Note 24 — V. INDEPENDENCE AND PRIORITY OF INVENTION

Dictionary of National Biography

, Art. “Delamain, Richard.” See also Rev. Charles J. Robinson,

Taylors’ School, from A.D. 1562 to 1874

, Vol. I, 1882, p. 151;

Journal of the House of Commons

, Vol. IV., p. 197

b

;

Sixth Report of the Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts

, Part I, Report and Appendix, London, 1877. In this

Appendix

, p. 82, we read the following:

Oct. 22 [1645] Petition of Sarah Delamain, relict of Richard Delamain. Petitioner’s husband was servant to the King, and one of His Majesty’s engineers for the fortification of the kingdom, and his tutor in mathematical arts; but upon the breaking out of the war he deserted the Court, and was called by the State to several employments, in fortifying the towns of Northampton, Newport, and Abingdon; and was also abroad with the armies as Quartermaster-General of the Foot, and therein died. Petitioner is left a disconsolate widow with ten children, the four least of whom are now afflicted with sickness, and petitioner has nothing left to support them. There are several considerable sums of money due to the petitioner, as well from the King as the State. Prays that she may have some relief amongst other widows. See L. J., VII. 6. 657.