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18
The Autobiography of Archbishop Thomas Seeker
Whilst I was Bishop of Bristol, I gave the living of Newchurch in the
Isle of Wight to Mr, afterwards Dr Brakenridge. When I was made
Rector of St James's, Dr Sykes, morning Preacher at Kingstreet
Chapel, recommended him to me as an ingenious Man, a good
Mathematician & extremely poor, with a Wife & Family, for Reader &
Schoolmaster there. I complied: but his manner of reading was so bad,
& his aversion to teaching School so great, that I was glad to take the first
Opportunity of removing him.]
In the Winter 1736..7, I think in February, Archbishop Wake died.
Bp Potter was made Archbishop: & Oxford was offerd to me, that Dr
Gooch, who was a Cambridge man, might have Bristol. I refused it,
because the Difference of the Income would not answer the Expence of
the Change. It was then offerd to Dr Lisle, who seemed at first to accept
it: but afterwards, on some Difficulty raised about Commendams,
declined it. Just then Lord Chancellor Talbot died.
FOLIO 25 And by his Death, a Life became vacant in the Lease of
1737-38 Hook-Norton, belonging to the Bishoprick of Oxford: from
the Renewal of which might be expected a Fine of 500^.
5 )[Mr John Talbot, with whom I renewed it, told me of his own Accord,
that it was worth so much. But I took from him only 400^.] Bp Sherlock,
zealous for the Promotion of his Brother in Law, Dr Gooch, urged this to
me as a Reason, why I might afford to take Oxford: & so earnestly begged
me to do it, that I consented, about March 16. In May I was confirmed. 2 )
[My translation cost 512 1 *.] In Whitsun-Week I went to Oxford, &
ordained there on Trinity Sunday, 1737. Thence I went to Bath, , & brought my Wife & Mrs & Miss Talbot