An Account of the seducing of Ann, the daughter of Edward Ketelbey, of Ludlow, Gent., to the popish religion with some very extraordinary passages relating thereto, particularly of the gross prevarications, and insolent boldness of the two popish bishops, Leyborn and Gifford, in the management of it ...

An Account of the seducing of Ann, the daughter of Edward Ketelbey, of Ludlow, Gent., to the popish religion with some very extraordinary passages relating thereto, particularly of the gross prevarications, and insolent boldness of the two popish bishops, Leyborn and Gifford, in the management of it ...

Table of contents

AN ACCOUNT OF THE Seducing of Ann, the Daughter of Edward Ketelbey, of Ludlow, Gent. TO THE Popish Religion, With some very Extraordinary Passages relating thereto, PARTICULARLY, Of the gross Prevarications, and insolent Boldness of the two Popish Bishops Leyborn and Gifford in the Management of it. Humbly Presented to the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, now Assembled in Parliament.

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AN ACCOUNT OF THE Seducing of Ann, the Daughter of Edward Ketelbey, of Ludlow, Gent. TO THE Popish Religion, With some very Extraordinary Passages relating thereto, PARTICULARLY, Of the gross Prevarications, and insolent Boldness of the two Popish Bishops Leyborn and Gifford in the Management of it.
Humbly Presented to the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, now Assembled in Parliament.

MR. KETELBEY being often from home, particularly in the years 1696. and 1697. with his Wife and part of his Family, leaving only his Daughter, of the Age of Nineteen, and Servants at home, a Popish Family coming Strangers into the Town, and Living near him, obtained Leave of the Daughter to walk in the Garden being pleasant for Air, and by this means two young Ladies of that Family insinuating themselves into the Daughter's Acquaintance, with the assistance of one Windsor, a reputed Popish Priest, living with them, (who pretends to Practice Physick now, but in King James his Reign shewed himself more open) Seduced her to the Popish Religion; but Instructed her of what dangerous Consequence it might be if discovered, both the Seducer and Seduced being punishable with Death; which made her for a long time disown and forswear her Conversion to Popery.

[Page] The Mother coming first into the Country, found her Daughter's Temper and Humour Changed, disowning her Mother's Power and Authority over her, and denying to do several Things she Commanded without the Advice of her Friends, meaning the Papists that had Seduced her; And they having also Corrupted some of the Servants, after the Mother came home they gave Intelligence, whereby those Papists often Conversed with the Daughter in private, as 'tis believed, and Conveying Books into her Hands, settled her in that Religion. But the Mother, for some time after she came down, knew nothing of her Daughters new Friends, till coming one Morning early into her Chamber, the found her Reading in a Book in Bed; at which the Daughter being surprized, let it fall into the Bed, and denied that she was Reading, or had any Book; but upon search, it was found to be a Book wrote by Parsons the Jesuit; which so startled the Mother, that upon Searching the Daughter's Closet afterwards, she found other Popish Books, Pictures, Papers, and other Things relating to Popery; with very Familiar, and Indulgent Letters from one Mrs. Berrington, and a Daughter of the Lord Gerrard's of Bromley, who had been at Ludlow for some time before, but altogether Strangers to Mr. Ketelbey and his Family.

