OF

GEORGE A GREEN,

PINDAR OF THE TOWN OF WAKEFIELD.

HIS BIRTH, CALLING, VALOUR, AND REPUTATION

IN THE COUNTRY.

WITH

DIVERS PLEASANT, AS WELL AS SERIOUS PASSAGES IN THE COURSE OF HIS LIFE AND FORTUNE.

Famam extendere Factis :

Hic Virtutis Opus.

Virg. Lib. Æneid. 10.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR SAMUEL BALLARD, AT THE BLUE-BALL,

IN LITTLE BRITAIN. 1706.

TO THE STEWARD,

AND OTHER THE

GENTLEMEN AND INHABITANTS

IN THE TOWN AND LORDSHIP OF WAKEFIELD,

IN THE

WEST RIDING OF THE COUNTY OF YORK.

GENTLEMEN,

To whom but to you should I address this History of George A Green, who was some time the Pindar of your good town of Wakefield. Your ancestors were those that fostered him, when an orphan; they were also those, on whom in his maturer years, with great generosity and unanimity, they conferred the Pindarship; and it cannot be believed, that you, their descendants, will now in this dress refuse him that protection, which he according to his wonted singular modesty, not only implores, but with all due submission, thinks himself in some measure intituled to.

Your townsmen, gentlemen, he was, born among you; exceedingly beloved in his lifetime; and his memory is still fresh and survives with you, for his valour, courage, and the many good services he did

you.

I shall not, gentlemen, anticipate your expectations by enumerating here the glorious acts perform'd by him; they will best appear by the ensuing history, which is now put into your hands, in humble expectation of your favourable acceptance.

Gentlemen, as seeing the Pindar cannot but promise himself in this manner a kind reception from you; it would be a crime to question you should be any ways wanting in your civilities to the fair Beatrice, who was as celebrated for her vertue and beauty, as George was for his valour and courage.

As for the other persons that are necessarily introduced to render the story congruous and the more intelligible, you are free to judge of them, as you think fit. All that I desire is, leave to hope that your censure will be favourable both in respect to them, Gentlemen,

and to

Your humble Servant,

N. W.

THE PREFACE.

WAKEFIELD is a market-town in the West-Riding of Yorkshire, in the Hundred of Agbridge, upon the river Calder, here covered with a fair stone bridge, which Edward the Fourth, king of England, adorn'd with a stately chappel: its a large town, well built of stone, of good antiquity, and drives the cloathing trade. Of this place it was, that George A Green was chosen Pindar, so long since as the reign of king Richard the First, as you'll find in the sequel of the history.

As for Pindar, 'tis a peculiar word and office in the north of England, that implies, one that looks after strays, and the like, being much the same as poundkeeper in the southern parts of the kingdom.

1

That there was such a person as George A Green, who was Pindar of the town of Wakefield, I think, is not at all to be doubted, from many considerations; to say nothing of the many signs we have of him, not only in and about London, but in several other parts,

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