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.
September 1
Bellingham entry
Septembr ye 1st. I view’d ye town wch was much shatter’d wth ye Bombs, and ye walls much batter’d wth ye Cannon. Ye castle is strong and not much damaged. The army march’d to Bellfast. I waited on ye Genrll, and was kindly receiv’d by him. Disny brought intelligence from Dundalke.
Rawstorne entry
i at Preston & the Church heard Vicar twice.
September 2
Bellingham entry
Ye 2d. We march’d from Bellfast, and encamp’d about 2 miles beyond Lisburne. Ye Generall view’d ye Camp. I lay att Mr. Redmonds, where I was very civilly treated.
Rawstorne entry
2 at Preston & went to Lancaster about a Comssn: on Coz: Prestons [probably Thomas Preston of Holker] behalfe lodged at Dr. Tarlitons [see Bellingham’s 8 August 1688 entry]. Com: inter Rege &c [it appears that Preston is involved in a court case with the Crown]
September 3
Bellingham entry
Ye 3d. Bad weather ever since our landing. This morning 2 of ye foot were hang’d for deserting. They hung in ye highway for ye view of ye army. We encamp’d beyond Drommore.
Rawstorne entry
3 at Lancaster upon the same, inter Rege et Regr et Plowden Esqe [Crown v Plowden court case?]
September 4
Bellingham entry
Ye 4th. We marchd to Loghbrickland. Ye Generall march’d in the head of ye army. A carbine went off and shott a trooper of ye Ld Delamere’s through ye hatt and kill’d a horse. Capt Brereton treated me in his tent.
Rawstorne entry
4 at Lancaster & come to Preston
September 5
Bellingham entry
Ye 5th. We came to Newry, from whence ye enemy retreated in great confusion, having ye night before barbarously burnt ye town. We encamp’d on ye North side of it, and had a most severe storme of wind and raine which blew down most of our tents.
Rawstorne entry
5 at Preston & went to Walton to vew the Cop [embankment protecting the road north to the Ribble bridge], where Major ffarrington & I & Mr Kenion stayed from Eight ’till ‘4 a Clock to Examine an Irish Man, one of 4 that had committed abuses in that Towne the night before, drinking K James’s helath & thretning to fire houses &c he called himselfe Edmund Macnoughell wee sent him to Lanc: Gaole.
Comment
Rawstorne’s entry shows how seriously the county authorities were treating the threat of a Jacobite fifth column.
September 6
Bellingham entry
Ye 6th. I gott Protection from ye Duke for my tenants. There went a detachment of above 50 horse wth Count Schomberg. We march’d about 5 in ye evening. Came wthin 2 miles of Dundalke, about 10 att night, where we stay’d all night, and sate on horse backe in the raine. There likewise march’d upp ye Earl of Meath wth some foot.
Rawstorne entry
6 at Preston & at prayers
September 7
Bellingham entry
Ye 7th. We came early this morning to Dundalke. Ye army came in entirely before 12, and encamp’d on the north side of the bridge. This town scap’d ye fury of ye enemy. We found here some stores of corne and a good cellar of sacke. I gott a quarter att Wm Gunnell’s.
Rawstorne entry
7 at Preston & at prayers
September 8
Bellingham entry
Ye 8th. Mr. Newbourgh preach’d. I din’d wth Coll Bury. Att evening I went out on a party wth Capt Hartop and T. Griffith to Dowdstowne, where we heard a party of ye enemyes dragoons were. M. G. Kirke came in wth 3 Regiments.
Rawstorne entry
8 went to Penwortham & the Church heard Mr. Gregorie 2
September 9
Bellingham entry
Ye 9th. I was introduc’d to Kirke. J. White came to town. We rode out wth ye Duke. Coll Coy went out wth a party to Louth.
Rawstorne entry
9 at Preston & at prayers, & at Peg Swansey’s [probably Swansey’s in the Weind] & Mar: Wilidings [hostelry, not identified] wth Capt Hugh Bradshaw & Mr. Law: Spencer [neither identified] & alderman Lemon.
September 10
Bellingham entry
Ye 10th. A party of foot and horse came wth me to Gernonstowne. Ye enemy were there yt morning and tooke Mr. Smith and Courtney. They return’d Smith after using him very ill. A deserter came in from Maxwells dragoons.
Rawstorne entry
i0 at Preston, & went Layland to the funerall of Vicar Walmsley, [vic bonus] Mr Ashton of Brindle [not identified] preach’d.
