeting, (Richleys "History of Bishop Auckland" p.145)
Most unfortunately the first Minute Book of the Raby Monthly Meetings of the Society of Friends is lost, but through the kindness of Mr. Arthur Saunders and other Darlington friends, I have been permitted to print in Appendix 11, a very interesting series of extracts from the existing books. From these we learn that John Langstaff was an active and prominent member from 1671 to 1694, the year of his death. From the criminal records of the county, we no that meetings of the Quakers took place in his "mansion house at Bishop Auckland." While the Minute Books prove that the regular Monthly Meetings, were held in his house at Shakerton from 1671 to 1673. From 1675 onwards they were held "att Raby"
George Fox was born at Drayton, Co. Leicester in 1624. He first preached in 1648 at Manchester, His followers were first called Quakers in 1650. Fox says ( Journal)" This was Justice Bennet of Derby, who first called us Quakers, because I bade them Tremble at the word of the Lord". He died in 1691.
The Dicksons of Dixons of Raby, Henknowle and Cockfield, so often mentioned in Minute Books are ancestors of the writer. It is almost certain that John Langstaffs wife was Jane, daughter of Peter Dixon of Aukland. There was, a few years earlier , a Peter Dixon of Raby, so that it is not impossible that three Quaker Dixons, who were so intimately associated with John Langstaffe were his wife's kinsfolk. If John really was, as appears likely,a direct ancestor of the writer, the association of the two families, so long ago, is most interesting. In connection with the pedigrees given at the end of the book, it may be noted that Quaker John was converted by Anne Audland, daughter of Richard Newby.
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No illusion is made in either the Mens or the Womens books to Johns wife, but the Quaker Register, tells us that Thomas, son of John and Jane Langstaffe of Auckland was born on the 20th of the third month 1655. According to the same Register, John Langstaffe of Middleton, died on the 26th of the fifth month 1694 and proved on the 25th of January, 1695/6 is printed in extenso at the end of this chapter. This document is in itself, evidence that he died a Friend; in it he expresses a desire that his "friends in the truth" will bury him by the body of his deceased wife, in his "owne buryinge place at Bpp.Auckland."
The Minutes directly mention two of his younger sons, Thomas and Bethwell [or Bothewell] ,and their wives, they were both married according to the rites of the Church.
Thomas certainly left the Society as early as 1679. Bethuel would appear to have left it about the same time, but in 1699 his widow, Ann, applied to Stockton Meeting for legal assistance, in reference to some property, in connection with which matter, John's eldest son, Abel is mentioned.
This is the last notice we have of a member of the family in the connection with the Society of Friends*. But history has preserved quite another aspect of John Langstaffs life.
During the Commonwealth in 1647 or soon after, the Parliamentary Commissioners sold the "very stately Manor House, called the Castle or Palace of the late Bishop of Durham, situate in Bishop's Auckland, with two chapels to it, one over the other, built with stone and covered with lead," etc.; to Sir Arthur Haslerigg of Noseley in Northamptonshire, for £6102 8s. 11 1/2d. The purchaser at once began to construct for himself a mansion-house within the court of the Castle.
In 1660, at the restoration, John Cosin was appointed Bishop of Durham, and in 1662 he set about restoring the chapel and carrying out various works in the Palace, in the course of which he demolished Sir Arthur Hasleriggs new Mansion House. The latter has been accused of much "ravenous sacrilege" in his dealings with the ancient buildings, but Dr. Raine has brought the buildings themselves into
*John Langstaf of Whitby and his daughter Sarah, are mentioned in the Stockton Meeting Minutes for 1702 and the York Quaker Registers from 1667 to 1741 contain several entries relating to Longstaffes of Whitby, Swaledale and Holbeck; but there is nothing to connect these people with the Auckland Stock. Some account of the persecution of these Yorkshire Longstaffs is given below, Page 77 From Besse's "Sufferings"
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Court to give evidence in his defence, proving conclusively that whatever Haslerigg did do, he did not "totally destroy the chapel with gunpowder" as alleged, nor did Cosin erect a "fine new chapel."
Cosin undoubtedly found that the palace and chapel, were very much out of repair, and carried out extensive works. There is moreover, no reason to disbelieve the tradition that John Langstaff worked for both masters. The architectural evidence is set out in detail by the Reverend Doctor, whose "Brief Historical Account of the Episcopal Castle or Palace of Auckland" (Durham 1852) should be consulted. There exists in the Mickleton MSS. (91, 3) an elevation of the Castle as Bishop Cosin found it, on his return, from the pen of one John Longstaffe. He describes his performance as "A map of the whole and as every pt. stands of to other alsoe by each pt written how things are in order. If theare be any things more desired than is heare shewn upon nottice given I shall be willing to doe my best in it eather to give as neare an account what will finish all or any pt new or owld, or if anythinge be desired to shew the conuenientest way for bringing the ould house into seruise which I perceave will be farr the easeist donne I shall be very reddie to doe it nott att all, seeking my selfe in it." ( Raines "Auckland Castle" P.103 note)
(At this point, the Author introduces sketches by John Longstaffe, proving him to be an excellent architect as well as a Building Contractor. Unfortunately, the scanner could not reproduce a good copy of any of the sketches [C Johnson] )
The Bishops Account Book, under the year 1668, states, " total cost to date of 2 said castles, 17000 ? of wh new chappel at Auckland Castle 6000?. Of this same work, the name of William Longstaffe occurs twice. Once as a witness to a contract for glazing work at Auckland Castle, dated 30 Dec. 1662, again as a witness to a contract with John Baptist van Earsel "Limner" dated 8 April 1653.
