Reference
P69/5/3
Title
Churchwardens’ account book (detailed assessments and disbursements)
Date free text
1785-1952
Production date
From: 1785 To: 1952
Scope and Content
On the front cover: leather title-piece inscribed:
ISAAC WINDSOR/THOMAS WELLS/CHURCH/WARDENS/1785
At front: copy will of John Maynard of Broom in the parish of Southill, 1557
Includes detailed assessments from 1785 with very full information 1830-1837, voluntary rates 1873-1880, church subscriptions 1881-1921 and receipts 1922-1952
Includes Vestry meetings regarding election of churchwardens etc. from 1785
Regular business includes: clock repairs, bell ropes, payments to parish clerk, payments to ringers, visitation fees, minor repairs, cleaning, vermin payments, communion bread and wine, annuities on church repairs 1813-1837, Sunday School from c.1820 and repairs to musical instruments etc.
Occasional expenditure etc. as follows:
1790 repairs to pulpit hangings;
1793 paid for “letter to be read concerning the French clergy”;
1798 form of prayer for Admiral Nelson’s victory;
1796-7 Samuel Whitbread Esq. first appears in rate assessments as owner of Southill House, grounds and plantations;
1804 repairs to “the tiling of the church”;
1811 “to Mr.Betts for writing donation board of Maynard’s Charity and painting 3 times on both sides”;
1811-5 detailed Vestry minutes concerning repairs to the church according to the plans and specifications prepared by George Cloak, architect, with copies of specification and estimates etc. 1812; minutes concerning architect “now dead” Nov 1813;
minutes concerning raising money by terminable annuities; note of reopening of church for Divine service on Sunday 20 Nov 1814 “although not finished as to painting and in some other particulars”;
1824 new basin for font and other repairs ordered by Archdeacon;
1830 Vestry minute concerning conduct of John Sells,the parish clerk and on his dismissal from office; Purchase of velvet cloth for pulpit and communion table from Swann & Edgar, London, for £20 18s
1836 Vestry resolution concerning repairs to church roof and rectification of dry rot by ventilation;
1842 note of bequest to the poor by late Francis Snitch and memorandum on investment of funds;
1847 proposed conversion of Torrington vault into a classroom for the Sunday School;
1848 Vestry minute concerning alterations to church furnishings and renewal of east window in chancel etc. by Mr.Wing, work to cost £50 [for papers see P 69/2/2/1];
1854 repair of church interior estimated cost £111 (details given];
1856 dispute over custody of parish registers and records, copies of minutes and correspondence [12 pages];
1864 new church clock supplied by Hampden Inskip of Shefford, cost £110;
1867-8 recasting of tenor bell by Mears & Co of London;
1870 proposed cemetery, payment of legal fees;
1871 minutes regarding representation of the laity and establishment of local synods;
1874 churchyard extension, payments for conveyance, consecration and other costs;
1891 repairs to church roof, £172;
[later accounts not calendared]
Level of description
item