Page:Protestant Exiles from France Agnew vol 1.djvu/133

is first seen by us in propriâ personâ as a refugee in London in 1582. In that year the College of Physicians of London heard with dismay that a refugee French pastor was practising medicine in the city and suburbs. M. De Laune was accordingly summoned to appear before them, and at their court, of 7th December 1582, he was formally interdicted from practising while unlicensed, but was at the same time summoned to another meeting at which his case should be fully considered. On the 22d December he appeared accordingly, and laid before the court a written petition, representing that he had a complete university medical education in France, and had been in the habit of combining a medical practice with a pastoral charge for twenty-four years, and that there had been no complaint against him. He stated that as a refugee on account of religion, he had become dependent upon the practice of physic for his livelihood, and for the support of his large family, his household consisting of thirteen souls. He therefore petitioned the college for some formal sanction of a continuance of his practice. He also handed in a certificate from the consistory of the French Church, signed by R. Le Maçon, de la Fontaine. The result was that in the most gratifying manner and with complete unanimity, he was admitted as a Licentiate of the College of Physicians. He continued his services in his two capacities as preacher and physician until his death; his name appears in the books of the college as a licentiate on 18th April 1603. His wife’s maiden name was Desloges, and she predeceased him. On 27th November 1610, he made his Will, which was proved by his son, Gideon Delaune, and his son-in-law, Nathaniel Marie, on 12th March 1611 (new style). Thus he died at the age of eighty. This refugee pasteur, “tarn probus et tarn doctus,” is the ancestor of all the English Delaunes. His eldest son was Gideon Delaune, known as Apothecary to King James I. His son, Pierre, I shall notice in this chapter. Of his other children and descendants a future chapter will speak. He seems to have written or dictated his Will in English. I annex a copy:—

“In the name of God, Amen. I, William Delaune, preacher of the Worde of God and Physician, beyng in healthe of bodye and of sounde and perfecte memorye (laude and praise be given vnto Almightie God for the same), do make and declare this my last will and testament in manner and forme following. First and principally, I commend my soule into the mercifull handes of Almightie God, the Father, the Sonne, and the Holie Ghoste, hoping and steadfastly beleving to have free remission of all my synnes thoroughe the onlie merittes of Xriste Iesus. My bodye I committ unto the earthe to be decently buryed nere vnto my late deere wife yf it be possible. And as touching the Disposition of my Lande and tenements with their appurtenez I give the same in manner and forme following; that is to saye, I give in forme of sale to Gideon de Laune, my eldest sonne, his heires and assignes for ever, all and every my messuages Landes tenements rentes reversions services and hereditaments (excepting that which I give unto my sonne, Paule Delaune, as here belowe shall more largely appeare) scituat and beyng in the precinct called the Blacke Fryers, nere Ludgate of London, which I late purchased of Eq. William More, uppon this condition and with this promise, that my sayed sonne, Gideon Delaune, his heyres, executors, administrators, or assignes, shall within five monethes after my decease, paye or cause to be payed the severall sommes of money and legaceys hereafter particularly mentioned and expressed, that is to saye, To the poore of the Frenche Churche in London, fower poundes: To the poore of Blackelryers and of the churches of Norwiche and Deepe — to every of them twentie shillinges. To my poore kyndred beyond the sea, five poundes, to be administered by my sonne, Nathaniell Delaune, at his discretion. To my sister-in-law, Mary Desloges, widowe of Cornellis Tance, three poundes. Item, I give vnto my sonne, Paule Delaune, and his heires for ever, for the good services which he hath done me, the newe house which I have built, with the appurtences thereof, that is to saye, the great Courte and the house of office therein, with the same ingresse and regresse to and from the streete which ar at this daye — as allso one of the chaumbers, which he shall chuse readye furnished, as yt shal be founde at my decease, and allso the apothecarre stuff and furniture in the sayed new house (paying unto Gideon de Laune, his eldest brother, the somme of fiftie poundes). Item, I give vnto my said sonne, Paule Delaune, and his heires for ever, those fiftie pounds which ar mentioned in a bond, under the names of Mr. Burt, Mr. Hartley, and Mr. Boulton, as allso my silver guilt pott of a pynte for a remembraunce. Item, I give vnto Abraham De Laune, sonne and heire unto my sonne, Gedeon Delaune, the greate silver guilt salt seller for a remembraunce. As for the rest of my goodes as well of five hundred and fiftie poundes which arise of the sale of my howses and heritages as of the rest of my goods, to witt, moveables, chattels, debtes, and readie money, I will that they be equallye devided vnto all my sonnes and daughters — that is to saye, vnto Gedeon Delaune, my eldest sonne, unto Peter, Nathaniel, and Paule, and Henry Delaune, sonne and heire vnto Isack Delaune, my sonne deceased (who for his mariage receyved one hundred poundes), unto Sara, Ester, and Elizabeth, my daughters, equalising them that have least receyved with them that have most receyved. As for my sonne in lawe, Peter Chambleyn, my will is that he repaire the entrye of my house where he nowe dwelleth,