F.C.Archer's Notes (1)

KERESLEY, KERESLEY NEWLANDS,
CORLEY & EXHALL
in the County of Warwickshire.

THE NOTES
OF
HISTORICAL RESEARCHES

BY

Frederick Charles Archer

First Headmaster of Keresley Newlands School
from Nov. 1926 until July 1939.

The original Note Books were given to the Vicar of Keresley for safe custody in the Church Records.

They have been reproduced in gratitude and for Presentation to Mr. Samuel Glover, Churchwarden of the Mission Church from 1925 until 1965.

The Mission Church desires also to give copies to certain Schools and Libraries in order Mr. F. C. Archer's work shall be available for students.

"And he saith, Write; for these words
are faithful and true.”

Presented to Mr. S. Glover on 30th June 1965.

Comment:

Fronticepiece

The whereabouts of the original note books refered to is now unknown.

However 2 typewritten copies are held in the church records, one of these copies was scanned and checked for this website.

Heading from Keresley and Coundon Almanack 1856.

The Consolidated Chapelry of Keresley and Coundon.

Incumbent.                   William Thickins, A.M.
Churchwardens.               Stephen Barnwell and Joseph Moggs.
Certificated Master of
the National School.         Thomas Sidwell.
Pupil Teacher, ditto         Thomas Holloway.
Sexton.                      Henry Townsend.

Keresley Parish Officers.

Guardian.                    A.Burbery Herbert,J.P.
Overseer and Surveyor of
The Bye Highways.            Wm. Grainger.
Constable.                   John Henson.
Medical Officer.             Thos. C. Miller M.R.C.S., L.S.A.
Relieving Officer, Foleshill.
Bedworth.Union.              F.J.Tickner, Foleshill Lodge.

Population of Keresley in    1851 -- 476.
         Males 228.          Females 248.
         Houses 115.         Area of Keresley 994 acres.

Coundon Parish Officers.

Guardian.                    (Vacant by the death of Edward
                                           Phillips F.S.A).
Overseer.                    Richard Terry.
Surveyor of the Bye
Highways.                    Joseph Liggins.
Constable.                   Robert Hill, Warden.
Medical Officer.             P.A. La Fargue M.R.C.S.,L.S.A.
                                          Fillongley.
Relieving Officer,
Meriden Union.               Wm. Jacombs, Shustoke.
Population Coundon in        1851 ...... 207.
         Males 97.           Females 110.
         Houses 50.          Area of Coundon 960 acres.

Comment

page 1

Church Expenses for Year ending
                March 25, 1855.                 23 .  6 . 10
Voluntary Contributions in lieu
                of Church Rate.                 25 .  7 .  1
School Expenses for Year ending
                Sept. 29, 1855.                 96 . 14 .  4
Subscriptions, including
£20. 9. 0. paid by Scholars.                    91 .  6 .  2
School Clothing Fund for year
ending Dec. 31, 1855 :-
Weekly payments of 190 Children.                50 .  6 .  2
Donations to double the
Children's payments.                            50 .  6 .  2

Parish Notices.

Services in the Parish Church.
Sundays:  Morning, a Quarter before Eleven o'Clock.
          Afternoon, at Three; unless due notice be given for a
                                               different hour.
All Holy Days. Morning, at Eleven o'Clock.
The Sacrament of Baptism will be administered on the First Sunday
in each month, in the Afternoon.
The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper will be administered on the
First Sunday in every month, and on Easter Sunday and Christmas
Day.
The Churching of Women will take place during the Morning Service
of the First Sunday of the Month; during the Afternoon Services
of the Sundays following; and during any Holy Day Service in
the week.
The Time for Burials will be three quarters of an hour before
tie commencement of the Second Service on Sundays, or Four o'Clock
in the Afternoon of other days.

Comment

page 2

Registration of Births and Deaths.

Births. A child should be registered within six weeks after
its birth by a parent or some other person duly authorised
giving notice to the Registrar of the District. No fee.
Deaths. In future the Parishioners of Keresley and Coundon
will not be required by their Minister, in cases of Burial,
to produce a Registrar's Certificate.
The Minister, anxious to relieve the labouring part of the
parish from a hardship will himself undertake to give the
proper notice to the District Registrar.

Savings Fund.
Deposits received every Monday at the School House, from Twelve till Two o'Clock, from One Penny upwards. A premium of One Penny for every Shilling deposited under a Pound; and five per cent., or one shilling, interest, for every Pound deposited.
Manager                 W. Thickins.
No. of Depositors 1855, 147.
Amount deposited        £74. 15. 9.

