PARISH CHURCH OF WEAVERHAM n i^Uu 231

devout and fervent, and his piety gave a charm to all he did and said. He knew the infinite importance of religion, pressed and wished all men to be influenced by its precepts and happy in its promises, wliicli produced in him what xs fitted to produce in every honest mind, complaccncy and pcace, and an universal charity to all Mankind. With these and every other Christian Grace, died the pious and Rev'nd. Thomas Hunter. -

Let us go and do likewise. Amen."

1778. "Thomas Cooper, Huntsman to the Honble. John Smith-Barry, of Sandiway, August 28th, 1778, of a decline. Buried in die Church, South Pew.'

[This was the huntsman who rode in the famous race on Newmarket Heath, between " Blue Cap" and " Wanton" and two hounds belonging to Mr. Meynell. By an old plan of the seats I have been able to locate the " South Pew," and Lord Barrymore has fixed into the South Wall near the spot, a Brass Plate in memory of this faithful servant of his ancestor.]

There was a great struggle in 1729 between Peter Warburton, Esq., of Heficrston Grange, and Uic Churchwardens when he refused to pay his " lays " as a protest against the increasing expenses (which amounted in that year to £26) ! ! The particular items he wanted to " lymitt " were those relating to the treating of workmen and others, of which I give an example :—

1671. "Paid to the Painter when we agreed to beautify the Church in earnest 00 01 00

Spent at that time on all parisliioners being there 00 00 10.'

The rccord goes on to say :—

" Peter Warburton Esqr., having been himself and sent others about in the Parish to gett hands to a paper and to lymitt ye Church officers expenses, and he having gotten a majority of hands, ordered a Vestry Meeting, and against ye s'd meeting requested us (Wardens) to meet him at ye Vicaridge. Who then demanded ye Church Booke out of ye Church which we denighed except we might (one or both of us) be in company with it, because we had several sufficient reasons to believe his designs therein