LOng before that sad blow in Tower street by Gun­powder, (some years before the Fire in Thames street) I had intelligence given me of Gunpowder which was in that house, where the disaster after hap­pened, and that to a great quantity, so that the neigh­bourhood were much afraid of it. My house being next adjoyning I went to my neighbour and told him what I had heard, nor could he deny it to be so; I did there­fore pray him, it might be removed speedily, which he pretended could not be done that night without in­creasing our danger, but promised to remove it the next morning betimes, and in the mean time to watch it all that night himself, but this his promise not being performed, I urged him to it again, withall telling him that otherwise I would acquaint a Magistrate therewith before whom said I, you cannot answer for it, it being prohibited any man to keep above six or eight pounds of Gunpowder at the most in his house, and that too, not allowed any where, but in an upper room: Thus not without divers hot words, I constrained him to re­move eighteen Barrells, which he said was all, but I, (suspending my belief) sent for a Constable to search his house, whereupon we found twelve barrells of powder more; I then understood that it had been long his custome to keep great store of powder in his house, notwithstanding he had often been warned thereof: [Page 2]Therefore when the Wardmoo [...] Enquest sate, I wit [...] the Constable, went and complained thereof unto them, telling them I went in danger of my life, and in­treating them to take some order about it; afterwards also, I (being at home) seeing them when they came a­bout their view, went out unto them, and bespake them to this effect; Gentlemen, I pray, search that house now, whereof I have complained unto you, and judge whether it be a fit storehouse for Gunpowder. I had fair promises of them, but nothing at all was done a­bout it.

Afterwards when the sire broke out in Thames-street, this was complained off again to the Aldermen there present, who promised to take care about it but yet no­thing was done: wherefore M. Singleton who was then Constable, did (through mine instigation) make com­plaint there of at the Sessions house divers times, from time to time, and by his continuall solicitation procured it to be taken into examination, but (as appears) it was laid aside againe, and no result (to any purpose) came thereof. Wherefore (for my part) I looked every night (when at home) to be blown up, and would say to my maid at my lying down, I am now laid sit for my Coffin, and it may be before to morrow morning, I shall be blown into the Churchyard for it.

It happened that the morning preceding that un­happy accident, I was sent for by my Lady Brent to come to her she being very ill, and with her I continued untill that sa [...] report came to mine ears, which was not untill two of the Clock in the morning after, for my Lady (being desirous to rest) had commanded all out of the Chamber, but my self, so that when first the [Page 3]messenger came, I could receive no intelligence, but yet my Ladies Gentlewoman, and Mistris Terry with her, commanded my Ladies Coach to be made ready, and went to the fire, and continued thereabout up and down, untill they could inform themselves how things went, and had seen my daughter carried wounded in­to Mr. Loes house in Rood-Lane; after which they re­turned, and came into my Ladies Chamber, telling her that she must needs let me go unto my daughter, which my Lady (as not knowing how soon she might have need of me) was very unwilling to suffer, untill they promised her to accompany me, and bring me back to her; then after they had brought me out of the Cham­ber, that a disaster had happened near my house; I an­swered them, that truly I thought what I feared was fallen upon me, and said, doubtlesse my next neighbour hath blown me up with Gunpowder, (which guesse of mine they con [...]irming) said I, tis no more then I ex­pected; and therefore (blessed be God) I am in some measure prepared for it, having laid up my treasure a­bove the reach of Gunpowder, and being I had no­thing, nor could have, but what I received from mine heavenly Father, I was most willing to suffer his righ­teous will, if to his onely wise providence it had seem­ed meet to call for away again, what he had once be­stowed on me; and was desirous to lay mine hand upon my mouth, preventing all complaints with this Con­sideration, that the greatest evill on this side hell, was lesse then my demerit, by this time we took Coach, and then came to Mr. Loe the Chirurgion his house, where I met him coming from my daughter, he having newly dressed her wounds, who when she saw me, fell [Page 4]into a great passion, but I exhorted her to look up un­to God, and to compose her self to take some rest, and leave the care of her children to me, for whom I would do mine endevours. There were present there divers Friends, amon wghom was the Lady Mayoresse that now is, whose courteous and charitable care I must e­ver acknowledge, for she lent my daughter of her own cloaths to cover her nakednesse, and she with Mr. Loe and his wife were good Samaritanes to me in the time of my extremity. I went thence unto the Lord Mayor his house that now is, by whose advice Mr. Os­burn the Bricklayer, and his workmen, and labourers, were imployed to look after the materialls of my house, and lay them up, whilst others of my friends-enquired after my goods scattered by the powder, and also having taken order for that present concerning the Bodies of my son in Law, his three children and maid, whom I found all slain. I again returned to my Lady Brent, whom I found somewhat eased of her pain, there­fore I again left her about 6 of the clock in the morning went to Mr. Loe his house, and sent for my Cousin White, and my Cousin Dewit, who (in convenient time) went with me, together with Mr. Loe, unto Mr. Glendons house, where we were desired to go into the Church, which we did, and Mr. Glendon came to us, to whom I said, that I was informed, that some bags of money had been brought into his house, and if any of them are mine, said I, they are sealed with mine own Seal (shewing him my ring, whereon was ingraven the Arms of my Fathers house) or else with my sons seal (whereon was ingraven the Arms of the Donns, quar­tered with the Binghams Arms) and then and there al­so [Page 5]Mr. Abraham Parrot (who also went with me unto Mr. Glendons) testified unto him, that but a little be­fore, he had payed me nine hundred and fifty pounds of a Mortgage, all which said he was sealed up with Mr. Donns seal, and the best of the money marked with the figure of 8. Mr. Glendon answered, that what had been brought to him he had sent to Mr. Ga­steels house in Crutched Friars, which (said he) was but two bags, not once naming ought else, as my friends then present with me can witnesse. I did then presse him to let me have my money, because of my present necessity, but no argument would prevaile with him to supply me with one peny, nor did he expresse any sense of my affliction, nor give me any word of comfort, and this was the very next day after the fire; and not some dayes after, as Mr. Glendon hath falsely (though in Print) represented to the world.

