Page:Notes and Queries - Series 10 - Volume 11.djvu/113

 10 8. XL JAN. 30, 1909.] NOTES AXD QUERIES.

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in Downpatrick) that the general's father came from the co. Down. The Denvirs of co. Down, without any exception, spell the name with an i, and not an e ; but it is easy to imagine how the change might have taken place in America.

There is, however, an English end to the question, for there is a town or village of Denver in Norfolk ; and I find in the ' Calendar of Wills enrolled in the Court of Husting of London ' the name of John Denver mentioned as a beneficiary in the will of Cristina Coggere, dated 1384. The entry will be found in the official abstract of the ' Calendar,' part ii. p. 247.

JOHN DENVER.

POTTER'S BAB : SEVEN KINGS. Some years ago one of the last landmarks of an industry which must have flourished in the northern districts of London (viz., the manufacture of earthenware of all kinds), in the early Victorian era was destroyed. It was a huge disused kiln occupying a site off the Green Lanes, and overlooking Fins- bury Park. I have no doubt that the country-side beyond Hadley Woods known as " Potter's Bar " was once the centre of a thriving " potting " manufactory. I should like to know why it is called Potter's Bar.

Likewise I am desirous of knowing why the new district beyond Ilford is called " Seven Kings." M. L. R. BRESLAR.

BYRON'S BIRTHPLACE. When I first visited Aberdeen, some twenty years ago, I was informed that Lord Byron was born in the town, and a house in Broad Street was pointed out as the place of his birth In the biographical notice prefixed to his poems it is stated that he was born in Holies Street, London.

Last year, while visiting the neighbourhood of Old Meldrum, I took a drive to the " Braes of Gight." While in this neighbourhood I was confidently assured that Byron was born at Gight Castle. As I rather demurred at this, I was referred to certain works written by residents of long standing in the vicinity, who knew what they were writing about, and would not, it was said, be at all likely to make a mistake. " Mr. So-and-so," for instance, " would be sure to know."

Is the point really settled ? Homer, we know, had seven birthplaces ; but Homer has been dead a long time, so there may be some excuse for him. It is different with a poet who has not been dead a hundred years. If he goes on accumulating birth- places at this rate, he will have covered a

large area by the time he is as old as Homer. I may add that Gight Castle is virtually a ruin, and that it gave me the impression of having been a ruin long before Byron was born. J. FOSTER PALMER.

8, Royal Avenue, S.W.

[The 'D.N.B.' says that the poet was born in Holies Street, and that " John Hunter saw the boy when he was born, and prescribed for the infant's feet (Mrs. Byron's letters in Add. MS. 31037)." Notes by MR. CECIL CLARKE on the tablet erected by Mr. John Lewis upon 24, Holies Street, Cavendish Square, to mark Byron's birthplace, will be found at 9 S. ii. 90 ; xii. 503 ; 10 S. vi. 356.]

WILLIAM MERRY, 1735. Can any reader give me information concerning William Merry, whose son John was baptized at Orwell Church, Royston, Cambs, 9 June, 1735 ? I should like to know where William was born arid where he was married, or to have any other information concerning him. A. M.

PARLIAMENTARY BANNER IN THE CIVTL WAR. Can any of your readers kindly say what the banner or standard of the Parlia- ment forces at Edge Hill and Marston Moor was ? Was it a St. George's Cross ?

FERDUSI.

SIR ISAAC GOLDSMID. Sir Isaac was the first Jewish baronet (1778-1859). Where can I find the history of this philanthropist, and who were his heirs ?

(Mrs.) F. H. SUCKLING. Romsey, Hampshire.

[He is included in the 'D.N.B.']

GLOSSARIES TO THE WAVERLEY NOVELS. Was Scott himself responsible for the glos- saries appended to his novels ? A Scot rarely refers to these when reading the stories ; but I looked through them all the other day, and was surprised to find that some words had quite a different meaning given them from what I expected.

ALEX. RUSSELL. Stromness.

CARMARTHEN FAMILIES : PABDINGTOK HOUSE. Can any one tell me where to get information about (1) Carmarthen, especially country houses and families ; (2) Paddington House, which once stood on

Paddington Green ?

A. M.

SAXON ABBEYS. Will some kind reader tell me what Saxon abbeys, nunneries, or cells existed before 1066, and which was reputed to be the first founded in England ?

(Mrs.) HAUTENVELLE COPE. Sulhamstead, Reading.