Several other particulars have been discovered, which go to ascertain his wealth as compared with that of other Stratford citizens.  In 1564, the year of the Poet’s birth, a malignant fever, called the plague, invaded Stratford.  Its hungriest period was from the last of June to the last of December, during which time it swept off two hundred and thirty-eight persons out of a population of about fourteen hundred.  None of the Shakespeare family are found among its victims.  Large draughts were made upon the charities of the town on account of this frightful visitation.  In August, the citizens held a meeting in the open air, from fear of infection, and various sums were contributed for the relief of the poor.  The High-Bailiff gave 3s. 4d., the head-alderman 2s. 8d.; John Shakespeare, being then only a burgess, gave 12d.; and in the list of burgesses there were but two who gave more.  Other donations were made for the same cause, he bearing a proportionable share in them.

We have seen that in June, 1556, John Shakespeare was termed a glover.  In November of the same year he is found bringing an action against one of his neighbours for unjustly detaining a quantity of barley; which naturally infers him to have been more or less engaged in agricultural pursuits.  It appears that at a later period agriculture was his main pursuit, if not his only one; for the town records show that in 1564 he was paid three shillings for a piece of timber; and we find him described in 1575 as a “yeoman.”  Rowe gives a tradition of his having been “a considerable dealer in wool.”  It is nowise unlikely that such may have been the case.  The modern divisions of labour and trade were then little known and less regarded; several kinds of business being often carried on together, which are now kept distinct; and we have special proof that gloves and wool were apt to be united as articles of trade.

I must next trace, briefly, the career of John Shakespeare as a public officer in the Stratford corporation.  After holding several minor offices, he was in 1558, and again in 1559, chosen one of the four constables.  In 1561, he was a second time made one of the four affeerors, whose duty it was to determine the fines for such offences as had no penalties prescribed by statute.  The same year, 1561, he was chosen one of the chamberlains of the borough, a very responsible office, which he held two years.  Advancing steadily in the public confidence, he became an alderman in 1565; and in 1568 was elected Bailiff, the highest honour the corporation could bestow.  He held this office a year.  The series of local honours conferred upon him ended with his being chosen head-alderman in 1571; which office also he held a year.  The rule being “once an alderman always an alderman,” unless positive action were taken to the contrary, he retained that office till 1586, when, for persevering non-attendance at the meetings, he was deprived of his gown.