George Reynoldson , of Stonegate, York. Upholsterer and undertaker. Freemason. From a well known Catholic family, he undertook burials for Catholic families. Friend of Sir Francis Drake (who was RC). York Chamberlain (1731), two years after his brother in law, John Napier, was Chamberlain.. In 1714 Corporation of York imposed a religious test for all those wanting to obtain the freedom of the city, without which no one could trade. In 1715/16, George Reynoldson, a Catholic upholsterer, paid 35 pounds to obtain the freedom of the city of York, a privilege which allowed him to trade. The religious test was clearly not being applied very severely.
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