ABSTRACT
From a copy in the papers of the Royal Greenwich Observatory, at Cambridge University Library (RGO 1/15, ff. 157v-158r).
A true Copy of a paragraph in Dr Thomas Plumes Will
I have in the bank of England one thousand pounds and in the Chamber of London Orphans stock seven hundred pounds principali Mony purchased [Sept] 14 1702 of John Mabb assignee for Sir Nathaniell Hem. and allso two hundred and two pounds twelve shillings and two [pence] pur chased of John King Mercer or Merchant of London the same day All these summēs I give and bequeath to erect an Observatory and to maintein a studious and learned Professor of Astronomy and Experimentall Philosophy and to buy him and his successors utensilis and Instruments Quadrants Telescopes etc, and to buy or rent or build an house with or near the said Observatory, which Observatory is to preserve the said Instruments in from time to time for the use of the said Professor for the time being and the house to reside in or if he be resident in a Colledge to let and to reserve the rent for himselfe, but so as any Ingenious Scholars or Gentlemen may resort to him at all proper seasons to be instructed and improved by him in the knowledg of Astronomy, the Globes Navigation Naturali Philosophy Dialling and other practicall parts of mathematicks in or near Cambridge And that he be obliged to read in the latin tongue, one lecture every terme or at least two in every year makeing or procuring a suitable Oration in Latin before each lecture to recommend the said Sciences to the study of his Auditory [and] to print or leave a fayr Manu script in quarto one Copy every year, in the University library to be preserved there amongst their Archives and to be bound up togeather when they shall come to a fit Volume by himselfe or his successor as they were delivered in the Physick scholes or else where according to the appoint ment of the Vice Chancellor, of the Reading of which lecture I desire the Beadles to give Notice in every Colledg viva voc[e] as they doe for Conciones ad clerum1, for which the Professor shall content them, or else shall cause onely the Schole bell to be rung or both as the Vice Chancellor shall order. And I will that Dr Francis Thompson2. Dr Covell Master of Christs Colledg3 and his successors there, The Mathematicall professor for the time being4, Dr Bendy Master of Trin[ity] Colledg with the advice of Mr Newton in London Mr John Ellis Custos5 of Caius Colledge and Mr Flamsteed the Royall Mathematician at East Greenwich, or their surviveours shall Constitute make or alter such statutes and Orders for the Election Residence qualifications and performan ces of the said professor as shall be most requisite [for] the perpetuation and benefit of [the said] Professor and the Improvement of Astronomy and Naturali Philosophy enjoyneing him to keep a Boy or two to [ass]ist him in his Observations and to teach them Physicks Mathema[ticks] Na vigation and Astronomy if I settle not these statutes my self. I will that the Principali Mony be
not removed from the Bank till they have a very good purchase to make with it This is my last Will and testament
signed in the presene [e] of William Daws Francis Gillet Tho Power October 20. 1704:
Annotations to Document 17 EXTRACT FROM PLUME’S WILL 20 OCTOBER 1704
The copy is in Flamsteed’s hand. The ink has faded so badly that it is illegible in places. A simi lar extract appears in John Willis Clark, ed., Endowments of the University o f Cambridge (Cam bridge, 1904), pp. 82-83, with an account of the administration of the benefaction at pp. 79-82. The will was proved on 3 March 1704/5. It has not proved possible to further identify either the financiers named at the beginning or the witnesses.