Presentation of a Testimonial to the Incumbent.
In June 1855, a Deputation, consisting of the Churchwardens
and six others of the principal inhabitants, presented to
their Minister a Testimonial from the Parishioners, together
with three costly and elegant silver Tazzas for flowers or fruit.
The testimonial runs thus: "We the undersigned, Parishioners
of Keresley and Coundon, have united to present to the Rev.
William Thickins M.A., the accompanying Plate, as a token of our
respect and esteem, and in testimony of our high approval of his
ministrations;"and each Tazza bears the following Inscription..
"Presented to the Rev. William Thickins by his parishioners
of Keresley and Coundon, as a small token of 'their affection and
esteem."

Comment

page 3

Recreation Ground.
Under the provisions of an Act of Parliament, passed in the year 1841
for enclosing the waste lands in the two hamlets, the piece of land
now known as the "Keresley and Coundon Recreation Ground,"
adjoining the National School and containing three acres of
land, was allotted and awarded out of such waste lands as a place
of exercise and recreation for the inhabitants of Keresley and
Coundon.
The total expense incurred by the Minister and Churchwardens
in draining, levelling, fencing, seeding down etc., etc., so
as to make the land available for the purposes of Recreation
amounted to £129. 19s. of which sum £17. 5s. still remain due
to them.

National School Garden.
In November 1855 a piece of land adjacent to the School,
containing 1,400 square yards, having been advertised to be
sold for building ground, it was thought desirable by the
Minister and Churchwardens, on account of its contiguity to
the School, and the annoyance it might occasion if built upon,
to purchase it on behalf of the Parish, and attach it as a Garden
to the School for ever. This has accordingly been done, though
at the considerable cost of one hundred Guineas; and it is hoped
that all those who are interested, by property or residence, in
the welfare of the Parish of Keresley and Coundon will give
their liberal aid to relieve the Minister and Churchwardens
from the responsibility they have thus incurred.

Comment

page 4

Keresley and Coundon Friendly Society.
Place of Meeting           -         National School room.
Time of Meeting            -         First Monday in every Month at Seven p.m.
Trustees.                  -         Stephen Barnwell, Joseph Moggs,
                                                       Charles Wright
Treasurer.                 -         William Thickins, M.A.
Medical Officer.           -         Edward Phillips, M.D.
Clerk.                     -         Thomas Sidwell.
Stewards.                  -         Joseph Perkins, John Henson.
No Candidate for Admission into this Society can be Elected
unless he be resident in the Parish.

Lending Library.
Books of the School Lending Library, now containing upwards of 200 separate Works, are given out once a fortnight on Sunday afternoon, at the School room, immediately after the second Service. Any Parishioner can have the use of the Library by a Subscription of One Penny a Quarter.

National School.
Every Child, residing in the Parish, above four years of age, is eligible for Admission, on a pre payment of One Shilling and Threepence a Quarter. At the end of each School year, One Shilling will be returned to each child who shall have entitled the Committee of Management to receive the Government Capitation Grant, by attending the School 176 whole days.

Sunday School Clothing Fund.
No children will henceforth be received as Subscribers who do not regularly attend during the week the National School, or some other School in the Parish, except those who, having left School altogether, are now engaged in profitable employment, at home, or in service.

Comment

page 5

All children subscribing to the Fund must be punctual in their attendance at the Sunday School, and no excuse but that of illness will henceforth be allowed for non attendance. The Children's payments will be doubled for those Sundays only when the Children are present both morning and afternoon, or are absent from illness. Those who are absent from either morning or afternoon School will only receive half the premium for that day, and those who are absent the whole Sunday will not receive anything for that day. No payments to this fund will henceforth be received but those made regularly every Sunday morning.

Comment

page 6

Comment

page 7

Church Expenses for Year ending March 25, 1856.       £ 26.  9. 10
Voluntary Contributions in lieu of Church Rate          23.  2.  0.
School Expenses, from Sept.29,1855 to July,l,
1856, including arrears.                               129.  9.  4.
Subscriptions, etc., including £18.18.6d.
paid by Scholars, and £46.7.Od from the
Council on Education.                                  130. 10.  6.
School Clothing Fund for Year ending Dec.31.
1896:
Weekly payments of 178 Children.                        44.  0.  0.
Donation to double the Children's payments.             44.  0.  0.

