Vestry Meeting Book 1.

April 1st 1861 to 1st November 1886.

April 1st 1861. Appointed Thomas Roberts for Parishoners church warden andGregory Musgrave by the Vicar, Rev Edwin Gyles.

Also to resolve to levy a rate of two pence in the pound to defrey the expences of the past year.

At the same time to consider an application from the clerk for an increase in stipend.

April 5th. It was resolved that the stipend remain as at present, At the same meeting the post of clerk being vacant Mr.John Senior was selected to the office by a majority of ratepayers present,John Senior then signed an agreement he would do all the dutys the clerk needed to do for the stipend of £4 per annumm.

30th November. The Vicar then received a communication from the Archdecon of Stow, Informing him that the appointment to the office of parish clerk rested with the Vicar, So John Senior was informed that his election by the vestry was void.

The former clerk William Wright stating it to be his intention to retain this office no attempt was made to disturb him in the posetion of it.

23rd November. William Wright resigned the offices of clerk and sexton of this parish.

The post of church cleaner being vacant also, Mr.Thomas Roberts (church warden), said it would be in the best interest of the church and parish if they were combined and that John Senior being the vicars nominee be appointed to the combined ofices, Together with clock keeper which he already holds.

On being appointed he them signed another agreement.

Copy of the agreement signed

21st April 1862. Appointed church wardens, Mr.William Howsham

for the parishoners,Mr.Gregory Musgrave by the Vicar.

The rate of two pence in the pound was also resolved as the levy for the past year.

6th April 1863. Appointed church wardens, Mr.Israel Dook and Mr.Greagory Musgrave.

The rate it was agreed should stay the same.

17th April 1864. It is decided that the church wardens should be chosen

by consensus of the Vicar, Rev.Wm.A.Mathews, and the parishoners.

Mr.John Dook for Laughton, Mr.Gregory Musgrave for Wildsworth.

The parish rate to be resolved at three pence in the pound to defrey the expences of the church wardens for the past year.

10th Jan 1866. It was decided that a pettion should be sent to H.C.MeynellIngram esq, to grant a proportion of land for the enlargement of the parish church yard, and such land to be taken out of Mr.Hanson's field to the east of the present church yard, to the extent of half a rood.

The pettion was signed by the Vicar, the church wardens and the other parishoners present at the vestry meeting, it was resolved that if the pettion was granted the church wardens should take steps to enlarge the church yard in the manner decided.

2nd April 1866. Appointed church wardens, Mr.John Everatt forLaughton.Mr.Thomas Robinson for Wildsworth.

It was resolved that the rate be two pence in the pound.

22nd April 1867. Appointed church wardens, Mr.Abraham Newbourn for Laughton. Mr.Gregory Musgrave for Wildsworth.

The rate was resolved at two and a half pence in the pound.

13th April 1868. Appointed church wardens, Mr Isaac Wigelsworth for Laughton. Mr gregory Musgrave for Wildsworth.

The rate was resolved at two pence in the pound.

22nd June 1868. I was proposed by Mr.John Everatt and seconded by Mr.Israel Dook that the church rate be set at four pence in the pound for the enlarging of the church yard, it was put to the vote and carried without opposition.

29th March 1869. Appointed church wardens, Mr.Jackson Everatt for Laughton. Mr.Gregory Musgrave for Wildsworth.

It was decided that all money of the church was to be collected, and then another meeting to be held to consider the rate for the next year.

12th April 1869. It was disided that the expences of the current year be defreyed by voluntry subscription and not by rates.

12th May 1869. At this meeting two different amounts were put forward

for the rates so a show off hands was nessasery,

for a rate of two pence in the pound. 2.

for a rate of one pence in the pound. 6.

The rate of one pence in the pound was carried.

19th April 1870. Appointed church wardens, Mr.G.Cowling for Laughton.

Mr.Gregory Musgrave for Wildsworth.

Mr.Jackson Everatt and Mr Thomas Robinson were invited to be sidesmen.

The rate was decided as one and half pence in the pound.

1st April 1872. Rev.Daniel Ace appointed Mr.Thomas Roberts as the Vicarschurch warden and Mr.Jackson Everatt for the parishoners.

