Article
Guildhall Manuscripts. Churchwardens’ Presentments (Part 1): 1830-1846
Guildhall Manuscripts
Over the past three years I have been researching the history of the Priory Church of St Laurence, Blackmore. Unlike many other parishes, I quickly realised that no one had produced a complete history, so in a way this was breaking new ground. My initial target to complete the project keeps moving back as I discover more material. That said, some of my work has been "published" and the new Guide Book written - the first rewrite for nearly 40 years.
One thing many local historians do not realise is that Essex parishes were part of the Diocese of London until 1846.
Many of the records of the Diocese of London are held in the Guildhall Library Manuscripts section in Aldermanbury (near St Paul's) where as an Essex man I was made welcome by a senior archivist. Whilst researching my home parish, I jotted down some notes from the High Country parishes.
Churchwardens Presentments 1830 to 1846
The Guildhall Library Manuscripts section holds the records of Churchwardens Presentments from 1664 - four years after the Restoration of the monarchy, and two years before the Great Fire of London, which destroyed the cathedral church. For Essex parishes, there is almost a continuous run through to 1846, when churches were transferred to the Rochester Diocese.
The returns for 18301, 18342, 18383 and 18424 sought responses to 19 questions. A selection of responses for the four High Country parishes is given below. For ease of space, Greensted (sometimes spelt Grinsted juxta Ongar) is denoted with a "G"; Stanford Rivers, "SR"; Stapleford Tawney, "ST' and; Theydon Mount, "TM").
Articles of Enquiry
to be answered by
The Churchwarden and Sidemen
of every parish within the Diocese
of
The Right Reverend Charles James
Lord Bishop of London
In The Year of Our Lord 1830
| No. | Article of Enquiry | Responses |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Is your Church and the Tower or Spire, and the Fumiture, in good Repair in all its parts, viz Roof Covering Walls Windows Doors Floors Seats Desks Pulpit and Font: Is it kept free from Dust, Filth, and every thing unseemly or noisome |
(G 1842) It is intended to put the Roof and Walls into better repairs than they are now.
(SR 1842) In good repair in all its parts and kept clean. (ST 1842) All are in the best order, & the church is properly kept. |
| 2 | Has any Gallery or Organ been erected without Licence of the Ordinary. any Monument erected or Vault made without such Licence, or that may be injurious to the Building or inconvenient to the Parishioners? | |
| 3 | Is the Chancel in good Repair in all its parts? If not, say what is amiss, and who is bound to repair the same? |
(ST 1834) The Chancel is in very good repair.
(SR 1838) In good order. (G 1842) The Walls & roof like those of the Nave are to be put into repair. |
| 4 | Is the Communion Table, and its Covering, and the Flagon, Chalice, Patine, Linen Cloth, and other Furniture in good order? Is proper Bread and Wine provided for Communion? | |
| 5 | Are the Bible, Common Prayer Books, Surplice, Furniture of the Desk and Pulpit, the Bells, Parochial Library (if any), Parish Chest, and all other goods belonging to the Church in good order? Have you a Table of the Degrees within which Marriage is prohibited as set up in your Church? | (ST 1834) There is not a Table of the Degrees at present, but I have ordered one to be printed. |
| 6 | Have you a Book for entering the names of Strangers who preach in your Church? Is the same duly kept? |
(ST 1830) No strangers preach in the Church but the Curate.
(SR 1838) No Book and no Strangers preach. |
| 7 | Are your Registers regularly kept? Have you a well painted Iron Chest, with a Lock, for keeping the same? Are Copies of the Registers, property attested, duly sent to the Registry of the Diocese every Year before 1ª June as required by the Act 52 Geo III c146? | (ST 1834) The copys of the Registers are regular but from mistake not sent this year till the 11h of July. |
| 8 |
Is your Church or Chapel kept free from profane Uses?
How is the Money collected at Holy Communion disposed of? And do you collect it yourselves? |
(ST 1830) Collected by Church Clerk and disposed of by Curate part to the sick and part towards the children at chool.
