Churchwardens Accounts

Format of the Accounts
The surviving churchwarden accounts for Bubwith begin in 1715, and apart from the occasional memorandum (an example of which is given below) they follow the same format throughout the eighteenth century. The accounts are presented in this format:

The accounts of X and Y, churchwardens of Bubwith Parish for the year 17xx as follows


£
s
d
Received by them a double assessment and a single assessment
a
b
c
From the rent of St. Mary's Close
d
e
f
From the rent of Church Close
g
h
i
Received in all
j
k
l
Disbursed by them in the above year
m
n
o
and the churchwardens in Purse
p
q
r

Churchwardens chosen at the same time [precise date then given]
by the Minister and the old churchwardens and other parishioners
then present are as follows

[Name 1] for Bubwith
[Name 2] for Bubwith
[Name 3 and sometimes 4] for Spaldington and/or Harlthorpe*
and/or Breighton and/or Foggathorpe

The above mentioned accounts are allowed and the above named churchwardens were unanimously chosen the day and year above written by the Minister, old churchwardens and other neighbours, whose names are hereunto subscribed

vicar

* Also noted in the accounts was the occasional use of the name Althorpe for Harlthorpe. This was also noted in some of the Terriers.

Rules
The page for the 2nd April 1746 gives a recapitulation of the local rules concerning churchwardens. Here we learn, for example, that one churchwarden is chosen by the vicar, the other by the parishioners. We also see what expenses the churchwardens can claim, for the extra work during a visitation, for example.

Memoranda
This example of a few memoranda scattered throughout the accounts of the eighteenth century is actually a full transcription from the first page of the surviving accounts and contains two memoranda, the second being made more than three years later, and being a clarification of the first:

Memorandum: Thomas Nutbrowne of Aislaby has taken of us the Churchwardens to & with the consent of the Minister and neighbours hereafter mentioned all the freehold and lately belonging to James Turner of Foggathorpe which he gave by will to the use of the poor of the parish of Bubwith &c. He paying every half year as it becomes due at Lady Day & Michaelmass the whole and entire sum of one pound three shillings to the churchwardens of Bubwith for the time being, And likewise all the taxes it shall be charged withall (except the King's Tax which shall be alowed him).

Witness our hands this 23rd day of March 1715

Robert Taylor, vicar of Bubwih
John (his mark) Williamson, churchwarden
Edward Barret, churchwarden
George Halley
Matthew Westoby
William Lister
John Blanshard
John (his mark) Hebdon
Nicholas Blanshard

Memorandum: Thomas Nutbrowne of Aislaby has taken of us the Churchwardens to & with the consent of the Minister and neighbours of Bubwith hereafter mentioned all the freehold and lately belonging to James Turner of Foggathorpe which he gave by will to the use of the poor of the parish of Bubwith &c. He paying every half year at two equal payments those days above mentioned the whole and entire sum of one pound three shillings to the churchwardens of Bubwith for the time being, without any deduction abatement of any assessments whatsoever. This 27th day of September 1718

Robert Taylor, vicar
George Halley, churchwarden
Thos. Carney, churchwarden
Matthew Westoby
William Idle