Covert, Knight, of Slaugham, in the county of Sussex. Neither have I ascertained at what time he married his second wife, Mary, who was connected with the Burdett family. From letters written to him, she appears to have had some affection for him, and to have sympathized with him in his misfortunes; although from causes not known, she declined accompanying him to Salem, and they parted never to see each other more.

During the intestine commotions and civil wars which agitated England, when there could scarcely be permitted any neutrality among men, we find that Fenwicke, as a military officer, connected with those who sought the downfall of King Charles the First. And we may reasonably conclude that the zeal, courage, and skill which he displayed when with the army, had a tendency to produce the utmost confidence in the mind of Oliver Cromwell, or he would not have entrusted him with important duties to be performed on two special occasions. The first was by a commission under the hand and seal of Oliver dated 25th October 1648, in these words: "You are hereby ordered and required as Major under Colonel Thomas Barwis, in his regiment of cavalry which was raised in the county of Westmoreland, to assist the garrison of Carlisle, and to exercise the officers and soldiers under his command according to the discipline of war. And they are hereby required to yield obedience unto you as Major of said regiment. And all this you are authorized unto, until the pleasure of the Parliament or the Lord General be known."

Given under my hand and seal at Bernard Castle, 27th October, 1648. O. CROMWELL."

"TO JOHN FENWICKE, Major. These."

* He had two sons and two daughters- the sons were Thomas and John-the daughters were Anna and Elizabeth. Thomas Covert being the eldest son, and heir apparent, gave to his two sisters a lease dated 30th January 1639, for sixty years, (at a rent of one pepper corn) of lands called Sinderly, Hoggesland, and Dencombe, containing 700 acres. Also lands called Rowle, Friende Betchlies, Sowters, and Courtlands, containing 177 acres, situate in the parishes of Slaugham, Bolney, and Tineham, in the county of Sussex. Thomas Covert having died, John Covert, his brother and heir confirmed the lease to his sisters. Anna Covert having died, her sister Elizabeth became the sole owner of the whole lease; and she having married our John Fenwicke, they, husband and wife, conveyed the lease to a trustee for her benefit. This conveyance was dated, 27 Nov. 1642. After that, to wit:-on the 6th Dec. 1649, it was conveyed to other trustees, namely-Henry Brandreth, merchant, and Daniel Taylor, haberdasher, both of London, for the benefit of the said Elizabeth, as long as she lived; and in case of her death, for her husband John Fenwicke if he should survive her. These trustees joined John Fenwicke in a mortgage, with Elizabeth his wife, dated in 1651, for the sum of £950, loaned to them by John Goodwin, gentleman, of London.

The second commission was similar, requiring him as Major of Cavalry to attend to the decapitation of Charles 1st, which took place on 30th January, 1648.

So also, John Bradshawe, the president of the judges of that court, who passed sentence of death upon the King, and who was subsequently chosen President of that Parliament, specially appointed Fenwicke captain of a troop of horse, by him to be raised from volunteers, who were to act as a guard to that Parliament, and "to observe and obey such orders and directions as he should from time to time receive from the President, the Council, the Lord General, or others authorized by them." This commission was dated at the Council of State, at White Hall, 4th September, 1651.

We may therefore conclude, that Fenwicke as an officer, discharg ed his duty with fidelity to the then ruling powers, and so continued probably from that time until the authority of Richard Cromwell, the son and successor of Oliver Cromwell to the government, began to decline, when the political storm gathering thick upon him, and possessing neither judgment nor courage vigorously to oppose it, he was obliged to abdicate his authority in favor of that Parliament which had usurped all power, that he might secure a competency for himself and family, and be permitted to end his days at Cheshunt as a private citizen.

The members who composed what was then called the "New Parliament," having frightened the good natured and timid Cromwell by their arbitrary proceedings, so as submissively to compound with them for his life and future support, began forthwith to turn out all the officers of the army and navy whom they suspected could not be brought into subjection to their mandates, and to promote such others as were willing to be obsequious to all their plans and manœuvres. Such proceedings had a direct tendency to alienate and disgust a large majority of the officers and soldiers of their armies; and rather than submit to what they considered an outrage upon their characters, they began secretly, but perseveringly, to look around for some suitable person, who, at the head of the army would assert the rights of the people and endeavor to establish such a form of government as should secure to the citizens a cessation from the deadly feuds in which they had been so long engaged, as well as guarantee to them all those inherent rights of life, liberty, and property to which they were entitled. It is thought that Fenwicke adhered to that part of the army which had for its head, General George Monk, who had been, some time previous, appointed Commander in-Chief, and who

by his clear foresight and consummate prudence, brought about the restoration of Charles the Second to the throne of England, a consummation most anxiously desired and looked for by those favorable to monarchy.

In the proclamation of amnesty published by King Charles the Second, free pardon was granted to all those who had borne arms against him, except a few whose names were mentioned, and these were denominated "the regicides." We may suppose that Fenwicke embraced the amnesty thus proffered by making his concessions to the ruling powers, but he retired from the army and devoted the remainder of his life to peaceful industry and in providing for the wants of his growing family.

