BoAr:FNQ:C17CivilWar
http://boar.org.uk/ariwxo3FNQ838.htm
Latest edit 2 Sep 2007.
Interactive
version ©2006 R.J.PENHEY
The Bourne Archive
FNQ
Fenland Notes and Queries. Edited by Rev. W.D. Sweeting, Rector of Maxey.
Part 45. April 1900.
This quarterly periodical took the form of a forum in
which people sent in questions about the history, ecology and so on of the
Seventeenth
Century Civil War.
838.
The King’s 10,000 Acres. – At the
Restoration, several persons who had lost their estates by adhering to the
King’s cause, petitioned for a grant of some part of the 10,000 acres in the
Bedford Level which were reserved for the King’s use. Francis Underwood, of
Whittlesea, who had been a colonel in the army of the Parliament, obtained a
grant of 1156 acres “under pretence of his good service to His Majesty in the
management of his work of draining the fens.”
This seemed strange to those who
had lost all in the royal cause. Dr. Hudson’s widow went begging [See Article 517]. Alexander Downinge was
also another petitioner who pointed out the wrong done to the King’s service by
the grant to a rebel colonel. He had served loyally. His father, Major-General
John Downinge lost life and estate in the King’s cause [Major-General John
Downinge, not Major-General George Downinge, who was Scout-Master of the
Parliament’s forces.] and
his mother had spent the small remainder of her fortune in vain solicitations.
His petition in the year 1661 is
as follows: ---
To the Kg’s most Exclt. Matie the humble petn.
Of Alexander Downinge esqr Humbly sheweth
That whereas Leut. Coll. Francis Underwood of Whittlesey in
the Isle of Ely hath upon pretence of serving yor Matie and
other things by him alleaged obteyned for himself and his sonne a considerable
gratuity from yor Matie --- yor petnr being
able to prove hee never served your Maty but was on of his cruellest
and bloodiest persecutors that were agst yor Matys cause and friends
and did not onely declare himself soe in his actions before yor
Maty’s happy restauration but in his discourse hath declared as much since.
May it therefore please yor sacred Matie
To hear yor petnrs witnesses agst the said
Underwood who are very sufficient people And able to prove the premises
And
yor petitioner will ever pray &c.
This petition was lodged with this
letter for Sir Henry Bennet, Principal Secretary of State: ---
These
ffor
Sir Henery Bennett, Kt. Principall
Secretary
of State at Whitt-hall
Present ---------
Sir
I have been severall times
to wayght upon yor honor about the incolsed but never could find a
seasonable opportunity and nowe not being in a condicion to waight upon you for
some fewe days I have made bould to send my Brother to waight upon yor
honr. wth this knowledge of what is mentioned in my petition; first
that Underwood hath been a great Rebill against the King and his interest both
before and since this happy restauracon and also was fully paid off according
to his contract for his services in the fenn and that these are all he can
allege for himself wch I can verie well prove by mane [many] of his neighbours
So though my desire be that such men shd not receave his Maties
favors or as I have been promised anything I could find out that weare
reasonable if I prove these things against Underwood I hope this may be as fitt
for me as any other. The thing is worth 500£ a year besides what he pays for
it. I will fully prove this against him so I may have yor honor’s assistance
and if it be obtained in my name I freely yeald to have it equally divided
between your honor and yor most obliged humble and unfeyned servant.
A. Downinge.
Mr Downinge did not then obtain any
part of the King’s acres: but His Majesty provided him with a commission of
captain in the Foot Guards, a force that was raised at the Restoration.
L.G.