For background information about the diaries and their transcribers see Introduction
Comments on the entries for the time that Bellingham served in Ireland are beyond the scope of this website. Hewitson attaches some notes to these entries, but contemporary reviewers in Ireland were unimpressed by his editorial skills. Guides to more information on the Irish entries can be found in the Introduction.
August 1
Bellingham entry
August ye 1st. Some raine. 5 Regiments march’d out to Nesson. I was very ill after last night’s debouch.
Rawstorne entry
i went to Penwortham & my wife this day my Brother took a [vomit] from Dr. Leigh, being much indisposed in ‘s stomach return’d ith’ evening.
August 2
Bellingham entry
Ye 2d. Much raine. 6 Regiments march’d out. I was wth Sr Josuah allen. A French Regiment came and march’d out wth ye camp. I march’d by ye camp att Nesson, and came to that att Highlake [Hoylake] where Schomberg was. I saw a great fleet. Here came in a man of warr from our London fleet, which she left off Hollyhead, and the Bonaventure from Kirke which gives an account that 2 provision ships were pass’d Culmore, going into Derry, and yt they retooke ye Ormond Dogger and another small vessell att ye Isle of Mull. Sam Green and I came late over ye ferry att Lennen, where were Ld Lisbrn and Wharton They would not lett our horses come in theyr ferry. We came in a small cock boate.
Rawstorne entry
2 at Preston & at prayers
August 3
Bellingham entry
Ye 3d. Much raine this morning. Mr Green and I came to Preston, and called at Rufford.
Rawstorne entry
3 at Preston & at prayers & Penwortha
August 4
Bellingham entry
Ye 4th. A fayr day. Mr Coulton, of Walton, preach’d here twice. I sup’t wth Mr. Green att Mr. Mayor‘s.
Rawstorne entry
4 at Preston Church heard Mr. Coulton twice.
August 5
Bellingham entry
Ye 5th. A fayr day. I din’d at Mr. Lemans. We saw a rail att Penwortham marsh. Bowld att Swansy’s, and dranke wth ye mayor and cousen Green att Rigby’s.
Rawstorne entry
5 at Preston & went to Penwortham to see my brother & toth’ Marsh to a race twixt 2 Gallowayes.
August 6
Bellingham entry
Ye 6th. A fayr day. Mr. Bankes went hence to Kendall. I walk’d to Penwortham to visitt Mr. Fleetwood, who is very ill. I was att night wth Mr. Preston, of Hooker, Cousen Bellingham, and others. My sister is removed to Mrs. Bushells.
Rawstorne entry
6 at Preston & at prayers, went after dinner to Penwortham & Capt. Bellingham wth mee, was ith’ evening at Swanseys ith’ weend wth. Coz: Preston & Lawier Bellingham, Mr Mayoe came to ‘s
Comment
Mrs Bushell would be Elizabeth, the third wife and widow of Seth Bushell, vicar of Preston and Lancaster, and step-mother of William Bushell, the curate of Goosnargh.
August 7
Bellingham entry
Ye 7th. A fayr day. I bowl’d att ye marsh. We receiv’d joyfull newes of Derry’s being reliev’d and ye seige raysed [on 28 July]. It came by Capt Withers in ye Dartmouth. Here are great rejoycing by bells ringing, bonefires, and we dranke a bowl of punch att cousen Pattens.
Rawstorne entry
7 at Preston & at Ancor wth Coz: preston, & went to Mrs. Rigby’s funerall to Rigby [Ribby] and Kirkham.
Comment
A Jane Rigby, wife of Thomas Rigby, was buried at St Michael’s Kirkham, on 7 August 1689. [1]
[1] ‘Lancashire OnLine Parish Clerk Project – Parish of Kirkham’, accessed 17 August 2018, http://www.lan-opc.org.uk/Kirkham/stmichael/index.html.
August 8
Bellingham entry
Ye 8th. Much raine. Captain Griffith came to town wth a squadron of Coll Coy’s Regiment. We visited Mrs Pullein and Mrs. Singleton. I din’d wth ye Mayor, and sate att night wth Capt Griffith.
