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43
Friday Jan 15, 171¾. His Lordsp the Dean of Westmr acquainted
this Vestry that as dean he has nominated one Thos Bedder
to be Sexton of this Parish in the Room of Hen Robarts deced
and offered him to be admitted to That place.
Then the Bishop of Rochester left the Vestry Sr Thos Crosse, Bar1
in the chair.
Resolved nemine contradicente that by antient usage the Sole
right of choosing a Sexton of this Parish when that office is
Void is in the Vestry or in the Major part of them Present.
An appointment was forthwith made by the Vestry
whereby the nomiuee of the Dean was superseded.
The rights of the inhabitants were jealously guarded on
every occasion of the choice of a Lecturer. All the arrangements
for the election were made by the Vestry, the poll
lasting sometimes for four days. Two elections taken quite
at random from among the numerous records on the subject
are all that can be noticed here:—
Monday, 15 Dec., 1801.—The Churchwardens reported that by
the Death of the Revd. Dr. Smith a Vacancy has occurred in
the Office of Lecturer.
Resolved that it is the Opinion of this Vestry that the right of
Election of Lecturer of this Parish is in the Inhabitants
rated to the Parochial Taxes.
That any Gentleman intending to Offer himself for the Lectureship
Do signify the same to Mr. Church Warden Kew on or
before the 24th inst. and that no Application will be received
after that time. That the Clerk do inform the several
Candidates they are requested by the Vestry to preach a
Probationary Sermon at some convenient time and place
previous'to the Election of which they will have Notice.
* * * *
Resolved That the Churchwardens be requested to lay a Case
before Dr. Swabey to receive information from him what
the Duty of a Lecturer of this Parish is.
Monday, 4 Jany., 1802.—The Churchwardens also Reported that
in pursuance of the request at the last Vestry they had laid
before Dr. Swabey a Case to ascertain the Duty of Lecturer of
this Parish. Dr. Swabey being Commissary declined writing
an anwer thereto—but informed them he was of Opinion that
the reading of the Evening Prayers did not form any part of
the Lecturer's Duty.
Resolved That Mr. Stephenson the Vestry Clerk be desired to
apply by letter to the Revd. Jn° Davis for the use of the
Pulpit in Saint Margaret's Chapel for the Gent" who are