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above nine years of age, absent from church, in default of
which the Churchwardens were to forfeit twenty shillings;
while a reward of forty shillings was to be paid to those
officers on each recusant convicted. Another Statute, 25
Charles II., cap. 2, 1685, prohibited the acceptance of any
public office by any persons who had not previously taken
the oath of allegiance and subscribed the declaration against
the doctrine of transubstantiation. This recital of the
state of the law will render the following entries in the
Vestry minutes easily intelligible:—
Wednesday, 6th November, 1678.—The Burgesses Assistants
Constables, Churchwardens, and Overseers of the Poore are
desired to meete at ye Vestry Roome, on Thursday, ye 7th
November instant, at 2 of ye Clock, in order to the putting in
execution (on ffriday next) of his Matics Proclamacon touching
Popish Recusants.
Thursday, 15th May, 1673.—It appeareing that there is much more
Wine used now at Sacraments then formerly was, by reason of ye
extraordinary numbers of strangers and others, that doe Receive
the Sacrament in pursuance of the Act of Parlamt. touching
Recusants. And the Doctoe. desireing the same may be considered
and not Charged on him in regard hee doth not Receive
any manner of benefitt thereby. It is thought fitt and accordingly
Ordered That the Doctoe. bo not charged wth paying for more
Wine then usuall by reason of the sayd Extraordinary occasion.
10th September, 1690.—The Churchwardens did this day make report
that they have appointed Ann Alwyn to be a searcher in the
Roome of the widdow Cooper decd, and they had plac'd her in
the Roome belonging to the Searchers in Tuttlefields which was
approved by the Vestry.
5th November, 1690.—Ordered that the new Searcher Ann Alwyn
have time given her till the first Sunday of the next month to
receive the Sacramt. and Conforme to the Church of England
Or otherwise that another be admitted in her roome.
21st December, 1690.—Ordered that the Widdow Langstone be
admitted into the place of Searcher in the roome of the Widow
Alwyn.
Ample evidence is thus given of the extent to which the
law was carried out. Nevertheless judgment must not be
passed upon the severity of the Vestry without bearing in
mind the enthusiasm of the Parliament of the day,
Hallam (Vol. I., p. 491) narrates as an illustration of the