When I came back to my daughter, she had (as I found) sent my Chamber maid to see if she could heare what was become of any of our goods, who hearing that great store of goods had been carried into Mr. Glendons house (after she had gleaned up some things in the Church yard, which she put into her apron) she went thither, where she was civiliy admitted by Mi­stris Clendon, but when Mr. Glendon saw her, he was very angry, and would let her looke no longer, so she came back and told me of it, and also certified me that she saw a black Chest of Drawers of my Daughters, (where she put her wearing Linnen) and my silver Salt also in M. Glendons house, this my Lady Mayoresse, Mrs. Loe, with divers others then present know; but when afterwards the Chest was brought home, all my daugh­ters [Page 6]best Laces, and finest Linnen which lay at the bot­tome were taken away, and the courser which were put uppermost were only left, but who did it I know not, it seems that they had time and place to pick and chuse.

My occasions for money increasing, I desired Mr. Loe (at noon) to go for my money again to Mr Glendon, who went but in vain, then Mr. Hall (at my desire) went for it, after that Mr. Gail, then Mr. Love the Minister, and at night Mr. Loe again; but no person, nor importunity, nor argument, would prevail with Mr. Glendon.

The same day in the afternoon, came to me one Mi­stresse Hall with her sonne Henry, and brought with them Mr. Twigs man, who informed me, that foure bags of money had been carried into Mr. Glendons house; but said I to him, Mr Glendon saith, he had but two bags, to which Mr. Twiggs man replyed againe, there were four bags carried into Mr. Glendons house, for saith he two of them, I carried in my self, and then also I with o­thers sealed up other bags and money besides in a blew Apron, and delivered them at Mr Glendons; afterward finding a bunch of Keyes on a silver chain and this bag, (shewing me a bag which he had in his hand, and asking me if that were my seal on it) I put the money, said he that was in it, into a Napkin, and left it also at Mr. Glen­dons; and after that also, seeing Mr. Sanders and his wife in the Churchyard, I delivered the Key, & bag to them, praying Mr. Sanders to take care that the seal might not be broken, and telling them I was glad to sinde some body that I knew, and as I was telling them, what I had done, a young man that was by hearing me, said to us, that he also had carried two bags into Mr. Glendons, and said, he was a Gunsmiths man in East Smithfield, but be­fore [Page 7]we could question him further, he was suddenly gone.

