226 JOURNAL OF THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 
I think I have said enough to show the working of this system _ 
of pew dealing ; it continued until the year 1818. In 1817, in 
consequence of difficulties arising with reference to money matters, 
the Church having been much neglected and out of repair, a com- 
mittee was appointed, and a report was made, the result of which 
was that the vicar and churchwardens, with the consent of the vestry - 
and the bishop, substituted for the illegal selling of seats for lives 
the equally illegal system which still prevails (or I should say did 
prevail; I hope it will not be again commenced when the church is 
re-opened) of letting pews at an annual rental to parishioners and 
non-parishioners, irrespective of the legal rights, not to say fair 
claims, of the former. 
In 1636, when the differences arose between Dr. Wilson and 
the mayor and commonalty, the vicar complained that the mayor 
was in the habit of selling the seats in the Church, and that he 
occupied the chancel, setting up seats there, letting some and 
giving away others, and among them the vicar’s seat, and selling 
the rest, and taking moneys for burials therein ; z.e. in the chancel. 
The court ordered as follows: “As touching the pewes in the 
church, which is alleged are sold by the mayor to such as will give 
most, taking 50s. and £3 and more for one roome in the seat, it is 
ordered that the disposall of the said pewes is to remain in the 
vicar and churchwardens, and if they cannot agree, then the 
Bishop of the Diocese, or his chancellor, is to determine and order 
the same, according to the ecclesiasticall law ; and their lordships 
farther think fitt that there be no seat hereafter appropriate to any 
house or family, yet that no seats be altered that are now settled ; 
but as they shall become void, to be disposed of according to the 
former order, and that therein care be had to prefer the ablest 
inhabitants and householders, and that the revenues and _ profits 
thereof be to the repairs and other uses of the church, which the 
churchwardens and their successors are to receive and be made 
accountable for, and in such manner as they are for other money 
received by them for the use of the church. And as touching the 
pewes belonging to the mayor, magistrates, common councell, and 
publick officers, and their wives, that these be, from time to time, 
continued as they are now, without any alteration. Whereas it is 
farther alleged by the said vicar that the mayor claimeth the right 
of the chancell, setts up seats therein, giveth away others (and 
among them the vicar’s seat), selleth the rest, and taketh duties for 
