Nicholas Clagett, Dean of Rochester 1723-1731

A brief biography of Dean Nicholas Clagett by David A. H. Cleggett. Featured in The Friends of Rochester Cathedral Annual Report for 2003-2004. Nicholas Clagett, not Claggett as has been painted onto the north wall of the Presbytery, was presented to the Chapter of Rochester as its Dean, in succession to Samuel Pratt, by the King on 27 January 1723/24.¹ He was instituted by the Bishop, Samuel Bradford, on 5 February² and installed on February 8.³ Clagett, who was born in 1686, was the son of Nicholas Clagett, the younger (1654-1727), the controversialist and Archdeacon of Sudbury. All the Clagett family were more or less connected with Bury St. Edmunds but no record of the birth or baptism of the Nicholas Clagett with whom we deal has been traced. Nicholas was educated at Bury School until he left for university. Nicholas matriculated at Trinity College, Cambridge, on 14 April 1702 when he was sixteen, graduating BA 1705/06. He proceeded to MA 1709 and DD 1724. Deciding to take holy orders, Clagett was made deacon in Ely cathedral on May 31, 1713 and ordained priest on May 23, 1714. He was rector of Pulham, Norfolk 1717-21 and of Brington, Northamptonshire 1721-24. On 1 September 1722 Clagett became Archdeacon of Buckingham. From Buckingham Archdeacon Clagett proceeded to the Deanery of Rochester.⁴ Whenever a new dean was appointed an inventory was taken. That taken shortly after the arrival of Nicholas Clagett is a document of considerable interest, containing much detail on the furnishings of the cathedral at that time. Canon 17 of 1604 Of the Vesture of Ministers during the Time of Divine Service stipulated that copes were to be worn by the celebrant and ministers at celebrations of the Holy Communion in cathedrals, collegiate churches and chapels royal. The canon notwithstanding, not one cope is mentioned as being in the cathedral when the inventory was taken. None would appear until the twentieth century. Doubtless copes were introduced in accordance with the requirements of Canon 17 but when they wore out they were not replaced. To add a period flavour, all documents are reproduced in the manner in which they were written. An Inventory of all the Goods belonging to the Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary of Rochester taken this thirteenth day of December Anno Dni 1725 and Exhibited to the Rev Mr John Robinson⁵ one of the Prebendaries and Treasurer of the said Cathedral Church by the Reverend Nicolas Claget(sic) Doctor of Divinity Dean of the said Cathedral Church
In the choir

Impris	One hanging brass Candlestick with ffour and Twenty branches an a Chain of six Iron links painted.
Item	One standing Brass Eagle Desk fashiond with Basketts, Bible best paper printed Anno 1717.
Item	Two large Old Bibles used at early Morning Prayers.
Item	Twelve Common Prayer Books for the Dean & Prebendaries & Minor Canons some of which are very much decayd.
Item	Six Books for the Lay Clerks of which some are much decayd.
Item	Books for the Choristers all worn and Four Books viz Counter Tenor, Tenor, Bass, Treble decayd and one large Service Book for Mr Dean & a small Gilt Anthems Book.
Item	Six short Folios called Tomkins.
Item	Six Cushions with purple Cloth for the Dean & Prebendaries and Two Purple Cloth falls with silk fringe, and two purple velvet valours (hangings to denote rank and station), and Two Bay (reddish-brown| Curtains and Two Iron Curtainrods.
Item	Sixteen Cushions to Sett out for the Seats of the Dean & Prebendaries.
Item	Fifteen Cushions of purple Bays in the Mayor & Aldermen & Common Councilmens Seats with five palls of the same with Silk Fringe.
Item	Fifteen Cushions ditto in the womens pews and one Great Cushion in the Archdeacons Seat.
Item	In the Bishops Seat one purple velvet Cushion with a velvet fall & Silk fringe and a Sitting Cushion of purple Bays.
Item	Twenty Forms and apaire of purple Cloth on the Litany Desk with a Silk fringe.
Item	Eight low Forms with old Matts nailed on them to Kneel on & one small one at the Litany Desk. [It was obviously customary to kneel, not lean forward in a seated position as is the growing habit today.]
Item	Tapistry hangings in the Choir formerly over the Altar.
Item	A picture of the inside of a Dutch church the gift of Dr Cooke.6

Within the Altar Rails Upon the Table one Carpet of Breadths of Crimson velvet and purple Silk bordered with Gold & Silver, Two Cushions oneside being of the said purple Silk lined with red Silk, Two Common Prayer Books the Gift of Dean Ullock⁷ printed Anno 1700 and a Bible & Common Prayer Book both bound with red velvet.

