314
[1793
FRANCISCAN FRIARS .
The following is on a separate and loose sheet of paper : Jesus Maria Franciscus Anno Domini 1793 2da Octobris Obiit Brugis dilectus nobis in Christo F. P. Albertus Jones Ordinis FF. MM . RR. Anglorum, anno vitæ suæ 47. Religionis 31 . Sacerdotii 21 Exeuntium S.R.E. Sacramentis rite præmunitus . Pro cujus animæ Refrigerio , Precum vestrarum suffragia ex charitate postulamus. R.I.P.*
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In another hand : N.B. This religious died in the town when the Friars from Douay were waiting till they repaired to the English CarmsConvent at Tongres which was lent them for a temporary Asylum They said a Dirge for Father Albert in our Church & sang a Requiem High Mass.
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On a loose scrap of paper
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Fathers John & Nicholas Cross were both Provincials of the Order. It was during the provincialshipof Fr John Cross who was elected at the 15thGeneral Chapter held in 1674 at Somerset House, that the English Province embraced the technically called " Strict Observance & styled themselves Recollects. In 1670 Fr Nicholas Cross , then Provincial was chosen Chaplain to Anne Hyde , Duchess of York . This Father was thrice imprisoned for the faith, but no record has come down under whose reign . He was elected Provincial four times , in 1662, in 1671, in 1680 , & lastly in 1689. Ill health forced him to resign his office, he retired to Douai where he died in 1698. The year 1687 was an eventful one for the Order, for during Fr John Cross' visitation of the Province ten new residences were presented to him in the same year the Friars obtained a lease of ten years of premises near Lincoln's Inn Fields . But in Nov 1688 when the Prince of Orange landed in England the discontented part of the population made an attack on the Friary at Lincoln's Inn & would have destroyed it but for a guard sent by King James. Even when he was forced to leave the Kingdom , he was mindful of the safety of the Friars & sent them word by Bishop Leyburn to leave Lincoln's Inn . Fr John Cross retired to Douai & died in 1689 .
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* This record is also given on p . 256 of the Book of deaths of the Franciscan Nuns .