Biography of John Henshaw 1618-1700

In 1618 John Henshaw was born.

Evelyn's Diary. 22 Apr 1656. Came to see Mr. Henshaw (age 38) and Sir William Paston's (age 46) son (age 24), since Earl of Yarmouth. Afterward, I went to see his Majesty's (age 25) house at Eltham [Map], both palace and chapel in miserable ruins, the noble woods and park destroyed by Rich (age 68), the rebel.

Evelyn's Diary. 06 May 1656. I brought Monsieur le Franc, a young French Sorbonnist, a proselyte, to converse with Dr. Taylor (age 43); they fell to dispute on original sin, in Latin, upon a book newly published by the Doctor, who was much satisfied with the young man. Thence, to see Mr. Dugdale (age 16), our learned antiquary and herald. Returning, I was shown the three vast volumes of Father Kircher's, "Obeliscus Pamphilius" and "Ægyptiacus"; in the second volume I found the hieroglyphic I first communicated and sent to him at Rome by the hands of Mr. Henshaw (age 38), whom he mentions; I designed it from the stone itself brought me to Venice from Cairo by Captain Powell.

Evelyn's Diary. 30 Dec 1656. Dined with me Sir William Paston's (age 46) son (age 25), Mr. Henshaw (age 38), and Mr. Clayton.

Evelyn's Diary. 03 Jul 1658. To London, and dined with Mr. Henshaw (age 40), Mr. Dorell, and Mr. Ashmole (age 41), founder of the Oxford repository of rarities [Map], with divers doctors of physic and virtuosos.

Evelyn's Diary. 18 Jun 1660. I proposed the embassy to Constantinople aka Istanbul, Turkey for Mr. Henshaw (age 42); but my Lord Winchelsea (age 32) struck in.

Evelyn's Diary. 07 Sep 1660. I went to Chelsea to visit Mr. Boyle (age 33), and see his pneumatic engine perform divers experiments. Thence, to Kensington, to visit Mr. Henshaw (age 42), returning home that evening.

Evelyn's Diary. 09 Aug 1661. Sir Kenelm Digby (age 58) presented every one of us his "Discourse of the Vegetation of Plants"; and Mr. Henshaw (age 43), his "History of Saltpeter and Gunpowder". I assisted him to procure his place of French Secretary to the King (age 31), which he purchased of Sir Henry De Vic (age 62).

Evelyn's Diary. 14 Oct 1675. Dined at Kensington with my old acquaintance, Mr. Henshaw (age 57), newly returned from Denmark, where he had been left resident after the death of the Duke of Richmond, who died there Ambassador.

Evelyn's Diary. 15 Aug 1676. Came to dine with me my Lord Halifax (age 42), Sir Thomas Meeres (age 42), one of the Commissioners of the Admiralty, Sir John Clayton, Mr. Slingsby (age 55), Mr. Henshaw (age 58), and Mr. Bridgeman.

Evelyn's Diary. 14 Jun 1680. Came to dine with us the Countess of Clarendon, Dr. Lloyd (age 52), Dean of Bangor (since Bishop of St. Asaph), Dr. Burnet (age 36), author of the "History of the Reformation", and my old friend, Mr. Henshaw (age 62). After dinner we all went to see the Observatory, and Mr. Flamsted (age 33), who showed us divers rare instruments, especially the great quadrant.

In 1700 John Henshaw (age 82) died.