1636, who had open warning given them in the forenoon to meet at three o'clock in the afternoon to distribute it, when it was thus divided by such as were present. First, because this act may be exemplary, and they thought that some benefices were too highly rated in the King's books, they held it fit that such benefices should be eased; and so they gave back to Mr. Moston, parson of Christleton, 20s., to Mr. Ley, vicar of Budworth, 20s., entreating them that (because God had blessed them in particular for their personal estates) they would bestow it among the poor ministers who want it; which Mr. Moston and Mr. Ley willingly did; whereupon they gave to Mr. Yates, curate of Shotwick, 5s.; to Mr. Smyth, a poor minister, late of Halton, now without cure and greatly charged with wife and children, 10s.; to Mr. Corfe, curate of Ince, 5s.; to Mr. Hopwood, curate of Whitby (whose stipend, given by a deceased benefactor, is withheld, being now in suit), 10s.; and to Mr. Hatch, curate of Christleton, greatly charged with wife and children, 10s. In toto, 40s. The other 20s. was given: to Edward Williams, curate of Darisbury, 5s.; to Mr. Williams, curate of Great Budworth, 5s.; to Mr. Dey, curate of Tabley, 5s.; to Mr. Knot, curate of Warburton, 5s.; and to Mr. Helford, curate of Plemstall, 8s.[1] Particulars of the ship money paid by the Lancashire clergy are not given in the bishop's MSS; but some information is to be obtained from the returns made to Humphrey Chetham, then high sheriff, who had ordered the mayors and magistrates of the corporate towns and the high constables of the several hundreds to examine and notify to him at what sums their clergy were assessed; and the following return was made for the borough of Wigan: "Wigan. Bishop of Chester, rector £5. His income from the towne of Wigan about £300, or yt as wee conceaved. Amongst those of ability it was conceaved that the Rev. Father in God John Lord Bishop of Chester his Glebe Lands, Tythes of Corne and Grayne, Small Tythes, Free Rents, Rents of Tenants at Will, Tythe Haye, Easter Book and other profits belonging to
- ↑ Family Evidences.