By these Letters, and other Things, the Mother found the Daughter had Changed her Religion as well as Manners; Yet did not think fit to publish the Matter, but Imparted it to some particular Friends, and sent her out of Town; Nor did she at first acquaint her Husband with it, who was then in London; only sent him General Complaints of his long Absence, whereby his Family suffered, and desired his speedy coming down. Whereupon he sent down his Son, who soon discovered his Sister's Change, and Imparted it to the Father: He soon after coming down himself, found it too true, and his Daughter full of Equivocations, and Lying Stories, and even denying that which seemed to be the most apparent Truth, as to the Circumstances of her Change, the Method of her Seduction, and the Persons who Seduced her, affirming, that she was a very good Protestant, and gave out that there was nothing in it, but her Mothers Unkindness, who never Loved her from a Child, and Fondness to her Brother, which brought that Scandal and Reproach upon her of her being a Papist, on purpose to deprive her of her Father's Favour; and she was ready to give him all the Satisfaction he should desire of her Sincerity in the Protestant Religion. To make this better believed, she came constantly to Church, to Prayers, and the Sacrament; and upon her Examination by the Doctor of the Parish, and other Protestant Divines, they thought her Stedfast therein. She framed her Story so well, being Seconded by the Popish Gang, who seemed to disown her, that it became a Reflection upon her Parents for their Jealousie, and supposed Severity towards their Daughter, in charging her designedly with what they knew to be false: The Doctor himself often saying to the Papists, and others, that he believed her as good a Protestant as himself: So soon had she learnt the Art of Popish Dissimulation. But she would never confess how she came by the Popish Books, only saying, that some of them she found in Ludlow Castle; and the Servants being of her Party, owned some of the Books to be theirs, which the Daughter pretended she had only a Curiosity to Read, that she might be able to maintain an Argument, and to Ridicule the Papists.

The Father being afflicted at this great Misfortune in his Family, and full of Fears and Jealousies, in November 1698. brought his Family to London, to get the Assistance of able Divines; and particularly had her under the Care of the Reverend Dean of Windsor, who Examined her several times, and believed her to be a good Protestant; Yet her Father would not be satisfied unless she would Consent to Abjure the Popish Religion before a Judge, or some Magistrate, according to a Form which was drawn up in these Words.

§

I Ann Ketelbey, the only Daughter of Edward Ketelbey of Ludlow in the County of Salop, Gent. in the presence of God, do in and by this Writing, under my own [...]and, solemnly and sincerely profess, testifie and declare, that I do believe, That in the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, there is not any Transubstantiation of the Elements of Bread and Wine into the Body and Blood of Christ, at, or after the Consecration thereof by any Person whatsoever, and that the Invocation or Adoration of the Virgin Mary, or any other [Page]Saint, and the Sacrifice of the Mass, as they are now used and practised in the Church of Rome, are Superstitious and Idolatrous.

And also, That the Doctrines of Purgatory, Praying for the Dead, Justification by Works, Denying the Cup in the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper to the Layety, having Divine Service performed in an unknown Tongue, as taught and practiced in the Church of Rome, are dangerous Errours, and no way warranted by the Scriptures, which are the true rule of Faith and Manners, and ought to be my Guide in Divine Matters, containing all things necessary to Salvation.

And I do hereby in the presence of God, further also solemnly prosess and testifie, that I do make this Declaration, and every part thereof, and intend the same in the plain and ordinary Sense of the Words herein contained, as they are wrote down with my own Hand and as they are commonly understood by Protestants, without any Evasion, Equivocation, or Mental Reservation whatsoever, and without any Dispensation already granted me for this purpose by the Pope, or any other Authority or Person whatsoever, and without believeing that I am or can be acquitted before God or Man, or Absolved of this Declaration, or any part thereof, although the Pope, or any other Person or Persons, or Power whatsoever should Dispence with, or Annul the same, or Declare that it was null and void from the beginning.

And I do hereby further also profess, in the presence of Almighty God, who knows the Secret of all Hearts, and whom I call to Witness against me if I declare not the Truth, That I make this Solemn Declaration voluntarily and freely, without any Compulsion, Constraint or Fear, or in hopes of any worldly Interest, Benefit or Advantage, or otherwise then for the Satisfaction of my Parents, and other Relations and good Friends, to whom I have given just Occasion of Fears and Jealousies touching the Truth and Sincerity of my Religion, which I do hereby seriously profess to be in all things agreeable to what I understand are the Doctrines of the Church of England as now by Law Established; and which I do fully purpose for the future continually to Adhere to, and no other, and not to give my Friends any further Occasion of Suspicion, by Consorting my self, or Corresponding with Papists, or such whom I suspect to be Popishly Affected, further then to give them the Common Civility and Respect due to their Persons upon a transient view, or by an occasional or accidental Meeting, and not to make their Company and Conversation my choice, or equal to others of the Protestant Perswasion; nor read any part of a Popish Book or Letter from Papists.