Parish Notices.
Services in the Parish Church.
Sundays. Morning, a Quarter before Eleven o'Clock.
Afternoon, at Three o'Clock.
The Sacrament of Baptism will be administered on the First
Sunday in each Month, in the Afternoon.
The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper will be administered on the
First Sunday in every Month, and on Easter Sunday and Christmas
Day.
The Churching of Women will take place during the Morning Service
of the First Sunday of the Month, and during the Afternoon Service
of the following Sundays in the Month.
The Time for Burials will be threequarters of an hour before the
commencement of the Second Service on Sundays, or Four o'Clock
in the Afternoon of other days.

Lending Library.
Books given out on the First and Third Sundays in each Month, at the School room, immediately after the Second Service.

Comment

page 8

Savings Fund.
The First and Third Mondays in each Month, at the School house, from Twelve till Two o'Clock.

School Clothing Fund.
No Children under ten years of age will be received as subscribers to this Fund unless they regularly attend the National School during the week. The highest premium will henceforth be given only to those Children who shall have entitled the School Committee of Management to receive the Government Capitation Grant, by attending the School 176 whole days in the year.

National School.
Every Child above four years of age, residing in the Parish, is eligible for admission. One Shilling and three pence to be paid for each Scholar on the First Monday in each Quarter

Friendly Society.
Place of Meeting               National School room.
Time of Meeting                First Monday in every Month at Seven P.M,
Trustees.                      Stephen Barnwell, Joseph Moggs, Charles
                                          Wright.
Treasurer.                     William Thickins, A.M.
Honary Consulting Physician    Edwards Phillips, M.D.
Surgeon.                       Edmund Waters,
Clerk.                         Thos. Sidwell.
Stewards.                      Jos. Perkins, Jn. Henson.
Candidates for Admission must be resident in the Parish.

Comment

page 9

Registration of Births and Deaths.
"It is the bounden duty of a Registrar, on receiving notice of a birth or death, to go to the house wherein the event occurred, and register the same." Extract, Reg. Gen.
F. T. Tickner, Foleshill, District Registrar for Keresley.
E. A. Bint, Meriden, District Registrar for Meriden N.B. Notice of a birth or death may be made to the Registrar of the District by letter,
Births. A child should be registered within six weeks
after its birth
Deaths. A Registrar's certificate is not required to be
produced before a burial can take place in the
churchyard of Keresley and Coundon. The Minister
will give the proper notice to the Registrar.

Charities Connected with the Parish.
Mr. George Bohun, of New House, Keresley, by his Will, bearing date 1705, bequeathed £346. 6s., South Sea Annuities directing the dividends to be paid as follows:¬
One third to the poor inhabitants of the parishes of St. Michael and the Holy Trinity, in the City of Coventry one third to the poor inhabitants of the hamlets of Keresley and Newland; and the remaining third to the poor of Coundon. Mr. Thomas James Wilmot, of the City of Coventry, gentleman, by his Will, bearing date 1832, bequeathed to the poor inhabitants of Coundon, one hundred pounds, the interest thereof to be given away annually in bread or coals.
"Alms for the Poor."
The money given at the Offertory from Christmas Day, 1847, to Christmas Day, 1856, has ammounted to the sum of £39. 4s. 10d, and has been distributed by the Minister and Churchwardens, at

Comment

page 10

various times, among the inhabitants of Keresley and Coundon as follows:-

168 blankets.                                  £47. 15. 0.
50 pairs of sheets.                             10.  3. 0.
Bread.                                           9. 11. 0.

To those receiving Parish Relief at three
separate distributions of Bohun's Charity
in 1849, 1850, and 1854, and on that
account ineligible to partake of that
Charity.                                         7.  4. 5.
"The Sick and Needy."                           14. 11. 5.
                                               £89. 4. 10.

Extracts from the Parish Chronicle.
1847. The Hamlets of Keresley and Coundon formed into a parish by the Church Commissioners,       under the title of "The Consolidated Chapelry of Keresley and Coundon."
1847. The Church and Churchyard consecrated by the Bishop of the Diocese, on the 10th of       September. Cost of the Church £2,838., exclusive of the site and stone for building.,       given by Thomas B. Troughton, Esq., Coventry.
1847. The Rev. William Thickins, A.M., appointed by the Bishop first Incumbent of the Chapelry.
1848. David Shakespear Waters, aged seventy seven years, buried in a vault in the Churchyard,       Feb. 26. He had been one of the most active and zealous members of the Church Building       Committee.
1849. Five bells placed in the Church tower, at a cost of £194.
1849. Sixty one candidates confirmed by the Bishop.

