 Peerson then took up musical studies at the University of Oxford . In order to do so , he would have had to subscribe to Protestantism . In 1613 , he was conferred a Bachelor of Music ( <unk> ) and was appointed Master of the Boys of Canterbury Cathedral . It is possible that he was the " Martin Pearson " who was sacrist at Westminster Abbey from 1623 to 1630 . Between June 1624 and June 1625 he returned to St. Paul 's Cathedral as almoner and Master of the Choristers ; there is also some evidence suggesting he was later made a petty canon . Although all cathedral services ceased at the end of 1642 following the outbreak of the English Civil War , he retained the title of almoner and , along with the other petty canons and the vicars choral , had special financial provision made for him . Peerson is known to have been buried on 16 January 1651 in St. Faith 's Chapel under St. Paul 's . He therefore died in either December 1650 or , more likely , January 1651 . 