A Sett of Black Bays Covering for the Altar.

An Old purple velvet covering for the Altar.

Five Hassocks.

In the Outer Choir Six small branches for the Pillars & Two Glass Lanthorns & one Iron, Two Branches by the Steps leading into the Chapter house and Two Wooden Forms.
In the Organ Loft One large Organ & Old Chair = Organ, On large Clock & old small quarter Clock, One leather chair decayd.
In the Treasury One Great Chest, one pair of large Gilt Candlesticks, one large Gilt Bason, One pair of Silver Flaggons, one pair of Gilt Cups with Gilt Covers, one pair of Gilt wrought Pattens with one Cover to Both, One Bason, Two fflaggons, Two large Candlesticks, Two Pattons with Covers, Two Chalices with Covers all Gilt with cases the Gift of Sir Joseph Williamson.

A flaskett [a shallow basket] to carry the plate.

One Diaper Communion Table Cloth and Two Napkins.

In the Outer Chapter House Two Tables & Two old decayd leather Carpetts, One purple velvet Chair, Seven printed leather Chairs & two plain Chairs, Two pictures of King James the First & of King Charles the Second. One great press wherein are our Leases placed Alphabetically, diverse Court Rolls & Books of Account 7 other usefull papers relating to the Affairs of this Church [what were these one wonders). Two distinct presses for Books - Item the Books belonging to the Dean & Chapter whereof a new Catalogue is now ordered to be made. Two press for the Hoods & Surplices. One Great Chest next the partition with drawers for old writings by way of Alphabet. In the said Great Chest is one small iron Trunk with Two Locks wherein is the Originall Counterpart of the Lease of Haddenhams & Two old Seal books & some other writings and one large red Trunk with Three locks wherein is the new Seal book & the Chapter Seal. In the said Great Chest is also a Box with the Mss Textus Roffensis & Customale and the Exemplification of our Charters of Foundation & Donation, & a new Lisours of Mortmain, A Copy of the Statutes of the Church taken from the Manuscript in the Bodleian Library in Oxon upon paper another Copy of the Statutes of the Church upon parchment. Another Chest wherein are one Velvet Pulpit Cloth with a Satin Cushion & Vallours for the pulpit. One purple Bays pulpit Cloth with Two falls of the same & an old purple velvet Cushion. Another Chest with drawers wherein are Severall writings. One Looking Glass, one Iron ffender, one fire shovel one pair of Tongs a poker Two Druggett (half silk, half wooll window Curtains, an Iron Rod Two pewter large Standishes [an inkstand| & one Small Standish, One Quarter of an hour glass, one hand bell, one pair of Brass Snuffers and Standing pan lone that did not move] & one pair of brass Candlesticks. A pair of steps. N Clagett⁸ Dean Clagett had always been interested in books and book collecting. He had been elected Librarian of Trinity College, Cambridge on 27 November 1706, and it was highly likely that he would add volumes to the Chapter library at Rochester. In point of fact he did so. An invoice of his purchases for 1725 survives. the Deans Bill for Moneys expended for the Church of Rochester Anno 1725 In the choir

Paid for Du Fresnes Gr[eek] Glossary 2 voll fol[io]	02-02-00
Paid for Du fresnes Lat[in] Glossary 3 voll fol	03-03-00
Paid for Cypriani opera fol	01-15-00
Paid for Bp Burnets Hist of ye Reflormation] 3 voll fol	03-10-00
Paid for Trommii Concordantiae 2 vol fol	02-10-00
Paid for Le Long, Biblioth sacra 2 vol fol	01-15-00
Paid for Book of Martyrs 3 vol fol	04-04-00
Paid for Baskets Bible, best paper, fol	04-04-00
Paid for Binding the Church statutes	00-13-00
Paid for Boxes for these books	00-03-00
Expenditure in all	26-19-00
Due to the Church from the Dean for Books	10-00-00
Which sum being paid by the Dean remains due to the Dean from the Church	04-04-00
July 5 1725 Received of Doctor Hill9 the sum of sixteen pounds and nineteen shillings in full of this bill by me	N Clagett10

The dean enjoyed travel but it must be borne in mind that the roads in the early-eighteenth century were not as they are today. In the autumn of 1731 he went to Salisbury and doubtless, whilst there and on the journey back to London, Dr. Clagett was pondering on the decoration of the central space beneath the tower. His intention was that the “cupulo under the Steeple we intend to be an ornament to the Fabrick.”¹¹ His letter to Dr. Denne, the Archdeacon,¹² also touches on the perils of travel at the time.

