with the co-heiress of Wayte and Popham. It may be further remarked, that the grandfather of William Ringeborne had married the niece of William of Wykeham, whom tradition has handed down to us as the son of one John Long, and that the name existed anterior to Wykeham's time can be shown by the Placita de quo Warranto, where, in the ninth of Edward the First, (1280-1), a John Long was a juror in respect of a rent due to the Crown in Ludgershall. But this point would more properly form the subject of a separate communication. In the mean time, the name of the present contributor may, peradventure, induce a belief that he puts himself forward as a claimant to be of the undoubted blood and lineage of the knightly race of Wraxhall and Draycot. Borrowed plumage is not a creditable garment. A Wiltshire origin, family traditions, and the inference to be derived from scattered allusions, in early times, of friendship, if not of kindred, are all that would lead to such a conclusion. The male line of the Wraxhall and Draycot Longs, as far as direct evidence can show, is extinct. We may all believe, but none can prove, a descent from Robert,— the recorded Rodolph of the race. Be this as it may, the real foundation of the fortunes of all our respective and wide-spreading branches was, most probably, laid in the substantial broad cloths of Wiltshire. Whether we were originally "Preux" adventurers from Normandy, or good old Saxon Longs, so called, seemingly, though not in truth, in the tongue of the Conqueror, from stature, is a matter of no great moment. In conclusion, I should desire to state that I am indebted to my friend, Thomas Bond, Esquire, of Tyneham, Dorset, and of the Inner Temple, during his researches respecting the family of Heryng, for the discovery of the Final concord which has so clearly and satisfactorily established the true story of the acquisition of the Manor of Draycot by the family of Long. 1. R. 6261: in: im: od: on: na ✰* 2. Thomas Andrews, William Maslen, Churchwardens, 1771. TAR. 3. an: no: do: mi: ni. 1626 4. James Wells, Aldbourn, Wilts, fecit 1806. Henery Hitchcock and William Hayward, Ch-wardens. 5. Robert Mareslen, William Stevens, Churchwardens, 1658. 1.2. Robert Webb and Richard Haggard, Church wardens. 1663. 3. Robert Webb, Churchwarden, 1663. W PAR▲ P. 4. Giles Tombs and John Crips, Churchwardens. Robert Wells, Aldbourn, fecit 1786. 5. John Brind and Edward Jeffries, Churchwardens. W. Taylor, fecit 1849. Swindon, 6. 1. Peace and good neighbourhood. A R. 1741. Letters reversed. + The former bells were inscribed thus: 1. William Harding, Nicholas Gore, Churchwardens, 1665. W P 2. AVE MARIA GRACIA PLENA DOMINVS TECVM. R PA 2. Prosperity to this Parish. A▲ R. 1741. 3. Prosperity to the Church of England. A▲ R. 1741. 4. Wm. Nichols, Vicar. A▲ R. 1741. 5. Richard Wayt and Wm. Lawrence, Churchwardens. A▲ R. 1741. 6. C. and G. Mears, founders, London, 1851. Wandborough, 5, and a Priest's bell. 1. John Fox and John Brind, C. W. John Corr 1750. 2. Richard Herring, Churchwarden. AR 3. George Gooding, John Hayward, C. W. 1662. 4. Willum Purdeu and Roger Purdeu Daniel Wells, Churchwardens, 1664. 1706. W▲ P▲ made mee. Thomas Smith and 5. George Gooding, John Hayward, Churchwardens, Anno Domini, 1662. William Purde▲ cast mee in: the year of our Lord : 1662. Priest's bell. W. Lee and J. Avenell, C. Wardens. R. Wells, Aldbourn, fecit 1783. Deanery of Malmsbury. Castle Combe, 1, and a Priest's bell in Turret. I to the Church the living call And to the grave do summon all. T. ▲ B. 1766. Priest's bell. SANCTE GREGORA ORA PRO NOBIS. Chippenham, 8. 1. Let us ring For the Church and King. A▲ R. 1734. 2. Peace and good neighbourhood. A R. 1734. 4. The gift of John Norris, Esq. A▲ R. 1734. 5. These bells were all cast by A. Rudhall of Gloster, 1734. 6. Prosperity to the Church of England. A ▲ R. 1734. 7. Unity and Loyalty. Saml. Martyn, Gent., Bayliffe, 1734. 8. John Norris, Esq., and Anthony Guy, Gent., Churchwardens, 1734. Corsham, 6. 1. Robert Neale and Anthony Guy, Gent., Churchwardens, 1757. T. B. F. 2. 3. 4. Robert Neale and Anthony Guy, Gent., Churchwardens, 1758. T. B. F. 5. William Hulbert and Harry Ovens, Ch-wardens. James Wells, Aldbourne, fecit 1820. Motto of the Borough Seal. 6. Robert Neale, Esq., and Anthony Guy, Gent., Churchwardens, Bilbie cast mee 1758. I to the church the living call And to the grave do summon all. Draycot Cerne, 1. James Wells, Aldbourn, Wilts, fecit 1803. Garesden, 2. 1. SANCTA ANNA ORA PRO NOBIS. 2. Richardus Modi* Armiger secundus mei conditor 1586. 6. Jonathan Power and Robert Hewett, Churchwardens, 1726. Laycock, 6. 1. Robert Wells, Aldbourne, Wilts, fecit 1792. 2. James Wells, Aldbourne, Wilts, fecit 1813. John Awdry, Esq., James Edwards, Churchwardens. 3. 5. Anno Domini 1628. 4. Henry Goddard, Esq., and Edward Barton, Ch-wardens, 1852. Jefferies and Price, Bristol. 6. Wm. Selfe, Churchwarden. R. Wells of Aldbourne, fecit 1770. 185 ACCOUNT OF A Barrow on Konndway Bill near Devizes, OPENED IN APRIL, 1855. By Mr. CUNNINGTON, F.G.S. As the progress of modern agriculture is rapidly sweeping away from our downs the barrows and other similar relics of the ancient inhabitants of the district, it becomes increasingly important that a faithful and minute account of all the discoveries made, should be permanently recorded. Happily our "Wiltshire Magazine affords opportunities for the publication of such records. The barrow in question is situated near the brow of the hill, on the right hand side of the track leading to Calstone, and is about midway between the "Leipsic" plantation, and the large chalk quarry. It is on land in the occupation of Richard Coward, Esq., by whose kind permission and assistance it was opened. The elevation is very slight, not exceeding six inches, and the area ill defined, but extending over a space of about eighteen yards in diameter. This was all the external indication afforded of the interesting interment beneath; and it is by no means surprising that it had hitherto escaped the notice of antiquaries. It is probable that at some former period the original mound was levelled. The excavation was commenced as near as possible to the centre, and on removing the turf, abundant evidence of the artificial condition of the subsoil was obtained. There were traces of the ashes of wood, and the peculiar mouldiness which is so often found in barrows. At from two to four feet a considerable quantity of ashes occurred, mixed with the bones of birds and other small animals, numerous shells of Helix nemoralis,1 a fragment of burned bone, a few bits of 1 Query. Were these snails used for food? Although this species occurs abundantly among the brush-wood on the side of the hill, they are never found on the open down, and they must consequently have been brought to this spot. |