Vestries [ Religious Belief ]
… claimed the privilege of representing the whole parish …: they appointed church-wardens and au[di]tors out of their own body, and usurped the disposal of the whole of the church revenues, until the year 1730; when … after a contest of some … … There seems to have been much care taken to enter [into the vestry book] every thing relative to the abolition of a Body, who …, there is reason to suspect, greatly misapplied the monies that came to their hands.’ 13 13 . Matthew … often paid for minstrels and other entertainments with a view to maximizing the proceeds for the communal purse. Everybody from near and far had been welcome to take part in these revels, usually very lively affairs which post-Reformation …
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