The rate was set at three pence in the pound.

14th April 1873. A rate of four pence in the pound was set.

Both church wardens were re-elected.

6th April 1874. It was proposed that a rate of £80 be levied at eight pence

in the pound on all the tenent parishoners, pursuant to the direction of R.M.Hacker Esq, The agent of the manor of Laughton cum Wildsworth,

and that the rate to be leived, embrace Wildsworth curacy as well as Laughton-vicarage; now forming one united eclesiastical parish or incumbency - The object of the rate being to repair the Tower of Laughton parish church. Now in a state of peril to life and property.

No amendment was proposed and the motion was passed.

It was also moved by Mr.samuel Hanson and seconded by Mr.AbrahamNewburn that a rate of two pence in the pound, be also levied, to discharge the current expences for the previous year.

No amendment was made and it was carried.

It was also proposed by Mr.Abraham Newburn and seconed by Mr.John Wright that Mr.JacksonEveratt be parish church warden for the year 1874, ending Easter 1875, it was carried unanimously.

The Rev.Daniel Ace,D.D.,Vicar of Laughton nominated and appointed, Mr.Edward Hunt as the Vicar's church warden for the year,1874-5.

25th March 1875. It was moved and seconded by Mr.Jackso Everatt and Mr.Samuel Hanson that a rate of three pence in the pound be levied for the ensuing year as a church rate to defrey the necesary expences of the church, and for the maintenance of divine worship,Carried.

It was proposed by Mr.John Senior and Seconded by the Rev.DanelAce.DD. that Mr.Jackson Everatt continue as the parish church warden for the ensuing year, carried.

The Rev.Daniel Ace,D.D. then appointed Mr.Edward Hunt the vicar's churchwarden for the ensuing year, carried.

29th November 1875. Mr.Thomas Roberts, tenant-Farmer,at Laughton, caused a disturbance; and on the statement of the parish church warden, Mr.Jackson Everatt, that he would make himself personally resposeable for the £80, as he stated all would pay, to be collected as a church rate for repair of Laughton church tower, the vicar dissolved the meeting.

P.S.Mr.Thomas Roberts having been served with due legal notice, as tnant-farmer,retired from Laughton,March 25th 1877; and since died by poisoning through excessive intemperance.

3rd April 1877. Mr.Jackson Everatt was re-elected parish church warden for the ensuing year, the vicar declared that Mr.William Sarjant was appointed as his church warden for the ensuing year.

It was then proposed by Mr.Jackson Everatt and seconed by Mr.AbrahamNewburn that one penny in the pound be levied as church

rate in the parish of Laughton for church purposes,passed with one dissentient,Vis,;John Wright.

22nd April 1878.Mr.William M.Sarjant being re-appointed by the vicar as his church warden, Mr.Samuel Hanson ( a Dissenter ) proposed the re-election of Mr.Jackson Everatt as church warden to be elected by the parishoners, Whereupon the vicar expostulated, as Mr.Jackson Everatt had abented himself from the services of the church for two years, and otherwice had failed in the discharge of his duties, the vicar stating that he would not object to any fit parishoner who would undertake to fulfil the duties of church warden.

Mr.Samuel Hanson then after having spoken to the motion, proposed an adjournment for a week, and before the chairman ( Daniel Ace ) could put the motion Mr.Hanson of his own mere action ajourned the meeting;

thereby rendering the action of the vestry negatory, and no church warden was elected by the parishoners, and no rate proposed.

29th April 1878. It was moved by Mr.Thomas Oldham and seconded by

the Rev.Dr.Ace, that a voluntry rate of three pence in the pound be levied for the purpose of defreying the expences of the church, and also to meet

the expences of flooring Laughton school.

Whereupon Mr.John Wright, a dissenting teacher, moved that there be no rate, But the chairman held, that mr.Wright having refused to pay a church reat last year, was disqualified to move such an amendment under 31932 Vict.C.109. section 8th.

A poll was demanded,which the chairman fixed.