(SR 1834) We collect and give it to the Minister. (ST 1838) Collected & Disposed of in Money and Bread by the Minister & Churchwardens. (TM 1842) It is nomally expended by bedding, flour & bread. We collect it ourselves |
| 9 | Do you take care that decent and orderly Behaviour is observed in the Church, and the Church-yard kept quiet in the Time of Divine Service? | |
| 10 | Are any Notices in your Church besides which are commanded to be so published by Law? | |
| 11 | Do you use all diligence to prevent any Profanation of the Lord's Day within your Parish? | |
| 12 | Is your Church-yard well fenced and decently kept? Are there any encroachments upon it? Are cattle suffered to feed in it? Has any Monument been erected or Vault made without Licence of the Ordinary. or which may be inconvenient to the Parishioners? | (SR 1830) The Churchyard is well fenced there are no encroachments upon it nor any Cattle there is no Monument in it inconvenient to the Parishioners. A small part of the fence at this time under repair. |
| 13 | Have any Trees been cut down in the Church-yard or Fences thereof? | |
| 14 |
Are your Minister's House, Outhouses, and Fences in good Repair?
Is there a Terrier, or written account of the Glebe Land, and all other Possessions belonging to the Church? Is the same safely kept; and is there a true Copy of it transmitted to the Registry of the Diocese? |
(TM 1838) We have no houses. No Glebe Land. |
| 15 | Is your Minister resident, for Nine Months at least, in every Year? If not, has he a Curate resident licensed by the Bishop? Does your Minister or his Curate regularly perform Divine Service at proper hours, and preach and administer the Holy Communion, and perform his Duty in Baptisms, Marriages and Burals: and does he attend to the Sick, and instructing the Children in the Catechism? |
(ST 1830) The Curate in constant Resident.
(TM 1834) The Curate reside in the parrash and performs Dutey and other offices. (G 1838) He is resident and duly performs all these offices. (SR 1838) Minister resident. Divine service performed in every respect. (ST 1842) Our Rector is resident, at least nine months in the year. He has no curate. He regularly performs all his duties, & attends to catechising, at intervals, of the children, at the National School. |
| 16 | Do the Clerk, Sexton, and every other Church Officer perform their respective Duties in a decent and proper manner? Does the Clerk receive his accustomed Wages? | |
| 17 | Are there any Gifts or Legacies to the Church or Poor? Are the same duly applied? Is there a Table of the same hung up in the Church? |
(SR 1830) We have no gift nor legacies.
(ST 1830) There are Gifts, and applied to the reliefe of the Needy a Table is hung up in the Church. (G 1842) One of £2 for the poor - It is properly applied. There is no table of the same in the church. (TM 1842) There is but one benefaction, which is duly applied. & recorded by a table in the church. |
| 18 | Is there a Grammar School kept in your Parish by any Person not licensed by the Bishop? |
(SR 1834) We have only some few Dame Schools.
(ST 1834) There is a Day and Sunday School but no Grammar School. (TM 1838) There is a Day Scool for girls & boys and a Sunday Scool. |
| 19 | Is there any other Matter which, after considering your Duty as Church-Warden you think is right to present, or bring under the Bishop's notice? |
The Churchwardens' names which appear at the end of each return are as follows:
Greensted
1834. W Lewes
1838 & 1842. William Gibson.
Stanford Rivers
1830: Stephen Jones. Edward Rayner.
1834. Stephen Jones. John Mott.
1838. John Stokes.
1842. John Stokes. (mark of) X John Mott.
Stapleford Tawney
1830. Charles Clark.
1834. John Wortess
1838. John Worley. W Roberts.
1842. (mark of) X William Sworder. Chas Clark.
Theydon Mount
1834. Francis Tanner.
1838 & 1842. Francis Tanner. James Spencer.
The next article will consider earlier returns.
1 Guildhall Manuscripts 9583/42
2 Guildhall Manuscripts 9583/44
3 Guildhall Manuscripts 9583/46
4 Guildhall Manuscripts 9583/48