And whereas I do intend upon the next Lord's Day to receive the Blessed Sacrament of the Lords Supper, at the Parish Church of St. Clements Danes in the County of Middlesex; I do hereby further Declare, That as I hope it will tend to the Eternal Good and Comfort of my Soul, so I shall take it as a publick Testimony of the Truth and Reality of this my Solemn Declaration made the 4th day of March in the year of our Lord 1698.

By me, Anne Ketelbey.

In the presence of

Greg. Hascard.

Edward Ketelbey.

Abel Ketelbey.

This she refused to Swear to, but Transcribed it with her own Hand; and after a distinct reading it over her self aloud in the presence of the said Dean, her Father, and Brother, declared she believed it to be true, and at the same time signed it readily, and agreed to receive the Blessed Sacrament as a further Testimony of the Truth thereof, and of her Sincerity in what she had therein declared: And the worthy Dean and her Parents giving Credit to what she had so Solemnly declared; the Father, Mother and Daughter, did accordingly receive the Blessed Sacrament the Sunday following, March 5. 1698. at St. Clement's Church.

[Page] The managing of this Affair thus far took up at least Three Months time; In the mean while the Papists at Ludlow got an Information where the Daughter was, and of her Circumstances, and by Bribes, as 'tis supposed, given to the Servants of the House, and to one Mrs. Relfe who had long been a Lodger in the same House, who was afterwards discovered to be a great Jacobite, often declaring that she would never go to Church till King James returned; And notwithstanding all the Care and Circumspection used by the Parents, they, or some of their Friends, as 'tis supposed, furnishing her with Money, and other Assistances, the said Mrs. Relf Conveyed her thorough a private Yard out of her Fathers Lodgings, at four of the Clock in the morning, on Monday the 13th of March. and carried her down to her own House in Surrey.

Note, That before she came away from Ludlow, she had frequent Letters sent her, and privately put into her Hands as she went along the Str [...]et with her Mother, by Persons unknown, and without any Name, signifying that they understood she was Inclinable to the Popish Religion, which they Encouraged her to proceed in, saying, that if she lost some few Friends by it, she should gain many, who would take care of, and provide for her, and much to that purpose, and particularly one of these Letters she shewed her Mother.

At her going away, she left two Letters, the one for her Mother in these words,

March the 12th.

Ever Honoured Mother,

NOw I have done all I can to satisfie my Father and you, that I am no way inclined to Popery, I think it my Duty to remove that troublesome Object which hath been the Cause of all this uneasiness; since I know if I dont it will be renewed again with much greater force than ever: You know the height of my Father's Passions, and the danger I have been in of my life; I am sure my Sight has been imperfect ever since the blow I received at Ludlow: Therefore I hope you will pardon me, and believe that nothing but Self-Preservation could make me without your leave, resolve never to see Ludlow more till my Father is cured of his Jealousie; tho', I think, I could resign my Breath to Serve either my Father or Your Self: And tho' fear will not let me tell you where I am going; yet 'tis my Duty to assure you, that it is to a good Protestant Family; where I will make it my business to Inquire after your Health and my Fathers; and if ever I can be serviceable to either, you shall find me ready at Command with all Duty and Obedience: In the mean time, by the help of Almighty God, I will Endeavour to get my own living; and ask no more of you nor my Father then these Books, which I have taken, and your Blessings and Prayers, which I hope you will never deny to your unfortunate, but really,

Dutiful Child, till Death, Anne Ketelbey.

I will find a time to write to my Brother.

And the other for the Dean of Windsor, in the words following;

March the 12th.

I Humbly presume most Reverend Doctor, to beg the Favour that you will not believe any false Reports of me, till you receive my Reasons for leaving my Father and Mother, which I shall trouble you with in a short time, And lest your admitting me to the Blessed Sacrament should give you any uneasiness, I hold my self obliged both by Duty and Gratitude, to assure you, that I came with all the sincerity in the World, and that what I promised, I will perform, till the Death of her that is engaged ever to be,

SIR,

Your most Humble and Obedient Servant, Anne Ketelbey.

