View report page

74
1715, the Vestry passed a resolution requiring the Churchwardens
"to putt the Stocks and Whipping Post in good
"repair and make all the locks good, and provide a strong
"bench for criminals to sit on."
Custody of Registers. Arrogating to themselves powers which the
Church wardens might have hesitated to yield,
the Vestry undertook the provision of the Register Books,
as well as the direction of the persons by whom the same
should be kept:—
Mch. 16, 1743.—Ordered that the Churchwardens provide a large
Folio vellum book bound in calf and embossed with brass for
the Register of Marriages, Births and Bury \ls within this Parish
for the use of this Parish Church the same being absolutely
wanting.
Mch. 22, 1749.—Order'd that the Churchwardens be desired to wait
on Dr. Kenrick to know how it happens that the Register of
Births, Weddings, &c., is kept by his Curate.
Feb. 20, 1750.—The Churchwardens laid before this Vestry the
Reverend Dr. Ken rick's answer to an Order of Vestry of the
22nd March, 1749, relating to the Register of Births, Burials,
&c., within this parish, of which answer the following is a copy:
"Dr. Kenrick's Answer is, that he apprehended when he put
"the above-mentioned Register into the Hands of his Curate that
"he had a right so to do but if the gentlemen of the Vestry claim
"any share in the direction (as to the custody of it) He shall
"be glad to (know) what grounds, and to settle the Affair in
"the most easy and amicable manner."—Scawin Kenrick.
Ordered That the Churchwardens be desired with the Vestry Clerk
to wait on Dr. Kenrick to lay before him the claim this Vestry
makes to the right they have to choose a Register for this parish.
The next entry on the subject leads to the inference that
the opinion of Counsel had been taken:—
May 1, 1751.—Resolved that the Churchwardens be desired to
write to the Reverend Dr. Kenrick and acquaint him that this
Vestry has taken into consideration the case and opinion
relating to the Register of this Parish and have resolved to
support their right in choosing the keeper of such Register,
and desire that Dr. Kenrick will give orders to the person
who has the custody of the Register Books to deliver them up
to this Vestry.
July 31, 1751.—Resol'd and Ordered that the Register Books of
Births and Burials belonging to this Parish be kept according
to the directions of the Rubrick till further ordered.
A difference of opinion had existed seventy years