242 JOURNAL OF THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 
and enquiries appear to have been made with some care in order to 
ascertain the actual income of the Church. I think the church- 
warden was John Facey, linen draper and alderman, whose portrait 
is in the Atheneum. His comments on some of the charges 
made by the sexton, Samuel Rhodes, are very amusing. He 
objects to some items, and gives the reason. The sexton charges 
4s. 6d. for a flasket to carry the plate in. Mr. Facey remarks that 
John Jenkin offered to sell him a similar one for 2s. 6d. For 
cleaning out the stiles, Mr. Facey says Rhodes, the sexton, paid 
and charges 2s. ‘For three bottles of oyle, at 1s. 4d. each, which 
he could not buy under ls. 7d. each, and therefore I presume there 
was none used, 4s.” By the bye, Rhodes took care not to make 
this mistake in subsequent years; the charge in after years is 
always higher. ‘For cutting down the weeds twice this year Mr. 
Rhodes paid but 4s, though he charges 5s.” ‘For two hair 
brushes, for each of which he could not pay above ls. 8d., and 
charges 4s.” ‘For a dozen of brooms, for which he did not pay 
above 9d. or 10d., 1s. is charged.” 
There is a very painful note in 1606. The sexton was in the 
habit of receiving the moneys for bells and burials. In November 
and December this year there are no receipts, the reason given 
being, “Ye sexton ran away with ye money he received.” In 
justice to the sexton, however, it must be said that he repented 
and made restitution ; for in the following year the churchwarden 
says, “Received of the old sexton in money £3 4s., and by two 
bills, for which I have security, £6 10s. 4d.; in all, £9 14s, 4d.” 
In 1745 something similar happened. ‘‘N.B. The green velvet 
cloth with fringe much worn was stolen from the communion-table 
the evening that Lieut. Woolley was buried, being the 27th of 
February, 1745. Cash paid for crying the green velvet communion- 
tablecloth stole from the table, 6d.” It was recovered ; but how, 
or who the culprit was, does not appear. 
And two more to conclude :— 
1749. To a large umbrella for ye use of ye ministers at burials, 
£1 16s. 
1751. Fees to Bishop’s Court, for getting off the presentment of 
not having a hood, 12s. 3d. This doubtless refers to the then 
vicar, Mr. Mudge, not being a university man. 
I think I have quoted from these volumes enough to show how 
much there is of interest and value in them. 