Rawstorne entry
8 at preston & went to Penwortha
Comment
A Capt Griffith was a troop captain in Col. John Coy’s Regiment of Horse [1] , possibly the Capt. Edward Griffith mentioned in Bellingham’s entry for 14 September 1689. Mrs Pullein would be the wife of Dean Pullein and Mrs Singleton possibly the wife of the Alderman Singleton mentioned in Bellingham’s 3 April 1689 entry.
[1] Charles Dalton, English Army Lists and Commission Registers, 1661-1714, vol. 3: 1689-1694 (London: Eyre & Spottiswoode, 1904), 23, http://archive.org/details/englisharmylists03dalt.
August 9
Bellingham entry
Ye 9th. A fayr day. I bowld wth ye officers. Ye other squadron [possibly of Col Coy’s regiment] came to town. I was late wth Capt Griffith att ye mitre.
Rawstorne entry
9 at Preston & at prayers & at Talbot wth. Mr. Hargreaves & Mr Naylor [neither identified] for 3 & went to Rible cop [the embankment at Walton-le-Dale that had recently collapsed].
August 10
Bellingham entry
Ye 10th. A fayr day. Ye Regiment march’d hence. After dinner I was wth Capt Nash [not identified]. Cousen Bellingham and I rode some parte of ye way wth cousens Johnson, and call’d att Penwortham. In our return we found that Mr. Rigby and Nash had a quarrell wth some of ye Dragoons who came in this day. Mr. Higgison [not identified] was very ill hurt.
Rawstorne entry
i0 at Preston & at prayers, & ith’ evening at Swansey’s ith’ weend wth: Mr Clayton [probably Robert Clayton of Fulwood] & ‘s sonne, & Leiuetent: Asheton [not identified], & Mr Hargreaves & at Ancor wth Mayoe [Major?] Rigby [not identified] & Capt: Nash &c
August 11
Bellingham entry
Ye 11th. A hott day. Mr. Birch preach’d in ye morning and Mr. Clayton [?] in ye afternoon. We din’d att Mr. Suddalls.
Rawstorne entry
ii went to Penwotha & my wife & ff: [Edward Fleetwood?& w: heard Mr. Bushell 2
August 12
Bellingham entry
Ye 12th. A very hott day. I went as Rufford wth cousen Green, where we met Capt Tho. Griffith [not identified], and din’d there. We bowld att Banke Green. This morning Counnt Solmes went off from Highlake [Hoylake] wth 13 Regiments of foote and a prosperous gale. God be theyr good speed.
Rawstorne entry
i2 at Preston & at prayers & at Swansey’s i’th’ weend wth. Lawier Bellingham Dr Parsons [not identified] Mr Hobson & Mr. Jo: Cockshoot, & at [Wid.] Cliftons [hostelry, not identified]
Comment
The Count of Solmes commanded a brigade of Dutch troops under Schomberg in Ireland. Macaulay has a good account of his exploits at the Battle of the Boyne. William III appointed him Commander-in-Chief of the army in Ireland. [1]
[1] Thomas Macaulay, History of England, vol. 3 (Philadelphia: J. P Lippincott, 1879), 325, 495, 496, 499. 501, 524.
August 13
Bellingham entry
Ye 13th. Some raine. Ye fayr [annual fair] was proclaim’d, and we were treated by bailiffe Bostock in ye town Hall.
Rawstorne entry
i3 at Preston & went to Penwortham came thence back & was wth Mr Mayor ith [Town] Hall, at his house, at Mr Ja: Cowps.
August 14
Bellingham entry
Ye 14th. Much raine. Ye beast faire. Mr. Kirkby [possibly Roger Kirkby of Kirkby Ireleth] gives us an account yt our men are design’d for Carrigfergus. We were treated att Clifton’s [hostelry, location unknown] by my cousen Wm Bellingham.
Rawstorne entry
i4 at Preston & at prayers & at [transcriber inserts ‘Woods’ in brackets] [hostelry, location unknown] his house ‘ith’ back weend [Back Lane] & [transcriber suggests ‘wid.’] Cliftons wth Coll Kirby & Majoe ffarington &c
August 15
Bellingham entry
Ye 15th. A hott day. Ye horse fayr. J. Shepheard [see 13 March 1689] bought a gelding; cost 8 guinyes. I lent him 4. I att night treated cousen Bellingham and severall others, and sate upp late att widdow Cliftons [hostelry, location unknown].