Memorandum. on Wednesday,May 1st,1878,

At an Archideconal Visitation held at

Gainsborough, by the Right Rev.the Lord

Bishop suffragan of Nottingham,

Mr.Jackson Everatt of Laughton pre-

sented himself to be admitted as a

church warden, but was rejected

by the Ordinary, as not having been duly

elected by the parishoners of Laughton.

The Right Rev.the Bishop of Suffragan,

however, recommended the Vicar of

Laughton to convene another

Vestry meeting for the purpose

of duly and legally electing a

parish church warden.

6th May 1878.It was proposed by Mr.Samuel Hanson and seconded by Mr.Abraham Newburn that Mr.Jackson Everatt be elected church warden -

Before the question was put to the meeting, the chairman announced that Mr.Jackson Everatt had promised both the Ordinary and Vicar, in the event of him being elected church warden, he would, henceforth, faithfully discharge his duties.

Thereupon, no other candidate being proposed Mr.Jackson Everatt was declared to be elected accordingly.

The accounts presented were passed.

It was then proposed by Mr.Oldham,and seconded by Mr.SamuelMusgrave that a voluntary church rate of two pence in the pound be levied for the current expenses of the church ,carried.

14th April 1879. It was proposed by Mr.Jackson Everatt, and seconded by Mr.George Cawkwell, that Mr.John Wigglesworth be elected by the parishoners, church warden of Laughton for the year 1879 - 80.

The Rev.the vicar announced that he appointed Mr.Oldham, vicar's church warden of the parish of Laughton for the year 1879 - 80.

It was then proposed by Mr.ThosOldham,church warden, and seconded by Mr.John Wigglesworth that a voluntary church rate of two pence in

the pound be levied to defrey the necesary expences for the maintenance of devine worship in the parish church of Laughton, during the year 1879 - 1880 from easter to easter respectively,carried.

After Abraham Newburn proposing that there be no rate levied; which was not seconded.

29th March 1880. It was signified by the vicar that he re-appointed ThosOldham for the year, 1880 - 1.

It was then proposed by Mr.John Wigglesworth, and seconed by Mr.JohnSenior that Mr.Samuel Musgrave be elected by the parish for

the year 1880 - 1, carried.

The expences for the past year were produced and passed they amounted to £ 13 - 3 - 7.

It was proposed by Mr.Thomas Oldham and seconed by Mr.JohnWigglesworth that a voluntary church rate of two pence in the pound be levied on the rate payers,for the purpose of maintainting divine worship, and effecting the nessasary repairs of the fabric of the church as required by law.

8th March 1882. The following named persons were nominated parish constables.William Moorfoot, George Wright, Charles Briggs,

Robert Needham.

It being ascertained that the meeting had not been legally or regularly convened and that it had not been usual for the parishioners as asserted by Mr.Jackson Everatt, either to nominate Overseer or to elect a waywarden, prior to the 25th day of March, or fourteen days subsequently, which the chairman declared to be the time appointed by law; the meeting was ajourned.

27th March 1882. It was proposed by Mr.George Roadley, and seconded by Mr.Jackson Everatt, which was carried unanimously, that thenames ofthesesix persons, be sumitted to the Magistrates, for two of them to be selected and appointed as overseers of Laughton parish, for the ensuing year.Samuel Musgrave, William Waterhouse, Charles Briggs,

George Wright, George Cowling, James Redhead.

Propoesed by the Rev.D.Ace,Seconded By Mr.Jackson Everatt; that Mr.George Roadley be elected Waywarden of Laughton,carried.

Proposed by Mr.George Roadley, Seconded by Mr.Jackson Everatt and carried, that Mr.John Senior be elected as assistant Overseer at the fixed salary of £5 yearly.

10th April 1882. Proposed by Rev.Dr. Ace, Seconded by Mr.SamuelMusgrave and carried, that Mr.Graveley Roadley be appointed church warden for 1882 - 3.

The Rev,Dr.Ace intimated to the vestry that, by virtue of his office as vicar of Laughton he should appoint, Mr.George Roadley as vicar's church warden for 1882 - 3.

It was then proposed by Mr.George Roadley, seconded by the Rev DrAce, and carried that Mr.John Senior be elected as assistant overseer for the parish of Laughton, To perform " all such duties as appertain to, and are incident to the office of an overseer of the poor", at a salary of £5 yearly.

