First Name:

John

Last Name:

White

Memorial Type:

Memorial - Plaque

Does the monument still exist?

Yes

Installation Date:

Erected by Dorchester Heritage Committee, no date given probably early 20th century.

Inscription:

The residence of John White who lived from 1575 till 1648, rector of holy trinity and St Peter’s , Dorchester 1606-1648. He is buried in the porch of St Peter’s
Fellow of new college, Oxford, 1600-1606. He organised the National relief campaign after the great fire of Dorchester in 1613; from 1620 he organised, raised the funds, and procured the charters for three companies which established the colony of Massachusetts. The settlers sailed in 1624-26 on ‘Fellowship’, ‘Amytic’ and ‘Pilgrime’; in 1627-8 on ‘Peeter’, ‘Happy Entrance’ and ‘Abigail’; and in 1629-30 on ‘Arbella’, ‘Lyon’s Whelp’ and ‘Mary and John’. From 1640-46 he also resided in London, where he was a leading member and chairman of the Assembly of Divines. In 1642 this house was plundered and his library stolen by a party of Prince Rupert’s Horse. From 1643 he was rector of St Mary’s, Lambeth where the Devil is said to have appeared in his bedroom. After a long wait White remarked “If thou hast nothing else to do, I have”, turned away and went to sleep.
Erected by the Dorchester Heritage Trust

Allegiance:

Parliamentarian

Condition:

Good

Condition Description:

Plaque is painted black with white lettering- appears to be well made from cast iron and is in good condition.

Memorial Notes:

Whilst the house might have been raided by royalist cavalry, it seems unlikely they were commanded by Prince Rupert as once war broke out in 1642 he was with King Charles I in the midlands and on the march to London after the battle of Edgehill.