September 11
Bellingham entry
Ye 11th. I sent ye deserter wth a letter to M. G. Kirke.
Rawstorne entry
ii at Preston & at prayers, & at George Ratliffs & Tho: Bostocks wth Capt Bradsho Law: Spencer [neither identified] Capt Clayton & others
September 12
Bellingham entry
Ye 12. Scravenmore came to Gernonstowne and drank wth me. Mr. Buttler our Curate came to us from Mr. Townlyes.
Rawstorne entry
i2 at Preston & at prayers & at Tom Bostocks wth. Sr. Tho: Standley X, hee paid Beverage for ‘s sonne borne the day before, & ‘ith’ evening at George Radcliffs wth. Mr. Patten upon the same Account
September 13
Bellingham entry
Ye 13th. We heard great shooting towards Drogheda. We seiz’d a man who was going to ye enemy; but, having ye Generall’s pass, we lett him goe on.
Rawstorne entry
i3 at Preston & at prayers at Penwortham went wth Dr Leigh, was at Boathouse in oe returne wth: Bro: & Mr Mayor.
September 14
Bellingham entry
Ye 14th. Capt Ed Griffith came here wth a party. We saw some of ye enemy upon the mount of Dromcath. I had severall messages that K James came wth his whole army to Ardee. We putt our small garrison in good order and kept gaurd all night.
Rawstorne entry
i4 at Preston & at prayers, Brother & sister ffleetwood & Mr Mayor & his & Coz: ffrancks & his wife dyned wth us was after at Mary Rigbyes & at Ja: Cowps wth the men, and others.
September 15
Bellingham entry
Ye 15th. The alarum continues. Ye drums are heard as from Maperstowne bridge. I sent an express to ye Generall, who brought orders for our speedy marching away, which we did, and reach’d Dundalke before one. I din’d wth ye Duke and was civilly treated.
Rawstorne entry
i5 at preston Church heard a yong man a Stranger & Mr Bland
September 16
Bellingham entry
Ye 16th. Some Eniskllin men forced some of ye enemyes troops to retreat att Maperstowne bridge. We mounted some feild peices and made entrenchments. A grenadeere was kill’d forraging. Ye enemy advanced to fane bridge.
Rawstorne entry
i6 at Preston & at prayers
September 17
Bellingham entry
Ye 17th. We view’d ye enemyes encampments. I din’d wth Kirke, and rode abroad in the afternoone.
Rawstorne entry
i7 at Preston & at prayers & at dinner at Mr. Pattens, & at Christning of Sr Tho: Standleys sonne Edward, the old Lady [?] & Mr ffleetwood o’ Rossell & Mr. Ashurst [not identified] Godmother & Godfathers was after at John Crabtrees [hostelry, not identified] & George Ratcliffs wth Sr Tho: Clifton Mr Mayor & others
September 18
Bellingham entry
Ye 18th. I went wth Count Maynard to view ye enemyes camp. Our camp went out a forraging, both horse and foot. An Irish scout made a bravado and ran away. I seiz’d Tho. Percivall going to ye enemy. 2 Regiments of Eniskillin foot came in wth Coll Owsley, with whom ye Duke was very well pleas’d.
Rawstorne entry
i8 at Preston & went a coursing & to Swanseys to dinner was ii yt dyned
September 19
Bellingham entry
Ye 19th. Mr Loe Green and I went to Carlingford, and were on board severall ships. I swam as I came over ye Lord Dungannon’s foord. Tom Greenfeild left me. By him I wrote severall letters.
Rawstorne entry
i9 at Preston & at prayers & went to Walton to see the [repairs] oth’ Copp [the embankment protecting the road north to the Ribble bridge]
September 20
Bellingham entry
Ye 20th. About 3 this morning we had an alarm, but prov’d a false one. 3 troopers from ye enemy deserted and came in to us. A dragoone of ours shott one of the enemy in count Maynards view, to whom the Count gave a guinea. We have a very warm report that ye enemy intend to-morrow wth theyr whole force to attack our camp.
Rawstorne entry
20 at Preston & went to Penwortham on foot & my wife wth mee
September 21
Bellingham entry
Ye 21th. The enemy appeard before ye town in great numbers. They brought 12 peices of Ordnance, and made a show of attacking our trenches. We had severall light skirmishes, in all which our men shew’d great forwardness and impatience. About one a clock ye enemy drew off without making any attempt upon us. We shott 3 or 4 of theyr men. A bullett fell just by me.