Rawstorne entry
i5 at Preston & at prayers & ‘ith’ [Town] Hall wth. Mr Mayor & at [Wid.] Clifton wth. Lawier Bellingham & Capt. Belling & Mr Brockholes & Mr. Johnson & Mrs. Livesay [possibly the wife of Ralph Livesey] & Capt. Clayton.
August 16
Bellingham entry
Ye 16th. A fayr day. Mr. Couling [not identified] gives an account of Dundee’s party being totally disperst. I rode out and took leave att Penwortham, and after was wth Dr Wroe att ye anchor.
Rawstorne entry
i6 went to penwortham & my wife
Comment
The Jacobite Viscount Dundee raised support for James II in Scotland among the Highland clans and, from May 1689, was leading raids against the Williamites. His forces won a pyrrhic victory at the Battle of Killiecrankie on 27 July during which the Jacobites lost a third of their troops and Dundee himself was killed. In August the Jacobites were routed at a battle at Dunkeld, which is presumably what Bellingham was referring to. [1]
[1] Steve Pincus, 1688: The First Modern Revolution (Yale University, 2009), 267–68.
August 17
Bellingham entry
Ye 17th. A hott day. Mr. Bankes came this evening.
Rawstorne entry
i7 at Preston & at prayers, sister ffleetwood came to dinner & hee to Walton, met ‘in thers
August 18
Bellingham entry
Ye 18th. A hott day. A stranger preach’t. We hear that Schomberg is gotten to Carrigfergus.
Rawstorne entry
i8 at Preston Church, heard Mr Birch and one Battersby of Hoole.
Comment
Marshal Schomberg had arrived in Ireland shortly after the relief of Londonderry with an estimated 26,000 men and proceeded to take the town of Carrickfergus from the Jacobites. Protestant civilians were reported to have badly treated the surrendered force, stripping them and killing many. [1] Battersby of Hoole was the Rev John Battersby, curate to the rector, Richard Foxcroft. [2]
[1] Pincus, 271.
[2] William Farrer and J. Brownbill, eds., The Victoria History of the County of Lancaster, vol. 6 (London: Constable, 1912), 153.
August 19
Bellingham entry
Ye 19th. A fayr day. We din’d wth my sister. I treated severall att night, paying my way.
Rawstorne entry
i9 at Preston & at prayers & at Mr. Cowpers wth. Capt. Bellingham & manie others to take leave wth him
Comment
Bellingham was preparing to leave for Liverpool to embark for Ireland and service with the Williamite forces. Rawstorne had helped him secure his commission (see Rawstorne biography).
August 20
Bellingham entry
Ye 20th. A fayr day. Last night Governour Walker came here privately. He was very obleiging to me. Was nobly Receiv’d and treated att the Mayor‘s. I went wth him parte of his way. He made large professions of kindness. Lord Cavendishe’s Regiment came in. I treated ye Mayor and others.
Rawstorne entry
20 at Preston & at prayers & at Cowps [hostelry, not identified] againe wth him & Mr Mayor & many townsmene.
Comment
George Walker was one of two governors of Londonderry during the siege. Macaulay described him as ‘an aged clergyman’, the rector of Donaghore. [1] Cavendish’s was a cavalry regiment of 300 men. [2]
[1] Pincus, 1688: The First Modern Revolution, 270; Macaulay, History of England, 3:151.
[2] Dalton, English Army Lists and Commission Registers, 1661-1714, 3: 1689-1694:11.
August 21
Bellingham entry
Ye 21th. Left Preston and came to Liverpoole.
Rawstorne entry
2i at preston & went to Lancaster Assize, lodged at Widow Hunters [not identified] in Pennistreet [Penny Street].
August 22
Bellingham entry
Ye 22th. Came to Chester. Lord Delamere’s Regiment came in here. Sr John Bland confin’d some passengers wth a quaker come from Dublin. Ye Mayor entertain’d Walker [see above]. Sr Tho. Gore came in wth his Regiment.
