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XI.

Josiah Relph.

Reprinted from the Whitehaven Guardian, June 29th, 1875.

M

ISS POWLEY, in her "Echoes of old Cumberland," has by her beautiful poem on Relph, and in the elaborate note appended to it, drawn attention to a very curious literary question, which she has decided in favour of the poet, as, indeed, she is warranted in doing by all the reliable evidence.

The leading points, on which the dispute-if there be a dispute -turns, have been before the world for perhaps a century, and were specially noticed by Sir Frederick Madden thirty-six years ago; but the indifference, nay, disgust, with which our dialects were even then treated by the cognoscenti was such that it is only now, when they are rapidly dying out, that we recognise the honour which will hereafter accrue to him who shall be proved to have been the first educated man who composed poetry in dialect, not only in Cumberland, but in the four northern counties, and either Relph, or the unknown Robert Nelson, was that man.

The first work of John Collier (Tim Bobbin), the earliest writer in the Lancashire dialect, was published in 1746.

As a contribution to the literature of this vexed question, the Will of Joseph Relph is appended, and its importance in that point of view will be acknowledged, apart from its general interest to all lovers of Cumberland literature, a rapidly increasing band. The original, written on the first page of a sheet of foolscap, is entirely in the handwriting of the poet, which, as all who know it are aware, is remarkable for its neatness. It is without erasures,

and though written in the near prospect of death, betrays no symptoms of weakness. It is brief, but very expressive of character. It will be observed that he had accumulated a good deal of property in his short existence of thirty-one years, and that he had acquired a goodly store of books.

Some extracts from the Bond usually given are added, as containing matter of interest.

As time rolls on we shall feel,

"A keener sense of what we owe

To him who first bestowed regard

On rural life and rustic speech,

To Relph, our earliest Cumbrian Bard."

"In the name of God Amen I Josiah Relph of Sebergham Clerk, do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following: I give and bequeath to Mr. Joseph Nicolson of Hawkesdale all my Rarities as Shells, Pebbles and the like (of which a List will be found in my Long Green Pocket Book) as an acknowledgment of my obligation to Him for his many FAVOURS: I give to Mrs. Nicolson his Consort two stitch'd MSS. Books consisting of Poems, and hope the Reading of them may help to pass away a Leisure Hour of her's, as the writeing of them has done many of mine. I leave to my HalfSister Jane Relph Ten Pounds. I leave to my Father John Relph Twenty Pounds. I leave to my Brother Joseph Relph Forty Pounds. I leave to my Brother Jacob Relph Fifty Pounds. I leave to my Father John Relph Burkit on the New Testament. All the rest of my Goods, Chattels & Credits & Personal Estate whatsoever I give and bequeath to my Sister Margaret Relph, whom I do constitute & appoint my sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto sett my Hand & Seal this twelfth day of March 174.

"Sign'd Seal'd and Delivered as the last Will and Testament of the above Testator in the Presence of us

"JOSIAH RELPH. L. S.

HENRY DENTON, Sworn "ISAAC DENTON. Sworn"

"A True & Just Inventory of the Goods and Chattles of Mr. Josiah Relph deceased as they were apprized by Henry Relph and Henry Denton the 27th day of June 1743.

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"This Inventory was Exhibited at Carlisle on the Second day of July 1743 by Margaret Watson Sole Executrix. Sworn" Endorsement on Will.

"This Will was proved at Carlisle On the Second Day of July 1743 and administration was granted to Margaret late Relph now Watson Sister of the Deceas'd and Sole Executrix herein named she being sworn in due form of Law as Executrix and Also to the truth of the Inventory by her Exhibited

"Before me

"JOHN WAUGH."

Bond given for due Administration of the effects of Josiah Relph.

"Know All Men by these presents That We Robert Watson of Leavy Holm in the County of Cumberland yeom. John Relph of Sebergham in the County aforesd yeom and Henry Relph of Castle Sowerby in the County aforesd are held and firmly bound to .

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in Five Hundred Pounds.

"Dated the Second day of July in the 17th year of .

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"The Condition of the above obligation is such that if Margaret the Wife of the above bounden Robert Watson

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XII.

The Washington Family,

Reprinted from the "Whitehaven Guardian,” November 18th, 1875.

HE first notice of the Washington family in the parish register of St. Bees I believe to be the one recording the baptism of Ellen, the daughter of Robert Washington. The volume in which that entry occurs commences about 1688. In the volume commencing 1538, and concluding 1650, the name does not occur. In the court books of the manor, the first notice appears to be in 1707. On examining some manuscripts in my possession, I find that Robert Washington's name first occurs as an inhabitant of Whitehaven in 1695. The surname is not found in lists previous to that date. This individual's name is continually repeated to 1730 inclusive, when it ceases, and the name of Washington is entirely absent till 1734, when Lawrence Washington, or, to be minutely correct, Lowra, in future years Lawrance or Lowrance, is recorded for many years. The surname is always closely associated with that of Captain Richard Senhouse, who built Tangier House, thus corroborating what we ascertain from other sources, that the family persistently resided in the same neighbourhood.

I should be inclined, from this accumulated evidence, to suppose that the Washingtons did not reside in Whitehaven until about 1694. None the less would I, however, be disposed to believe that John and Lawrence emigrated from Whitehaven, to which, as the port of their departure, the place whither their produce was consigned, and whence their supplies were received, their

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