158 
Of course there were no School Boards in those days, yet all 
the same, four churchwardens a// marksmen was a curious incident. 
The principal source of churchwardens’ revenue was a capitation 
tax called “powle pense” (poll pence). In 1661 this amounts to 
43 19s. od., representing nine hundred and forty-eight payments 
of one penny presumably on all adults. 
This poll pence appears to have been the precursor of church 
rates or assessments on property. The last collection of poll 
pence was in 1682, when it produced £4 5s. rod. Afterwards 
we find the revenue to be derived from “assessments laid.” This 
appears to be the commencement of church rates, in Penrith at 
least. In 1687 the tower roof was newly laid with lead, and an 
assessment made yielding 427 14s. od. 
In 1671 there is a note not very intelligible, but to the effect that 
the church plate and linen is all gone; and in 1678 we finda 
subscription list for new plate and linen in sums from ten shillings 
down to one penny, producing £9 1s. 8d. 
About this time the name of Robert Wilson occurs several 
times in the book ; no doubt the Robert Wilson mentioned by the 
Countess of Pembroke as postmaster and wine merchant. In 
February 12th, 1676, the venerable lady writes: “In the morning 
did I see Mr. Robert Wilson of Penrith, paid for a rundlet of sack; 
but I was very angry with him because I thought it too dear, and 
told him I would have no more of him; and then he slipped away 
from me in a hurry.” 
It was a pity Robert should have been so crusty with the good 
old Countess. Mrs. Wilson evidently thought so too, and tried to 
make peace, as we find the Countess writes, March 2nd, “And 
this day there dined without in the painted room with my folks 
Mrs. Wilson of Penrith, and after dinner I had her into my 
chamber and kissed her (Countesses don’t kiss tradesmen’s wives 
now-a-days), and took her by the hand, but I told her I would 
have no more wine of her husband, because he used me so badly, 
and then she went away.” Mrs. Wilson would long remember the 
kiss and grasp of the hand, for on the 22nd of the same month 
the venerable Countess died, 
