Indian Antiquary Vol 46

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 270

256
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[NOVEMBER, 1917
JOB CHARNOCK-HIS PARENTAGE AND WILL.
BY SIR R. C. TEMPLE, Br. ALTHOUGH much has been written concerning the Founder of Calcutta, his origin has hitherto been wrapped in obscurity. It has now been my good fortune to clear up this point. While annotating a series of 17th century letters, written in India and now appearing in Notes and Queries, the occurrence in the collection of a letter from Charnock induced me to try to establish his parentage.
Sir George Forrest in his article on Job Charnockgave an abstract of his will. Among the legacies was one to "the poor of the parish of Cree Church, London." This led me to believe that by birth he was a citizen of London, and a search among the wills proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury resulted in the discovery of his father, Richard Charnock.
The will of Richard Charnock3 is an interesting document and I therefore give it in full.
“In the Name of God Amen the second day of Aprill Anno Domini one Thousand Six Hundred Sixty Three And in the Fifteenth year of the Reigne of our Soveraigne Lord Charles the Second by the grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland defender of the Faith &c. I Richard Charnocke of the parish of St. Mary Woollchurch London Yeoman being in good health of Body and of perfect mind and memory (praysed be God therefore) But considering the Frailty and uncertainty of this present life Doe therefore make and ordaine this my present Testament (conteyning therein my last will) in manner and forme following (That is to say)
"First and principally I recommend my soule to Almighty God my maker and Creator hopeing and stedfastly beleiveing through his grace and the alone meritts of Jesus Christ iny blessed Saviour and Redeemer to receive full and Free pardon and forgivenes of all my sinnes and life everlasting
"My body I Committ to the Earth To be buried in the parish Church of St. Katherine Creechurch London And my will is That not above the summe of Eight pounds shall be spent upon the Charge of my funerall And I will that all such debts and duties as I shall truly owe to any person or persons att the tyme of my decease shall be well and truly paid within as short a tyme after my decease as may be conveniently
" And as touching That worldly meanes and estate That it hath pleased Almighty God of his meroy and goodness to bestow upon me (my debts by me oweing and my funerall Charges thereout first paid or deducted) I doe give devise bequeath and dispose thereof in manner and forme following (That is to say) -
"First I give and bequeath unto my sonne Stephen Charnocke All that my messuage Tenement or Inne with the appurtenances comonly called or knowne by the name or signe of the Bell scytuate lying and being in Markett Streete in the County of Bedford And all the land now thereunto belonging and therewith used All which premisses are now in the tenure of George Sayers or his assignes To have and to hold the same unto my said sonne Stephen Charnock and his assignes for the terme of his naturall life And the Reversion of the said Messuage and Land with the appurtenances expectant after the decease of my said sonne Stephen Cha. Jocke I doe give and devise unto the Parson and Church wardens of the Parish of Pennerton in the County of Lancaster And to their successors and assignes for over upon Trust and confidence that out of the Rents thereof The said Parson
1 Correspondence of Richard Edwards, 1669-78 (N. & Q. from Jan., 1917). ? Blackword'. Magazine, June, 1902, pp. 771-782.
S Wills, P.C.C., 58 Hyde. • Pen wortham, a parish in the hundred of Leyland, Lancaster, two miles 8. W. of Preston.