Chanter 225A, 11-14
[The following replies for Rousdon parish are bound into the volume on plain paper and not on the usual printed forms.]
[First letter]
My Lord
Your Lordship’s Queries relating to St. Pancras, dated the 19th of April, I received not till the 17th of this present month, which I mention that I may not appear to have delayed giving your Lordship the satisfaction you require longer than was necessary.
And, my Lord, I humbly apprehend I can no way so fully and satisfactorily answer your Lordship’s Queries as by laying before you the state of St. Pancras, it’s Profits and circumstances.
This Rectory, my Lord, (as it is call’d) has Time immemorial been consider’d as a sinecure, very probably ever since the Reformation. It’s original Endowment was but five Pounds a year, which some Time within these thirty years is by the Purchase of an Estate of ten Pounds a year in the adjoining Parish of Exmouth, rais’d to Fifteen: This is it’s present value, when the Disbursements of the Estate, which Generally lessen It about Thirty shillings are deducted. There is only one Farm, Exclusive of this Purchase, (out of which the five Pounds a year issue) belonging to it; and the occupiers of that Farm are it’s only Parishioners, if they may be so call’d, who for Time immemorable have attended divine service in the Parish-Church of Exmouth, as They are at no inconvenient Distance from it. There is no Building belonging to it; only a chappel, or the walls of a chapel, cover’d with Thatch; without windows, only Gantries to let in some small Portion of Light, without seats or any Utensil whatsoever. Tis at present lock’d up, and has been so, from the time I have had any concern in it, tho’ it lay, as I have been informed, quite common formerly. This my Lord, is the Account I am able to give of St. Pancras and to the best of my judgment it is exact.
I very unfeignedly wish your Lordship a perfect Restoration of your Health, if you have it not; and if you have, a long continuance of it. I am, my Lord
Your Lordship’s most dutiful son, & most obedient humble servant,
Philobeth Domett
Mr Philobeth Domett May 20 1746 about the R of St Pancras.
Bovy Tracy May the 20th 1746.
[Second letter]
My Lord
I am to acknowledge the Receipt of your Lordship’s obliging letter of the 24th of last month, and very humbly to thank you for the good Acceptance you were pleas’d to express of the Account I gave of St. Pancras.
As to your Lordship’s further Enquiries, the further Information I am able to send is This: That I came into St .Pancras by Institution bearing Date the 14th of February in the year 1734. The Patron at that time was Mr. Breton of Cannon’s-Leigh in this County: But He having since sold the Estate of Rowsdon, the Right of Patronage is gone into other Hands, and one Mr Cheek, the purchaser of the Estate of Mr Breton, and it’s present occupier is at this time the Patron of it. Since the year 1699 when your Lordship observes Mr. Richd Mallach was the Patron of it, It has often chang’d Hands, not less, I think than four different Times with in the Compass of these thirty years.
The Family of Rowsdon, my Lord, resort to Axmouth-Church, which I am apprehensive by your Lordship’s Query, I thro’ mistake call’d Exmouth. (A mistake I am ashamed of, where more Advertency so well became me) – of this vicarage Mr. Lewis is the present Incumbent.
This, my Lord, is what I can say of St. Pancras, satisfactorily. I hope, to your Lordship’s Enquiries.
I have much satisfaction in being told by your Lordship, that your Health is in so good a way; I wish very sincerely that It may go on daily towards a settlement; and that your Lordship for many years to come, may enjoy it perfect and uninterrupted.
I am, my Lord,
Your Lordship’s Most dutiful son and obedient humble servant.
Philobeth Domett.
Bovy Tracy June the 6th 1746.
[Addressed to:] Mr Philobeth Domett, June 6 1746 about the R. of St Pancras.