Mrs Chamberlan, the widow;” dated “From London, June 1, 1651.” The epistle concludes thus:— “I commend you to the Lord’s protection, desiring to remain, dear sister, your loving brother, David Papillon”] Mr Papillon died in 1659 in his eightieth year, leaving, with other children, his heir Thomas Papillon, Esq., of Papillon Hall and Acrise, (born 1623, died 1702). Mr Thomas Papillon Corresponded with his excellent cousin, David Papillon of Paris (already mentioned), and welcomed him to England after his release from imprisonment. The following is an extract of a letter to Thomas from David, dated Paris, February 8, 1681:—
“Nous vous remercions aussi des temoignages qu’il vous plait nous donner de votre affection singuliere, particulièrement de la forte et sainte exhortation que vous nous faites de demeurer fermes en la foi et en la profession de la vraie religion. C’est une chose que nous ne pouvons esperer de nos propres forces, mais que nous devions demander et devions attendre de Celui en qui et par qui nous pouvons toutes choses. Il a conservé ce precieux don en la personne de notre père Thomas, de notre aieul commun Thomas, et de notre bisaieul sur lequel il a premièrement fait relever la clairté de sa face et de son evangile, et lui meme fait l’honneur d’etre du nombre de ceux qui lui presentèrent leur vie et leur sang dans cette journée celèbre de l’Année 1572, marchant par cette voie douloureuse sur les pas de son Sauveur et marquant a ses descendants par son exemple que ni mort, ni vie, ni principauté, ni puissance, ni hauteur, ni profondeur, ni chose presente, ni chose à venir, ne les doit separer de l’affection que Dieu leur a temoigne en son Fils. Vous savez cela aussi bieu que moi, mais il me semble que ces exemples domestiques ne doivent point être oublies; or, comme il est important de les imiter il est très utile de les repsser souvent en la memoire et la pensée.
“Comme je ne prends point de part dans l’administration des choses publiques, et ne m’en mêle que par les prières que Dieu me commande de faire pour la paix de l’Etat et de l’Eglise, je vous avoue que je vois bien que le dessein des ennemis de notre religion est de l’extirper, ainsi que vous m’avez marque par votre lettre [de 17 Mars 1680]; mais je n’ai pas assez de veux pour penetrer dans les evenements. J sais que la reformation de la religion est un oeuvre de Dieu; peut-être il ne voudra pas la detruire. Sa colère n’est pas à toujours et ses misericordes sont eternelles. Quoiqu’il soit, nous ne pouvons mieux faire que de le prier de nous preserver, et de lui demander qu’il ait pitié de son Heritage, qu’il ne nous abandonne point, et qu’il nous donne la grace de demeurer fermes dans sa maison et dans sa service.”
Thomas Papillon, Esq., bought the manor of Acrise in Kent, in 1666, and lived in the mansion, as did the next four generations of his family. He was M.P. for Dover 1679 to 81, and 90, and for London 1695 to 98. He was celebrated as a champion of civil and religious liberty in the reign of Charles II.; he had been a Sheriff of London 1681-2. It was the two Sheriffs’ duty to name the Grand Jury, and during his year of office, the corrupt government failed to induce them to tamper with the lists of names. The Lord Mayor was therefore employed in a plot to change the mode of election of Sheriffs, which had hitherto been by an open poll. The plot proceeded on the custom of nominating a candidate by drinking his health, and the Lord Mayor claimed that by thus drinking to a man, he not only proposed him, but absolutely elected him. Mr. Papillon, disregarding the plot, opened a poll; at its close, Papillon and Dubois were found to be duly elected Sheriffs for 1682-3. His Lordship having decided in favour of two other nominees, Mr Papillon formally demanded that he should attend and swear him and Dubois into office. It was for this alleged offence that Mr Papillon was brought to a state trial, antl fined £10,000. He was Master of the Mercers’ Company, to which he bequeathed £10.000 “to relieve any of his family that might at any future time come to want.” One of his daughters, Elizabeth, was the wife of Sir Edward Ward, Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer. His successor was his son, Philip Papillon, Esq., of Acrise (born 1660, died 1736), M.P. for Dover from 1700 to 1715. [He at first contested this seat unsuccessfully. Secretary Vernon wrote on Dec. 16, 1697. “Aylmer is chosen
