Brodsworth (Yorkshire), 1802
Introduction
This example, which survives in the parish’s register of baptisms and burials, is late, but unusually detailed in setting out what was expected of the parish clerk in ensuring the satisfactory operration of the church clock. In this instance there was not complete consensus among parishioners, since it is expressly stated that the conditions had been agreed by ‘major part of the parishioners’.
Extract
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5th June 1802
the sum of four guineas should be levied and collected annually by the Overseers of the Poor of the said parish, on the respective landholders in the said parish, for & towards the payment of a salary to the Parish Clerk for the time being (so long as he behaves himself well, and does his duty to the satisfaction of the minister and the parishioners) for officiating as Clerk in the church making the fire in the vestry, washing the surplice and communion cloths four times in the year, sweeping the church and pews out once in every week and finding brushes for that purpose, decorating the church with evergreens at Christmas, winding up the church clock daily, and writing copies of the Registers of marriages, christenings and burials to be presented at the annual Visitation of the Archdeacon.
The said sum of four guineas to be paid him quarterly by the said Overseers, by even and equal portions: the first quarterly payment to commence and be made on 1st August next ensuing the date hereof.