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24
The Autobiography of Archbishop Thomas Seeker
She afterwards married Dr Gregory of Christ-Church, whom she often
saw at my House, but I had not the least Knowledge or Suspicion, that it
was intended by either of them, till after they were actually married.
The Duke of Kent, thinking her unlikely to marry, on account of the
Disagreeableness of her Person, would have left her only an Annuity for
Life. But the Duchess & I persuaded him to give her a Fortune at her
own Disposal: which, if I remember right, was 20,000 l1 .
In February 1742..3 I made a Speech agst the Gin Bill, which see in 4° Parliamt Debates. Bp Sherlock also spoke
agst it. And all the Bishops present voted against it. When it passed, I
entred my Dissent: but did not sign the Reasons.
FOLIO 34 Mr Sandys was then Chancellor of the Exchequer, & this
1743-44 was his Bill. Yet soon after, on the Death of Bp Hough, he
endeavoured, without my knowing it, to get me made
Bishop of Worcester, as I learnt some time afterwards. In the end of May
(1743) I went down to Cuddesden: & from thence June 11 to Glocester,
where we stayed till July 30: & went in the beginning of November
to St James's, leaving my Family at Cuddesden. In this Month I bought
my first pair of Spectacles, which I use still. In the beginning of
December I went back to Cuddesden, & returned on Christmass Eve.
And {I believe} my Family ^[with Lady Mary Grey, not yet married]
came up to me the {End} (middle) of next month.
At the End of January 1743..4 I voted in Favour of the Hanover
Troops: Bp Benson against them. On Feb. 15 the King sent a message,
that the Pretenders Son was coming from France to invade us. On
Sunday, Feb. 26, I preached at St James's Church the Sermon, which I
preached again Oct. 6. 1745 somewhat improved, & then published it.
Apr. 24. 1744 a motion was made for a Bill to attaint the Pretenders
Sons. It was opposed. I made an extempore Speech for it, which see in
4° Pari. Debates. About May 17 we went down to Cuddesden. About
the middle of October the Duchess Dowager of Marlborough died, I
went up to London on that Account, being one of her Executors, &
returned to Cuddesden
FOLIO 35 Nov.l. & buried her at Blenheim Nov.