On the Lords day after the fire, I being at supper with my Lord Mayor (that now is) at his house, took occasion to acquaint his Lordship with Mr. Glendons hard usage of me, in detaining from me my moneys, though I had requested it of him my self, and also by di­vers of my friends, as Mr. Love, Mr. Gayle, Mr. Hall; and Mr. Loe who had been twice or thrice for it, and that for the supply of my present necessity: my Lord told me that he also had sent M. Gayle about it, but as yet, said he, I have received no account of it: Then said I to my Lord I perceive what is the reason of M. Glendon's evill deal­ing with me; It is because I have withdrawn my accu­stomed Benevolence from him: When he came first to our Parish, many of our parishoners were gone into the Country, whose houses were left empty; and because also I saw he had a charge of children, I did over and above the accustomed Tythes of my house, paid for 60 years by my husband and his father, also pay unto him an additionall private Benevolence of eight pounds a year, at such times as I saw fit; and this I continued till after Mr Graves the Gun-smith was chosen Church­warden, with whose wife falling into discourse one day, as I went by, she told me from Mr. Glendon, that he would take it very kindly if I would subscribe what I had given him, because it might move other of the pa­rishoners to a more liberall Contribution: I told her that Mr. Glendon shewed himself an unworthy man, in [...]ot being contented with what I had freely done, but also in seeking to make me his Lure to draw others on to it; and oblige us all by a publique Subscription to [Page 8]a thing which is but arbitrary; but (said I) therefore I will withdraw my hand, and so I did And this is the cause of his dealing thus with me; but (said I) to mor­row I will know whether the money be his or mine; If his, tis fit he should keep it, if mine, I know no reason why he should detain it. I know moreover, that in all probability all the bags of money must be mine; for none of my neighbours who suffered by that sad blow could lose much in money by it; some of them being known to be necessitous persons, especially at that in­stant, for Mr. Porter in whose house, and by whose re­misnesie it came, had purposely brought that Powder into his shop to send it away for moneys to be lent up­on it; the Shoemaker also next doore to him, confessed that he then wanted money to buy Leather for his shop, (being alwayes thought a poore man) and the other sufferers which were of quality (as Mr Wormell the Vine­tener at the Rose on the one side; and Captain Compton on the other side, had their Closers quite backwards where the powder could have no such power: But I was n [...]e [...]es [...] to the power of the powder, and had at that time onhappily drawn in my money for a purchase. I told my Lord also, what occasion I had for my mo­ney, saying, I was loath to borrow so long as I had any of mine own left me: And since I could not obtain it of Mr. Glendon by fair means, I was resolved to seek it by publique Justice; My Lord then desired that he might first speak with Mr. Glendon before I took any o­ther course: I said, if he pleased to do it from himself, he might, but n [...] as from me. Then my Lord would have sent presently for Mr. Glendon, but said, I, tis the Lords day, and therefore no sit time, so after supper I went home to Mr Loes.

