By the Bev. W. C. Plenderleath. S15 



much of tlie registers is lost^ only here and there a name registered 

 . . . 1652. June 14. From this time till August there was 

 noe minister, soe that the children were carried to other parishes to 

 be baptized.'^ 



These irregular functions were o£ course registered in the books 

 of the parishes where they took place. The Rector of St. Dionis, 

 Backchureh, London, informs me that there are an unusual number 

 of marriages registered in the books of that parish during the re- 

 bellion — owing evidently to the fact that the clergyman who hap- 

 pened to be in possesion of the living at the time was not turned 

 out by the Presbyterians, as were most of his neighbours, and that 

 those persons therefore who adhered to the old path flocked from all 

 sides to his ministrations. Nor were these extra-parochial services 

 always free from danger. In the register book at Hexham, North- 

 umberland, is the following: "Note. That Mr, Will. Lister, 

 Minister of St. John Lees in those distracted times, did both marry 

 and baptize all that made their applications to him, for w"''. he was 

 sometimes severely threatened by the souldiers, and once had a cockt 

 pistoll held to his breast, so that its no wond' y* y' registers for these 

 times are so imperfect, and besides they are so extremely confused." 



In August, 1653 an act was passed, called, after its author, "the 

 Barebones Act," by which the custody of the parish books was 

 transferred from the clergy and churchwardens to an official called 

 the Parish Register, who was sworn into his office by a justice of 

 the peace, and when any entry was to be made had to produce the 

 book before a justice and to attest by his signature the writing 

 of that magistrate, for which he was paid a fee of I'ld. on each 

 marriage, and M. on each birth and death. Numerous instances of 

 the appointment of these " Registers " occur. At Broad Hinton 

 is an entry to the effect that " John Grinaway chosen by the in- 

 habitants to be their pish. Register is approved of and sworn there- 

 unto before me on the seven and twentieth day of March in the 

 year of our Lord God 1654. Wm. Sadler." In the Bremhill book 

 Edward Carpenter describes himself as " Clark and Register " in the 

 year 1667, and at Allington, near Amesbury, Stephen Rutt is re- 

 corded to have been sworn to the office of " Regestor " on May 31, 



