Biography of William Borlase 1696-1772

Before 2nd February 1696 [his father] John Borlase of Pendeen and [his mother] Lydia Harris were married.

On 2nd February 1696 William Borlase was born to [his father] John Borlase of Pendeen and [his mother] Lydia Harris at Pendeen, Cornwall.

In the year 1719 William Borlase (age 22) was admitted, by Lancelot, Bishop of Exeter (age 60), to déacon’s orders, and by the same ordained priest in 1720.

In 1722 William Borlase (age 25) was presented to the rectory of Ludgvan.

The Journal of the Reverend John Wesley 1745. 19th June 1745. Tresmere church was filled within and without, while I preached on Rom. iv. '7. Here I took leave of a poor, mad, original enthusiast, who had been scattering abroad lies in every quarter. In the evening Mr. Thompson and Shepherd rode with me to St. Eath, and the next day to Redruth.

Being informed here of what had befallen Mr. Maxfield, we turned aside toward Crowan church-town. But in the way, we received information, that he had been removed from thence the night before. It seems, the valiant Constables who guarded him, having received timely notice, that a. body of five hundred Methodists were coming to take him away by force, had, with great precipitation, carried him two miles further, to the house of one Henry Tomkins.

Here we found him, nothing terrified by his adversaries. I desired Henry Tomkins to show me the warrant. It was directed by Dr. Borlase (age 49), and his father, and Mr. Eustick, to the Constables and Overseers of several parishes,requiring them to "apprehend all such able-bodied men as had no lawful calling or sufficient maintenance;" and to bring them before the aforesaid gentlemen at Marazion, on Friday, 21, to be examined, whether they were proper persons to serve His Majesty in the land-service.

The Journal of the Reverend John Wesley 1745. 21st June 1745. We rode to Marazion. (Vulgarly called Market jew.) Finding the Justices were not met, we walked up St. Michael’s Mount. The house at the top is surprisingly large and pleasant. Sir John St. Aubyn had taken much pains, and been at a considerable expense, in repairing and beautifying the apartments ; and when the seat was finished, the owner died ! About two Mr. Thompson and I went into the room, where the Justices and Commissioners were. After a few minutes, Dr. Borlase (age 49) stood up and asked, whether we had any business. I told him, "We have." We desired tobe heard, concerning: one whowas lately apprehended at Crowan. He said, "Gentlemen, the business of Crowan does not come on yet. You shall. be sent for, when it does." So we retired, and waited in: another room, till after nine o’clock. They delayed the affair of Mr. Maxfield (as we imagined they would) to thevery last. About nine he was called. I would have gone in then; but. Mr. Thompson advised to wait a little longer. The next information we received was, that they had sentenced him to go for a soldier. Hearing this, we went straight to the Commission-chamber. But the honourable gentlemen were gone.

They had ordered Mr. Maxfield to be immediately put on board a boat, and carried for Penzance. We were informed, they had first offered him to a Captain of a man-of-war, that was just come into the harbour. But he answered, "I have no authority to take such men as these, unless you would have me give him so much a week, to preach and pray to my people."

The Journal of the Reverend John Wesley 1745. 2nd July 1745. I preached in the evening at St. Just. I observed not only several gentlemen there, who I suppose never came before, but a large body oftinuers, who stood at a distance from the rest; and a great multitude of men, women, and children,beside, who seemed not well to know why they came. Almost as soon as we had done singing, a kind of gentlewoman began. I have seldom seen a poor creature take so much pains. Shes colded, and screamed, and spit, and stamped, and wrung her hands, and distorted her face and body all manner of ways. I took no notice of her at all, good or bad; nor did almost any one else. After wards I heardshewas one thathad beenbredaPapist; andwhen she heard we were so, rejoiced greatly. No wonder she should be proportionably angry,when she was disappointed of her hope.

Mr. Eustick, a neighbouring gentleman, came, just as I was concluding my sermon. The people opening to the right and left, he came up to me, and said, "Sir, I have a warrant from Dr. Borlase (age 49), and youmust go with me." Then turning round, he said, "Sir, are you Mr. Shepherd? If so, you are mentioned in the warrant too. "Be pleased, Sir, to come with me." We walked with him to a public-house, near the end of the town. Here he asked me, if I was willing to go with him to the Doctor. I told him, just then, if be pleased. "Sir," said he, "I must wait upon you to your inn; and in the morning, if you will be so good as to go with me, I will show you the way." So he handed me back to my inn, and retired.

On 31st August 1772 William Borlase (age 76) died.

Nænia Cornubiæ by William Borlase Lanyon Cromlech. Two monuments of this kind are extant in Cornwall. They are situated within a mile or two of each other, and of the Lanyon Cromlech [Map], and both have been explored, the first by Dr. Borlase in the year 1752, and the second by the author in 1871.