[Page] And as a colour for her pretences to the Protestant Religion, she took with her a Common-Prayer Book, and a Book upon the Sacrament.

Her Parents, immediately after her Deserting them, put it in Print, with offers of a Reward to those who would discover her, and bring her back to them; declaring also they would receive her kindly. After this they were in search and pursuit of her all manner of ways, both in London and the Country, and waylaying the Stage-Coaches, and watching the Roads and Sea-Ports all this while, not in the least mistrusting Mrs. Relfe, who had left the Lodging some days before upon pretence of going into the Country, but had only removed her Lodging for that time, as appeared afterwards to avoid Suspicion. And the Parents afterwards having received an Information that Relfe and his Wife were met not far from their own House on foot, with the Gentlewoman described in Print, the same day she went away; they immediately sent down thither, and by the Assistance of a Neighbouring Justice of the Peace of that County, who granted a Warrant, Relfe's House was searched; but the Daughter could not be discovered, being hid in a secret Closer, as hath been since Confessed.

All means hitherto proving ineffectual for discovery of their Daughter, the Parents Inquiring out Mrs. Relfe's new Lodgings in London, (she coming often to Town) at the first opportunity they could get, took up Mrs. Relfe by a Warrant from Justice Marshal; who upon her Examination Swore that she knew nothing of their Daughter, nor had seen her in several days before she went away. But she owned that she believed her to be a Papist, and that she had desired her assistance to Convey her away from her Parents, that she might have the free Exercise of her Religion, which she the said Relfe had refused to do, and knew not where their Daughter was, though at the same time she had the poor deluded Creature in her own House. But nothing being made out against her, she was discharged for that time.

Mrs. Relfe and the Daughter, some time after, thinking the Storm was over, and all things quiet, came to London, where she was placed in a private Lodging: But her Parents never resting, upon the loss of their Child, tried all manner of ways to recover her; and at length by the Assistance of some of the Popish Party, had again an Information of her, and understood that she had frequent Recourse to the Lord of Montgomery's, the Lord Stafford's, and other Popish Families, and never staid long in a place, but had changed her Habit to prevent a Discovery: And that a Collection was made for Cloaths, and other Necessaries, to carry her away beyond Sea to a Nunnery. Whereupon her Parents applied themselves to several Popish Priests, and some of the most noted Papists about Town, giving Gratuities: and promising greater Rewards, and sometimes threatening them what should be done if their Daughter were not returned back. By this means the Parents came to be informed, that she was well, and in good and safe hands in a Protestant Family, as they pretended; but no further Inquiry was to be made, nor Questions asked then what they were willing to discover, nor the Name of the Person who made this Discovery; who often came to the Parents Lodgings about Eleven of the Clock at Night, and stayed about half an hour, where he was received kindly, and with promise not to Trapan him, being as he confessed, under some dangerous Circumstance himself; for he said he was a Jacobite Protestant, and Conversing often with Priests, and the Popish Party, had heard them Discourse of such a Convert, and said he would do all the Service possibly he could by Conveying of Letters to her, though he had never seen her nor knew where she was.

Frequent Letters were by this way Conveyed from the Parents to the Daughter, and Answers returned, for a Month together, and Terms proposed for her return to her Parents, on Condition they were Signed and Agreed to by the Father, Mother and Brother, which Terms being not Consented to by the Father, he made his Proposal in the words following: That if his Daughter would come home, she should be Received and Treated by her Parents with as much Kindness as if she had all along continued a Protestant; That she should have no Restraint, Violence or Passion used toward her upon the account of her Religion, but have the free Exercise of it; only with this Limitation, that she should admit at any time [Page] any of our Protestant Divines to Discourse with her of Matters of Religion; and she should hearken to the Admonitions and Instructions of those who should endeavour calmly and mildly to perswade her to return to the Protestant Church; That she should not Tamper with, nor Endeavour to Seduce any Servant of theirs to the Popish Religion; That she should not have any Popish Priest come to her in her Father's House, nor into any place thereunto belonging, but in case of Sickness, and that with her Parents Leave; That her Father would not be obliged with Men and Horses to carry her to Mass; but that she should give an account to her Parents when and where she went, and continue in the Dutiful Subjection and Obedience of a Child, and that her Parents would not prosecute any Roman Catholick for what had already passed.

