“MEM.—Thomas Palmer and Ann Clarke: if they come to be maryed, stop them, and send for Mr. Clarke, next doore to the Mitre Tavern in Duppin’s Ally, King Street, Westminster.” “William Squire, silver-smith, living in Long Acre, who stood father to Elizabeth Goldingham, who was married to Edward Keyn ye 20th of ffebruary, 1690/1, does give this account of the said Elizabeth Goldingham, that she has lodged at his house for 2 years, that she is no heyress, but ffollows the trade of a manta-maker for her living, and further he adds that she has neither ffather or mother liveing, nor no relation who does any way look affter her, but that she is really at her own disposal.” But although such entries show the rule, I must admit that at a certain period before the time to which the foregoing entries refer, are others which appear suspicious; and if any irregularities occurred I should place them between the two extreme dates, shown in the following extracts:— 1678, April 28. Jacob Stent and Mary Crouch, secrecy for life. 1678, April 28. James Gibson and Anne Tarrant, secrecy. 1678/9, April 28. William Taylor and Elizabeth Steward, great secrecy. 1680, April 25. Edward Charlton and Alice Robinson, secret for 14 years. 1682, May 7. Andrew Barry and Mary Elton, secrecy. With these curious notices of old systems, habits, and ideas, I proceed to give some extracts from the registers, selecting those referring to eminent persons, and which contain allusions of interest and peculiarity. The earliest entry of baptisms is the following. 1663, Aug. 28. Will, ye sone of will birke of this hamlett, by Mr. Herring. 1667, Jan. 23. Sofiah London, the daughter of Richard London and Mary his wife. A family named London lived in this locality many years, and there are several entries of the name. Probably the celebrated gardener so named, who will be afterwards noticed, belonged to it. 1668. Nathaniel, son of William Ipsley, baptised, September 8th. Most probably this name should be Hipsley. Persons of this name were clerks here many years. 1670, Nov. 3. James, son of James and Mary Rouse. 1675, Feb. 19. Dorothy, daughter of James Took, Esq., and Magdalen his wife. Westminster parish. 1675, April 11. William Lord, son of Robert and Anne Thurlow. A family of this name lived in the St. Margaret’s part of the hamlet in the 17th century. 1675, Nov. 5. Joan, daughter of Robert and Hester Gunter, baptised. Persons of this name may be traced from this period to the present time in our locality. It is the earliest entry of the name I have found. 1676, Jan. 8. Margerite, the daughter of Elizabeth Bedford by Mr. Philip Thomas. 1677, June 17. Tristram, the son of Tristram and Anne Huddlestone. 1677, July 20. George, son of Berkley Trye, Esq., by Mary his wife, baptised by Jo. Andrews, entered at St. Martin’s. The Tryes are a very ancient Gloucestershire family.