Humfrey, Pelham

HUMFREY, Pelham (as he himself wrote his name, although it is commonly found as Humphry or Humphrys, with every possible variety of spelling), was born in 1647. ‘He is said to have been a nephew of Col. John Humphrey, a noted Cromwellian, and Bradshaw's sword-bearer.’ In 1660 he became one of the first set of Children of the re-established Chapel Royal under Capt. Henry Cooke. Whilst still a chorister he shewed skill in composition, as appears by the...