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Contract No.1 2, Jan. 1663-4
The second day of January in the fifteenth yeare of the reigne of our Sovereigne Lord, Charles the second, that is now King over England, etc.; annoque domini 1663, [a contract was entered into] betweene the Right Reverend Father in God, John, Lord Bishopp of Durham, of the one partie and John Longstaffe of Bishop Auckland, within the County Palatine of Durham, free-mason, of the other partie; whereby it was agreed as follows:- 1) That he the said John Longstaffe, his executors and administrators, shall remove the corner, and to build and bring it to a square, at the north east end of the new buildinge, lately begun to be erected by Sir Arthur Hesilridge, deceased at Bishop Auckland.
The work to be rustic aishler on the north side, from the foundations to the topp, and also part of the east side and the remainder of the east side to be plain aishler, and like the plain aishler work already built there: and to remove and finish the low windowes of the north corner and make four new windowes for the east or more if they be necessary, suitable to the windowes already made to the east of the new buildinge aforesaid: and to erect and finish two chimnies in one of the lower and upper chambers, with the chimnie peeces to either of them and to put in what door steedes are as necessary to the said building. 2) The said John Longstaff and his executors and administrators, shall finde and provide for the finishing of the said worke, all masons worke, stone, laibourers, lime, sand, and all other materialls whatsoever; and that the said worke shall be completely and artiscially made and effected at or before the Feast Day of Pentecost next ensuing the date hereof.
3) The said Reverend Father, his executors and administrators, shall well and truly pay unto the said John Longstaffe, his executors and administrators or assignes, the full and just sum of four and fifty pounds of lawfull money of England, according as the said worke shall be carryed on, provided that the last payment thereof shall be paid immediately after the finishing of the said worke, and that the said John Longstaffe to have liberties to take away any old stones about the said Castle or the top of the high tower there. In witnesse whereof the said parties to these present Articles have interchangeably sett their handes and seales the day and yeare first above written John Longstaffe [LS]
Sealed and delivered in the presence of us, Edw. Arden. Tho. Adamson Memorandum: That the fifty four pounds above mentioned is to be paid in four payments, the first part to be paid when a fourth part is built, the second, when halfe, the third when three parts and the last when the worke is finished.
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Contract No.2 3, March 1663-4
Articles of agreement made and concluded the third day of March, in the yeare of our Lord 1663, betweene Edward Arden, gentleman, for and on behalfe of John, Lord Bishopp of Durham, of the one partie; and John Langstaffe of Bishopp Auckland, in the Countie of Durham, free mason,of the other partie; as followeth:-
The said John Langstaff, his executors, administrators, and assignes,shall at or before the nine and twentieth day of September, next ensuing the date hereof, take downe the aishler in Sir Arthur Hesilridg's building and remove it and take away all the old buildinge before the Great Chamber or Hall [now used for dining roome] at Auckland Castle, and bringe up the front wall of the said Great Chamber or Hall with rustic aishler of the said new building , and remove the windows of the said Great Chamber to the fore side of it, and make one new windowe of the same forme on the east sideand place four windowes on the far ende for the lighting of the kitchin below, bringing up the two returne ends with plaine aishler; and shall also bringe up the five buttresses to the batlement, in the same forme as the buttresses on the south side of the new Chappell are erected, with theire finishings, and lengthen and remove the two windowes from the east side of the said Great Chamber to the west side of it; lengthening them to the length of those that are now on the east side, and finde iron barres for the said new windowes; and shall bring up the two chimnies on the back side for serving the kitchin, and supply the batlement that will be wanting to the said building; and shall alsoe bring up and make a chimnie in a room intended for a scullerie in the said work and shall plaister well, all the inside of the saide worke; and shall lastly find all stones, lime, sand, haire, and laibourers for the said worke, having liberte to take any old stones about the Castle.
The said Lord Bishopp, his executors, administrators, and assignes, shall and will find and provide for the saide worke, all the timber or wood that shall be used for the same; and shall alsoe well and truly pay or cause to be paid unto the said John Langstaffe, his executors, administrators and assignes, the just summe of one hundred and fifty pounds sterling according as the said work shall be carryed on; provided that the last payment thereof be paid immediately after the finishing of the said worke.
In witness whereas the said parties have interchangeably set their handes and seales the day and yeare above written.
Sealed and delivered in the presence of us, Tho. Adamson.
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Contract No. 3 1 September 1664
Articles of agreement made, concluded, and agreed upon, by and between Mr. Edward Arden, [my Lord's Steward], for and on behalfe, of the Right Reverend Father in God, John Lord Bishopp of Durham, on the one part, and John Langstaffe of Bishopp Awckland, in the County of Durham, free mason, on the other part, the first day of September, Annoque Domini, 1664.
First John Langstaffe shall build a wall from the end of the Chappell at Awckland Castle, To runn eastwards, eleaven yards in length and seventeen foote in hight, from the ground to the topp of the batlement, thereon. The same wall will be rusticke ashler, to the ground table under the batlement to be plaine ashler, and three rows of large diamonds, placed at convenient distances to addorne the sayd worke; and the batlement of the said wall to be suitable and like unto the batlements now on the Chappell with splayes of hewen stone to cover the said wall, from the bottome of the said batlement inwards towards to the mounds adjoyning it and to ridd and make new and firme foundation, sufficient for the supporting the sayd wall.