Comment

page 11

1850. A Clock placed in the Church tower, at a cost of £69.
1851. A Monumental Brass placed in the chancel of the Church, as a memorial to the
      late Thomas Wilmot, of Coundon, Esq., one of the founders of the Church.
      He died March 25, 1846, in the seventy ninth year of his age.
1851. Recreation Ground, containing three acres, drained,
      levelled, sown, etc., at a cost of £130.
      Debt remaining £17.
1852. National School built (on a site given by the late Edward Phillips, F.S.A).,
      at a cost of £730.
      Present debt £33.
1852. Thirty three candidates confirmed.
1852. National School opened. September 29. Thomas Sidwell
      appointed Master.
1853. Friendly Society established.
1854. School first visited by the Government Inspector, and Mr. Sidwell its Master,
      received a certificate of merit from the President of the Council on Education.
1854. Nov. 5, William, son of Thomas and Elizabeth Hands,
      of Keresley, of the 30th Regiment of Foot, killed at
      at the battle of Inkerman, in the Crimea. It is
      proposed to erect in the Churchyard a monument to his
      memory
1855. Presentation to the Incumbent of a Testimonial from
      the Parishioners expressive of "their affection and esteem."
1855. Fiftv six candidates confirmed.
1855. First Pupil Teacher appointed to the National School.
1855. Purchase of ground as a Garden to be attached to the School.
      Cost £120., of which only £40., is yet subscribed.

Comment

The clock installed in 1850 was the first clock, subsequently replaced in Rev Deerr's time - see below p 30

page 12

1856. Second Pupil Teacher appointed to the National School .

Comment

page 13

Keresley and Coundon Almanack.
1858

The Consolidated Chapelry of Keresley and Coundon.
Incumbent.       -     William Thickins, M.A.
Churchwardens.   -     Stephen Barnwell and Joseph Moggs.
Certified Master of the National School.  -  Joseph T. Jones.
Mistress of the Infant School.  -  Clara Jones.
Pupil Teachers of the National School.    -  Thomas Horton and
                                             Mary Oughton.
Sexton.          -     Henry Townsend.
Police Constable.      Alexander Cooper.

Keresley Parish Officers.
Guardian.        -     A. Burbery Herbert J.P.
Overseer and Surveyor of the Bye Highways.  -  Wm. Grainger.
Constable.       -     Isaac Sanders.
Medical Officer.       Thos. C. Miller, M.R.C.S., Bedworth.
Relieving Officer, Foleshill Union  -  F.T.Tickner, Foleshill.
Registrar of Births and Deaths for Keresley:-  F.T.Tickner, Foleshill.
Population of Keresley in 1851... 476 Males 228, Females 248.
        Houses 116.              Estimated extent 1,022 acres.
                Estimated rental £2,519.

Coundon Parish Officers.
Guardian and Surveyor of the Bye Highway.  -  Joseph Liggins.
Overseer.        -     Richard Terry,
Constable.       -     Robert Hill Warden.
Medical Officer.       P.A. La Fargue, M.R.C.S, Fillongley.
Relieving Officer., -  Meriden Union. Wm. Jacombs. Shustoke.

Comment

page 14

Registrar of Births and Deaths for Coundon.  -  E.H.Bint, Meriden.
Population of Coundon in 1851 ... 207. Males 97, Females 110.
         Houses 55.         Estimated extent 1,014 acres.
                 Estimated Rental £2,522.
Church Expenses for Year ending March 25,1857.          £75.  4. 2.
Voluntary Subscriptions in lieu of Church Rate.          75.  7. 8.
National School Expenses for the year ending
June 30, 1857.                                          153.  7. 3.
Subscriptions etc, including £24. 6. 9d.
paid by childrens parents and friends, and
£61. l9s. Od, from the Council on Education.            153. 16. 3.
School Clothing Fund for the year ending
Dec. 31, 1857. Weekly payments of 155
children.                                                43.  0. 0.
Subscriptions to be added to the childrens
payments.                                                33.  0. 0.

Parish Notices.
Services in the Parish Church.
Sundays.  -  In June, July, August and September:-
             Morning at Eleven o'Clock; Second Service at
             Six O’Clock.
             In all other Months:-
             Morning at a Quarter before Eleven
             Afternoon at Three o'Clock.
The Sacrament of Baptism will be administered on the First Sunday in every Month and on Easter Sunday and Christmas Day. The Churching of Women will take place during the Morning Service of the First Sunday of the Month and during the Afternoon Service of the following Sundays in the Month. The Time for Burials will be three quarters of an hour before the commencement of the Second Service on Sundays, or Four o'Clock in the Afternoon of other days.

Comment

page 15

Lending Library.
Books given out on the first and third Sundays in each Month, at the School room, immediately after the Second Service. Any Parishioner can have the use of the Library by a subscription of One Penny a Quarter.

