VESTRY PROCEEDINGS, ST. ANN'S PARISH, [St. Ann's Parish, originally known as Middle Neck Parish, was one of thirty-five which were established by "An Act for the service of Almighty God and the establishment of the Protestant Religion within this province," passed in 1692 (Archives, 13: 425), but by reason of the loss of the first twelve pages of the Vestry records, the exact date of its organization cannot be established. In the Proceedings of the Council, October 23, 1696 (Archives, 23:19), the following appears: "Ann Arrundell County is Divided into ffour parishes viz Herring Creek. South River. Middle Neck & Broad Neck.. Middle Neck Parish is Scituated betwixt South River and Severn River. Vestrymen for the sd Parish Chosen &ca Vizt Mr Thomas Bland, Mr Richard Wharfield, Mr Jacob Harness, Mr. Wm. Brown, Mr. Corne Howard. Taxables 374" "An Act for appointing persons to Treat with Workmen for the building a Church att the Porte of Annapolis" passed at the session of June-July, 1699, may be found in the Archives, 22:580. Further details as to this parish may be had from Rev. Ethan Allen's "Historical Notices of St. Ann's Parish" and Riley's "Ancient City," p. 68. Some notes concerning the Rev. Peregrine Coney, the first incumbent of St. Ann's were printed in this Magazine, 5:290, 291.] At a Vestry held for St. Ann's Parish the 14th day of March An° Dom. 1712. Present, The reverend Mr Edwd Butler, Sam Young, Esq., Thos. Bordley, Esq., M' Jn° Gresham, Mr Evan Jones. The reverend Mr Edwd Butler produced to the Vestry the following Instrum', viz. 325 Maryla ss. Edwd Lloyd Esq., Presid' of her Majesty's Hon'ble Council within this Province. To the Vestry of St. Ann's Parish in Ann Ard" County, greeting. Whereas the reverend Mr Edwd Butler as Orthodox minister of the Church of Engl is recommended to me as such from the R' Hon❜able & right Reverend Father in God Henry by Divine permission Lord Bishop of London & Diocesan of this Province. I doe hereby appoint the sa M' Edward Butler to be rector of the Parish and direct y° to pay him the forty poll therein ariseing allotted for the Support of the Clergy dated at the Citty of Annapolis the 7th day of March 1712/3. Edwd Lloyd. Wch being produced & read is ordered to be Entred as above and the sd Mr Butler is admitted into the Rectory of the Parish according to the tenor thereof. Ordered th' Mr Rich Martin be admitted as Clerk of the Vestry by takeing the oaths according to Law. [p. 2] At a vestry held for Sat Ann's Parish on the 6th day of Aprill 1713. Present, The Reverend Mr Edwd Butler, Mr Thom Bordley, Mr Joseph Hill, Mr John Gresham, M2 Evan Jones, Vestrymen. Severall of the Parishioners being met have dismiss'd from the Vestry (according to their own requests) Mr Gresham & Mr Jones, & in their Roome have Chosen Mr John Beale & Mr Thom' Major. They have Likewise Chosen instead of Mr Thom' Docwray & Mr Caleb Dorsey, Mr Albert Greening and Mr Cadwad' Edwards, Church Wardens for this present year. May 12: 1713. At a Vestry held for St. Ann's Parish. Present, The Revnd Mr Edward Butler, Mr Thom Bordly, M' John Beale, Mr Thom' Major. That Mr Cadwallader Edwards and M' Albert Greening last Easter being elected Church wardens, and the above named M' John Beale and Mr Thomas Major being then also Elected Vestrymen, and having before Mr Thomas Bordly one of the Justices of Annapolis taken the oaths for the true performance of their Office of vestrymen, as also the other Oaths appointed by Law appear'd and took their places in the s vestry as above. And the same vestry. [p. 3] Doct' Major had an order upon the Shereife for nine hundred and twenty five pounds of Tobacco for nine ells and one quarter of fine Holland for the Parish use. Likewise that the Clerk of the Parish had an order for four hundred pounds of Tobacco for extraordinary Service in toleing the bell to Prayers. Likewise Rich Martin being admitted Clerk of the Vestry at the same time tooke the oaths According to Law. M' Edward Rumney of this Parish Ship Carpenter comes and says th his Assignment of one Half of his Pew in this Parish being numbred 17 to Mr Cadd Edwards his heires and Assignes may be Entred upon the Registry Book. Which upon the S Edwd Rumney Prays