preserve the names of Thomas Aldworth, and his son John, both eminent merchants of their time. The father died in 1598, and the son in 1615. This family was particularly distinguished by its spirit of enterprize in the colonization of Newfoundland, and by its commercial transactions with that country in the infant state of the colony.* Of the churches in Bristol few are superior in the beauty of their external appearance to that of St. Stephen, which has always received a high degree of admiration for the peculiar elegance of its tower. The history, however, of this structure is incomplete, for the time in which it was erected has not been ascertained, but it is certain that it existed as early as 1304. At this period it belonged to the abbots of Glastonbury, and therefore it has been conjectured, with great probability, that some of their predecessors in that dignity, were its founders. William of Worcester mentions this church, and has been particularly minute in recording the dimensions of its several parts. Camden, Hackluit's voyages. + Itin. de Wor. p. p. 120. 235. 282. after noticing some of the other churches of Bristol, thus introduces St. Stephen's. "Nor must we omit taking notice of St. Stephen's church, the stately tower whereof, was, in the memory of our grandfathers, built by one Shipward, a citizen and merchant, with great charge and curious workmanship."* This tower was Of the man to erected about the year 1470. whom we are indebted for this elegant specimen of taste in architecture, little more is known than that it was John Shipward, who was the contemporary and probably the friend of Canyngs, that he was a merchant of the first respectability in the age in which he flourished, that he was a liberal benefactor to the indigent while he lived, and that at his death he bequeathed large estates to charitable purposes. He died in 1473,† and was buried in the church of St. Stephen; and though no tomb marks the spot, or is inscribed with his name, yet his memory shall be as durable 1 * Gibson's translation of the Britannia, page 74. Ed. 1695. The great east window was formerly of painted glass, and under the effigies of two persons was inscribed: "Orate pro animabus Johannis Shipward et Catharinæ uxoris ejus, qui Johannes istam fenestram fecit, et fuit specialis benefactor hujus ecclesiæ." "Pray for the repose of the souls of John Shipward and his wife Catherine. He erected this window and was an especial benefactor to this church." Shipward was several times mayor of Bristol, and its representative in two parliaments of Henry VI. as the fabric with which it is associated, and shall thus be transmitted to a distant posterity with respect and veneration. At the period of the dissolution, this church is said to have contained several chauntries, or charitable foundations, for defraying the expenses of celebrating mass for the repose of the souls of their respective founders. Of these, four have been ascertained, two of them were founded by Richard White, one by Edward Blanket, and the other by Thomas Belcher. Edward Blanket was representative for Bristol in 1362. There were three of this family, Edward, Edmund, and Thomas; they all appear to have been distinguished among their contemporaries, for their enterprize and spirit as manufacturers, at a period when Bristol was considered as much a manufacturing, as a sea-port town. They are said to have been the first who manufactured that article which still preserves, and will probably perpetuate the name of BLANKET. Among the monuments in this church, the most interesting is that to the memory of Sir George Snigge, Knt. which is situated at the eastern extremity of the south aisle. Sir George was recorder of Bristol from 1592 till 1604. He was serjeant at law, and one of the barons of the exchequer. He is celebrated as a man of great patriotism and of great integrity, and preserved a high character during a long life for his ability and integrity as a judge. He died in 1617, in the 73d year of his age. In the same aisle of this church, over the vestry door, is a brass tablet dedicated to the memory of Robert Kitchen, who died in 1594. He deserves to be noticed as a benefactor to Bristol his native city. At his death, among other bequests for its benefit, he left 4001. in trust to the corporation to be lent to young tradesmen for a limited time free of interest. On the north wall near the altar, is a curious monument inscribed "To the pious memory of Martin Pringe, sometime general to the East Indies, and one of the fraternity of the Trinity-House, who died in 1626, in the 46th year of his age. In the south aisle near the door, is a monument inscribed with a name of peculiar interest, and therefore deserving of notice. The inscription runs thus Near this place are deposited, in the Family Vault, the remains of DAVID PELOQUIN, Esq. Alderman, |