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Notes 85
Sir Thomas Robinson of Rookby (1702P-1777) was created first
baronet in 1731. He matriculated at Exeter college, Oxford, in 1721 and
was M.P. for Morpeth 1727-34. He was also governor of Barbados
1742-47 (Sedgwick, HC, II, pp. 388-89).
Chancellor's Letter, dated 30 June, 1721, to Convocation "in favour of
. . . Thomas Seeker . . . who contrary to his own inclinations was sent
by his Guardians to the University of Leyden where he proceeded
regularly to the degree of M.D. as appears by the printed exercise he
performed on that Occasion, but intending to prosecute his studies in
this University, he humbly prays that the degree of B.A. may be
conferred upon him" (Bodl. MS Rawlinson 4° J 4, fol. 254, quoting
from MS Acta Convocation, Univ. Oxon. Arch. Bd. 31, fol. 18,
Convocation of 6 July, 1721).
Grand Compounder at the university of Oxford was a proceeder or
inceptor who paid a higher fee for his degree based on his possession of
an independent income. The privilege was abolished in 1853.
Mrs Talbot: Mary, the widow of Seeker's friend, Archdeacon Edward
Talbot, who had a daughter, Catherine, born posthumously (May
1721). The mother and daughter made their home with Seeker from
1725 until his death.
Mrs Catherine Benson was the sister of Martin Benson who accepted
Seeker's proposal of marriage in 1725.
FOLIO 13 (1721-24)
two Ladies: Mary Talbot and Catherine Benson, Seeker's future wife.
Catherine Talbot the Bishops Daughter later married Exton Sayer.
ordained me: Seeker was ordained deacon 23 December, 1722, and
priest 10 March, 1723, both at St. James's, Westminster. See a note in
Seeker's hand, sent to Dr. Richard Rawlinson at London House in
Aldersgate Street, and "received by Rawlinson 12 Nov. 1741 from Dr.
Seeker Bishop of Oxford by Browne Willis Esqr" (Bodl. MS Rawl. 4°
fol. 235). Edmund Calamy (1671-1732) lists Seeker among 26 ministers,
"bred among the dissenters," who had conformed by 1731 [An Historical
Account of My Own Life (London, 1830), II, p. 500].
as his Chaplains: a bishop by law (21 Hen. VIII c. 13) was allowed to
have 6 chaplains.