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67
Mr. Walcott, evidently writing on unreliable authority,
mentions that "this vexatious suit lasted seven years,"
whereas the foregoing copies extend over a period of three
years and four months. The conclusion of the trial in
favour of the Vestry was commemorated by the presentation
of a very beautiful and richly chased cup, stand, and
cover, in silver gilt, weighing 93 oz. 15 dwt., now known
in St. Margaret's parish as "the Churchwarden's Loving
Cup."
Saturday, 17 Deer., 1763. Samuel Peirson, Esq. (a Member of this
Vestry) In Testimony of the great Regard he bears to the
Parish of St. Margaret, Westminster, of which he had the
honour of being chosen Churchwarden for seven successive
years, this Day in Person Presented to the Vestry as his Free
Gift, a large Silver Cup and Cover, Gilt with Gold, To be used
at all Parochial Entertainments of the Minister, Churchwardens,
and Vestrymen of this Parish, as they occasionally
may happen for time to come.
Resolved that the Unanimous Thanks of this Vestry be and they
are hereby returned to Mr. Peirson for this signal and
valuable mark of his favour and regard for this Parish.
Resolved that the Churchwardens be desired to cause the following
Inscription to be engraved on the said Cup and
Cover, (viz.):—
Round the Cover—In the year of our Lord, 1764.
On the Body of the Cup—This Cup and Cover was given
to the Churchwardens of the Parish of St. Margaret,
Westminster and their successors for ever (to be made
use of by the Vestry at their Parochial Entertainments)
by Samuel Peirson, Esq. In Testimony of his great
regard for the Parish of which he was Unanimously
chosen Churchwarden for seven Successive Years.
In January, 1764, the Vestry paid £8 8s. 0d. for making
a "rough draft" of their vote of thanks to Mr Peirson and
for "writing the same on a tine skin of abortive vellum"
with a seasoned board for stretching the same. Engraving
the inscriptions on the cup and cover cost £2 12s. 6d.; for
the figure of St. Margaret with the inscription under it £2
was paid, 15s.was expended upon the engraving of Mr.
Peirson's coat of arms on the cup, and 21s. for similar work
on the stand.
Looking from east to west the circumstances which led
f 2