And the next day being the first Monday after the fire, I went again to my Lord Mayors (that now is) who lent me a room to secure some of my goods pre­served for me by some faithfull friends, and while I was there, my Lord came in, but some other occasion cal­led him suddenly back again, so that I saw him no more that day; afterwards being in the Parlour, by and by, came in Alderman Andrews, and Mr Glendon, who stood by the Chimney, but the Alderman walked up and down the room, seemingly very angry, saying, it was no marvel that my name was up almost in every ones mouth, I asked for what, he said, for that I took upon me so plainly to blame the Magistrate for not prevent­ing that sad accident. Sir (said I) I will own what I have said as to that businesse, having complained thereof in mine own person, severall times, and caused complaint thereof to be made to the Enquest of the Ward, to the Aldermen, and at the Sessions house; the Alder­man then said, that he he marvelled that he had never heard of it. So after some more discourse (to that pur­pose) he went with me to Mr Felgates house, where he had secured some of my moneyes, which had been ga­thered up, and delivered to him in the time of that mi­serable combustion, but when we came there, we found a padlock upon the doore, and understood that the money was carried to St. Katharines, (so the Alderman gave me order to receive it there (which afterward I did accordingly) Then we came back to Mr Glendons house, where the Alderman whispered Mr Glendon in the car, and so departed. After this the blew Apron was brought forth sealed up, and also the money in the Napkin with my name upon it (as Mr Twigs man had [Page 10]me) which Apron and Napkin, with two bags mo [...] also I received, and gave Mr Glendon my bond to sav [...] him harmlesse, which he needed not to have feared, the bags being sealed with my sons seal, and the other things all evidently appearing to be mine, and more a [...] so then I received; for whilst I was there, I saw one [...] my new green Aprons in the hands of one of Mr Glen­dons daughters, who was stringing it with mine own strings, but being busie, talking with the Lieutenant [...] the Tower, and Colonel Witchcot (my very goo [...] friends) she was suddenly called away before I could challenge it. By and by, Mrs Glendon came in bring­ing two half Crowns in her hand, which she said he children had taken up on the Church Leads; I the [...] told her I was informed, that great store of money w [...] (by the powder) seartered there, but I would receive nothing, but what was marked with mine own name or mark, nor did I. So when I had given Mr Glendon m [...] Bond for his security, I said to him, Sir, (as I under­stand) you have a silver Salt of mine in your house, which sure you cannot but know, it having my name on it, [...] had it not, you have been oft enough at my Table [...] take notice of it;this it [...]urs [...] that [...]er Salt [...]s not [...]led up in [...] blew [...]ron, as [...]. Glen­ [...] deli­ [...]s in [...]nt. at which words he went in, and fe [...] ched it to me; and I, taking it into my hand turned the mark towards him, (and shaking my head) sa [...] pray Mr Glendon, whose Salt is this; but he gave m [...] never a word, as my friends then present can testifi [...] for this was not done in a corner. I did expect that Mr Glendon would have invited me to look what Goo [...] of mine might be in his house, which liberty he cou [...] allow unto strangers, but deny to me, which was m [...] onely an unneighborly discourtesie, but great injustic [...] [Page 11]and I think, had I fallen into the hands of heathens, I should have found more righteous dealing then I did from Mr Glendon and others. For besides the difficulties I met with, before I obtained that little remnant of money out of the Parsons hands, it pleased the Church­wardens of his Parish, to take from me the materialls of mine house (unto the use of the Parish) which cost me unto Mr Osburn the Bricklayer (before named) 12 l. od money (as by his receipt appears) for his pains and his Labourers to lay them up in the Churchyard for me, yet this I suffered, being taken off from seeking to right my self, somewhat by the perswasion of my Lord May­or (that now is) but more by the duties of my Calling, having the lives of divers under my care (at that time) whom my conscience did command me to wait upon, how evilly soever the world requited me. And thus I [...]ost an estate of above three thousand pounds, without any remedy or recompence, but of my good God who hath kept me in my wits, given me strength to labour, and blessed me in my labours.

As for Mr. Blackwells comming to me from Mr. Glen­den, I suppose it was thus occasioned; Mr. Peck a Mi­nister (now deceased) met me at Mr. Cutlers childes bap­tizing; where falling into discourse of the fire, he told me, that he was one of the first that after came to Mr. Glendon, who told him that when the blow was given two bags of money were blown into his Study over the Table (he sitting at it) and twas a great mercy that they hit him not, (for said he) they would have killed me then: and Mr Peck told me also that he then went upon the Church-leads, and saw there much money lie scat­tered; I told him, sure he was mistaken, for Mr. Glen­don, [Page 12](said I) hath no more then what others brought in his house, which he saith, are but two bags, and no­thing was blown in; to which Mr. Peck answered, that he had told me nothing but the truth: I replyed to him again, that I marvelled that Mr. Glendon would conceale the having of any thing that was not his own from me, who in all probability had right to it. Mr. Peck then willed me to call him in question about it; but then I must (said I) examine all his family; and there is one of them hath reported in the Minories, that there were two Gown-rols belonging to my Lady Baker (who once lay at my house) which Gown-rowls were quilted with gold, blown up with the powder from my house, and that these rowls lay in Mr. Glendon's Garrets, untill the Inventory of some cheif things which were lost, was printed, and then the gold was ript from the rowls, and the rowls were burnt which (said I) by the Law is Felony yet thought loose all I have in the world, I will not in­danger any mans life about; and though they get never so much unjustly, yet it wil do them no good in the end but rather prove a Moath to them; and I know (said I my heavenly father will provide things convenient for me; Mr. Peck then told me that he would speake with Mr. Glendon about it; and after this Mr. Blackwell came to me from Mr. Glendon, to whom, when I had related how jewishly Mr. Glendon had dealt with me, he seemed to be very sorry, and wished that the businesse might [...] taken up by some Ministers or others; But Sir, said I, [...] thing of this nature is more fit to be decided by a Magi­strate, so Mr. Blackwell departed; And as for Mr. Ca­lamy and Mr. Cranford, they never come to me from Mr. [Page 13] Glendon, and beleive them to be wiser men then to med­dle with the matter.