Rawstorne entry
2i at Preston & at prayers; this day 2i yeares Married. X
September 22
Bellingham entry
Ye 22th. Mr. Arwaker preach’d. I received ye H. Eu.. Visited Tom Meredith, who is very ill. Some french men deserted and more are suspected.
Rawstorne entry
22 at preston Church heard the Vicar twice.
September 23
Bellingham entry
Ye 23th. Ye enemy made a second appearance and burnt much forrage on this side theyr camp. I went on board the Fan fan.
Rawstorne entry
23 at Preston & at prayers
September 24
Bellingham entry
Ye 24th. A great storme. I payd Mr. Harbord £50, and receivd 2 bills of exchange on Mr. James Herriot, goldsmith, in fleet-street. I wrote severall letters.
Rawstorne entry
24 at Preston & went to Penwortham Dr leigh & Mr Lemon wth mee was at boathouse in our returne
September 25
Bellingham entry
Ye 25th. I went wth Sr Hen Ballass to Carlingford to view the hospitalls, which are all govern’d by french. Severall French being found to be Papists are sent hither to be transported for England. There is a great discovery of a conspiracy of severall French who resolvd to deserte.
Rawstorne entry
25 at Preston & at prayers & went toth’ bowles to Swanseys wth Lawier Bellingham Mr Johnson & Dr leigh, was i’th evening at Mary Rigbyes
September 26
Bellingham entry
Ye 26th. Ye enemy appear’d and burnt all ye forrage near ye town. 6 French deserters were hang’d, among whom was one du Plessis, who was ye Ringleader. 2 were hang’d of Beaumont’s Regiment, who were taken going to ye enemy att Charlemont. Deserters come in.
Rawstorne entry
26 at Preston & at Ancor about 12d the 1 & 6s the i00 Aid: money dyned at Major Rigby’es was at James Cowpers [hostelry not identified] & Mitre wth. Sr. Ralph Asheton: Mr Sherriff in towne John Birch Esqe [possibly the brother of the Preston vicar].
Comment
After the Revolution the hated regressive hearth tax was abolished and replaced by a progressive land tax passed in December 1689 popular with the Whigs, less so with the Tories. According to Pincus, ‘The revolutionary regime’s land tax quickly became the bogeyman of the Tories.’ [1] Could the ‘Aid money’ be an interim measure? It is unclear which of the many Rigbys this was: he was probably an officer in the militia and had a house in Preston. Asheton would be Sir Ralph Assheton (1652-1716) of Middleton, near Manchester, MP for Liverpool 1677-9 and for Lancashire 1694-8. [2] He makes one other appearance in the diaries on 1 July 1685, when Rawstorne reports sitting with him and other deputy lieutenants in Manchester.
[1] Steve Pincus, 1688: The First Modern Revolution (Yale University, 2009), 384.
[2] ‘Assheton (Ashton), Sir Ralph, 2nd Bt. (1652-1716), of Middleton, Nr. Manchester, Lancs. | History of Parliament Online’, http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1690-1715/member/assheton-%28ashton%29-sir-ralph-1652-1716.
September 27
Bellingham entry
Ye 27th. A great defeat given by ye Eniskillin men to ye Irish att Boyle. 300 kill’d and severall taken prisoners. Here we have great rejoycing for ye victory. Ye Cannon fir’d thrice and 3 vollyes of small shott. 2 French horsemen wounded, as is believd, in a duell by themselves. John Shepheard [see 13 March 1689] went for England in ye Fan fan.
Rawstorne entry
27 at Preston & at prayers & at James Cowpers & Margret Wildings wth. Lawier Bellingham & Mr. Johnson
September 28
Bellingham entry
Ye 28th. Very wett weather. I din’d wth M. G. Kirke. J. Shepheard went off wth a fayr wind.
Rawstorne entry
28 at Preston & at prayers & at Tom Bostocks & Mitre wth Bro: ffleetwood who dyned wth: us & at M: Wildings.
September 29
Bellingham entry
Ye 29th. Much raine. We had newes of Bon taken by storme.
Rawstorne entry
29 went to Penwortham heard Mr. Gregory 2
September 30
Bellingham entry
Ye 30th. I went wth Count Maynard wth a great party of horse and forraging towards Bleeke’s.
Rawstorne entry
30 at preston & at prayers & dyned wth. Mr Mayor at Serjeant Charnocks [not identified] & sho’d a sup’d there but sent is & went not.
preston history 