Chap. 7.] PARISH OF RIBCHESTER. 173 



as far as I can learn, disposed of them to Mr. Prescot, of Chester." 

 For the way in which he records the various local events of interest he 

 deserves the utmost credit. 



"Memorandum.— That in ye year 1682, I, George Ogden, Vicar of 

 Eibchester, built ye vicarage hous there, at my own charge. Except 

 three pounds odd shiUings were contributed towards the same, by some 

 well affected persons. Upon this account Mr. Abraham Towuley, of 

 Button, gave twenty shillings. 



" But since I have writ thus far I have found it for a certain truth 

 yf ye said inhabitants of Button have for several years together both 

 to ye King and poor overated me in many pounds before I discovered 

 it. I have therefore no reason to thank them for ye above said kind- 

 ness.-Aug: ye 2d 1701." 

 " December y« l^t:, 1703. 



" Memorandum.— This day Mr. Ogden, Vicar of Eibchester, gave ye 

 Communion Table at Stid Church, and caused the long seat in the 

 chancel to be fixt under the South Window : and lias like wise be- 

 stowed a Dapper linnen Cloth almost a yard and a half in length, and 

 about y= same breadth, lettered in the middle, with these words, Ths 

 for the holij Sacrament at Stid to be lodged and decently kept in or at 

 y« clarks of Eibchester his hous for ever. Witness our hands." 



EEV. JOHN IIEBEB. 



The Eev. John Heber was very little in residence at Eibchester, 

 many of his curates signing themselves as "ministers," or " curates- 

 in-charge." 



REV. JOHN GEIFFITH. 



The Eev. John Griffith does not appear to have ever been at 

 Eibchester. 



EEV. JOHN ATKINSON. 



The Eev. John Atkinson was nominally Vicar for 23 years, but the Eev. 

 Isaac Eelph (substitute) was Curate (who was appointed Vicar on Mr. 

 Atkinson's death) during the whole period. He was appointed one of 

 the King's preachers for the coimty of Lancaster, 25th Nov., 1786. 

 Mr. Atkinson seems to have paid periodical visits to the parish from 

 Walton-le-Dale, of which Church he was Curate, as well as Vicar of 



