The cover of the Journal shows an oil painting of a clerical gentleman. The painting is in Greensted church (not on display) and on the reverse it has the hand written inscription,
‘The Reverend Benjamin Pratt, A.M., Founder of the Living of Greensted.’
There is no indication how the painting came to be in the church and the mystery deepens as there is no record of a Benjamin Pratt having been the priest at Greensted.
A search on the name revealed that the British Museum have an engraving of the Reverend Benjamin Pratt in its collection (see overleaf). The inscription below the image states that the said Revd. Mr. Benjamin Pratt was:
‘Late Chaplain to the most Noble His Grace George, Duke of Northumberland.
Comparison of the engraving and the painting confirm that they are of the same person.
What the connection is still a mystery.