Archdeacon's Visitation — Presentments returned by the Churchwardens of the Parish of St. Bartholomew Stoke, in the Deanery of Stoke, Diocese of Lichfield. Michaelmas Visitation, anno Domini 1674.
We the Churchwardens of the said parish, viz. Thos. Apperley, senior warden, and Jno. Burrows, junior warden, doe hereunto set our hands and present the following matters to your Worship's notice, the whole truth of which wee are ready to attest.
1. That the Chancell is in sufficient repair. That the Church generally is in sufficient repair, saving the east window of the north Aisle, which is defective in two lights, the glazier having been spoken to and not yet come.
2. That the Register booke of Burials, Christenings, and Mariages is kept orderly and locked, except as hereinafter noted.
3. That Mr. Ambrose Swetnam, gentleman, of Stoke Hall, hath not received the Communion at Easter last past, nor at Whitsuntide, nor at any other time within this parish within our knowledge during the past twelve months. That he hath been admonished by the Minister, Mr. Chas. Fradley, B.A., on two occasions, the first in March and the second in August of this present year. That on the first occasion Mr. Swetnam expressed himself willing to receive, and set a day, and did not come. That on the second occasion Mr. Swetnam was not at home, his man representing that he was from home, which the junior Churchwarden doth not affirm nor deny.
Margin, in the Archdeacon's hand:
Nota — Mr. Swetnam's mare was observed in the paddock by the junior Churchwarden on the day of the second visit, she being known. This circumstance the junior Churchwarden declines to have entered here, but hath stated it verbally to the Archdeacon. Entered here by the Archdeacon's own hand accordingly, the Churchwarden's modesty notwithstanding.
4. That the Communion Table is decently covered. That the Elements are provided at the charge of the Parish.
5. That no unlicensed schoolmaster doth teach within this parish to our knowledge.
Signed by us this xxth day of October, 1674.
Thos. Apperley, his mark. Jno. Burrows.
Below, in the Register Clerk's hand:
Mr. Swetnam appeared before the Archdeacon at Lichfield the xiijth of November and made submission. Penance commuted to a fine of five shillings, to the poore box of the said parish. Finis.