an acknowledgm' of having reed from the sd Caddr Edwards a sufficient Consideration, therefore is Ordrd to be Entred according to the end th' such half part may for Ever hereafter be to be the Proper Estate of the sa Caddr Edwards and his heires. May the 14th 1713. Reed of Edwd Butler two silver Flaggons, two pattens, one Chalice, one large plate, one Holland Table cloath and Three Napkins, being the furniture of the Communion Table of the Parish of St. Ann. Witness my hand Caddr Edwards. [p. 4] Att a Vestry held for St Ann's Parish on friday the 4th of Decemb' 1713. Present, Sam" Young Esq., M' Thom' Bordley, Mr Joseph Howard, Mr John Beale. Ordered th' the Sherreife of An Arrundell County Pay to Richard Bickerdike the sum of one Thousand Pounds of Tobacco for Efficiating the Office of a Clerke of the s Parish out of the forty Poll. The Vestry Dr to Mr Caddr Edwards to two Posts and a sill for the Church Gate. To a Locusts Sill and new Tennants for the Church doore to mending the Funt, £2: 6o. To Eleven Bottles of Wine at four shills Bottle, £2..4. 1 At a Vestry held for St Ann's Parish Decor 12, 1713. Present, Sam' Young Esq., Mr Thom' Bordley, Mr John Beale. At the same vestry was Chosen instead of Dr Thom' Major who is dead & M' Joseph Howard remove out of this Parish Mr Rob Lusby and George Valentine vestrymen in their roome. Isabella Moore Complaines th' tho' she has had an order from the Late Revd Edwd Butler' Minister of the Parish drawn upon the Sheriff of the County to pay her one thousand pounds of Tobacco out of the forty poll in his hands due the s Butler for the year 1713 wch order he has Refus'd to accept Tho' he had [p. 5] sufficient thereof in his hands. And upon her Complaint it is declared by the vestry herof th' as the forty pole was due to the sa Butler it was Likewise due to his Order and tht on the Sheriffs Refusall to Pay the s Order It be deem'd a deniall of Payment of such sume as Part of the forty Pole. And therefore tis ordered th' He be prosecuted for such non payment in Case he further Refuses to make the same Payment. The Vestry having made application to the Revd Mr Jacob Henderson to serve this Parish now in this time of vacancy. And having assured him of their utmost Endeavours to Procure for him the Just dues to such Service and the utmost of what the Law will allow. Do Hereby Resolve th' the full forty Pole be allowed to the sd Mr Henderson from this time for such service in proportion to the time of service. Th' the same shall be approved of by the Honble President and her Majesty's Councill here as a Legal Allowance, on which Proposall the sd Mr Henderson promises his service. The vestry adjourned till Saturday being the 19th of this Imp". Ordered th notice be given to the sheriff to bring in his Accnt on Penalty of being shed. At a Vestry held for St. Ann's Parish on Saturday 19th 1713. 1 Died November 9, 1713. Present, Sam" Young Esq., Mr Thom Bordley, M' John Beale. Ordered that the Sheriff of Ann Arrundell County have once more notice given him of the meeting of the Vestry which is [p. 6] Appointed to be on Saturday the 2a day of January next & th' notwithstanding the frequent dissappointments the Vestry have met with for want of his accounting with thTM they are yet desirous to deferr the taking any vigourous Course of Law Against him on th' occasion untill the next meeting afore mentioned, but th' unless he meet thm and Acct with thTM or lodge his Accounts under his hand with the Register of the Vestry in the mean time such manner of proceeding be no longer delayed against him. Ordered th' the Vestry be adjourned till the 2a day of January next. At a Vestry held for St Ann's Parish on Saturday 2a day of Jonuary 1713. Present, Sam" Young Esq., M' Thom' Bordley, Mr Joseph Hill, M' John Beale. At which Vestry the Sherriff brought in his Acc and was ordered by the above Vestrymen to be entred. 1711. M' Thom' Gassaway High Sheriff of A. A" County Dr to the Vestry of St. Ann's parish. To the ball. due from Mr Jn° Gresham late Sheriff in 1710 if allow'd by s Gassaway is of the [p. 7] 1712. The same Gassaway D' to the same Vestry to the above ballance acc° in 1711, 6322 1713. The same Gassaway D' to the same Vestry to the above |