These Terms being rejected by the Priests, the Treaty dropt, or at least was at a stand, and the private Messenger no more appearing, the Parents fearing their Child would be sent beyond Sea, if not speedily prevented, made their Application to the Popish Bishops, and attended Bishop Leyborn and Bishop Gifford at their Lodgings in Queenstreet, in the month of June, and produced the Abjuration, and acquainted them with the whole matter. They denied that they knew any thing of her, farther then that they had heard of such a Convert. They said that she could not go to a Nunnery before they had Confirmed her, which was not then done, neither would they do it without her Parents Consent; and promised to Summon their Clergy together, and when they knew in whose Hands she was, her Parents ☞ should have Notice: But afterwards they returned an Answer, That no such Person was amongst any of them: But they said they had nothing to do with the Regulars, who were Governed by their own Provincials. And they added, That if she was Reconciled to their Church, they believed it was done by some Foreign Priest, for that no English Priest durst do such a thing: Yet notwithstanding ☞ all these Professions, they Lyed unto them; for the Daughter was Confirmed by them, both the Bishops being present, as she hath since Confessed.

The Parents willing to leave no Stone unturned for the Recovery of their Daughter, made an Interest to the Portugal Envoy, who not only Examined his own Servants and Domesticks, Whether any such Person had fallen into their Hands, but prevailed for the same favour from the other Foreign Ministers; and sent for the several Provincials before him, who sent to the Priests of their several Orders, but could get no Intelligence of her; so that the last and only proper means, and most effectual as it proved in this Case, was to apply themselves to the Government. The Parliament ☞ was sitting all this time, which made the Action appear the more Bold and Daring; and the Father drawing up a State of his Case in Writing, communicated the same to His Grace the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord Chancellor, the Speaker of the Honourable House of Commons, the Secretaries of State, to some of the Judges, and to several of the Members of the House of Commons; whereupon a Warrant was Granted by Mr. Secretary Vernon, to take up several Persons, particularly the said Mrs. Relfe; and by threatning to prosecute her for High-Treason, for carrying away and Seducing their Daughter to the Popish Religion, and Charging it home upon her, she after many Doubles and Shifts, not knowing but the Daughter was come in, and had charged her with this, at length confessed the Matters of Fact, which before she had denied upon Oath; namely, How she her self, and her Husband had carried the Daughter down to their House in Surry, and had Concealed her upon the Search: Nay, she consessed, That the Daughter was in her House at the same time when she Swore before Justice Marshall, That she knew nothing of her. After this Confession, she fell upon her Knees to ask Pardon, and to beg the Injured Parents to Intercede for her, promising their Daughter should be returned to them, if possibly she could procure her, being then out of her Power; and, as she feared, gone beyond Sea. But she desired leave with the Messenger to go to the Lord Montgomery's, the Lord Stafford's, and some other Popish Houses, where she knew the Daughter used, which were searched accordingly, and some Persons taken up, who were Examined in the Secretary's Office; but the Daughter was not found all this time.

