was afterwards confirmed by Robert of Ewyas, the son of the founder, and approved by Theobald, Archbishop of Canterbury, and John, Bishop of Salisbury, in the time of Hamelin, Abbot of Gloucester.1

2 In the Taxatio Ecclesiastica we have the "portion of the Prior of Ewyas" (Porcio Prioris de Ewyas in Albecaning), reckoned as worth £2. In the Inquisitiones Nonarum3 we have a similar valuation given. In the former Record we have registered, as belonging to the same Priory, small portions of land in Teffont Ewyas and Lydiard Tregoz, and the Church of Hilmarton. All these were given by members of the same family, and will be found registered in Domesday under the lands of Alured of Marlborough, whose property they inherited.

The revenues of the Priory becoming in course of years decreased, and too slender to maintain it, in the year 1358, by decree of Thomas Fastolf, Bishop of St. David's, who was then the Ordinary, it was annexed to the great Abbey of St. Peter's, Gloucester. In the deed of annexation, Roger La Warre and Peter de Grandison, are spoken of as benefactors, and descendants of the original founder. The pedigree printed a few pages back will explain how they were connected with him. Amongst the revenues of the Abbey of St. Peter, Gloucester, is reckoned the sum of £2 13s. 4d. issuing from All Cannings, being in truth the portion arising from "the Church of Allington" that formerly belonged to the Prior of Ewyas.

At the suppression of Monasteries in the 16th century, several of the estates belonging to the Abbey of St. Peter's, Gloucester, were appropriated to the endowment of the new Bishopric of Gloucester. The letters patent constituting the said Bishopric, dated September 3rd, 1541, enumerate amongst its revenues the same sum of £2 13s. 4d. "out of All Cannings.'

Though all vestiges of the building have disappeared, persons are yet living who remember hearing of the Church, and who

can point out the place where it stood; namely, in what is now an orchard, to the north of the Pewsey road. In the dry summer of 1847 the outlines of the foundations were distinctly traceable through the turf. It was a small building, consisting only of a Nave and Chancel.

OLD FAMILIES.

There is but one family named, in the Heralds' Visitations for Wilts, as belonging to Allington,--that of PROVENDER. Of their history we know no more, than of those we have mentioned, a few pages back, as holding lands in this part of the Parish of All Cannings in early times. The pedigree, which is given, as well in the Visitation for 1565 as in that for 1623, carries the family back to the time of Edward III. The name, under the form "Probander," occurs in the All Cannings Registers at the end of the 16th century. [See above, p. 32.] One of their number, who was married to a daughter of John Burdon, already spoken of (p. 11), as Lessee of the Manor of All Cannings at the end of the 16th century, was the first who is described as of Allington. The family would seem to have remained there, or at all events have been connected with the place, for three generations, when the name became extinct by the marriage of Grace, the daughter and heiress of George Provender, early in the 17th century, to Richard Franklyn, of Woodborough.

204

Diary of Thomas Smith, Esq.,

OF SHAW HOUSE.

(Continued.)

Sunday 10th. Mr. Fox preach'd on the latter part of the 6 Verse of 4th Chapt. to ye Philippians this Morning; for yet we continue to have our Church Service in ye Morning, viz. to begin at a qt. after 11.

Munday 11th. After Dinner Colbourn of Chippenham was with me some little time in Business; and in the Evening Bro. Selfe and his Son Jacob came and tarri'd till about Nine. Also my poor Watty came well from Marlborough. Wednesday 13th. I walk'd out with Watty about 12, and we tarrid an Hour or two; then being beaten from our Intention of Shooting by the Rain. My Mother came hither from Bath this Evening, having wth, her Sister Selfe and Peggy, both which went hence in the Coach in the Morning. Jacky also came this even. from Sarum.

Thursday 14th. After Dinner I made an attempt to visit Mr, Long of the Farm, but calling on Mr. Long my Tenant, heard he had Company wth, him, so I return'd Home and found Bro. Selfe and his Son Jacob to visit my Mother; they tarry'd wth, us till about Eight.

Friday 15th. After Dinner I went to Rhoteridge, and on the Road met Mr. Fox who was coming to see my Mother; he tarri'd till I return'd, and then imediately went away.

Saturday 16th. After Dinner I made a Visit to Mr. Talbot the Ministr. of Laycock, was wth, him and one Nesus an Irish Clergyman.

Tuesday 19th. This Morning I call'd on Mr. Horton of Broughton, who also was invited to the Funeral of my Coz. Smith, heretofore Wife of my late Coz. Smith of Foscot. We came to Foscot about one, there was but a very small Numbr. of Gent", and few of meaner Condition, so that the Solemnity was perform'd with little Shew and Charge. She was a Woman of a very close penurious Temper, a very strict Presbyterian, and spent much time at her Devotions; and during the time of her Widowhood, kept one of their Teachers in the House. She was a Sister to Mr. Campny's of Orchardly, and about the 70th Year of her Age.* The Intermt. being perform'd, I return'd to my Coz. Smith's of Littleton with Mr. Bennet his Father in Law; his Son; and Mr. Horton of Broughton where lodg'd.

Friday 22nd. All the Day I was privately at Home, only Edmond Lewis of Broughton was wth, me an Hour in the afternoon.

Dorothy, daughter of John Champneys of Orchardleigh, died 15th December, 1721, in her 70th year. She was widow of Robert Smith, Esq., of Foxcote, who died 9th May, 1714, in his 60th year. Both buried there.