By a certificate dated February 11th, 1649, it would seem that Fenwicke at that time was connected with the Independent Congregation of which John Goodwin was the Pastor. He subsequently, but at what time I have not been able to ascertain, withdrew from the Independents, and embraced the forms, discipline, and creed of the sect called Friends or Quakers. I am inclined to think that after he had formed an acquaintance with the family of Admiral Penn, and with his son William Penu, who had just reached manhood, he was so fascinated by the persuasive eloquence of the latter, from his placidity of character, his high family connexions, his self-devotedness to what he considered the cause of religious truth, that he became enamoured with the man and his principles. The soft and persuasive language with which Penn was so eminently gifted, had a tendency to win over to his religious faith and principles, not only John Fenwicke, but thousands of other people of high character and standing throughout the British dominions, and even some on the Continent of Europe. We may therefore conclude it was at the time of the restoration of Charles the Second when he renounced all his warlike principles, and retired to private life that Fenwicke assumed the peaceful, mild and unassuming doctrines of the Quakers.*

It is highly probable that these two extraordinary men-like kindred spirits although so unequal in age, living near each other, (their families having landed property in the same County, of Sussex, and parish of Worminghurst, distant from the then county town of Arun

* Admiral Penn was born in 1621, and died in 1670, aged 49 years and 4 months.— William Penn, his son, afterwards Governor of Pennsylvania, was born in 1644, and died in 1718, aged 74 years.—John Fenwicke was born in 1618, died December, 1683, aged 65 years; so that there was a difference of only 3 years between him and Admiral Penn, but he was 29 years the senior of the Governor,

dell about eight miles,) had, at times, when disengaged from public business, every opportunity of contracting and cementing that friendship for each other which appears to have continued through life, with the exception of a short and unfortunate interruption-the consequence of a hasty and possibly misconceived prejudice in the mind of Fenwicke, which was afterwards most honorably and feelingly atoned for by him.

From the knowledge which these two men had obtained of our Atlantic coast, and of the spirit prevailing among many of their people for emigrating to New England, we may reasonably conclude that the mutual interchange of views and sentiments confirmed in them the determination to emigrate themselves. Fenwicke having fully communicated his views to Penn of his intended disposition to seek an asylum for himself, his family and their sect in this western world, that he might be far remote from the turmoils of Europe-entered into a contract with John Lord Burkeley, who, on March 18th, 1673-4, conveyed the moiety or half part of New Jersey to him, for which he agreed to pay one thousand pounds. The year following, namely, on Feb. 9th, 1674-5, he conveyed nine-tenths thereof to William Penn and others for Edward Billinge; and after consummating these transactions, he employed his time in preparing himself for his intended enterprise.

He had numerous connections to whom he had to communicate his plans, and confer upon his intended project in laying a foundation for the future independence of his family and friends; and very probably too, soliciting their co-operation in embarking with him as adventurers to the new world-or, if not willing to accompany him there, at least in kindness to assist him by their wealth and influence in the prosecu tion of his hazardous undertaking. But here he was suddenly inter. rupted in his plans by a dispute which arose between him and Edward Billinge, respecting a division of their lands and other pecuniary matters. In fact, Billinge being much involved in debt, conveyed his right in his West Jersey property away (from John Fenwicke, who had been his trustee), to other trustees-namely: William Penn, Gawen Lawrie and Nicholas Lucas, to be by them disposed of for the use and benefit of his creditors.

After some difficulties and much disputation between the two, they

Both Fenwicke and his second wife were cousins to Edward Burdett and Sir Francis Burdett, who, by a letter which he received from his wife when he resided in Salem, informed him that his cousin Edward Burdett was “very ready and willing upon all occasions to assist her." But I cannot find that he at any time received either directly or indirectly any pecuniary assistance from either of the Burdett families.

agreed that William Penn should be the umpire, and put an end to their controversies. Penn having heard the allegations of the parties, rendered his award in favor of Billinge. Fenwicke took great offence at

the decision and refused to abide by the award.

This refusal of Fenwicke grieved William Penn and gave him great uneasiness, for the parties were of standing among the Quakers. Penn addressed a letter in the following words

"JOHN FENWICKE-The present difference betwixt thee and Edward Billinge fills the hearts of Friends with grief, and with a resolution to take it, in two days, into their consideration, to make a public denial of the person that offers violence to the award made, or that will not end it without bringing it upon the public stage.-God, the righteous judge, will visit him that stands off. Edward Billinge will refer the matter to us again, if thou wilt do the like. Send me word, and, oppressed as I am with business, I will find an afternoon, to-morrow or next day, to determine, and so prevent the mischief that will certainly follow divulging it in Westminster-Hall. Let me know by the bearer thy mind. O John! let truth and the honor of it this day prevail. Woe to him that causeth offences! I am an impartial WM. PENN."

man.

He wrote a second letter which was in these words

"JOHN FENWICKE-I have upon serious consideration of the present difference (to end it with benefit to you both, and as much quiet as may be,) thought my council's opinion very reasonable: indeed, thy own desire to have the eight parts added, was not so pleasant to the other party that it should now be shrunk from by thee as injurious; and when thou hast once thought a proposal reasonable, and given power to another to fix it, 'tis not in thy power, nor indeed discreet or civil thing, to alter or warp from it, and call it a being forced. 0 John! I am sorry that a toy, a trifle, should thus rob men of their time, quiet, and a more profitable employ. I have had a good conscience in what I have done in this affair; and if thou reposest confidence in me, and believest me to be a good and just man, as thou hast said, thou shouldst not be upon such nicety and uncertainty. Away with vain fancies, I beseech thee, and fall closely to thy business. Thy days. spend on, and make the best of what thou hast. Thy grand children may be in the other world before the land thou hast allotted will be employed. My council, I will answer for it, shall do thee all right and service in the affair that becomes him, who, I told thee at first, should