Appendix. 463

APPENDIX IV

LETTERS AND VESTRY PROCEEDINGS OF THE YEAR
1769 RELATING TO THE REV. PHILIP HUGHES AND
OTHER COLONIAL CLERGYMEN

[INTERESTING LIGHT Is THROWN ON THE WAY IN
WHICH CLERGYMEN IN COLONIAL MARYLAND WERE
TRANSFERRED FROM ONE PARISH TO ANOTHER. REFER-
ENCES TO HUGHES CAN BE FOUND IN VOLUME XXXII
OF THE Archives of Maryland CONTAINING THE PROCEED-
INGS OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE YEARS 1761-1770. ALSO

SEE INTRODUCTION p. xli]

A. LETTERS
Sir

I am directed by the Gov.^r to acquaint you that his Ex^cy having
thought fit to appoint the rev.^d M.^r Hughs Rector of Chester Parish,
he hath recommended you to the Vestry of Coventry Parish, in
Somerset & Worcester Countys, in Order that you may Officiate
there, for some Time, as Curate or Reeder, with an Allowance of the
whole thirty p Poll, (one Pound of Tob.^o excepted) during your
Residence.
As his Excellency designs Coventry Parish for another Clergy-
man, whose Arrival he expects soon, he desires me further to inform
you, that you need not run yourself to any Expence with a View of
settling your Family there, but that you may expect another Pro-
vision to be made for you, as soon as you shall be removed from
thence
I am &c
15.^th July 1769
Copy to the rev.^d M.^r Mathias Harris
p. S. The inclosed Letter will introduce you to the Vestry of
Coventry Parish

* * *
Gentlemen
I am directed by his Ex.^cy the Gov.^r to inform you that, out of a
a sincere Desire to restore Peace & Harmony amongst you, he hath
removed the rev.^d M.^r Hughs to Chester Parish; as this Measure
leaves your Parish vacant, and he doth not intend to appoint you a
Rector immediately, his Excellency recommends to you to employ
the reverend M.^r Mathias Harris as a Reeder, for some little Time,
until the Arrival of another Clergyman, whose Character & ability,
he has the fullest Confidence, will give general Satisfaction to the
Parish.

MS Hall of
Records,
Black Books,
X, 72, Calen-
dar entry
1425