[Page] Some of the Politick Papists finding the Government engaged in the Business, and Incensed against their Proceedings, did think it now the best way for themselves, and the safest way to get their Friends discharged out of Custody, and to allay the Storm which they saw coming upon them, to deliver up the Child to her Parents, who had made a considerable Interest, and a fair progress in order to a severe Prosecution against the whole Party. Therefore the Popish Bishops and Priests, not daring to appear themselves in the matter, gave Notice to the Portugal Envoy of the Persons Name, at whose House she was, and that she should be delivered up to her Parents such a Day, if he would Interpose, and make Terms for her and them: And they insisted upon the Terms following, (viz.) That she should have the free Exercise of her Religion, and Papists to come to her; and that she should not be perplext with Protestant Divines further than she desired: That she should be received as a Child, and be allowed ☜ 40 s. a Year to buy Popish Books; and that if she did not like to stay at Home, her Father should allow her 40 l. a Year to maintain her in some Popish Family: Which Terms her Father utterly rejected.

However some time after the Portugal Envoy giving Notice to the Parents, That he had Intelligence of their Daughter, they waited upon him at a Portugal Merchant's House by Appointment; where after some time the Daughter was brought to her Parents, and received by them with Joy from the Hands of some Priests who brought her thither, and with Thanks to the Envoy for his Assistance therein; who at the same time waved the Proposals formerly made, and only insisted, That she ☜ should have the free Exercise of her Religion, and that all Persons then in Custody upon the Daughters Account, should be Discharged, and no further Prosecution against the Papists at Ludlow.

Since her coming Home, she hath confessed, That the Cloaths were made for her and another Young Woman, to be sent beyond Sea to a Nunnery; and that after they had tried the Cloaths her Companion was sent away, but she was stayed, to be delivered up as a Peace-Offering against her will, for fear of a Prosecution. She owned that she was put for some time into the Nunnery at Hammersmith, to try how she liked such a Life; and that they had shewed her all the Popish Places about the Town. When she came Home, she was well furnished with Popish Books, but these her Parents took from her when she came to Ludlow; and have since permitted no one to come near her but Protestants. But she continues Obstinate, refusing to hearken to a Protestant Divine, tho' many Ingenious Men have been often with her, insisting upon the Infallibility of the Popish Church, and that there is no Salvation in any other: She refuseth also to read any Protestant Book but the Bible; and is so little fond of that, that she says, if the Priests had enjoyned her the contrary; she would never have looked into the Bible, but that they have not yet forbidden her that.

Since the Daughters coming Home, she hath made several Attempts to get away again; and by opening a Lock with another Key, did once get away in a Servant's Habit of the Family, but could not get off; and now she is suffered to go no further than her Mother goes with her. But she continues very Stubborn and Undutiful, declaring, That she had rather sweep Kennels for her Livelihood, than Live as she doth amongst Protestants; and hath wrote several Complaining Letters to her Friends in London, as she calls the Papists, of her Father's Correction, burning her Books, and other cruel and severe usage; and several Messages and Threats have been sent to her Father upon that Occasion, which Complaints are all false, she being under no restraint at all from her Father further then what is herein before mentioned; and that is ☜ only in order to the Confinement from Papists, which he resolves to continue till he hath tried the utmost with her; desiring the Prayers of all good Protestants, That God will be pleased to touch her Heart, and to Enlighten her Understanding, that she may see the Snare wherein she is taken, and the Mischiefs both of Body and Soul, which must Inevitably fall upon her, if she continues in this deluded Condition.

§

§

LONDON: Printed, and Sold by J. Nutt near Stationers-Hall. 1700. Price Three-Pence.

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Title statement

An Account of the seducing of Ann, the daughter of Edward Ketelbey, of Ludlow, Gent., to the popish religion with some very extraordinary passages relating thereto, particularly of the gross prevarications, and insolent boldness of the two popish bishops, Leyborn and Gifford, in the management of it ...

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1700

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2006-06 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

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A25921

ID [STC]

Wing A382

ID [STC]

ESTC R7165

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11629015

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ocm 11629015

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47925

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— An Account of the seducing of Ann, the daughter of Edward Ketelbey, of Ludlow, Gent., to the popish religion with some very extraordinary passages relating thereto, particularly of the gross prevarications, and insolent boldness of the two popish bishops, Leyborn and Gifford, in the management of it ...,

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7 p.

Printed and sold by J. Nutt ...,. London :: 1700.. (Caption title.) (Imprint from colophon.) (Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.)

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