Savings Fund.
Deposits received on the first and third Monday in each Month, at the School house, from Twelve to One o'Clock, by the Rev. W. Thickins. A premium of One Penny for every shilling deposited under a pound, and five per cent., or One Shilling, interest, for every pound deposited. Number of depositors, 1857 155. Amount deposited £78. 7s. 3d.

School Clothing Fund,
No children under twelve years of age will be received as subscribers to this Fund unless they regularly attend the National School during the week. The highest premium will be given to those who attend ,School most regularly. Out of 152 children on the School List for the year ending June 30, 1857, only 28 (9 Girls and 19, boys) were present at School 176 whole days, thereby gaining the Capitation Grant for the School Managers from the Committee of Council on Education.

Parish Notices.
National School.
Every child above four years of age residing in the parish
is eligible for admission. One Shilling and Threepence to be
paid for each scholar on the first Monday in each Quarter.

Comment

page 16

The thirty two children who gained the Capitation Grant in 1856 had each a shilling back, and in addition each was presented by the Committee with a small reward for good attendance at School each girl with a cloth cloak, each boy with a cloth cape.

Sunday School.
No child to be admitted into the Sunday school under six years of age, unless he or she can read fluently words of one syllable. The Clothing Club payments of the younger children will be collected every Monday Morning in School; those of the elder on Sunday Mornings as usual.

Vaccination of Children.
It is, by Act of Parliament, required that children be vaccinated within three months after birth. Parents are liable to a fine of twenty shillings for neglecting this.

Registration of Births and Deaths.
Births. A child should be registered within six weeks after its birth. One of its parents, or any person, as the agent, or on the behalf of the father or mother, giving notice to the
Registrar of the District. No Fee.
Deaths. The inhabitants of Keresley and Coundon are not required to produce a Registrar's certificate previous to the burial in the churchyard of Keresley and Coundon of any one whose death has occurred in the parish. The Minister will undertake to give the proper notice to the Registrar.
N.B. Notice of a birth or death may be given to the Registrar of the District by letter, and it then becomes the Registrar's "bounden duty to go to the house wherein the event occurred and register the same."

Comment

page 17

Friendly Society, Established 1853.
Place of Meeting    -    National School room
Time of Meeting     -    First Monday in every Month at Seven p.m.
Trustees.           -    Stephen Barnwell, Joseph Moggs, Charles
                                                         Wright.
Treasurer.          -    William Thickins, A.M.
Honary Consulting Physician.  –   Edward Phillips, M.D,
Surgeon.            -    Edmund Waters, F.R.C.S.E.
Stewards            -    John Henson and Robert Hill Warden.
Candidates for admission must be resident in the parish.

Parish Notices.
Table of Fees to be taken by the Minister, and Clerk or Sexton, of the Consolidated Chapelry of Keresley and Coundon, as appointed by Her Majesty's Church Commissioners in 1848.

                                                         Clerk or
                                Minister.                Sexton.  
                                £. s. d.                     s. d.
Publication of Banns.              1  6                         6
Marriage by Banns.                 3  6                      2  0
Marriage by Licence.              10  0                      5  0
Churching of Women during the
Sunday or any Weekday Service.        9                         3
Ditto, at any other time.         10  0                      2  6
Burial of a Parishioner or
Inhabitant.                        3  6                      4  6
Burial of a non parishioner
or non inhabitant not less than  1 0  0                      9  0
For any search of Register-book,
of Baptisms, Marriages,or Burials,
extending over not more than one
year.                              1  0

Comment

page 18

For every additional year.            6
For certified copy of entry.       2  6
For liberty to place Head Stone.  10  6
For liberty to place Flat stone. 1 1  0
For liberty to place Raised
stone or Half tomb.              2 2  0
For liberty to place upright
Pedestal or Monument.            3 3  0
For liberty to make Brick
Grave, three feet wide by
eight feet long.                 2 2  0
For liberty to re open ditto.    1 1  0
For liberty to make Vault,
seven feet wide by eight
feet long.                       5 5  0
For liberty to re open ditto.    2 2  0

No Monument can be erected in the churchyard, unless its proposed design and inscription have been approved by the Incumbent. No iron, or other, Fence will be allowed to be placed round any tomb or grave.

Parish Debts.
Recreation Ground 1851      cost £130.      yet unpaid £13.
National School 1852.       cost £730.      yet unpaid £30.
School Garden 1855.         cost £120.      yet unpaid £70.

Comment

page 19

Numb 25385.
                The London Gazette.
                Published by Authority.
                Friday August 8, 1884.                          P.3581.