Secondly the sayd John Langstaff shall take down from the new building lately built by Sir Arthur Haslerigg, soe much of the rusticke ashler, ground table, and plain ashler and eight windoes and the doore with the evell thereof as shall be imployed to build a wall of forty and five yards in length, and seventeen foote in hight from the ground, to the topp of the batlement thereof, running from the east corner of the wall above mentioned, adjoyning to the Chappell southwards, to face the oppositt building of the kitchin, hall chamber and dining roome, and artificially to sett all the sayd rusticke ashler, windowes and doore and repaireall that shall be broken, or any wayes defective, of the sayd worke, and shall make batlement on the wall and table, suitable to the batlement of the said Chappell before mentioned, and shall spay with scalpled stonework, from the bottome of the batlement inwards towards the orchard, to cover the thicknesse of the sayd wall as shall be without the batlement, and shall ridd and laye new foundation sufficient to support the said wall. And the said John Langstaffe shall repaire one of the crocked finishings made by Robert Morley, now lying on the topp of the leads on the new hall chamber, and shall sett the said finishings [ soe repaired] upon a moulded corbel with ashler stone, to support it at the north east corner, where the two walls before mentioned are joyned together, the said finishing being made to rise ..... foote above the batlement of the said walls and to make one new finishing, of the said worke suitable to answer to the old finishing with ashler and corbell to it, and to place it at the south corner of the wall of forty five yatrds long aforesaid.
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Thirdly, the said John Langstaffe shall take downe the old whit wall and brick chimneyes betweene the old Chappell tower and the staircase tower over the drawing room leads, till it come a little below the gutter of the old slated roofe, and from thence shall raise up a wall of scalpled ashler, soe high that the topp of the batlement thereon, shall hyde the ridge of the slated roofe, when we shall looke from the great court, up to the said wall and carry up the chimneyes againe, in the sayd wall, and make a batlement of the sayd wall, with loope and crest moulded, and the sides plaine, and tothe east quarter of the staircase tower, soe high as to hyde the slates thereof from sight out of the aforesaid court, with a cooping stone thereon and pointe the ould wall and batlement of the sayd tower, and make a doore in the sayd tower to goe down on the leads upon the said drawing room; and shall alsoe raise the old batlement over the cant window, and repaire what is wanting to finish the said batlement. And shall alsoe make a batlement on the high walls of the old Chappell as they now stand, like to the batlement afore mentioned, splaying the toppe of the said wall of the sayd batlement for securyty and ornament at the same. And shall alsoe gett in three windowes, to be taken out of Sir Arthur Haselriggs buildings into the walls of the three roomes following, viz'. a three light window into the room where my Lord intends to make his library, a two light windowe with a transume into the roome where now, Mounsier Leville, [my Lord's "gentlman"] lyes,and the third, a two light windowe with a transume, in the roome within the chaplains chamber, with breakinge and wallinge belonging thereunto.
And further the said John Langstaffe, doth covenant to performe all the sayd work, well and artificially, and to find lime, sand, labourers, to the worke beforementioned belonging.
The said John Langstaffe having liberty to take old stone for the said worke out of Sir Arthur Haselriggs buildings or otherwise. And the said Edward Arden, for and on behalfe, of the sayd Right Reverend Father in God, John Lord Bishop of Durham, doth covenant, and promise to pay fore the work afore recited unto the said John Langstaff, the sume of threescore and sixteen pounds, as followeth, that is to say:- for the wall on the east end of the Chappell and all things belonging thereunto, the sume of fifteen pounds, and for the forty five yards wall of rusticke ashlerand windows, the sume of forty five pounds, and for the walls windowes, batlements etc., over the Drawing-roome, Dining-roome and ould Chappell walls now standing as above mentioned, the sume of sixteen pounds.
In witnesse whereof, we have interchangeably sett our hands the day and yeare first above written, Annoque Domini. 1664.
Memdom. That the meaning and intent of the third article, before the signing thetreof is that all the said work in the said article is to be sufficiently doun and finished at or before the Feast Day of St. Martin the
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The Bishopp, in winter next ensuing after the date hereof and the worke in the two first Articles to be finished by Pentecost next thereafter, 1665.
Memdom. The said Edward Arden, doth promise the said John Langstaffe, three pounds for takeing downe and laying safely and hansomley, by the remaineing of all the rusticke ashler worke, coyne stones, doores and windowes of Sir Arthur Haselriggs building(which shall not be used in the worke before specifyed) in the roome where the lyme is now usually made, sorting the same in convenient order. But in case the said John Langstaffe shall build the intended Porters' Lodge, or any other worke, which shall imploy the said rustick ashler coynes and windowes etc.; he shall then refound the said three pounds making allowance thereof in his worke.
Memdom. What new stone is gott at the quarry for the sayd work, is to be led at the costs and charges of the said, Lord Bishopp of Durham John Langstaffe In the presence of ue, Miles Stapylton, Richard Swingler.
Memdom. John Langstaff is to have, for pulling downe the wall over the drawing roome mentioned in the third article, down to the leads there and adding of the scapled ashler from the said leads to the topp of the said wall and hanging the bell in the staircase toure, mentioned also in the 3rd Article, with long loop lights on the four sides, to let out the sound of the bell, and making a passage for the rope to the ground, over and above the summe of sixteene [pound] for the worke already mentioned in the third article, the summe of four pounds ten shillings. Agreed Sept 24, 1664, Edw. Arden. Jo. Langstaffe
The Account Book proves that John did biuld the Porters Lodge.
