Parochial Inquisition 1650

he brief given to Oliver Cromwell's Commissioners for the 1650 Parochial Inquisition was to “secure a preaching ministry and better maintenance of the ministry”.

The Inquisition for the Hundred of Ongar was held at the Crown, Chipping Ongar on Monday September 9, 1650.

The Commissioners were Sir William Masham, Baronet; William Masham, Joachim Matthews, Sampson Sheffield and Henry Wollaston, Esquires; and Samuel Champion, Gent. Sitting with the Commissioners were thirty-one Jurors and included Thomas Luther and Robert Waylett both from Stapleford Tawney.

“which said Jurors according to the best information they can receive and the utmost of their owne knowledge, say and returne as followeth”

Stanford Rivers

Parsonage presentative. Possessor Matthew Elliston, by sequestration; of godly conversation and an able preacher. Patron, the Chancellor of the Duchy.

House and glebe £30. Tithes £120 of which Richard Minshall, Knight, payes onely foure pounds, which he pretends by custome he ought to paye no more for About Eight Hundred Acres of land in Ongar Park which is worth Sixteen pounds per Annum for the Tythes if noe such custome be.

Stapleford Tawney

Parsonage presentative. Possessor Thomas Horrox, a godly preaching minister, by order of the Committee of Plundered Ministers (see end of article).

House and glebe £17.13s.4d; tithes £59.6s.8d. Patron Sir Edmond Allen, Baronet.

Theydon Mount

Parsonage presentative. Possessor John fferrbye, by order of the Committee of Plundered Ministers; an able godly minister.

House with one tenement and 50 acres of glebe, £50; tithe £123.19s.8d, received by Mr fferrbye by way of composition with the Parishioners. Patron Daniel Dunne.

Greensted

Parsonage presentative. Incumbent Nathan Lacye, a constant preacher and well approved by his parishioners. House and glebe £25. Tithes £25. Patron Mrs Young.

The Committee of Plundered Ministers

The Committee of Plundered Ministers was set up by the Puritan party in 1643, during the English Civil War, for the purpose of replacing those clergy who were loyal to the King. These displaced clergy were described as “scandalous”, though this mainly related to their political and theological views.

The Committee heard evidence, often from local parishioners, of the misdeeds of the parish priest. If the allegations were proved, the rector would be removed from his position, and his goods and monies sequestrated.