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viewed the several antient books of the Vestry & reported their
procedure therein & in an abstract of antient orders relating to
the choice of church officers Which abstract of original orders
being publicly read before us whose names are subscribed, We
do therefore declare that it is our unanimous opinion that the
sole right of election of parish clerk, organist, sexton, woman
that cleans the church & pews, gravemaker, gallery keepers,
bearers, bellringers, searchers, & all others church officers is in
the Vestry of this parish and none others & hath been so time
out of mind."
A Deputation was commissioned to communicate this
fiuding to the Bishop, and two gravemakers, with an
assistant, were forthwith engaged by the Vestry.
Having vindicated their supremacy in the matter, the
Vestry conferred upon the unsuccessful nominee of his Lordship
the Dean, the office of sixth bearer " upon consideration
that he hath severall small children."
Twenty years later the appointment by the Dean and
Chapter of one Roger Gethin as parish clerk was sternly
resented by the Vestry. The ancient records were again
searched:—
Wed., 8 July, 1713.—Ordd that the ancient Books of Orders of
Vestry and other papers in the custody of the Churchwardens
be inspected into to find out the custome and usage of choosing
Church Officers * *
A report was presented by the Committee a fortnight
later, but as it gave only abstracts of the past Orders of the
Vestry, the Clerk was instructed to transcribe the same
verbatim. Within a week these verbatim extracts were
presented by the Committee, who entered with some warmth
into the controversy with the Dean and Chapter. With a
view to the speedy termination thereof the Vestry took
counsel's opinion:—
Thurs., 13 Aug., 1713.—(Sir John Crosse, Bart., in the chair).
The Opinion of Sir Edward Northey, Knt., Attorney General,
Sr Bobert Raymond, Knt., Sollicitor Gen", John Ward and
Ffrancis Annesly, Esq", Councillors at Law under their
hands in Writings, touching the right of Election of a Barish
Clerk of this Parish were delivered unto this Vestry and Bead.
The Churchwardens acquainted this Vestry that they had received
a Certificate from the 11' Revd Bather in God Ffrancis Lord Bp