11th August 1665, Paid John Langstaffe in full, for the Porters Lodge and currtin wall now measured and cleared 14ft Makes 179ft.
Contract No 4. 16th May 1665
Articles of Agreement betweene Edward Arden, Steward for my Lord, Bishop of Durham on the one parte and John Langstaffe of Bishop Auckland, mason, on the other parte, etc.;
That the said John Langstaffe is to build a wall oppositt to the Chappell at Auckland Castle, every way suitable, from the foundation to the topp of the
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Wall now before the Orchard, and of the same height only to differ with one row of rusticke ashler and one row of plaine ashler. And he shall remove and sett the frontespeece of the doore of Sir Arther Hesleriggs building, and sett it in the midle of the said wall, and place 4 windows and a dore in one side of the said frontespeece and 4 windows and a dore on the other side of the same, in fashion of the windowes and window heads in the orchard wall aforesaid; the two side dore heads to be of the same fashion as the windows, the frontespeece to be repaired and the dore-stead to be made six foott wide. A carved miter to be sett upon a pedestall over the said frontespreece and two pillers of rusticke ashler on the back thereof to the out courtin, with pedestalls and balls on them and pedestalls and balls at each corner,of the inward court upon the topp of the walls; the batlements of the said new wall to be the same as the orchard wall; and the two returne ends and walls beyond the windows to have teeth cutt into them, as is on the wall at the east end of the Chappell, the back side of the said wall to the out courting and the old Chappell to be scapled ashler; to make the foundation and find lime, sand, and all workmanshipp whatsoever, to the building of the said worke.
And the said John Langstaffe is to make trellises to all the said windows suitable to the orchard wall and a two leaved dore to the frontespeece, and two dores to the two stone dore- steads on each side of the said frontespeece and windows.
And the said Edward Arden is to pay the said John Langstaff, the summe of four score and ten pounds for all the said worke above mentioned, and to find timber and boards for the same and locks and hinges for the dores. In witnesse whereof the parties above mentioned, have hereunto sett their hands this 29th May 1665.
Jo. Langstaffe,
Edw. Arden.
From Bishop Cosin's Household Book kept by his steward's clerk:-
Octob'r 1665. Bishopp Awckland Castle repairs, 2nd .......... Paid a bill to Humphrey Wharton, Jo. Langstaffe, Tho. Bamford, Rich. Lawson, Rich. Ward, Tho. Wright, James Langstaff and Bryan Langstaffe, for most of them 7 dayes apeece, dayes labouring worke at 8d per diem, as per bill, removing rubbish from Sir Arthur Haselrigg's new building. £1 15s. 8d.
Mr. Richley says that much of the mason work done by John Langstaffe still remains in spite of much destruction and removal, more especially in the interior of the chapel.
St. Andrew, Auckland, Parish Register: 1671, Sarah, wife of Brien Langstaffe buried.
Sept. 7, 1695, Bryan Langstaff, of Bishop Auckland, buried.
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[Coal was then worth about 5s. a ton. ] My Lord gave me 3s. a gross (!) For his tobacco pipes but 4s. a lb for his tobacco and 12s. for a pair of silk stockings.
1665-6 Feb. 7. Awckland Repaires 3s. Paid Mark Todd for makeing the two figures, King David and Aaron, For the organ at Awckland, and carveing a stone locke for the gates Ther 1s. 1d. ...... 16s. Paid Jo. Langstaffe's labourerers for 25 days and ½ at 6d per diem, 12s. 9d. Given to Jo. Langstaff's workmen the last time my Lord was there, 10d.
July 1666 Household Expenses
27th. Pay'd John Langstaffe for brewing the brewings of beere and ale, 9d.
July 1666 Awckland Repaires
7th. Mr. Van Eersel He pay'd for orpement to paint with, 2d.
Paid Ralph Dixon for two potts to put paint in, for Van Eersel, 3d. Viz'. Gum, indec, vardegrease, cyle, blew starch, white lead, etc., 17s. 7d.
August 1666 Extraordinaryes
2nd To the poste that brought the printe and papers of the lats sea "victory," 2s 6d.
To James Whistons for tarr barrells for the bone fire, 4s. 6d.
Given to the trumpetter, drummer, and piper at bone fire, 3s.
June 1667 Extraordinaryes
2nd Given to John Langstaff to give to the workmen by my Lord's order, 10s.
July 1667 Extraordinaryes
11th Paid John Langstaffe the brewer, for a quarter and ten weeks wages, from Candlemas to this day, and cleared and discharged, £2 12s.
We learn from the "History of Darlington" ( p. 144) that Bishop Cosin restored his Manor House at Darlington. In the accounts for the work under the date 1668, April 18, occurs the following, which very likely refers to our hero:-
Paid to John Langstaffe, 10s, for leading three load of slates for the Bishops Hall, from Engleton, and he had all the sallary besides, which was dew to us at 2 1/2d. per myle= flackett and wallett filled: and diners which we accompt as good at 4s. 4d. every load or draught, I say... Paid him in money, 10s.
Monk and Rupert drove the Dutch to their ports and with fire ships burned two of their men of war and 150 merchant men, August 8 NA and July 28 OS, This action was known as Sir R Holmes his bonefire.
