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119
be occupied in the narration of the changes wrought upon
the face of Westminster in carrying out the scheme. Even
were space to permit, the province of the historian might be
usurped in such a survey. Two short transcripts only have
been made from the minutes, the one as sounding the death
knell of the Woolstaple, the other as throwing light on the
value of land in Westminster a hundred and fifty years
ago :—
April 10, 1739. Ordd That it be left to the Church Wardens for
the time being to treat and agree with the Commissioners of
the intended new Bridge at Westmr for the conveying to them
such Ground and Houses belonging to the parish in the Woolstaple
(now in the possion of Mr. Charles Carpenter) and also
two annuities, one of Forty shillings and the other Twenty
shillings a year issuing out of three tenements in King Street
so as they cause the present ground rent of such Houses
in the Woolstaple and such said annuitys to be reserved and
made payable to the parish that the intent of the respective
Donors' Wills may not be defeated.
Apl. 21, 1739. Mr. Churchwarden Haselar Reported that he with
his partner John Lawton, Esq in pursuance of an Order made
last Vestry * * had met Thomas Lediard Esq, Agent for
the said Com" and were acquainted by him that the Commissioners
were willing to give twenty-six years purchase for
the said ground rents in the Woolstaple and would reserve to
the parish the said two annuities the better to answer the
intention of the respective donors. And this Vestry having
considered of the said report Do unanimously agree to accept
Twenty-seven (sic) years purchase for the said ground rents
in the Woolstaple, and the said Thomas Lediard Esq attending
was acquainted therewith * * *
The action of the Vestry in paving the footways in
specific places, as distinct from the general repairs of the
highways, is constantly chronicled in the minutes. A very
few specimens are, however, reproduced :—
The Eleventh Day of November 1610.
At a Vestrye holden the saide xjth daie of November 1G10 It is
ordered and agreed by the psons whose names hereunder are
subscribed that the churchwardens shalbe allowed upon theire
accompte for the paving of the way in the Sanctuary all along
before the wall of the churchyarde on the North side And
also for the paving of the ground on the South side of the sayd
churchyarde betwene the sayd churchyarde and certeyne houses