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97
Edict of Nantes, and reminds us that other countries had
also fallen upon troublous times.
"Dr. Tennison being ill and not coming to the Vestry, there "was nothing
of businesse proceeded in, but the Gent. before mentioned were pleased to
disperse themselves into the severall Wards to collect for the poore French
Protestants."
Turning once more to the domestic affairs of the Parish,
we learn that the Vestry, at a very early period of their
existence, commenced the erection of the Rectory House, and,
judging by the censure passed upon certain of the workmen
and the quality of the mortar, exercised more than a formal
oversight of the work. The Rector was fortunate enough to
obtain a supply of water at a time when that commodity was
not invariably laid on to houses, as appears by the following
entries in the minute book, dated the 14th and 27th October,
1686.
"That in regard the Citty pipes doe ly through the Church Yard and
Rector's House, application be made to the Lord Mayor, &c., for the use
thereof for the said house."
"The Dr. acquainting the board that the Lord Mayor and Aldermen had
granted the Citty water to the parsonage house, upon which this board
prayed the said Dr. to return their thanks for the said favour to my Lord
Mayor and Court of Aldermen."
Judging from several entries in the Minute Book the
ordinary hour of meeting was eight o'clock in the morning,
and this hour was also appointed for auditing the Overseers'
Accounts. At that period people retired to rest at an early
hour, no doubt in consequence of the insecure and dark condition
of the streets, the dearness of artificial light, and the scarcity of
books or other means of social enjoyment, consequently they
commenced the day at a proportionally early hour.
The following Minutes of the 1st April, 1686, details the
procedure at the first election of Churchwardens:
The names of four persons were written in a paper out of which two were
by strokes of the Gentlemen of the Vestrie noted to be Churchwardens and