View report page

105
principle was recognised, certain exemptions were allowed
by an 'unwritten law,' varying at different periods according
to the class of property occupied, or the office of the
occupier. The control and regulation of these exemptions
was taken in hand by the Vestry:—
27 July, 1693. Ordered That from hence forwards no Overseers
presume to lessen any of the Rates and Assessments charged
on any of the inhabitants within this parish for Relief of the
Poor without order from the Justices of the Peace or at least
an order from this Vestry, and if any such sum shall be by
them abated such Overseers shall be liable to make good the
same to the poor and that from time to time the Clerk of the
Vestry give notice to the Overseers of such Order.
After the severance of the parish of St. John the
Evangelist, the Church Rate as well as the Poor and other
Rates, was levied "within and through all parts and
districts of the parishes of St. Margaret and St. John the
Evangelist," the introduction of the practice commencing
on Easter Tuesday, 31st March, 1730. The principle
was confirmed on 18th February, 1735, in consequence of
which a demand was made on 16th May following, upon
the Joint Vestries by the Churchwardens of St. John for
payment of £116 3s 0d. for their church expenses.
Although the necessity for a general and uniform system
of assessment, "without distinction," was proposed by the
Justices, the Vestry resented any interference with their
own prerogative in the matter, and directed the Overseers
to "collect only from those persons who are not likely to
become burthensome to the parishes " :—
20 Mch, 1749. Whereas this Vestry hath been Informed that the
Overseers of St. Margaret's and St. John's have been served
with a paper signed by the Clerk of the Petty Sessions purporting
to be, an Order of the said Sessions for the said
Overseers to Collect of all persons rated in the present
Assessment for the Relief of the poor which paper contains
as follow.
"St. Margaret's At a Petty Sessions held.
" Vestry-room
"Tuesday, February, 21st 1749.
" Ordered,
That the several and respective Overseers of the poor of the
"parishes of Saint Margaret and Saint John the Evangelist