|
a.
|
Note: Lee Murrahs tree says it was John William Brewster? Elder William Brewster's father, William Brewster, was appointed by Archbishop Sandys, in Jan., 1575-76, "receiver of the town of Scrooby and bailiff of the manor house in that place belonging to the Archbishop, to have life-tenure of both offices." The William Brewster who later came to America was for many years postmaster at Scrooby, a little village on the great North road about fifty miles from London. Nowadays a postmaster has mainly to do with letters and parcels and money orders, but three hundred years ago he had to do almost entirely with horses. Letters then posted were mainly governmental correspondence, sent by members of the Court. He did not live in a little house on a side street, but had a grand mansion called Scrooby Manor with a large brick stable and his duty was to supply horses to all travelers who desired to hire them. He was appointed by the government and had what 300 years ago was considered a handsome salary, namely 2 shillings a day, besides what travelers used to pay him if they stayed for a night or so at Scrooby Manor on their journey. He was also responsible for the relays of horses on the post road. He held the position of postmaster from 1590 to 1607.
Saints & Strangers page 14states: In 1575 Archbishop Grindal of York, addressing him as "our trusted and well beloved servant" commissined the senior W'm Brewster as bailiff and receiver of Scrooby Manor, an extensive lordship embracing hundreds of farms and many villages round about. As general overseer of the lordship, he had the duty of collecting manorial fees,"fines", and rents, and in minor disputes was empowered to sit as magistrate. For his services he received the use of the manor seat and the fruits of it's grounds. In additionhe was paid a nominal salary of L3 6s.8d.($165) a year (in 1940 dollars)
|
