Last update: 4-24-98
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©1997 Chuck Roberts
Table of Contents
This is a book called "Some memoirs of the life of John Roberts." It was written by his son Daniel Roberts. It is set in a town called Siddington, a mile from Cirencester, near Gloucester, UK. There is a castle in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England in which dungeon John was thrown many times. It is about the Roberts family and their friends, who were Quakers, and how they were persecuted and harassed by the local authorities and church for their different beliefs. For example, the Catholic church didn't like it that they didn't attend church at the local church on Sundays, even though the Quakers held their own services, frequently in John's home. The church eventually had John thrown in jail for not paying tithes. The story takes place in England about 1665. Note that in England from 1650-1700, there were many wars, within and without, that hampered the country, along with the Great Plague about 1645. This led to abuse of power and rampant corruption, as evidenced by the story. The English revolution was about 1642 where Parliament split from the King. Oliver Cromwell and his army (in which John served) sided with Parliament and king Charles sided with the church. (Link to an excellent English Civil War site.)
My comments are in [brackets]. I have attempted to keep the exact same paragraphing as was in the original book. Thus some paragraphs may seem to run together. I have also added "chapters" because the book had none. Here is a map of the area. Main towns are highlighted in green.
Here is a list of people appearing in this story:
page 1
I have had it on my mind, for some years past, to commit to writing some
memorable passages, the chief of which were transacted in my time,
together with some short account of our family.
My grandfather's name was John Roberts, alias Hayward. He liv'd at a
village called Siddington, within a mile of Cirencester, in
Gloucestershire. [Daniel's father's name was John Roberts Jr.] I have heard he lived reputably on a little estate of his
own, which he occupied. He married Mary Soliss, sister to Andrew
Solliss, Esq, who was in comission of the pease, and sustain'd great
spoil in the time of the civil war [started about 1642, ended 1688] between king Charles I [reigned
between 1625 and 1649] and the
parliament. I have heard a colonel and his men and horses quartered
themselves upon him a considerable time together, turning their horses
to the corn and hay mows. (Link to English Civil War site.)
My father and his next neighbour went into the army under Oliver
Cromwel [who led the Parliament loyalists against king Charles I, and joined with the Scots], and continued till they heard Cirencester was taken by the
king's party; when they thought proper to return home, to see how it
fared with their parents and relations.
page 2
As they were passing by Cirencester, they were discovered and pursued by two soldiers of the king's party (then in possession of the town). Seeing themselves pursued, they quitted their horses, and took to their heels: but by reason of their accoutrements could make little speed. They came up with my father first; and tho' he begged for quarter, none would they give him; but laid on him with their swords, cutting and slashing his hands and arms, which he held up to save his head; as the marks upon them did long after testify. At length it pleased the Almighty to put it into his mind to fall down on his face; which he did. Hereupon the soldiers being on horseback, cry'd to each other, alight, and cut his throat! But neither of them did; yet continued to strike and prick him about the jaws, 'til they thought him dead. Then they left him, and pursued his neighbour, whom they presently overtook and kill'd. Soon after they had left my father, it was said in his heart, "Rise and flee for thy life": which call he obeyed; and starting upon his feet, his enemies espy'd him in motion, and pursued him again. He ran down a steep hill, and through a river, which ran at the bottom of it; tho' with exceeding difficulty, his boots filling with water, and his wounds bleeding very much. They followed him to the top of the hill; but, seeing he had got over, the pursued him no further. He was at a loss which way to take in this wounded and disconsolate condition, being surrounded with enemies on every hand. At length he determined to go to his uncle Solliss's; from whence he sent a servant to a widow at Cirencester (at whose house the chief officers lay) with whom he was acquainted, desiring her to come to him; which she readily did, and offered him all the service in her power. He desired her, as the principal officers lay at her house, to use her interest with them to give command that one of the soldiers might offer him any abuse. Which she affected; and in good-will to her they likewise sent their ablest surgeon to him. He was a man of great skill, but of a sour disposition; for he told my father, if he had met him in the field, he would have kill'd him himself; "but now" said he, "I'll cure you"; which he did.
When my father found himself able, he went to his father's house [also
named John], and
found him very ill in bed. They greeted each other with many tears, and
a great intermixture of joy and sorrow. After some time my father
perceived him to tremble to such a degree, that the bed shook under him.
Upon which my father asked him how it was with him? He replied, "I am
well. I feel no pain. 'Tis the mighty power of God that shakes me."
After lying still some time, he broke out in a sweet melody of spirit,
saying, "In the Lord only have I righteousness and strength! In God have
I salvation!" I don't remember to have heard he said any thing more
before his departure.
