James Martin's Detection of Brownists in Kent (1626)

Date: 16 Sep 1626 to 18 Sep 1626
Location: Kent, England
Surname/tag: Brewer, Turner, Winoc, Crumpe

JAMES MARTIN'S DETECTION OF BROWNISTS IN KENT.

SUNDAY, 17/27 SEPTEMBER 1626.

A Detection of certain dangerous Puritans and Brownists in Kent.^[1][2]

1. Thomas Brewer, Gentleman, who writ a book ... containing about half a quire of paper ; wherein he prophesies the destruction of England within three years, by two Kings : one from the North, another from the South.

The said Brewer coming, not long since, from Amsterdam, where he became a perfect Brownist ; and being a man of good estate, is the general patron of the Kentish Brownists ; who, by his means, daily and dangerously increase.

He, the said Brewer, hath printed a most pestilent book beyond the seas : wherein he affirmeth. That King James would be the ruin of Religion. To the like purpose, he published a book or two more: which David Pareus, at Neustadt, shewed to a Knight, who told me of it.

2. One Turner, a candle-maker or chandler, of Sutton Valence in Kent,^[3] preaches in houses, barns, and woods, That the Church of England is the Whore of Babylon, and the Synagogue of Satan, &c. He hath many followers : and is maintained principally by the said Thomas Brewer ; whose Chaplain he seems to be.

3 and 4. One Winock and [one] Crumpe at Maidstone, both rich men, as far as in them lies, maintain these Sectaries.

Witnesses of the Premisses are Sir P. H.; Knight.

Master Barrell, Preacher of Maidstone.

Master Simondson, Schoolmaster of Maidstone, and

Master Fisher, of Maidstone.

With many more.

Testified by them, September 16 and 17, 1626.

James Martin, M.A.

S. P. Dom. Gh. I., Vol. 35, No. 110.

Sources

1. ↑ Citing "S. P. Dom. Ch. 1. Vol. 35, No. 110," Edward Arber (1836-1912), The Story of the Pilgrim Fathers, 1606-1623 A.D. (London: Ward and Downey, Limited, 1897), p. 246-247; digital images, Hathi Trust.
2. ↑ Appearing to cite the same material, but as "Public Record Office .. SP 16/35/110," R. J. Acheson, "Sion's Saint: John Turner of Sutton Valence," Archaeologia Cantiana 99 (1983):183-198, in particular, p. 188; digitized materials, Kent Archaeological Society.
3. ↑ Otherwise, John Turner, see R. J. Acheson, "Sion's Saint: John Turner of Sutton Valence," Archaeologia Cantiana 99 (1983):183-198; digitized materials, Kent Archaeological Society.