Thomas Bunyan and Mr Badman

• Published in: Bunyan studies Vol. 2; no. 1; p. 46
• Main Author: Bell, Patricia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Bunyan Studies 01.04.1990; Northumbria University, Department of Humanities, Faculty of Arts, Design and Social Sciences
• Subjects: British & Irish literature; Bunyan, John (1628-1688); Bunyan, John (1628-88); English literature
• ISSN: 0954-0970

William Smythes, a pauper apprentice to the Robinsons; his mother Mary Smythes, a spinster, who sold gingerbread in Bedford market; Mrs Hancock wife of John Hancock a brazier, who sold tin to the counterfeiters; Mr Cawne the grocer who refused to change a bad shilling which was offered to him as payment for a pound of Ad. sugar. The other young fellow mentioned in Thomas Brancklin's evidence, Thomas Honilove, was, it seems, son of Thomas Honilove, cordwainer, a leading member of the Meeting. [...]even if we assume that Thomas Bunyan and Thomas Honilove junior were in fact playing a joke on Thomas Brancklin, this is not a joke of a really responsible young man of 20 or 21. [...]the leaders of the Meeting were much respected in the town, and it seems unlikely that the evidence would have led to a charge if what was alleged was entirely out of character for a young man of noted sobriety and good conduct. Mr Badman, after having been set up in his trade by his father, lost all he had through extravagance and bad management, and so he schemed to marry a Christian young woman because he needed her fortune. [...]for a time Mr Badman pretended sympathy with her views until the marriage was accomplished and he had control of her property.