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Ffalconbirde Esq were Elected and Chosen and Admited
Vestrey men of the pish of margretts westrn1: by the
Consent and nominacion of us of the Vestry whose names are
subscribed.
Early Legislation
as to
Vestries.
After the Restoration, in 15 Charles II. (1675),
an Act of Parliament — the first according
statutory recognition to Vestries—was passed
for purposes which the following abridged preamble and
sections explain:—
15 Charles II., C. 5.
(1) For the prevention of the Evils which may arise from
Vestry men not conforming to the Government and
Discipline of the Church of England as it now is by Law
established. Be it enacted * * * That all and every
person who now is a Vestryman * * within any Parish
in the City of London and Westr, Boro' of Southwarke and
weekly Bills of Mortality and all other Cittyes Boroughes
and Townes Corporate where Select Vestryes are used
* * on or before the Nine and twentyeth day of September
next. And all and every person who at any time
hereafter shall be elected to be a Vestryman or member of
any Vestry, within one month after Election shall before
the respective Archbishop Bishop or Ordinary Viccar
Generall or Chauncellor of the Diocesse make and subscribe
the Declaration * * * * in the words following:—
I, A. B. doe declare That it is not lawfull upon any pretence
whatsoever to take Armes against the King and that I doe abhor
that Trayterous Position of takeing Armes by His Authoritie
against His person or against those that are Commissioned by
Him. And that I will conforme to the Liturgy of the Church of
England as it is now by law established. And I doe declare
That I doe hold there lyes no Obligation upon me or on any other
person from the Oath commonly called The Solemne League and
Covenant to endeavour any change or alteration of Government
either in Church or State And that the same was in itselfe an
unlawfull Oath and imposed upon the Subjects of this Realme
against the known Lawes and Liberties of this Kingdome.
And that all * * who shall neglect or refuse to doe the
same within the respective times aforesaid -shall (ipso facto) be
deprived of such his place of Vestry man * * to all intends
and purposes and such place shall be actually void as if such
person were naturally dead. * * * And that from and after
such neglect or refusall it shall be lawfull for all persons who
shall have right of Election or nomination of such Vestry man
* * to proceede to election or nomination of some other
discreete person of the respective Parish in the room of such person