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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Memorandum by Edmund Gibson concerning North Carolina vestry laws
Gibson, Edmund, 1669-1748
1725
Volume 02, Page 582

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[From North Carolina Letter Book of S. P. G.]
FULHAM MSS. UNBOUND.
MEMM CONCERNING THE ENDOWMENT OF THE CHURCH IN NORTH CAROLINA.

It appears by Dr Trotts collection of the Laws of America relating to the Church &c—Page 84

That the Province of N. Carolina is divided into 9 Precincts or Parishes (In some letters to the Society lately come from thence tis said there are 11 Parishes) and that the Churchwardens and Vestrymen of each Parish are empowered to procure an able & Godly Minister qualified according to the Ecclesiastical Laws of Engld to raise for him, such a yearly stipend as they shall think convenient, so as such sum or Stipend, be not less than £50 & that in the raising thereof & all other Parish Charges. the whole do not exceed 5s per Pole on all the taxable inhabitants in the Parish. They are also empowered to purchase Lands for a Glebe & to Build a Church, & one or more Chapels in every Parish or Precinct & the same as often as need shall repair.

(N B) It doth not appear by any accts yet come to the Society, that there are any Glebes purchased or any Churches or Chapels built. The sd 5s per pole is in the Currency of that Province & at present not worth above 18d Sterl. altho' at the passing of the Law, it was of the value of 3s 4d, or at least so intended; and if this deficiency was made good or the 5s advanced to Sterlg that would be but a very moderate tax, & yet afford such a comfortable subsistence for a single person as might be sufficient encouragement to worthy persons to accept of a mission thither.