Reverend Sir

I returned to London on tuesday last from my journey into Hampshire. I could not at this time go to Salisbury as I intended, for the small-pox is so much there at this time & carries off, as they say, so many, that my friends in Hampshire were utterly against my venturing to go to a place so very sickly. I spent a few days at Winchester. Your acquaintance Dr. H. Clark was then as I heard, at my Lord Limingtons (sic) & I did not see him in that country. Since I return'd to London I received the favour of your letter of the 13th and am glad to hear that our ceiling is so advanced. My stay in town at present is very short (for I set out too morrow morning for Althorp) and I have not yet had any opportunity of consulting those who are more knowing than myself about the properest way of finishing the ceiling when the woodwork is all put up. But however, as you seem to desire, I will send vou my present way of thinking about it. I do not know but the painting the circle, square, & ribs all of a stone colour may be setting them off to the best advantage. The whole square under the bells will then be one beautiful piece of a plainer kind of work. It is a central piece & perhaps for that reason need not be coloured at all as the north & south cross isles of each side of it. What inclines me at present to this way of thinking is, that Mr James" propos'd to us, I remember, to have the circle & square done in mortar (or stocko (sic) & then I should think his meaning must have been that the work should be left in its natural colour, ie, the stone colour. But as you very rightly observe, it is a thing of consequence to finish a piece in the right way which is such an expence to us & which we intend to be an ornament to the fabrick. And for that reason it may not be amiss to defer our coming to any resolution till I see you here in London where I suppose you will shortly be. I purpose, God willing, to be in London again on thursday in the next week. If it were not too much trouble I should be glad you would be so kind as to take the plan of Mr Chichley" when he has done with it & bring it with you to London, that we may have Mr James' sentiments about it. If it shall be thought right to paint the woodwork all of a free-stone colour perhaps Mrs Proby's who did the south cross isle may be well employd doing body style.

But in this, so the work be but well done (which is what I am chiefly concerned for) I hope my observations wil do & what part of the plan is to be coloured if not the whole, Mr James will easily and readily inform us. I wish I had reced yr letter before tuesday last for then I met him accidentally in Egham, & could have talkd with him about it. If Dr. Grant's be with you, you will oblige me in making him my compliments.

1am, Reverend sir, your affectionate brother &c very humble servant

N Clagett

London Oct 17, 1731

My service to brother Barral¹⁷ when he comes in yr way¹⁸
The above letter was addressed on the outside:

The above letter was addressed on the outside

To the Reverend Dr Denne

Archdeacon of Rochester

at his house in Greenwich Hosp

Discussions on the decoration of the eastern bay of the nave continued throughout the autumn and on 14 December John James wrote to the Dean.

Reverend Sir

1 should have been heartily ashamed to have deferred answering the favour of yrs so long had you not intimated to me that I might do it at my leisure, and I do solemaly answer you, the tis now near a mouth ago I have never had the least time to consider of yours, till yesterday.

In the first place I fully agree with you that the whole should be painted of a stone colour by which I do not mean a white but a colour Something inclining to that of Cream. Then as for the Ornamental part Tis certain that the work would very well bear Gilding in ye ovolos of the bed moldings, and the Small flowers of the Golop [Colpe a roundel of purple colour) in ve Square Soffile, as also upon the Edges of the Oak leaves in the Circular Soffile |soffit the under horizontal face of an architrave or overhanging cornice of a ceiling, but as you rightly observe this would render it more rich than any part of the ceiling of the Choir which I think should not be. I am of opinion that if you guild the four flowers upon the Corner of the outer Square and perhaps the Pendant piece in the Center of ye whole (the fluting of it at least) it will Suffice..

Yours &c., hn James

The Very Reverend

Dr Clagett Dean of Rochester at Rochester in Kent.'

