Page:The History of the Church & Manor of Wigan part 2.djvu/212

 the said Parsonage of Wigan, was worth £800 or £900 by the year, of wch £300 in the Borough. No other clergyman assessed to the said Ship.

(Signed) Wm. FORTH."

The assessment made upon the rector appears to have been excessive, and the following memorandum with respect to it occurs in the Wigan Leger in 1635 (no exact date given): "In September last, command coming from his Majesty wth Lr̃s from the lords of the counsell for a tax of £3,500 to be gathered in Lancashire, and as much in Cheshire, for the making of 2 ships, the Corporation of Wigan was taxed by the Sheriff at £50, far beyond Manchester, Preston, or other townes. To make up this sum they rated the parson of Wigan at £5, who refused to pay it; whereupon they desired that he would of his free gift bestow so much on that poor Burgh belonging to him for the ease of the poorer sort of inhabitants, and for that purpose caused his servant, Edward Lloyd, gent. and burgesse thereto, to write to him, and they promised that they would not hereafter, when any tax should be imposed on them, any way meddle wth taxing of ye parson but wth his privity and consent. Upon this acknowledgment, promise, and entreaty he gave them freely £5, and caused his servant Wm. Brown to pay it to them for this time only.

Lawr. Booth

Willm̄ Tempest Geo. Croston."

In January, 1635-6, archbishop Neile made a further report to the King of the progress of church affairs in the Province of York, for himself and his brethren, the bishops of that province. That of the bishop of Chester, which is forwarded in his "owne words, without altering, adding, or diminishing any thing," is as follows:

"The certificate of John Lo: Bishop of Chester touching the observation of his Majesties pious Instructions wthin ye Dioces of Chester for this last yeare 1635.