GENEALOGICAL TABLE OF THE CHURCHILL FAMILY,

From the Period of the Conquest to the Birth of John Duke of Marlborough.

According to some of the genealogists, this Elias espoused Dorothy, a daughter of the family of Columbers. We prefer the authority of Poole, who says, "Elishays, a freehold of the manor of Comberleigh, was the antient land of Elyas de Churchill, who married Sarah, daughter and heir of Sir Hugh Wildworthy."

These two descents are added on the authority of a passage in Poole's Collections of Devon, art. Wildyard, which is confirmed by the Heraldic Visitation of Cornwall, art. Stephen Gifford.

"Wildyard, in the parish of Cliston, belonged to Elias de Churchill, Bartholomew, and John de Churchill; and John Churchill, who had issue, Margaret, married to Andrew Hillersden; and Agnes, married to Stephen Gifford."

In fact, the line of descent itself, as given by former genealogists, proves that a generation or two must have been omitted; for Elias de Churchill is mentioned as flourishing in the 8th of Edward the second, and his son William, as living in the 5th of Richard the second, and 11th of Henry the fourth, which would make an interval, in one case, of 67 years, and in the other of 100.

MEMOIRS, &c.

CHAPTER 1.

1650-1678.

Birth and education of John Churchill, afterwards duke of Marlborough.-Appointed page to the duke of York. Embraces the military profession. - His exploits and promotion.- Distinguished by Turenne. - Serves several campaigns with the french army. — Rising favour at court. Courtship and marriage with Miss Sarah Jennings. Mission to the prince of Orange. Accompanies the english troops abroad as Brigadier. -Return.

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JOHN CHURCHILL, DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH, was the second son of WINSTON CHURCHILL, whose lineage has been traced in the Introduction. He was born at Ashe, in the county of Devon, the seat of his maternal grandfather Sir JOHN DRAKE, on the 24th of June, 1650, and on the 28th * was baptized by the Rev. Matthew Drake, rector of the parish.

*The entry of his birth appears in the register of Axminster, that of Ash commencing only in 1653. "John the sonne of Mr. Winstone Churchile, was baptized at Aishe, the 28th daye of June, in the year of our Lord 1650." Communicated by T. Lisle Follet, esq. of Lyme. T

Winston, the eldest son, dying in infancy, John became heir to the family name and declining fortunes. Of the education of a person afterwards so illustrious, we only know that he was brought up under the care of his father, who was himself a . man of letters, and well versed in history. He was also instructed in the rudiments of knowledge by a neighbouring clergyman of great learning and piety; and from him, doubtless, imbibed that deep sense of religion, and zealous attachment to the church of England, which were never obliterated amidst the dissipation of a court, the cares of political business, or the din of arms.

Soon after the restoration, when his father was established at court, we find him in the metropolis, and as appears, placed in the school of St. Paul's *,

* It is very singular that none of his biographers, or any tradition in the family, afford the least hint that he was a scholar of St. Paul's school. There seems, however, to be little doubt of the fact; for it is thrice mentioned in the Life of Dean Collet, the founder of the school, by Dr. Knight, prebendary of Ely, who was himself a scholar, and published his work soon after the death of the duke. The first instance occurs in the Preface, where he is commemorated with the duke of Manchester, as a scholar and benefactor of the establishment; and the second, in the Biographical Sketch of Dr. Crumleholm, who was appointed master in 1660.

To remove all doubts on this point, I requested the Rev. Dr. Sleath, the present high master, to search the books, for some entry or anecdote relative to his admission. But I had the mortification to learn, that all the early documents were destroyed in the great fire of London, in 1665; although from the testimony of Dr. Knight, as well as the tradition of the school, he entertained no doubt of the fact.

Another anecdote connected with the education of this great man appears more questionable. He is supposed to have imbibed his passion for a military life from the perusal of Vegetius de re Militari, which was then in the school library. The anecdote was thus recorded by the Rev. G. North, rector of Colyton, in his copy of Vegetius, p. 483, pre

under Dr. Crumleholm, who was then high master. He did not, however, remain a sufficient time to reap the advantages afforded by this respectable seminary; for he was removed to the theatre of active life, at a period when the ordinary course of liberal education is scarcely more than half completed.

The interest of Sir Winston Churchill enabled him to secure establishments for his rising family. Arabella, his only daughter, was introduced at court, soon after the Restoration, as maid of honour to the first duchess of York; and John was appointed page of honour to the duke.

The example and military spirit of the father was not without effect on the son. At an early period he manifested a decided inclination for the profession of arms, which did not escape the notice

sented to the Bodleian Library, by the late Mr. Gough; communicated by the head librarian, the Rev. Mr. Bandinel.

"From this very book, John Churchill, scholar of this school, afterwards the celebrated duke of Marlborough, first learnt the elements of the art of war, as was told to me, George North, on St. Paul's Day, 1724-5, by an old clergyman, who said he was a contemporary scholar, was then well acquainted with him, and frequently saw him read it. This I testify to be true. G. NORTH."

It is not probable that a boy should have read so difficult a book as Vegetius, at so early an age, particularly as we can trace no indication that he possessed such an intimate acquaintance with the latin tongue, as the study of this author must have required. The restless curiosity of youth might however have prompted him to look into this book, which was perhaps the only foundation of the traditional anecdote, particularly as it contains prints which might have attracted and amused his attention. It is however remarkable that there is no Vegetius in the present library of St. Paul's school, though the title occurs in the catalogue as published in Collet's life. Dr. Sleath, who on his appointment found the books in great disorder, conjectures that it was stolen during the time of his predecessor.