Spong in Pepys Diary

by Peter Spong

A scientific instrument maker called Spong was a friend of Samual Pepys and is mentioned by him in his diary entries of July 13, 1660; August 19, 1666; and December 9, 1668. There are probably other entries too ... Pepys [later] mentions that poor Spong is stretched on the rack in the Tower of London for having backed a political faction opposed to the crown.

Additional info re Pepys friend John Spong

Pepys Diary entry October 27, 1662 says that Mr Spong "is so far thought guilty as that they entend to pitch upon him to put to the wracke or some other torture" but it does not say that this actually happened. Pepys informed Lord Sandwich that he thought Spong "to be a very innocent fellow". That is to say innocent of being involved in an uprising planned for Bartholomew's Day. Pepys wrote to Spong's friend William Lilly the astrologer, saying that he had spoken to several privy councillors on Spong's behalf and could, regretfully, do no more.

Spong, who held office as Chancery clerk (in addition to making scientific instruments), was released from the Tower on January 24, 1663. At his examination before the King and council he deposed that he had been informed that the Fifth-Monarchy men had bribed some of the Tower guard, and had planned to rise on Bartholomew's Day.