We, the Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England, acting in pursuance of the Act of the twenty ninth and thirtieth years of Her Majesty, chapter one hundred and eleven, section five, do hereby, subject as hereinafter mentioned, grant to the Incumbent of the Vicarage of Keresley and Coundon, in the County of Warwick, and in the diocese of Worcester, and to his successors, Incumbents of the same vicarage, one yearly sum. or stipend of fifty pounds, such yearly sum. or stipend to be payable out of the common fund under our control, and to be calculated as from the first day of May, in the year one thousand eight hundred and eighty four, and to be receivable in equal half yearly portions, on the first day of May and on the first day of November in each and every year. Provided always, that if at any time lands, titles, or other hereditaments sufficient, in our opinion, to produce the said yearly sum or stipend, or any part thereof, shall be annexed by us to the said vicarage, in substitution for such yearly sum or stipend, or for such part thereof, our liability for the payment of such yearly sum or stipend, or of such part thereof, as the case maybe, shall thereupon and thereafter cease and determine.

           In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our common
           seal, this thirty first day of July, in the year one
           thousand eight hundred and eighty four.

                                            (L.S).

Comment

page 20

        Agreement for building Parsonage House.

Articles of Agreement
Made the twenty second day of September One thousand eight hundred and sixty eight
Between The Reverend William Thickins of Keresley House in the County of Warwick Clerk Incumbent of the Perpetual Curacy and Consolidated Chapelry of Keresley and Coundon in the same County.
Joseph Moggs of Keresley aforesaid Esquire. Philip Albert Muntz of Keresley aforesaid Esquire. David Waters of the City of Coventry in the said County. Gentleman Thomas Huxley of Coundon aforesaid Ironfounder. Joseph Liggins of Coundon aforesaid Farmer and Richard Caldicott, the Younger of Coundon aforesaid Esquire (hereinafter throughout this Agreement called "the said Committee") of the one part and Joseph Makepeace of the said City of Coventry Builder of the other part --

Architect Benjamin Ferrey F.S.A. of No. 1, Trinity Place, Charing Cross in the County of Middlesex Architect.

Roofed in and effectually protected from weather on or before thirtieth day of November next. Parsonage House shall be completely finished fit for habitation by the thirtieth day of June one thousand eight hundred and sixty nine.

                                cost £1,498.

Comment

page 21

Extracts from

         Keresley and Coundon Almanack 1860.
                  The Church.               

The Parish Church of Keresley and Coundon, built at an expense of £2838 (exclusive of the value of the site and the stone of which it is built, both given by Thos. B. Troughton, Esq. of Coventry) was consecrated on the 10th September, 1847. It is designed in the early decorated style, and consists of a tower surmounted by a spire, a nave and chancel, both the latter covered by open timbered roofs. The nave is divided into four compartments separated by bold projecting buttresses, and between each pair of buttresses is a window of two lights. The East end has a triple arrangement of windows and over them a Rose window. The interior is fitted up with English Oak and contains 420 sittings, 320 of which are free and unappropriated. The stone used in the erection of the Church is the New Red Sandstone from Mr. Troughton's quarrey in Keresley.

The Churchyard.
Erected 1859 "Sacred to the memory of William Hands of the 30th Regiment of Foot, fifth son of Thomas and Elizabeth Hands, of Keresley. He fell at the Battle of Inkerman, in the Crimea, on the 5th of November, 1854, in the twenty fourth year of his age. His character with his commanding officer was not only that of "a good soldier but of a good man."

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The School
The School, with Master's house attached, was built in 1852 on a site given by the late Edward Phillips, F.S.A., at a cost of £730., exclusive of the value of the stone which it is built, given by Thos. B. Troughton, Esq.
During the year ending lst July, 1859, 187 children were on the School list.
Average number present at School weekly throughout the year:-
Quarter ending Michaelmas 1858.                   100.
   "       "   Christmas 1858.                    101.
   "       "   Lady Day 1859.                     126.
   "       "   Midsummer 1859.                    114.
Weekly average attendance through the year 110, and of these 86 - 45 Boys and 41 Girls gained the Capitation Grant.
The following is a summary of the Report of Her Majesty's Inspector upon the School after his visit, 7th October 1859:
"Discipline, very fair. Fitness for training apprentices, fair. Holy Scripture and Writing very fair. Catechism, reading, geography, history, needlework and singing, fair. Dictation and Arithmetic, pretty fair. "The efficiency of the school would be much improved by the erection of a class room for the infants."
In consequence of this favourable Report of the School, Mr. Joseph T. Jones, its present master, has received a Certificate of Merit, second class, second division, from the Committee of Council on Education, value £21. 10s., per annum.
At the last examination of the Coventry Archidiaconal Church Extension Society, the following Children educated in the Keresley and Coundon School received prizes, or were highly commended for good conduct and proficiency:-

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Mary Harsh, for hemming and whipping 10s., and a card of commendation.
Mary Taylor, for knitting 10s., and a card of commendation.
Sarah Parker, for shirt sleeves 10s, and a card of commendation.
Edward Townsend, a Prayer book value 10s., for general attainments, also, an extra prize of 10s., and a commendation card for writing.
Ann Crofts, a testimonial of good conduct and of proficiency for shirt sleeves.
Susan Gibson, a testimonial of good conduct and of proficiency for hemming and whipping.

