William Gostwick

Adams first book was dedicated to his patrons, Lord and Lady Gostwick, in 1612. Monuments to the Gostwick family can be found in the church at Willington, Bedfordshire, St Lawrence's, where Adams served 1612-1614. The earliest is a brass to Robert Gostwick esq. 1315. There is also a 13th century stone coffin lid.
Sir William Gostwick (1565-1615) was the son of John and Elizabeth Gostwick. Sir John once entertained Henry VIII at his seat in Willington. William married Jane (d c 1615), daughter of Henry Owen of Wotton, Beds, before 1588. They had as many as 11 children, including Ann and (from 1607 Sir) Edward (1588-1630 2nd Bt). William held the office of Sheriff of Bedfordshire 1595, 1596. He was created first Baronet Gostwick of Willington in 1611. A black letter Bible from this same year can be found in the church. Sir William died intestate and was buried in the Willington church. The tomb for him and his family has been described as “a fine canopied altar-tomb of marble, with recumbent effigy”.

Publications 01

The first title Adams' ever had published was as follows

Title: The gallants burden A sermon preached at Paules Crosse, the twentie nine of March, being the fift Sunday in Lent. 1612 By Tho. Adams, preacher of Gods Word at Willington in Bedfordshire.

Imprint: London : Printed by W. W[hite] for Clement Knight, and are to be sold at his shoppe in Pauls church-yard at the signe of the Holy Lambe, 1612.

Date: 1612

No. pages: [2], 34 leaves

Copy from: Cambridge University Library

The sermon is preceded by a two page dedication "to the honorable Sir William Gostwicke, baronet, and his worthy Lady, the Lady Jane Gostwicke". The Gostwicks were Lord and Lady of the Manor in Willington where Adams pastored. Gostwick lived 1565-1615. The sermon is on Isaiah 21:11, 12.

Further editions appeared in 1614 [Imprint: London: Printed by T[homas] S[nodham] for Clement Knight, and are to be sold at his shop in Paules church-yard at the signe of the Holy Lambe, 1614. No. pages: [4], 67, [1] p. Copy from: Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery] and 1616 [same imprint as the original, same pages as 1614. Copy from: Union Theological Seminary (New York, N. Y.) Library]