Church clock maintenance agreement, Lingfield 1709

Introduction

This is an agreement made between the wardens at Lingfield (Surrey) and Richard Cornish, a local clocksmith. The Lingfield churchwardens were explicit in specifying the time within which Richard Cornish was to respond when summoned to mend the clock and/or chimes he had supplied and installed for them.

Transcript

The Condicon of this Obligacon is such that, whereas the above bounden Richard Cornish hath lately made and put the Clock and the Chimes thereunto within the steeple of the p[ar]ish church of Lingfeld above said in new and good repair, Now if the said Richard Cornish do and shall within three days after notice given to him from time to time and at all times hereafter from the day of the date hereof during the full end and term of ten years from thence next ensuing and fully to be completed and ended, well and truly and in all things support maintain preserve and keep going the said clock & chimes with all manner of implements and all things requisite and necessary convenient fitting and belonging in any kind or respect whatsoever at his own proper cost and charges Excepting the Rope and Cord wire and weights there unto belonging and the winding of them up which the said Churchwardens and their successors do and shall allow and pay unto the said Richard Cornish yearly the sum of five shillings every year during the term of aforesaid for the supporting maintaining p[re]serving and keeping in going as aforesaid the said clock and chimes wiyth all implements and other things necessary and needful at all times as aforesaid (Except before excepted).

And that the said Richard Cornish do well and truly p[er]form and do all things according as is herein menconed & expressed on his p[ar]te with out fraud or deceite then this obligacon to be void and of non effect or else to remain and stand in full force and virtue.

Tho Chapman Richard

William Geall Cornish

Richard Cornish of East Grinstead ferri fabrum £6 28 April 1709