Welsh Journals

BOOK REVIEWS The Grosmont Vestry in the 19th Century Phillip Morgan. The Grosmont Press 1985. Price £ 15.00 The Vestry minute book of Grosmont dates from 1822 and provides an invaluable account of parish affairs in the 19th century, including not only church matters but also the administration of the poor rate, road maintenance and snippets of information about individuals and their lives. The author deals with the responsibilities of the Vestry chapter by chapter beginning with the churchwardens. They were required to report to the Bishop on the morals and behaviour of the parishioners: "Misdemeanours included swearing, adultery, drunkeness, and disorderliness during divine service. They also reported on the conduct of the vicar if he neglected his duties. This did occur in respect of the Revd. Charles Wesley in 1899. Throughout his incumbency relations between the vestry and vicar were strained but matters came to a head when Wesley was accused of assaulting a parishioner. Mr John Berrington, a mason, who had done some work at the Rectory said that his ribs were broken by a punch from the vicar who was disinclined to pay his bill. The newspaper report of the trial described Wesley as "a very good specimen of muscular Christianity" while Mr Berrington was a small man "not so well set up". Read the book to learn the decision of the jury! The book then continues with the Vestry's appointment of rate collectors, road surveyors and Parish constables. The accounts provide an interesting view of the day-to-day running of the church with such items of expenditure as: "Quart of sweet oil for clock and bells 2s" "Paid Jos. Watkins for Ale the 5th Nov. 6s" Another interesting issue dealt with is the seven year long dispute between the Vestry and Joseph Pomphrey Austin of Partyseal regarding the appropriation of Partyseal pews. He took the dispute to the Bishop's Court at Llandaff. Five years later the Bishop finally ruled against Austin. The Vestry did in the end, however, find Austin an acceptable pew. The book ends with an account of the changes and repairs made to the fabric of the church in 1822 and later alterations made by J. Seddon in 1869. The book is typewritten in an A4 format in the manner of a thesis with text on one side of the paper only. It is however well bound in hard covers and sells at £ 15. The high price is because it was written and produced to raise money for Grosmont church. It is a good piece of local history research that also makes entertaining reading for anyone interested in the "goings-on" in their locality. A.C.S.T.