By J. U. Powell, MA. 123 






















Traces of the Reformation are found in the reports of Edward 
the Sixth’s Commissioners in 1553, who visited Hill, Kingston, 
Longbridge, and Monkton, and who took away some of the church 
plate at Hill Deverill. Is it the recollection of this that survives 
in the oral legend that “church plate” is buried in a certain field- 
well or hidden ina lane? It seems to point to more than the ordinary 
“buried treasure” of folk-lore. The Commissioners also reserved 
plate “for the King’suse,’ at Heytesbury, Horningsham,Tytherington, 
XK nook, both Codfords, Upton, and Boyton. 
_ The date of the registers at Hill must be placed earlier than 
was stated in Wilts Arch. Mag. vol. xxvii, p. 242, for, although the 
earlier register itself is lost, the copies of the entries made in it are 
‘preserved in the Decanal registry at Salisbury. They are in good 
handwriting, and well preserved, and run from 1587 to 1721. They 
give many names, all of which have now disappeared from the 
parish, though some occur close by. They also give the names of 
{ shurchwardens and clergy, so that it is now possible to make out 
a more complete list than that which is given in Hoare or in Wilts 
Arch. Mag., vol. xxviii., p. 241. 
a In the time of the Commonwealth—1654—we find Mr. John 
and thirty-two children were taught. £4 per annum were “given 
by a private person,” and the offertory was applied to it. 
Two names, which are still sometimes heard at Brixton, “The 
aberty,” and “Smoke Alley,” have some interest in connection 
the Church. The name of “The Liberty,” or “Liberties,” 
used in Brixton, probably illustrates its ownership by a religious 
, the Abbey of Bec, in Normandy, and the Abbot’s right of 
priv fie jurisdiction. Possibly the name “Smoke Alley” points to 
the same fact, for in some manors, formerly belonging to religious 
houses, there is still paid, as appendant to these manors, the ancient 
“3 
LD 
eter’s Pence, by the name of Smoke money.”? The “ Liberties” 
1 Wilts Notes and Queries, Dec., 1900, No. 82, p. 876. 
*T. H. Baker, Wilts Arch. Mag., xxix., 830. 