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Copy of letter from E. Phillips.,
to Rev. W. Thickins re obtaining a grant.

                                       Coventry 10 June 1849.

My dear Sir,

The subject of my present communication is my excuse for writing today and I regret my unavoidable absence from Coventry when you called yesterday. Tomorrow I go by early train to London and return next day on Wednesday or any other day this week except Friday I would attend any appointment you may make at the Vestry of Coundon and Keresley Church and discuss the Endowment of the Chapel question.

The proper course seems to be that of a Memorial to the Vicar addressed to him and the Churchwardens and the Members of the Vestry purporting to come either from yourself as the Incumbent or "with the concurrence or suggestion of Mr. Phillips a member of the Vestry" and that Memorial might commence with reciting the destitute case of a Church without a sufficient Endowment for the Incumbent and assuming that the estates of the Mother Church are held for promoting the Interests of the Church, more especially those districts that may have been separated from the parish at large for Ecclesiastical purposes and where the Vicar is relieved from his Church duties and more particularly in the Hamlet of Coundon which is distant two miles from the Mother Church.

At Leeds a dismemberment took place upon a most intensive Scale and that example the memorial may assume will not be forgotten but followed for the support of an Offering of the Mother Church of Trinity.

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page 25

The Example of Harnall spreading over Four Hundred acres might be cited in support, of the request and as £120 a year was granted for that Chapelry it is supposed that the same amount of Grant for Coundon spreading over Eleven Hundred Acres, might be given.

Yet the memorial might suggest, as the amount of Grant rests on the generosity of Vestry that sum may be taken as a Maximum and the Minimum, Forty pounds a year being the same amount as granted by the Landowners towards the Endowment together with the alienation or lease at nominal Rent for long period of the Estate of Trinity Church in Coundon Hamlet as Glebe and parsonage for the future Incumbent's residence in the midst of his Ministerial labours.

If allusion should be made to your own position that ought not to bear on the case, for it is not a private but public and permanent advantage to the Church that the Memorial seeks.

And if this point was really much pressed, it would be well to Invest the annual proceeds during the present Incumbency for the future increase of the Endowment rather than the Grant be denied. I suppose the objection may be only that the Church is not in Trinity parish and I can see none other that bear at all against the Grant. Be pleased to have with you when we meet of draft of the Memorial embodying such of my suggestions as you approve and such fresh matter as you think may apply, and consider whether the Memorial should not be printed and a Copy sent to each Member of Vestry before meeting is held.

                        Yours faithfully
                               E. Phillips.

Rev. Wm. Thickins.

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page 26

Copy of letter from E. Phillips to
Rev. W. Thickins.

                                    Coventry 4 June 1849.

My dear Sir,

Some few years ago the Chapel of St. Peter was built at Harnall and about Four Hundred acres formed into an Ecclesiastical district and separated from Trinity parish and the Cure of Souls in the Chapelry transferred from the Vicar to the Incumbent of Harnall.

From the Funds of the Mother Church (Trinity) One Hundred and Twenty pounds a year has been granted by the Vestry for the incumbent and that Grant has been confirmed by the Court of Chancery.

Subsequently; the Chapel at Keresley was built and the Hamlets of Coundon and Keresley formed by Act of Parliament into a Consolidated Chapelry district and the Land Owners of Coundon contributed Forty pounds a year towards the Endowment but nothing has yet been given for that purpose from the Funds of the Mother Church.

By that Act of Parliament, Coundon Hamlet containing 1046a. 0r. 31p. was for Ecclesiastical purposes detached from Trinity parish and the Cure of Souls transferred from the Vicar of Trinity to the Incumbent of the Chapelry of Coundon and Keresley.

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page 27

The Church is built in Keresley but as that affects not the Cure of Souls in Coundon: I think (as a member of the Vestry of Trinity) that a grant from the Mother Church should be made and if a liberal one to meet the Grant of the Landowners it should be Forty pounds a year and in addition thereto the Estate in Coundon given up and deemed Glebe, for the parsonage and future residence of the Incumbent if ever required.

