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NOTES AND QUERIES. tii 8. i. MAY a, ma

and three folio volumes with an account of the various families of Nicholl, Nicholls, and Nichols. The great work of his pen, how- ever a labour of love was his history of the Ironmongers' Company in six volumes, royal folio, illustrated with initial letters, coats of arms, and pen-and-ink sketches, which he presented to the Company in 1840 and 1844. This work is preserved in the Company's strong room. G. H. NICHOLL.

A notice of Nicholl extending to two pages, is in The Herald and Genealogist, vii., 1873, pp. 83-5. His younger daughter, Mary Augusta Gough Nicholl, died at Castle Hedingham, 6 Dec., 1908, aged 71. See also Boase, 'Mod. Engl. Biog.,' ii. 1133 (where col. 1134, 1. 6, for " NicholTs " read Nichols's). W. C. B.

RICHARD BLACOW (11 S. i. 369) was sen- tenced to pay a fine of 100Z., to be im- prisoned in the Marshalsea for six months, and afterwards to find sureties to keep the peace for five years ; but he Was not deprived of his church offices. He is from 1815 described as "Chaplain" of St. Mark's Church in the local directories. He held con- currently With this the position of " Minister n of Derby Chapel, i.e., the parochial chapel of West Derby, Liverpool. He first appears in this capacity in the directory of 1832, but I am of opinion that he held the position earlier. He is given as holding both offices up to 1845, other names appearing for both in 1847. His home in 1845 was at 25, Nile Street, a few hundred yards from St. Mark's Church, and only a couple of hundred yards from the present Liverpool Cathedral.

One of the organists of St. Mark's during Blacow's time was Michael Maybrick, father of " Stephen Adams,*' vocalist and com- poser of popular ballads. J. H. K.

The Rev. Richard Blacow was Incumbent of St. Mark's Church, Liverpool, from its opening in 1803 till his death, Which occurred in Liverpool on 23 Dec., 1845 (see Gentleman's Magazine for 1846, part i.). During that time the reverend gentleman Was twice in prison : the first time in 1811, for contempt of court ; the second time, as stated by G. F. R. B., for libel on Queen Caroline.

A. H. ABKLE.

Birkenhead.

In Nightingale's ' Memoirs of Queen Caroline, 1 vol. ii., p. 424, Blacow is alluded to as the " mad parson," and is charged with being a previously convicted libeller. See

vol. ii. pp. 14, 15. Judge Grose, in passing sentence upon him, described his offence as " a libel of that domestic sort which carries with it a" degree of malignancy which I have never known paralleled. '* Among a list of Blacow's works given by Allibone the follow- ing appears, ' Statement of Circumstances of the Prosecution of the King v. Blacow,'* 1812, 8vo, from which it may be inferred that the culprit did not acquiesce in Judge Grose's decision. An account of the trial for libelling Queen Caroline is contained in Brougham's ' Memoirs,' vol. ii. pp. 430-34. Brougham prints his own speech for the prosecution, less than ten minutes in length, and adds in a foot-note, "The jury found him guilty, without a moment's hesitation.'* W. S. S.

ABBE COYER (11 S. i. 367, 416) was tutor to the Prince of Turenne. He wrote various Works, mostly satirical or books of travel, and among them a translation of Anson's * Voyage.' W. A. H.

FLAX BOURTON (11 S. i. 389). The older forms of this place-name were spelt Burgh ton, Barton, Borton, Bourton, Burton, and the first form with prefix was Flax-Burton. This prefix was connected with the original name on account of land held there by the Abbot of Flaxley, Gloucestershire. Collinson, who held the living of the adjoining parish of Long Ashton, and who had opportunities of knowing, says :

"Flax Bourton primarily denominated Bourtora or Burgh ton because it had about it a burgh or fence at a time when the adjoining villages were open and undistinguished by any inclosure ; and additionally Flax Bourton because the Abbot of Flaxley in Gloucestershire anciently held the principal estate in this parish, having exchanged it for certain of their demesnes at Regil in the parish of Winford."" Collinson, iii. 161

I may add that Phelps, the later historian of Somersetshire, was born at Flax Bourton, and therefore may have investigated the matter more fully ; but his history as, printed is only a magnificent fragment, and this printed part does not include Flax Bourton. The remainder of the work, or notes for it, is in B.M. MS.

A. L. HUMPHREYS. 187, Piccadilly, W.

'Kelly's ' Directory of Somerset ' says : " Tliis village was originally called ' Bourton r or * Burghton,' and derived its prefix from the Abbey of Flaxley, in Gloucestershire, the principal estate in the parish having been anciently held by that monastic house."

CROSS-CROSSLET.