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Further allusions to John Langstaff, occur in the Letters of Bishop Cosin to his Secretary, Miles Stapylton Esq., from which the following extracts are taken:-
Sept. 19, 1668
To your owne letter dated the 15th instant, this must be my Answer:
1. That I shall expect what accounts you make with Mr. Archer. 2, That I shall expect likewise what is done at Bafferton, according to John Langstaffes direction.
MS. Cathedral Library.
Decemb'r 8 1668
You say that Mr. Rymer made the house tite from Letting in Raine before John Langstaff's directions came, and that he will do no more to it having left it in Tenantable repair.
Decemb'r 17 1668
John Langstaffe hath stayd for an ill time to travel in, but I hope he hath left none of my work undone behind him. Hasten on Van Ersell to the finishing of his works; Everyone that comes to me from Durham speaks highly of the Library-room; but says that his picture painting of faces is very ugly and unworthy of the Room; he hath need therefore to go over the faces again and mend them; that they may not look as Saracens as all comers say they doe.
Ffebr. 16 1668
I pray goe to Dr. Dalton and tell him I wonder he should write two such Letters to Mr Adam, as he hath lately done against Millers bringing in of earth into the Churchyard wherewith to levell it as the place green is at the middle gate of their new wall, for Mr. Dean when hee and the other Prebends by him were with me at that place, desired me to get John Langstaffe and his workemen about it, and that the treasurer of y" church should pay them for it. Of taking any earth from the upper part of the Churchyard next to the Schoole, I never heard anything, nor did I ever intend it, and therefore Dr. Dalton need not have writ so many words about it. You had best send for John Langstaffe and let him answer all the objections that are now made by Dr. Dalton and his workeman against the small levilling of the Churchyard, next to the middle gate of it as was formally agreed to by the Dean and Prebendaries when myself and John Langstaffe were present with them upon the place, and then I hope Dr. Dalton will be contented and let the worke be done without writing any further Letters against it.
Jany. 27 1669
Among all the weather storyes of all your great snows and raine, I expected you would have said somewhat of how much they wrought upon the lead cover of
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my Library, and I pray you let me know whether any drops came into the room or no, and whether John Langstaffe hath been there to see them and to take order that there be no more.
March 26 1670
John Langstaffs draught to me of the Library is now of no use to me, as it would have been, if it had come hither at the time I required it, which was long before Christmas when I was treating with Cajus Colledge in Cambridge to change my gift of the three scholarships there into the building of a Library; but now the three scholarships have been setled there three months since, and therefore John Langstaffe might have spar'd his paines, in making a draught of my Library at Durham, which will now serve for nothing. The draught that he hat made for Brafferton House, I do not understand in many parts thereof. The Platforme setteth out the front and on the upper part thereof; it addeth 2 square inch pieces on either side of the Hall; which I know not what they mean, nor do I see anything in this draught of the building it selfe how the new staircase by the kitchin, leading up to the chamber of it, shall be made, or where it shall be plac't, for in the paper there appeares nothing to be drawn for that purpose. What you and hee meane by the workmen which are to be set on at Brafferton*, I cannot tell, knowing nothing of the orders that hee and Sir Gilbert [Gerard] when they met there, gave for that purpose, but Sir Gilbert tells me, that he reffer'd it to John Langstaffe himselfe to agree with the men for the burning of the bricks and the bringing them into the house, and so to rest till wee met there againe, to set out and goe on with the building.
April 16 1670
I here send you inclosed, two bills signed by Mr. Henry Wharton for four fothers of lead, whereof two are to be delivered to you at Durham Castle and two more at Gilling Mill near Richmond, from whence John Abby must take order to fetch them and keep them safe at Brafferton House, till I shall take order with John Langstaffe, how to employ them there.
Raines "Auckland Castle" P.29
Pall Mall, London. August 16 1670
I have a great mind to prepare the void roome which is betweene the Exchequer and the Library, by the west end of it, that it may be made ready, as you and John Langstaffe may remember I designed, to hold more bookes such as Manuscipts and Maps, and the whole class of the Common Law and
* an estate which the Bishop had purchased in Yorkshire, not far from Thirsk.
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Statutes of the land. I pray you speake with John Langstaffe about it, and get him to make a handsome draught of it, and to count what the charge in all particulars will arise unto, and then let me hear from you about it.
Pall Mall, London. August 25 1670.
I have found out now, the account that John Langstaff gave me for the building and perfecting in all manner of worke of the little roome within the Library, and his bill came to £77 11s. whereof £21 was accounted for lead, which will now be saved by the lead which you are to receive from Mr. Wharton and somewhat of that lead will be to spare, so that upon the whole account, John Langstaffs bill, besides four trees out of Frankland, will come to no more than £56 And I pray set him upon the worke, and see it be well and compleatly done. That wee may want no roome for the bookes which we are to supply as wee can get time and money to pay for them. Only take care that the lights into the Chequer Offices be not taken away or obstructed as John Langstaffe told me they should not be.
London. August 27 1670
I pray you set your minde upon my resolution for the additional roome to my Library, and set John Langstaffe out of hand to prepare all things required towards it, and to set on all his severall sorts of workemen about it, and let him discharge them all; to which purpose you must enter Articles with him, and if the lead be not come from Mr. Wharton, you must presently send for it, for my minde is muche set upon this roome to have it as usefull and as handsome as the other greater Library is.