You are at liberty to make what use you please of this communication expressive of my opinion.

                and believe me

                                 My dear Sir
                                 Yours faithfully

                                 E. Phillips.

Rev. W. Thickins.

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page 28

An Appeal for Donations
towards the cost of
Erecting a Parsonage House
for the residence of the
Vicar of the Parish of Keresley and Coundon,
in the County of Warwick, and Diocese of Worcester

The total estimated cost including Well-sinking, Fencing, Gates, Roads etc. is £1950. Of this sum about £1620 has been obtained, leaving a balance of £330 to be provided.

A site of two acres well and centrally situated with respect to Church, School, and both Hamlets, has been given by Miss Maria Wilmot, younger daughter of the late Wiliam Wilmot Esq., of the Elms, Coundon, valued with the Timber growing thereon at £238. 2. 7.

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page 29

List of Subscriptions
to the
Keresley and Coundon Church Clock.

Keresley Church Clock Account.

Subscriptions as                     Leeson(as per contract)   77. 0. 0.
per list.               98. 15. 4.   Leeson, Fixing.           18. 6. 0.
Leeson (for old                      Jones, as per bill           18. 8.
Clock).                  3. 0.  0.   Sundry payments,
                                     per Rev. Deerr.               8. 0.
                                     Wetton, glazing
                                     Clock Tower                  15. 3.
                                     Curtis, Printing
                                     Statement, Envelopes
                                     Stamps etc.                  15. 6.
                                     Printing already
                                                paid.             11. 9.
                                     Balance.                  3.  0. 2.
                    _______________                        _____________
                      £101. 15. 4.                          £101. 15. 4.
                    _______________                        _____________

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page 30

List of Subscribers to the

Keresley and Coundon Memorial Window Fund

By suscriptions  £171. 12.  3.    Mesrs.Heaton,Butler
                                  & Baynes for Windows  160.  0.  0.
                                  Mr.Marriott,patterns        8.  6.
                                  Curtis & Beamish,
                                  Printing etc.           2. 16. 11.
                                  Cash in Bank.           7. 16. 10.
                                                                                                                            £171. 12.  3.

                                  William Benton.

                                            Treasurer.

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page 31

Keresley and Coundon School Building Account.

The School was built in 1852 and opened on September 29th, in the same year.
The site was given by Edward Phillips Esq., F.S.A. Whitmore Park. The Stone for the building was given by Thomas B. Troughton, Esq., Coventry from his Quarry in Keresley.

Subscription List.

Receipts.                            Expenditure.
Total subscribed.       £702.15. 9.  Total cost of building
The Managers of an                   the Keresley and Coundon
Assembly held at                     School House, including
the School Room                      Fittings, Legal and all
December 1852,           £38. 2. 0.  other expenses.            £745.17. 9.
The Managers of
a Tea party given
at the School Room
December 1852.            £5. 0. 0.
                         __________                             __________
                        £745.17. 9.                             £745.17. 9.
                         __________                             __________

Copied and Printed from the original Account of Receipts and Expenditure 3rd April 1871.

                               William Thickins.

                               Vicar of Keresley and Coundon.

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page 32

List of Subscribers for the New Organ.

Amount forward.                                       £344. 12. 0.
Donations specially given towards
Re hanging the Bells.                                     1. 1. 0.
  ”        ”     ”                                        1. 1. 0.
To Interest allowed by Lloyds Bank.                      2. 13. 8.

Particulars of Costs incurred in errecting
New Organ and Putting Bells in to proper
Repair.
To obtaining Faculty for errection of
New Organ and fees.                                      2. 13. 4.
To C.H. Whiteley, Chester, cost of organ
as per contract.                                       235.  0. 0.
To Carriage of organ, materials and fares
of workmen.                                              8.  2. 6.
To A. Beacham, Contract for preparing and
strengthening the gallery to receive the organ.         26. 12. 1.
To A. Beacham, Cost of making and fixing
2 Oak Pews in the Chancel.                              27. 11. 6.
To A. Beacham, Charge for Assistance in
errecting organ in gallery.                              2. 11. 0.
To The Imperial Oil Lighting Co., 4 lamps
for gallery.                                             1. 14. 0.
To Messrs Mears and Stainbouk, London,
Re hanging and putting into thorough repair
Church Bells as per contract.                           68. 10. 0.
To Anslow & Roden. Felt Carpet for Chancel
                                   l. 6. 0.
Looking Glass for Organ.              4. 0.              1. 10. 0.

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