The Minor Family of Somerset

The Family of Priestley, www.calderdale.gov.uk/wtw/results/recor
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John was the oldest son. After he was taken from school, an
d a good hand of writing and well taught in arithmetic, he was p
ut an apprentice to John Mitchell, being partner with Robert Hal
l; they did keep a factor in Blackwell Hall, in London. (The si
te of Blackwell Hall, once the Head quarters of the ancient wool
len cloth trade of London in former Days, is now covered by th
e City Library.) After my brother had been some time emplyed i
n business in the country, his master found him so ingenious an
d capable of business, hesent him to London, to Mr. Joseph Four
ness, who was their factor in BlackwellHall at that time. Afte
r Mr. Fourness had given him an induction into business, and sa
w him fit to manage the trade there, he came down into the count
ry, and was admitted by John Mitchell and Robert Hall a partne
r in the trady.
My brother John carried on the trade at London, to the great sat
isfactionand advantage of the three partners. John Mitchell di
ed, and left only twodaughters, Mary and Hannah; he left eithe
r of them 800 l. to their portions,and gave charge on his death
-bed to his daughter Hannah to marry no other butJohn Priestley
. Me. Joseph Fourness married Ephon, widow of John Mitchel, an
d some time after, Hannah Mitchel, according to her father's min
d and will, was married to my brother John, at Halifax, and pres
ently returned to London, and lived several years in Basinghal
l street, and had four sons, three ofthem died before five year
s of age. He was a member of Mr. Simeon Ash's Society, and live
d under his ministry for some years in London. He lived in th
e time of the Civil Wars, and after, I suppose, about 20 years i
n all.
Hewas discreet and temperate; physicians judged he was in a con
sumption 8 or 9years before he died, and that it was temperanc
e that was a great means to preserve his life; yet went about bu
siness, as I remember, within three or fourmonths before he die
d.
When he felt his strength fail, that he was not able to attend i
n the Hall and upon the Exchange, he took coach and came down t
o his own house in Booth Town, now in the occupation of widow Lo
ngbottom, and I think about two months after resigned his soul i
nto the hands of his dear Saviour, and that willingly. He did n
ot desire to be turned back into theword; I heard him say he h
ad enough of this world, and did not desire to stay any longer i
n it, though he was not above 40 when he died; but he had chose
n the better part, and was prepared for a better place. He wa
s a man of approved piety in his family and whole conversation
; his death was much lamented both in city and country.
I went to see him a little before his death, when he was scarc
e able to speak. He said one word to me which I sHall neverfor
get, and was of great use to me. "Oh! my brother," said he, "fe
ar God and serve Him, or you are undone forever." He spoke it w
ith such an air, andin such a manner, that I believe I have tho
ught of it some more than an hundred times with tears in my eyes
.
We had a great acquaintance in London: I was there about three m
onths after his death: I never heard anybody mention him but wi
th a note of honour and respect. He was a great help to his tw
o younger brothers, Joseph and Thoms; bought much cloth of them
, and rid into Kent and the country to buy wool for them whereb
y they had a very good trade.
Whilst he lived I have heard say that he would have said to my b
rother Thomas, "Tom thy covetousness will be thy undoing." He d
esigned to have had me toLondon if his death had not prevente
d it. My uncle Jonathan and my master Jowet solictied my mothe
r to keep me at school, and send me to the University;my uncl
e promised kindly to maintain me there, but my brother John inte
rposeed, and would no way but I must be an assistan