Memoirs of Dr. Richard Gilpin, of Scaleby castle in Cumberland : and of his posterity in the two succeeding generations / written in the year 1791, by William Gilpin ... together with an account of the author, by himself: and a pedigree of the Gilpin family ; edited by William Jackson.

  • Gilpin, William, 1724-1804.
Date:
1879
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Memoirs of Dr. Richard Gilpin, of Scaleby castle in Cumberland : and of his posterity in the two succeeding generations / written in the year 1791, by William Gilpin ... together with an account of the author, by himself: and a pedigree of the Gilpin family ; edited by William Jackson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    simplicity, & gentle spirit of Christianity. On the other hand, he was as much disgusted with the violence & hypocritical canting of the prevailing party; & could by no means ever be wrought on to sign the solemn league, & covenant, lie was very averse also to many of the practices among the ministers of those times. It was usual with them, for instance, to require from every person, before he was admitted to the communion, a particular account of the exact time when his conversion took place. D* Gilpin always considered this as a very improper requisition, and therefore omitted it. But tho’, on the whole, in church matters, he was inclined to presbytery, he was highly dissatisfied with the usurpation of Cromwell; as indeed all sober people generally were, of whatever party, or religious opinion : and a general dis- content ran thro’ the nation. An opportunity however soon fell out, which gave vent to these silent murmurrs. In the year 1655, Cromwell dissolved his refractory parliament, & the members of the house, retiring to their several counties, spread every where such new matter of discontent, that measures were no longer observed. Men were levied in many places against the usurper ; & a general rising was expected. But Cromwell, who had his eyes in all places, soon dispersed every insurrection, as it made its appearance. It was at that time he sent his Major-generals throughout the kingdom to punish with fines, & proscriptions, all delinquents. Among the families ruined by the severity of these military magistrates, was Mr. Gilpin of Kentmere-hall, near Kendall, in Westmoreland. He was the head of y° family, and lived reputably on an estate, which had been in the hands of his ancestors from the days of King John. It seems probable he had taken an active part against Cromwell, in the king’s life-time : but his affairs being composed, he lived quietly, till these new disturbances broke out, on Cromwell’s violent measures with the parliament. Having