( Copy)

Lincolnshire }

Lindsey }

to Wit. } Whereas John Senior of the parish of Laughton in the said parts, Farmer was, on the 10th day of April,1882, duly nominated and el;ected by the inhabitants of the said parish of Laughton in the same county then and there in vestry asembled,to be assistant overseer of the poor of the said parish, and the said inhabitants did there and then determine and specify that the duties which by the said John Senior shall be expected and performed, shall be all the duties of an overseer of the poor and the said inhabitants then and there did also fix the yearly salary of the said John Senior to be five pounds for the execution of his said office, to be paid to him half yearly, on the 25th day of March, and the 29th day of September in every year.

The first half yearly payment to become due and to be made, on the 29th day of September next. We therefore two of Her Majesty justices of the peace in and for the said parts of Lindsey in pursuance of the Act of the 5G.Geo.iii.C,12 do hereby appoint the said John Senior so nominated and elected as aforesaid to be assistant overseer of the poor of the said parish of Laughton,for the purpose of executing the said duties so specified and with the said yearly salary so fixed by the said inhabitants as in vestry assembled as aforesaid, given under our hands and seals this 11th day of April.A.D.1882. at Gainsborough in the county aforesaid.

C.H.J.Anderson seal

( Signed ) George.A.Luard. seal.

19th June 1882. It was moved by Mr.Gravrnor Roadley, and seconded by Mr.Samuel Musgrave, and carried unanimously.

" This Vestry authorizes by expres Resolution,The church wardens, Overseers of the poor, and assistant overseer to make a NEW valuation or Assesment for the parish of Laughton; and to charge the incidental and unavoidable expence upon the poor rate; and to solict the concurrence of the assesment committee of Gainsborough Union".

26th March 1883. It was proposed by the vicar,and seconded by Mr.JohnSenior, that Gravnor Roadley be re-appointed parish church warden for the year 1883 - 4, Carried unanimously.

The vicar, nominated George Roadley, as his church warden for the year,

1883 - 4; Observing that as gentlemen had more efficiently dis-charged the duties of church wardens during his vicariate.

Four persons were then nominated as overseers of the poor for the year

1883 -4.Mr.William Eminson,Esq, Farmer of Laughton,

Mr.William Waterhouse, Mr.John Salt, Mr.George Roberts.

The Rev.Daniel Ace proposed and Mr.John Senior seconded that Mr.George.S.Roadley be re-appointed as waywarden for the year 1883-4, Carried.

It was then resolved unanimously by the vestry that it be an instruction that the interests of the rate payers and the poor be represented by a constant attendance at the board of Guardians.

30th January 1884. An illegal vestry meeting was convened for sanitary purposes, because it was illegal no business was transacted.

7th February 1884. Members for the sanitary committee were elected,

The vicar, the church wardens, the overseers of the poor,Mr.Charles Dook, Mr.George Cowling, Mr.William Musgrave, Mr.Sherben Smithson.

21st March 1884. for the purpose of nominateing substantial householders for the office of overseers of the poor. The following is the approved list,

Gravenor Roadley,Esq.Farmer, George S.Roadley,Esq.Farmer.

Mr.Benson Fowler, Farmer. and Mr,James Sleight, Farmer.

It was also proposed that Mr.George Roadley be re-elected as highway surveyor.

14th April 1884. Mr.William Musgrave was appointed as parish church warden,for the year 1884 - 5.

The vicar then appointed Mr.Lamb as his church warden.

It was proposed that Mr.George Roadley as surveyor be allowed £10 annually for the trouble occasioned him: carried.

It was also proposed that a vote of thanks be tendered to messrs Roadley,

the retiring church wardens for the efficient manner in which they had discharged their duties.

28th November 1884. It was moved, by the Rev.Doctor Ace. and seconded by Mr.G.Roadley, and carried, that the best greatful thanks of this parish be herewith tenderd to the Hon.Mrs.Meynell Ingram for her generous offer of land of one or two roods, to be provided for parish burial ground to be held and used in like manner asthe existing burial ground or church yard.