Thus, as well as I could, and without injury to the truth, I have set down a review of that late unhappy blow by Gun-powder, with those circumstances which were necessary to vindicate mine own innocency, and make up a clear representation of Mr. Glendons dealing towards me; For which, if any shall Judge him worthy of thanks, let them give credit unto what Mr. Glendon delivers in his printed Vindication (as he cals it) viz. That Mr. Loe came to him, to give him thanks in my name, for preserving so much of mine estate for me. In­deed, I sent Mr. Glendon twenty shilling by Mr. Loe, for the burying the bodies of my Children, and what Mr Loe in way of Complement might say to him, I know not; but as for that particular, that I should give him thanks, &c. Since, I perceive, Mr. Glendon by the rela­tion of that, would insinuate, that after I had found and was fully satisfied of his neighbourly and upright deal­ing towards me (for else sure none will think I gave him thanks) I should (being through malice & covetousnes inclined to give credit to every flying report) slander him and detract from his good name. I must out of love to the truth, and respect to mine credit, utterly deny, and professe, that I never sent him one word of thanks for preserving any of mine estate; and how he preserved it, these particulars may shew:

• First, Neither he nor his Wise ever sent me word of mony or ought else that were brought into their house; and for ought, I know, I should never have known he had any, had I not heard of it by others; and those more than a few, who told me, that great store of money and [Page 14]goods were carried into Mr. Glendons house.
• Secondly, he never permitted me to see what goods of mine were in his house, nor would he suffer my Maid to see, but chid her forth after his wife had let her in.
• Thirdly, though Mr. Glendon had my silver Salt in his house (marked with my name) yet he never gave it me of himself, nor told me of it, no, though I had re­ceived other things of him, and given him my discharge and had not my maid told me, she saw it there, where­upon I challenged it, I think I should have lost it.
• Fourthly, when I came with my friends to Mr. Glen­don's and shewed him my Seal, and told him of my Sons; he then confessed but two bags he had, which he had sent to Mr. Casteels (as he said) though Mr. Twigs man told me of four bags, two which himself had carried in and two others which a Gun-smiths man had carried in: And also Mr. Peck the minister told me of two more which Mr. Glendon himself confessed were blown into his Study. Had others dealt no better with me, all the Evidences of my Land had been lost, but they were sent me home safe, and that by Strangers, who sought me out, when Mr. Glendon, whose wife I had laid of two Children, and one mischance freely, and done other courtesies besides to them both, would not easiely let me have mine own with intreaty.

It now remains, that I make use of this opportuni­ty, to clear the truth from that false report, which makes me a gainer by this blow, (if considering the losse of my Son, and three Grandchildren I may be said to be so) But abstracting that, compare three thousand pounds, (which is within the value of what I lost there) with all which I after received from others [Page 15](by way of gift) whether in Money, Linnen, Wool­en or Stuffe, whose utmost value amounts not to above fifteen pounds, (excepting a silver Tankard, which was given me by Alderman Viner (mine ever honoured friend) and I say, if this exceed 3000 l. I will then con­fesse my self a gainer by my losse. However I desire to be content and thankfull that God hath given me an honest Calling, and strength to follow it in mine old age, and doth continue his blessing to me in it, and as my long continued experience of his mercy doth en­courage me, so also I desire to cast my self wholly upon him w^th full confidence, that (as he hath said) so he will defend the widow & fatherles, and though men be un­righteous, I doubt not but God the righteous judge will plead my cause w^ch I leave to him, praying him to shew them more mercy then they did me; for their mercy to me was cruelty, and had my life (as my goods were) been in their hands, perhaps they would have taken that too; but all the powers of darknes I know are li­mitted; Sathan could not touch Jobs substance, nor person without Commission; nor can all the world doe more to me then God hath appointed, who will (I hope) give me a willing mind to beare what he seeth good to lay upon me, and also sanctifie it unto me. By his grace, I not onely pray thy will be done, but also endevour to do and suffer it, desiring so to be crucified to the world and it to me, that being loose from creature comforts and relations, I may with more freedome aspire unto him, and finish my cours here with joy to receive an in­heritance hereafter with him, where I shall know no more sorrow, for which come Lord Jesus, come quickly.