August 30 1670
I have sent you herein John Langstaffs note of accompt which he made for the little roome adjoining to the Public Library, that you may draw articles between him and you the better, though I understand not what hee meanes by the casement one foot lower. And if the roome will be capable of more presses upon each side of the window on each side of the chimney, though perhaps they will be less than the greater presses. I would have them also added and if hee will not allow them into the bargaine you must add somewhat for them into the Articles. Bee sure you tye him to doe his worke as speedily and as neatly as possibly he can. And remember to put it into the bargaine that he shall open the passage betweene the two further presses of the Library, and make it a very handsome doore with the cheeks lined into the new roome. For my mind is set upon't to have it done very handsomely, because I purpose to keep all maps, books of geography,and all manner of manuscripts there that wee can buy or begg from any others in whose houses
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if any such bee there. They are not likely to be so well preserved as they will be in this Library. To which purpose I set Mr. Davenport of list'ning out and searching after them, you and hee, and all your acquaintances besides.
London Septem'r 10th 1670
For John Langstaffe's saying that Mr. Wharton's two fother of lead will not countervaile the £21 for lead and workmanship towards the additional rooms to the Library. I doe not understand it, and I marvaile that you should so suddenly swallow it without making any reply to him. For I make account that Mr. Whartons two fothers of lead are worth £26 Which is £5 More than £26 If lead sells now as it was wont to doe at £13 the fother; but if it bee at a lower rate yet I should think that two fother will sell for more than John Langstaffs £21 set down in his note for lead and workmanship both, whereof the lead itself besides the workmanship, could not probably come to a fother and a half at most.
[The fother or fodder varied from 191/2 to 24 cwt.]
London Septem'r 20th 1670
What your meaning was I cannot tell, but your expression concerning Mr. Whartons two fother of lead, could not otherwise be construed then as I wrote in my former letter . If John Langstaffe can buy lead at £12 a fother, you must let him have Mr. Whartons lead, at the same rate, but Mr. Wharton will say that hee sells it for £13 If no more presses than three large ones can be made in the additional roome to my Library, wee must be content with them, and the lesser shelves on each side of the window, and on each side of those larger presses.
London October 4 1670
I looke for some account from you in every one of your letters of the progress that John Langstaffe and his men make about the additional roome to the Library. I pray take care that they pass not through the Great Library, as I gave you warning before, and advise with John Langstaffe whether or not it will be best to leave a doore on one side of the window, whereby the workmen may enter from the garden, and afterwards, when all is done, either to be wall'd up againe or to have a wooden doore there, answerable to the presse on the other side of the window, for the Bishop when he pleases to enter the more privately, thereinto through his own garden, when hee will give the Library keeper notice thereof, who must open the doore for him, and stand charg'd with all the bookes in both the roomes.
I have layd out more than 100s. for books to be sent out unto the Library, whereof you have the catalogue lately sent unto you; and yet the collection of
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money which you have made from them is a yet but 67s. I pray you therefore to make all opportunityes to get in more money, either from the tenants in their fees and fines, or otherwise as you can for a better stock, you and Mr. Davenport, both by your effectual motions. London October 8 1670
If they have not misinform'd you concerning to two water corne mills at Durham, I will be content that you should take the fine which is offered, unless you can hooke in a booke for the Library, as you may the better doe if you stand upon the 8th yeare which ought to allow halfe a yeeres value.
{This was the Public Library on the Palace Green at Durham, built by Bishop Cosin at the cost of £500 for the building and £2000 for the books. The Rev. George Davenport was th e Bishop's Chaplain.] London October 13 1670
[Speaking of a proposed settlement of £200 upon his second daughter Elizabeth, the wife of Samuel Davison - she was married four times] Yet before this be done, I desire that Mr. Davison may promise you two things, 1st, that he will bestow some windows or other ornament upon the house wall next the street, and make a faire porch, by John Langstaffes advice into it.
London October 18 1670
I shall also put you in mind that it now beginnes to be winter time, and that the bookes if they be not all rub'd over before a fire once a fortnight or month at least, they will contract moulding and be in danger to be spoiled = for the better care whereof I have augmented your stipend out of the late bought lands at Dunsforth.
Postse Let Wren looke to my private Library at the Castle, that the bookes grow not mouldy, and to all the rest of my goods that none of them may get any harme, either at Durham or Auckland.
John Langstaffe was clearly a "Progressive" for in 1670 he put Sir Gilbert Gerard and Mr. Miles Stapylton upon the scheme to draw up a lease from the Bishop to them of "the colemines in Auckland Parke."
Fortunately, his Lordship a "Moderate", declined to seal the document, urging various reasons as follows:-
Pall Mall. London, November 1 1670
You have sent hither to Sr. Gilbert a lease made to him and you of the colemines in Auckland Parke etc.; and of the colemines in Coundon and Coundon Grange etc.; wherewith you never aquatinted mee before and
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Sr. Gilbert saith that John Langstaffe put you upon it. But there are 2 reasons which keep mee from sealing it. The one is that Robert Morley hath the lease of Condon Grange already and whether he hath forfeited or given it over or no I cannot tell, wherein we must be first resolved.
The other is that it cannot be well taken by my successor that I should let away anything within the Parke which is next to his house to any persons that might take their liberty of coming into it to dig or sinck for Coles there and their workemen to make hovells or howses wherein they may dwell, with way leave for carriages to and from those Pits, which must needs be very offensive to the Bishop for the time being. And truly I know not that I have any power to let any part or apurtenance of my Demesnes without a new act of Parliament for that purpose. Moreover you know that I must be beholden to the kindness of my successors, for renewing my leases of Crake, Gateshead, Howdon and Northallerton to my children, who when they come to plead for themselves that they hope for the more favour because, I have been so beneficial to the See, may chance to be answered and told that I have done the See wrong in Letting away these Colemines within the Parke. Of all these things I pray consider well and let me have your Answer or at least another Lease, wherein the Parke shall not be mentioned nor any parte of my demesnes and then I shall not be unwilling to put my seale to it.
