Two new
Vestry-men
to be chosen
by the Free-holders
of the
Parish, on
Easter-Monday,
yearly.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The Incumbent 
to be one
of the Vestry
and Principal
thereof.
 
 
 

Each Vestry
to appoint a
Register or
Clerk,
 
 
 
 

who shall
take the
Oaths.

His Duty.
 
 

Births, Marriages
and
Burials to be
Registered.
 
 
 

Penalty on
Neglect, &c.
 

Vestry Clerk
to shew such
Register on
reasonable
Demand, and
give Certificate.
Former Registers
of.
 
 
 
 
 

    VIII.  And it is hereby further Ordained and Enacted by the Consent and
Authority aforesaid, That two new Vestry-men shall be annually chosen, in the
Places of two others, who shall be left out; to which Purpose, all the Inhabitants
of every Parish, being Free-holders within the same Parish, and contributing
to the public Taxes and Charges thereof, or such of them as shall
think fit to attend, shall repair to their respective parish Churches, every Year
successively, upon Easter-Monday, and there, by their free Choice, declare †
what two Persons shall be discharged from their being Vestry-men, and choose
two others, qualified according to this present Act, in their Stead and Room;
who, taking the Oaths, and performing all other Things required by this
present Act. or other the Laws of this Province, for Vestry-men, shall be
deemed and taken to be Members of the said Vestry, to all Intents and Purposes.
    † By the Act of 1730, ch. 23, §. 2, the two eldest Vestry-men shall be annually left out; nor
        shall either of them be liable to be chosen, or obliged to serve for three Years next ensuing.

    IX.  Provided always, That in every Parish where any Minister or Incumbent
is, or shall be lawfully, according to the Laws and Usages of this Province,
appointed, and in Possession of any Living invested with the Forty
Pounds per Poll, and residing therein, he shall, during the Continuance aforesaid,
and no longer, be one of the Vestry of such Parish, and Principal
of such Vestry, although there be the Number of Six persons, or more, besides.

    X.  Andfor keeping a fair Register of all such Vestries Proceedings, and
for Registering of all Births, Marriages and Burials in each respective Parish;
Be it Enacted, by the Authority, Advice and Consent aforesaid, That each Vestry
shall, and is hereby obliged, to provide a fit Person for a Register, who
at all Times, keep a true and fair Registry of the several Proceedings
of such Vestry, from Time to Time, in executing their Trust and Authority,
and making just and true Entries thereof; Which Person, so to be appointed
for keeping such Registry, shall take the Oaths substituted in the place of the
Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, and subscribe the Test and Association,
and also an Oath to be given him by the said Vestry, which Oath the said Vestry
are hereby impowered to administer accordingly, for the due and faithful executing
his said Office, before he shall be admitted into the said Office; and shall
make due Entry of all Vestry Proceedings, and of all Births, Marriages and Burials
(Negroes and Mulattoes excepted) that is to say, the Christian and Sir-Name,
with the Day, Month and Year of every such Births, Marriages or Burials:
To which Purpose, all and every the Inhabitants of each Parish, that are
either Parents, Guardians, Overseers, Masters, or Mistresses of any Person born,
married or buried, are hereby enjoined and required to give Notice to the
Register of such Parish, within two Months after such Birth, Marriage or
Burial, and pay him Six Pence for entering it, at the Time of giving Notice
aforesaid, under the Penalty of One Hundred Pounds of Tobacco, to be
forfeited by such Inhabitant aforesaid, refusing or neglecting as aforesaid; and
under the Penalty of One Hundred Pounds of Tobacco, to be forfeited by
such Register refusing or neglecting to enter it, having received his Fee for the
same:  And such Register is hereby obliged to shew any person or Persons,
reasonably desiring it, any such Register; or give a Certificate of any Births,
Marriages or Burials, that shall be reasonably required of hum:  And shall have
for his Fees from such person, Six Pence for any Search, and Six Pence for
any Copy or Certificate given as aforesaid, and no more; hereby ratifying and
confirming, as valid, all Registers or Entries of any Births, Marriages or