Rawstorne entry
22 at Lancaster & at the Church heard Mr Birch the Sherriffs [unde] and after i’th’ Court. The Judges Powell and Ventris [see 26 August note] dyned wth Sheriff
August 23
Bellingham entry
Ye 23th. Gores Regiment went out. I sup’t wth Major Boyle and Cust. Count Schomberg, Lord Maynard, came.
Rawstorne entry
23 at Lancaster & the Court, dyned at Mairmaid wth. Coz: Preston [probably Thomas Preston of Holker] & others Sr. Rich Standish Majoe ffarrington, yong Coz: Bradhill [probably the son of Thomas Braddyll] Roger Kenion & Capt. Rigby [not identified] & others
August 24
Bellingham entry
Ye 24th. A man hang’d for murder. I saw Capt Withers. Ye French Regiment came in. Mr Bankes bought his horse.
Rawstorne entry
[24 no entry]
August 25
Bellingham entry
Ye 25th. The French Regiment march’d out and the Lord Devonshires Regiment came in.
Rawstorne entry
25 went to Penwortham heard Mr. Coulton 2 and return’d
August 26
Bellingham entry
Ye 26th. I marchd out wth Lord Devonshire’s Regiment to Highlake [Hoylake]. Could not ship, and so lay all night in ye feild.
Rawstorne entry
26 at Preston & at prayers, the Judges Powell & Ventris came in i’th’ evening lodged at Mr. Greenfields [Christopher or Thomas] was wth Coz: Holt at Wid. Atkinsons [a William Atkinson had the Talbot Inn in Church Street, this is possibly the same establishment]
Comment
Powell was Sir John Powell (1623-96) who had presided at the June 1688 trial of the seven bishops accused of sedition by James II, acquitted them and had thus lost royal favour. He was restored to the bench of common pleas in March 1689. [1] Ventris was Sir Peyton Ventris (1645-91) who sat for Ipswich in the Convention Parliament, was appointed justice of the common pleas in May 1688 and, in the October, was knighted. [2]
[1] Stuart Handley, Powell, Sir John (1632/3–1696), Judge (Oxford University Press, 2008), http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-22651.
[2] Paul D. Halliday, Ventris, Sir Peyton (1645–1691), Judge and Politician (Oxford University Press, 2008), http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-28197.
August 27
Bellingham entry
Ye 27th. We shipd about 8 in ye morning, in ye Scanderbegg, and saild about 3 in ye afternoon. Ye French Regiment wth us. We were in all about 33 sayle of ships. We payd severall salutes off Ormshead. We met a ship come from Derry.
Rawstorne entry
27 at Preston & at prayers & to visit Mr. Banister [possibly Christopher] after dinner, my Brother Sr Tho: Clifton & Mr Westby, & after at Hugh Tootells wth. theim.
August 28
Bellingham entry
Ye 28th. Early in ye morning we made ye isle of man. We lay by for ye man of warr firing a gun. I went wth major Boyle on board some ships. About 2 in ye afternoon we made Ireland. Severall salutes pass’d among ye ships. We perceiv’d att distance a yatcht coming from Ireland.
Rawstorne entry
28 at Preston & at prayers, afternon went to Swanseys toth’ Bowles
August 29
Bellingham entry
Ye 29th. This morning we came upp wth Copeland Isles. About 11 we met a great fleet of above 50 sayle coming from Ireland. We had an account of ye surrender of Carrigfergus 3 dayes agoe. About one we came upp wth Carrigfergus. Count Schomberg went on shoar. We anchord att night, and had a great storme. Ye wind att w and w: s: w.
Rawstorne entry
29 at Preston & went to hutton called at Penwortham & at Boathouse
August 30
Bellingham entry
Ye 30th. A great storme. We lye still on board. Some visited us, and were very merry.
Rawstorne entry
30 at Preston & at prayers & at Mr Cowps wth Major Longworth & Mr Roberts
August 31
Bellingham entry
Ye 31th. We landed all our horse and encamp’d att White house. I met Capt Francis Purefoy, who carry’d me wth him to Carrigfergus and treated me very obleigingly. Sr Hen. Ingoldsby’s Regiment quarter’d here. Some of them behav’d ill att ye seige. Lewis, Capt of the Grenadeeres, was dismissed for Cowardice.
Rawstorne entry
3i at Preston & at prayers.
preston history 