In this connection DRc/Emf 20/1 is the Contract between the Dean and Chapter and Richard Chichley for carving the circle in the dome. It is dated 26 July 1731. Daniel Alexander, ²⁰ architect to the Chapter at the end of the eighteenth century, poured scorn on the work designed by James, carried out by Chichley, and with which Dean Clagett had been closely involved. of the central part under the Tower has been coloured as the rest of the cross Aisles (the intersection of the Mullions bordered by black stripes on each side) and the central ornament round the bell hole made in the Grecian stile of Architecture is peculiarly disgusting.²¹ An inspection of the Chapter's archive reveals that every architect who worked on the fabric during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries always criticised the work done before they arrived on the scene. Dean Clagett was elected Bishop of St. David's on December 17, 1731 and consecrated on 23 January 1731/32. At the same time he was allowed to hold in commendum the rectories of Shobrooke and Overton in the diocese of Winchester. During, his years at St. David's the bishop was canon treasurer of the cathedral. On 2 August 1742, Bishop Clagett was translated to the vacant see of Exeter where he was also a canon of his cathedral and Archdeacon. The bishop was forever posting up to town and died there on 8 December 1746. Three days later he was buried in St. Margaret's, Westminster but there is not a memorial inscription.²² The author is most grateful to the Dean and Chapter for their kind permission to reproduce documents in their archive.

David A. H. Cleggett

Conversion of St. Paul 2004

Footnotes

1 DRe/Arb 2 ff. 202 v - 203.

2 DRc/Arb ff. 201-2.

3 DRe/Arb ff. 199-203.

4 The Registrum Cantabriensis and Dictionary of National Biography

5 Robinson, John, MA, presented to the 2nd Prebend by the Queen on January 8, 1714 and installed on January 11. DRc/Arb 21. 159-61 According to a memorial inscription to him in Copland church, Essex, Robinson died on 17 April 1754.

6 Cooke, Ralph, DD, presented to the 4th Prebend by the King and installed by the bishop 10 August 1660. Died at Burstow, Surrey, parish register, 12 January 1684/85. DR/R9 .103.

7 Ullock, Henry, DD, presented by the King & Queen for election by the Chapter as Dean, March 22, 1688/89, Calendar of State Papers Domestic, 1689-90, p.35. Instituted by the bishop on April 8 and installed the next day. DRc/Arb 2f. 103r-v). Died, according to a memorial inscription in Leybourne church. on 20 lune 1706.

8 DRc/El f. 7/1.

9 Hill, Daniel, MA, presented to the 4th Prebend by the King on January 15, 1684.85, installed February 3. Died on 25 June 1729 having held his stall for over forty-four years. There is a r emorial to him in the cathedral. DRc/Arb 2 ff. 93-4 and DRc/Arb 2f. 232r-v.

10 DRc/FTv 230/218.

11 DRc/Em 19.

12 Denne, John, DD, installed as Archdeacon of Rochester July 27, 1728. DRc/Arb 2f. 230v and DR/Arb 3 p.48. Died August 5, 1767. Obituary notice in The Gentleman's Magazine, vol, xxxviii, p.430.

13 James, John, architect. Designed St. George's, Hanover Square. James succeeded Hawksmoor as Clerk of Works at the Royal Hospital, Greenwich in 1705. He was Surveyor of Westminster Abbey from 1725.

14 Chichley, Richard, working 1726-30, carved the pediment of Greenwich Palace. He was also responsible for the stone-carving of the South Pavilion of Oueen Anne's Court.

15 Proby, Mrs, may be the Sarah Proby for whom James Paine carved a memorial in St. Mary's church, Chatham in 1783.

16 Grant, John, MA, presented to the 3rd Prebend by the King & Queen on October 14, 1692, instituted by the bishop on October 20, and installed on October 24 DR/Arb 2 ff. 251v-252. Grant died on 10 July 1736. Obituary notice in The Gentleman's Magazine, vol. vi, p.423.

17 Barrell, Edmund, MA, presented to the Ist Prebend by the Queen on 27 March 1705, instituted by the bishop on March 28 and installed the next dav. DRc/Arb 2 ft. 122v-123. Died March 15 1765. Obituary notice in The Gentleman's Magazine, vol, xxxv, p. 147

18 DRc/Emt 2072

19 DRc/Emi 308

20 Alexander, Daniel, (1768-1846), architect. Surveyor to the London Dock Company, Fishmongers' Company and Trinity House. Alexander designed the barracks for the French prisoners-of-war at Princetown, Devon, now HM Prison, and he also designed the old buildings at Maidstone Gaol. Mote House, Maidstone and engineering Works S domestic commissions.

21 DRc/Emf 38.

22 Dictionary of National Biography.