Pall Mall. London, December 3, 1670
In the new faceing of the house [Mr. S. Davison's] towards the street, I desire there may be no patcher employed, but that John Langstaffe should set on neat workemen to doe it. And now wee name him, I would gladly know what hee hath done at the new addition of the Library and what he hath appointed John Abbey to doe in order to the new addition and alteration of the first court at Brafferton....
Pall Mall. London, December 10 1670
..... You say nothing to me of John Langstaffe's proceedings about the additional Library at Brafferton. I would fain know in what roome hee employs his workmen, joyners, for if it be where James Hall wrought, at the bottome of the great staircase, I apprehend some danger from the shavings that I remember usually layd there, round about the workemens feet, who used candles there both morning and evening, and therefore I would wish that you were to let them worke in some safer place and I think there [be] none safer than the great hall, by the fireside or rather in the great kitchin.
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Pall Mall. London, February 2 1670
Sr. Gilbert Gerard told me that the 16 Trees cut down in Bedbourne were to be not to be sold but given, which made me say that I expected no such thing. If they were sold, why did you not tell me for what they were sold and who will pay the money? I doe not remember that there were above 6 trees demanded for the repaire of the Mill, and therefore I might well say I did not expect to have them made 16; but you discharge y'selfe and put all upon my direc'ons, which you gave to John Langstaffe.
Pall Mall. London, February 21 1670
.........Though you say Robin Mohun is to looke to the garden only , yet I hope you meant to include the orchard also and the walkes there well to be kept, for such was our bargaine with him, made by John Langstaffe and yourselfe.
Pall Mall. London, February 25 1670
I expect every week that you should say to me somewhat of the good progress that is made in my Classical Catalogue, whereof in your office of Library keepership you will have most use: and to heare what progress John Langstaffe hath made in the additional roome: whom I hope also you have persuaded to do somewhat at Brafferton on the kitchin - side Court, before I come to give order on the other side there.
Pall Mall. London, March 7 1670
.......If you had told me how many yards high John Langstaffe had carryed the additional building to the Library, It would have been some better satisfaction to me then what you say to me, that hee is going on as fast as hee can. By next I hope you will tell me that Todd and Hull are come to do the woodworke. When the roofe and the deals upon it are made fit to receive the lead, I pray look to it well with your own eyes that we may not have those faults happen in it which did before in the great roofe of the Library, where the raine stood without a fall to clear it away.
Pall Mall. London, Aprill 6 1671
It is well that John Langstaffe and James Hall are about their worke at the Library, which I hope you will see them finish't all in good time and all in good and perfect manner. But now we are at the Library, where is the 20s. That Mr. Archdeacon promis'd to give towards the Tractatus Tractatuum
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Pall Mall. London, Aprill 29th 1671
It is well the additionall roome to the Library is so neer finishing, what agreement is made with Van Ersell for the pictures that must be set on the presses, or what those pictures must bee; I doe not remember that they have been yet treated of, or whether John Langstaffe is to pay the charge out of his fifty odde pounds.
Pall Mall. London, Thursday 25th May 1671
You give me an account of the new roome added to the Library, but an account so hard and obscure that it is not possible for mee to understand it. I never heard before of two doores in that new room to be set opposite one against the other. The entrance out of the Great Library into that new roome I ordered, and repeated it more than once, and gave you strict charge to looke to it, was to be made betweene the two presses of the Greeke and Latine Fathers; at the back of which two presses, the other two were to be placed in the new roome exactly; and if this be not done, nothing is done, for I understand not a syllable of what you write concening the two doores in the new roome, which you say are not directly opposite one to an other; neither can I demise where that opposite doore should stand, or bee made in the new roome.
When wee thought of a passage to that roome from garden, we spake indeed of a doore to be put on the side of the window if there were roome for it, but when you told me that John Langstaffe said it would not doe well there, I gave plaine and peremptory order that there should be no doore but out of the great Library into the less, betweene the Greeke and the Latine Fathers; And this I shall expect to have done before I shall allow John Langstaffe his money, whatever become of the presses in the little roome, which he and James Hull hath set up, it seems disorderly, neither is there any other remedy to be used, but the takeing downe of those 2 presses againe and setting them just to the back of the two presses in the Great Library, where the Greeke and Latine Fathers stand. You tell me John Langstaffe was mistaken in his measure and there you leave the matter, as if you were no further to be concern'd in it. I will send you shortly yhe names of those men whose pourtraietures are to be put in the freeze of those presses, as soon as the presses be put in order, and that you will informe me, how many heads they will hold, which I thinke will be twelve in all if the presses in the little roome be made after the same proportion that they are in the greater. But when will Van Ersell come home? upon only John Langstaffe and you seem to depend. In the interim, I suppose you have got somebody else to colour the roof and the presses themselves, together with the chimney piece, which perhaps will hold three pictures of the heads or more.
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Pall Mall. London, Whitson Tuesday, June 13th 1671
You doe so puzzle me, in describing the presses and the Doores that goe into the new additional Roome to the Library, that I know not what to make of it, neither shall I understand p'fectly what you or John Langstaffe would have, until he made a little draught and description of it on a piece of paper.