The civil war was continuing, my father found he could not be safe at home; and therefore he went again, and continued till near the conclusion of that dreadful eruption: when he returned again to his sorrowful family at Siddington. After some time he took to wife Lydia Tindal, daughter of Thomas Tindal of Slincomb, near Dursley [southwest of Gloucester], a religious family, and one of those under the denomination of Puritans. Matthew Hale (afterwards lord chief justice in England) was her kinsman, and drew her marriage-settlement. It pleased God to give them six children, viz. John, Joseph, Lydia, Thomas, Nathaniel, and Daniel. Joseph and Lydia died young; Thomas was kill'd at the age of fourteen, by a kick from a mare; the rest lived to man's estate.
page 6
In the year 1665, it pleased the Lord to send two women friends out of the North to Cirencester, who enquiring after such as feared God, were directed to my father, as the likeliest person to entertain them. They came to his house, and desired a meeting. He granted it, and invited several of his acquaintance to sit with them. After some time of silence, the friends spake a few words, which had a good effect. After the meeting, my father endeavoured to engage them in discourse: but they said little, only recommended him to Richard Farnsworth, then a prisoner for the testimony of Truth in Banbury jail, to whom they were going. Upon this recommendation my father went shortly after to the prison, in order to converse with Richard; where he met with the two women who had been at his house. The turnkey [castle guard] was denying them entrance, and telling them he had an order not to let any of those "giddy-headed people" in; and therefore if they did go in, he would keep them there: But upon my father's desire they were admitted in along with him, and conducted through several rooms to a dungeon, where Richard Farnsworth was preaching through a grate to the people in the street; but soon after they came in, he desisted; and after a little time of silence, turning to them, he spake to this purpose: "That Zacheus, being a man of low stature, and having a mind to see Christ, ran before, and climb'd up into a sycamore tree: and our Saviour, knowing his good desires, call'd to him, 'Zacheus, come down- This day is salvation come to thy house.' Thus Zacheus was like some in our day, who are climbing up into the tree of knowledge, thinking to find Christ there. But the word now is, 'Zacheus come down, come down; for that which is to be known of God is manifested' within." This with more to the same purpose, was spoken in such authority, that, when my father came home, he told my mother he had seen Richard Farnsworth, who had spoke to his condition as if he had known him from his youth. From this time he patiently bore the cross; afterwards, when it pleased God to communicate to him a portion of the knowledge of his blessed Truth, a necessity was laid upon him one first-day morning to go to the public worshiphouse in Cirencester in the time of worship, not knowing what might be required of him there. He went, and standing with his hat on, the priest was silent for some time: but being asked why he did not go on? He answered, he "could not, while that man stood with his hat on." Upon this some took him by the arm, and led him into the street, staying at the door to keep him out: but after waiting a little in stillness, he found himself clear, and passed away. As he passed the market-place, the tie of his shoe slacken'd; and while he stooped down to fasten it, a man came behind him, and struck him on the back a hard blow with a stone, saying "There, take that for Jesus Christ's sake." He answered "So I do"; not looking back to see who it was, but quietly going his way. A few days after a man came and asked him forgiveness; telling him he was the unhappy man that gave him the blow on his back, and he could have no rest since he had done it.
Not long after, three Friends [other Quakers], came that way, who found the like
concern, viz. Robert Silvester, Philip Grey, and Thomas Onyon. These
standing in the steeple-house with their hats on, tho' they said
nothing, the priest was silent: And being asked if he was not well? he
answered, he "Could not go forward whilst those dumb dogs stood there."
Wherefore the people dragged them out: and the priest afterwards
informing a justice that they had interrupted him in divine service,
they were bound over [put in jail until] to the quarter-sessions [quarterly court sessions]. My father, at their
desire, accompanied them to the sessions: and when they were called and
the priest had accused them, the bench, in a rage, without asking them
any questions, ordered their mittimus's to be made. This unjust and
illegal proceeding kindled my father's zeal, insomuch that he stepping
forward, called the justices, saying, "Are not those who fit on the
bench sworn to do justice? Is there not a man among you that will do the
thing that is right?" Whereupon John Stephens, of Lipeat (then chairman)
cry'd out "Who are you, sirrah? What is your name?" My father telling
him his name, he [John Stephens] said, "I am glad I have you here: I have heard of you:
you deserve a stone doublet: there's many an honester man than you
hang'd." "It may be so" answered my father: "but what dost thou think
becomes of those who hang honest men?" The justice reply'd, "I'll send
you to prison; and if any insurrection or tumult be in the land, I'll
come and cut your throat first with my own sword; for I fear to sleep in
my bed, lest such fanaticks should come and cut my throat": and,
snatching up a ball of wax, he violently threw it at my father; who
avoided the blow by stepping aside. Their mittimus's were then made, and
they were all sent to prison.
The same evening my uncle Soliss, who was one of the justices on the
bench, came to the prison, and calling for my father, asked him if he
was willing to have his liberty to go home to his wife and family? "Upon
what terms uncle?" said my father.
Justice: "Upon such terms, that the jailor open the door and let you
out."
John Roberts: What! without entering into any recognizance?
Justice: Yes.
John Roberts: Then I accept of my liberty. But admire, uncle, how thou and several others could sit upon the bench as with your thumbs in your mouths, when you should speak a word in behalf of the innocent.
Justice: You must learn to live under a law, cousin. And if you will
accept of your liberty till next sessions, you may have it; if not, stay
where you are.
So they parted; and on the morrow my father went home, having also the
jailor's leave.
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