Letter – Edward Blackett to Christopher Wyvill – 28 May 1709

Revds. Sirs								May 28 1709

      I know you have all heard how basely my Selfe and family has been used by Mr Ayrton one of yr vicars in marrying my Daughter so Surreptiously if not clandestinely, as upon inquiry you’ll find he did, for he must needs know that Nedd Ridsdale’s Son was not a proper match for my Daughter, and being within twenty yards of Mr Dean’s House, durst not venture to acquaint him with it, So for a little sordid Gain has both ruin’d my Child, and his own Reputation (In case he ever had any) So I promise my Selfe from yr Prudence and Integrity, that whereas you have Authority (as in this Case I know you have) you will not suffer such villanous, and Scandalous Practices to go unpunished.

      Gentlemen, I have Endeavour’d by Mr Chancellors assistance to find out where, when and by whome the Licence was fill’d up, and obtained & he has inquired of all his Surrogates, and they Deny it, there is no Bond given to the Courts, nor Oath Administered that we can hear of, (both which I Suppose are absolutely necessary att the Granting a Licence) but as Mr Chancellor hints in his Lettr to me and from severall other concurrent circumstances I have good Reason to believe that the pretended Licence is a trick of Ayrton’s own contrivance, and that he has upon this Occasion fill’d up one of those which he Reserves blank for such an opportunity, and I am the more confirm’d in this opinion because, as I am credibly inform’d, this Way of getting money is Customary with his father the present Vicar of Nidd, from whom you know he might easily learn it,

      Gentlemen, now you are all together, I thought it the most proper time to make my Complaint unto you, and I hope you will so farr consider the Good of mine and Every honest Man’s Family, and the Intrest and Creditt of the Church, as to brand this Scandalous offence with such a Publick Mark of Infamy as it deserves, One thing give me leave to tell you, that if you continue this most unworthy fellow in his office I shall have just Reason  to conclude that you have no great desire to continue my Selfe and Family in yr Congregation & neighbourhood. 

      I am Gentlemen yr very Humble Servt.



The Revd. The Dean and Chapter of Ripon