Pall Mall. London, November 2nd 1671
If John Langstaffe had done anything for me at Brafferton, I should have been the more willing to let him had his request for the ffreestone quarryat Coundon, if any such quarry there be yet unlet, as I,m afraid it was let either to Mr. ,who gave it over, or to Robert Morley, at Mr. Bowser's instance when he began the building of my Chappel at Auckland, whose lease must be look' into. As you have it upon record before you give answer to John Langstaff.
Bishop Cosin died 15 January 1671-2
Whether John in accordance with the meeting of 2nd 9th month 1680, ever brought in an account of his own "sufferings" is not recorded, but that he was the subject of sundry prosecutions, extending over a period of nigh in twenty years is amply proved by the extracts given below. These are arranged in chronological order, and the "sufferings" of George Dickson or Dixon, a direct ancestor of the writer, are included, together with certain expressions applied indeed to other individuals, but interesting as shewing that these early Friends suffered a very real persecution for their peculiar views. There can be little doubt that their refusal to take the oath of allegiance and their refusal to take off their hats in courts of justice must have been very exasperating to the Civil Authorities.
In J Besse's "Collection of the Sufferings of the People Called Quakers for the Testimony of a Good Conscience" {London: Printed and sold by George Hindle at the Bible in George Yard, Lombard Street. MDCCLIII ] we find [p.173] :-
Durham. Anno. 1660
About the same time also were sent to prison for refusing the oaths ........ John Langstaff of Bishop Aukland, and Emanuel Grice of the same.
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1660-1, 16th Jan. 12 Car. 11 At the general session held at Durham of this day, it was odered "that John Langstaff of Aukland be committed for refusing the oath of allegiance."
Durham County Records.
1662, At the sessions held on the 16th July 14 Car.11:-
John Langstaff was fined 50s. being convicted upon the Act of Quakers. Geo. Dixon of Raby was fined 5s. Being convicted upon the act of Quakers.
In Kennets Register, 738, we find:-
1662, August. At this assize [Durham] John Langstaff, a Quaker, the demolisher of the goodly Castle and Chapel of Auckland under Sir Arthur Hazlerig, pretending he was stirred up in the night by the Spirit, writ a letter to the Bench, wherein he took upon him to prophecy that many strange judgements do hang upon this kingdom and government and forcing the Justices to take notice of him; and denying to obey_______ , being convicted, had the sentence of praemunire pronounced against him__ openly avowing that he will meet in their assemblies, and glorying in his sufferings.
Raines "Auckland Castle" p.104
About this time Besse speaks of some Friends as having been confined in "a nasty stinking Dungeon."
Anno. 1662. One the 3rd of the month called August, Henry Grainger, Christopher Pickering,Francis Temple and George Dickson, all of Raby, yeoman, and George Gundry, miller, and John Atkinson, mason, of Stanethrop, and James White of Hopewell, near Piercebridge, were taken by soldiers from a meeting at Henry Draper's House, in Headlam, and committed by a Justice, to Durham Jail for nine weeks. At the next sessions they were indicted and James White, Henry Grainger and Christopher Pickering, were find ten pounds each, for which distresses were made on their goods to the value of £37 3s. 4d.
Besse, vol. i., p. 173.
At the sessions held 8 Oct. 1662:-
Geo. Dixon of Raby, proved by Henry Garth, after a second conviction, fined £10.
Durham County Records. Staindrop. Georgius Dixon [and many others] presented for Quakers and excommunicated persons, 20th February 1663.
Duham Episcopal Visitation.
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In those days the Quakers habitually spoke of the Church of England as "popish" thus an old but undated pamphlet in the British Museum, "The Record of Sufferings for Tythes in England," by Richard Hubberthorne, speaking of Liverton, co. York, says [p. 11]:-
Rowland Thorp, for refusing to repair the popish Steeplehouse had goods taken from him, worth 5s.
At the sessions held 6th July 1665, Joseph Avery of Bishop Auckland, Yeoman, after several repeated convictions, was further convicted for " that he on the 11th June, at Bishop Auckland, in the mansion house of John Langstaff, was present with other persons being Quakers," and being so convicted was transported to Barbados for 7 years.
Durham County Records.
At the sessions held at Durham, 3rd October 1665:-
Edward Lamerson, yeoman of Bishop Auckland, Anthony Hodgson and Emanuel Grice of the same place, Quakers, were sentenced by the Court of Quarter Sessions, to seven years' transportation, for assembling at the house of John Langstaffe for purposes of their religion.
Durham County, 1670. A meeting in Oxmore Lane, in the Parish of Heighington.
August 7th John Langstaffe and three others, fined £2.
August 14th John Langstaffe and fourteen others, fined £7 10s.
August 21st John Langstaffe and Eight others, fined £4 10s.
September 12th John Langstaffe and twelve others, fined £6 3s.
Besse, ii., pp. 127-128.
Apparently 10s. A first day was to much even for John's piety, since he did not attend the later meetings.
Anno. 1670 .
At Stockton, was taken from John Langstaffe and four others £11 4s. 6d. [Probably for tithes.]
It was also remarkable, that when a Warrant for levying £7 on John Langstaff's goods was brought to John Brown, Constable of Condon [Coundon], he refused to serve the same, rather suffering a distress on his own goods, to the value of £3.
Besse, vol. i., p. 177.
Anno. 1673. Taken for tithes this year:-
John Langstaffe of Whitley, corn worth £36.
The Quaker Contractor of Auckland is continued in Part 8.