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requires (provided they do not pay or contribute towards
keeping lamps permited by law) and that they make their
Returns and bring in the same this Day 7 night Tenn in the
Morning.
7 Nov., 1714. The Patentees of the Convex Lights having sumoned
sev11 Inhabitants to hang out Lights as the Law requires under
pain of being convicted and forfeiting two shillings a night for
each neglect and sev11 of the said Inhabitants appeing and
agreeing to contribute towards lamps with their neighbours
they were discharged and those Inhabitants that did not
appear are to be sumoned a new to appear here this day 7
night 10 Morning till wch Adjd.
[These are followed by numerous records of orders
made either for payment, for hanging out, or for
excusal.]
As lately as 1761 Whitehall was only lighted during the
winter, the service being performed by the Government:—
Vestry Minutes, 8th May, 1761.
Resolved that the Churchwardens be desired in the name of this
Vestry to apply to the Board of Works by Memorial to cause
Whitehall from the Banquetting House to the footway on the East
side of Parliament House and also the East side of St. Margaret's
Street before the Fence and Exchequer Bill Office and other
Places formerly lighted by that Board to be lighted as well during
the Summer as the Winter Quarters for the greater safety of the
Publick
It is worthy of note that although the gas works in
Horseferry Road and Peter Street were opened about the
year 1807, the streets of Westminster were not illuminated
by gas until 1829.
watching The Vestry and the Court of Burgesses appear
to have exercised concurrent jurisdiction at
times with respect to the nightly watch.
Among the earliest entries on this subject which meet
the eye is one relating to the erection of a watch-house
(presumably on the Churchyard) in which the Vestry give
consent subject to the expense being defrayed by the
Burgesses or the Justices:—
7th May, 1663.—Ordered upon the mocon and desire of divers of ye
Conables of this Parish that ye Vestry doe hereby declare their
leave and consent as much as in them it lies for the erecting
of a Watch house on ye place now designed for that purpose,