Henry Slingsby 1621-1688

In 1617 [his father] William Slingsby [aged 53] and [his mother] Elizabeth Broad were married.

Around 1621 Henry Slingsby was born to William Slingsby [aged 57] and Elizabeth Broad.

In 1634 [his father] William Slingsby [aged 70] died.

In 1662 Henry Slingsby [aged 41] was appointed Deputy Master of the Mint to 1667.

John Evelyn's Diary. 6th September 1662. Dined with me Sir Edward Walker [aged 51], Garter King-at-Arms, Mr. Slingsby [aged 41], master of the Mint, and several others.

John Evelyn's Diary. 27th November 1662. I dined with the Master of the Mint [aged 41], where was old Sir Ralph Freeman [aged 73]; passing my evening at the Queen-Mother's [aged 53] Court; at night, saw acted "The Committee", a ridiculous play of Sir R. Howard [aged 36], where the mimic, Lacy, acted the Irish footman to admiration.

In 1663 Henry Slingsby [aged 42] was elected Fellow of the Royal Society.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 2nd October 1666. So away home, and eat a short dinner, and then with Sir W. Pen [aged 45] to White Hall, and do give his boy my book of papers to hold while he went into the Committee Chamber in the Inner Court of Wards, and I walked without with Mr. Slingsby [aged 45], of the Tower, who was there, and who did in walking inform me mightily in several things; among others, that the heightening or lowering of money is only a cheat, and do good to some particular men, which, if I can but remember how, I am now by him fully convinced of. Anon Sir W. Pen went away, telling me that Sir W. Coventry [aged 38] that was within had told him that the fleete is all come into the buoy of the Nore, and that he must hasten down to them, and so went away, and I into the Committee Chamber before the Committee sat, and there heard Birch [aged 51] discourse highly and understandingly about the Navy business and a proposal made heretofore to farm the Navy; but Sir W. Coventry did abundantly answer him, and is a most excellent person.

In 1667 Henry Slingsby [aged 46] was appointed Master of the Mint.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 9th August 1668. Thence to White Hall, and thence to visit Lord Brouncker [aged 48], and back to White Hall, where saw the Queen [aged 29] and ladies; and so, with Mr. Slingsby [aged 47], to Mrs. Williams's, thinking to dine with Lord Brouncker there, but did not, having promised my wife to come home, though here I met Knepp, to my great content.

John Evelyn's Diary. 19th July 1670. I accompanied my worthy friend, that excellent man, Sir Robert Murray [aged 62], with Mr. Slingsby [aged 49], Master of the Mint, to see the latter's seat and estate at Burrow-Green [Map] in Cambridgeshire, he desiring our advice for placing a new house, which he was resolved to build. We set out in a coach and six horses with him and his lady, dined about midway at one Mr. Turner's, where we found a very noble dinner, venison, music, and a circle of country ladies and their gallants. After dinner, we proceeded, and came to Burrow-Green [Map] that night. This had been the ancient seat of the Cheekes (whose daughter Mr. Slingsby married), formerly tutor to King Henry VI [NOTE. Possibly a mistake for Edward VI since John Cheke was tutor to Edward VI]. The old house large and ample, and built for ancient hospitality, ready to fall down with age, placed in a dirty hole, a stiff clay, no water, next an adjoining church-yard, and with other inconveniences. We pitched on a spot of rising ground, adorned with venerable woods, a dry and sweet prospect east and west, and fit for a park, but no running water; at a mile distance from the old house.

John Evelyn's Diary. 20th July 1670. We went to dine at Lord Allington's [aged 30], who had newly built a house of great cost, I believe a little less than £20,000. His architect was Mr. Pratt [aged 50]. It is seated in a park, with a sweet prospect and stately avenue; but water still defective; the house has also its infirmities. Went back to Mr. Slingsby's [aged 49].

John Evelyn's Diary. 2nd December 1674. At Mr. Slingsby's [aged 53], Master of the Mint, my worthy friend, a great lover of music. Heard Signor Francisco on the Harpsichord, esteemed one of the most excellent masters in Europe on that instrument; then, came Nicholao with his violin, and struck all mute, but Mrs. Knight, who sung incomparably, and doubtless has the greatest reach of any English woman; she had been lately roaming in Italy, and was much improved in that quality.

In 1675 Henry Slingsby [aged 54] was expelled from the Royal Society for non-payment of dues.

John Evelyn's Diary. 15th August 1676. Came to dine with me my Lord Halifax [aged 42], Sir Thomas Meeres [aged 42], one of the Commissioners of the Admiralty, Sir John Clayton, Mr. Slingsby [aged 55], Mr. Henshaw [aged 58], and Mr. Bridgeman.

John Evelyn's Diary. 20th July 1678. I went to the Tower [Map] to try a metal at the Assay-master's, which only proved sulphur; then saw Monsieur Rotière [aged 47], that excellent graver belonging to the Mint, who emulates even the ancients, in both metal and stone; he was now molding a horse for the King's [aged 48] statue, to be cast in silver, of a yard high. I dined with Mr. Slingsby [aged 57], Master of the Mint.

John Evelyn's Diary. 25th September 1679. Mr. Slingsby [aged 58] and Signor Verrio [aged 43] came to dine with me, to whom I gave China oranges off my own trees, as good, I think, as were ever eaten.

John Evelyn's Diary. 20th November 1679. I dined with Mr. Slingsby [aged 58], Master of the Mint, with my wife [aged 44], invited to hear music, which was exquisitely performed by four of the most renowned masters: Du Prue, a Frenchman, on the lute; Signor Bartholomeo, an Italian, on the harpsichord; Nicholao on the violin; but, above all, for its sweetness and novelty, the viol d'amore of five wire strings played on with a bow, being but an ordinary violin, played on lyre-way, by a German. There was also a flute douce, now in much request for accompanying the voice. Mr. Slingsby, whose son and daughter played skillfully, had these meetings frequently in his house.

In 1680 Henry Slingsby [aged 59] was suspended from office on the grounds of incompetence. His financial accounts were so faulty that he was suspected of fraud and his property temporarily seized to make good the losses. The duties of Master were then executed by a commission pending Slingsby's resignation in 1686.

John Evelyn's Diary. 3rd December 1684. I carried Mr. Justell and Mr. Slingsby [aged 63] (Master of the Mint), to see Mr. Sheldon's collection of Medaills. The series of Popes was rare, and so were several amongst the modernes, especialy that of John Husse's martyrdome at Constance; of the Roman Emp: Consulars; some Greeke, &c. In copper, gold, and silver; not many truly antique; a Medallion of Otho, P. JEmil. &c. hardly antient. They were held at a price of, £.1000. but not worth, I judge, above £200.

Around 1688 Henry Slingsby [aged 67] died.

John Evelyn's Diary. 12th January 1688. Mr. Slingsby, Master of the Mint, being under very deplorable circumstances on account of his creditors, and especially the King, I did my endeavor with the Lords of the Treasury to be favorable to him.