F.M. 
B.M., Dec. 19.

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TURNER’S MS. HISTORY OF WESTMINSTER—­CRUCIFIX OF EDWARD THE CONFESSOR.

On April 6. 1708, Henry Turner was elected, by the vestry, organist of St. Margaret’s, Westminster, in the room of the famous “Father Smith” (Bernard Schmidt).  As regards his musical capabilities, Hawkins does not assign him a niche in his Temple of Worthies, although he names some of his predecessors and successors in that office.  One merit we must accord him, that of true antiquarian love and zeal in all matters regarding “this renowned city.”  “Great materials are said to have been collected for a full description (of Westminster), by a parish-clerk of St. Margaret’s.  I presume this is Henry Turner, mentioned in Widmore’s Account of the Writers of the History of Westminster Abbey....  His book was only a survey of the city of Westminster, purposely omitting the history of the (collegiate) church.”—­Gough, Brit.  Top. vol. i. p. 761.  Lond. 1780.  “The man’s natural parts were very good; he was also very diligent in making enquiries relating to his subject, and he had collected a great deal.”—­Widmore’s Acc. of Writers of the Hist. of Westm.  Abbey, pp. 6, 7.  Lond. 1751.  As regards his personal history, I alighted on some curious notes on a fly-leaf of a transcript of a register:  “Henry Turner, borne at Yearely, Derbyshire, 12.  July, 1679:  married Eliz.  Sabin, of Clement Danes, in St. Margrts.  Westmr.  Feb. 26. 1701. by Dr. Onley.”

In 1697 it was discovered that some valuable MS. records belonging to the parish, and taken out of the Tower of London, had been lost by their keeper.  This history in its time appears to have suffered the same fate.  However, there is this entry in the Harleian MSS. 7045. fol. 361.:  “From the learned Dr. Kennet, Dean of Peterborough’s Collection.  MSS.  MS. H. On Aug. 2. 1708, at Windsor, I read over the History of the Parish of St. Margaret’s, Westminster, drawn up in MS. by one of the parish clerks.”  Some interesting extracts follow.  Compare Aysc.  Add.  MSS.  Brit.  Mus. 4163. fol. 5.  Bishop Kennet resided in St. James’s Street, in this parish, and died there on Dec. 19. 1728.  I have applied in vain for any account of this MS. to the librarians of Windsor Castle and Eton College.

Can any of your readers give a clue to its recovery?  Are any aware that this survey, which would be valuable now, still exists?  There is an instance, as early as the fifteenth century, of the union of the offices of lay-clerk and organist in St. Margaret’s, in the person of one Metyngham, and H. Turner also held them at the same time; since, on July 28th, 1713, he was elected parish-clerk by the vestry, in “consideration of the experience they had of fitness and diligence in executing the office of deputy-clerk of this parish for several years last past;” and he did not resign the place of organist until 2nd October, 1718.