The Rev. John J. Daniell, in his book The History Of Warminster, published in 1879, noted:
The Hon. Shute Barrington, Bishop of Salisbury, in 1782, afterwards translated to the see of Durham, on a journey through Warminster, as he sat at the Lord’s Arms, noticed a boy busily at work making baskets, and whistling and singing cheerily. His honest industry and happy face won the favour of the Prince Palatine Bishop, and he took the boy with him to Durham. His name was William Emm. He served as page in the palace, and sung, as a chorister, in the Cathedral. He rose from post to post in the Bishop’s household, until he became his private secretary, and had in his hands the official management of the large and important diocese of Durham. He left much valuable property to his family.