HISTORICAL NOTES.

In the second of our old Registers which starts in the year 1754, in the reign of King George II., our village was still spelt in the old form, viz., Hartlyppe. The modern Hartlip came very soon after this.

The Vicar here in 1747 was the Reverend Charles Soan, Bachelor of Laws. He describes himself as "also of S. James' in the ossle of Grean." He appears to have been a pluralist, and much away from Hartlip, and the village had its services conducted by a series of assistant Curates. Here is a list of them. He had the help of a Rev. Caesar Curtis, in 1747. Mr. Curtis was afterwards a Vicar here. The Rev. Pierce Dixon, Bachelor of Divinity, was here in 1755, John Heathfield in 1760. This year the Rev. John Prat was instituted as Vicar. The Curates then were:- Paul Sheraton 1762, William Jones 1764, H. Donner 1766, R. Podmore 1777, Thomas Davies 1778, Thomas Miller 1779, George Holgate, W. Hassell in 1782, and J. Richards in 1702. The Rev, R. Hodgson was then Vicar. In 1798 the Rev T. Walker succeeded Mr. Hodgson. A Reverend Sir St. Hugh Burdett, Baronet, also helped here.

In those old days many clergy held several livings, were often non-resident, and employed a Curate to do their work. (A note may be of interest in this connection. A Rev. George Mutter, M.A., was Rector of Chillenden, near Canterbury in 1807, he was also perpetual Curate of Little Stanmore in Middlesex at the same time, and also for a time, too, at the Broadway Church, Westminster.) The end of this holding of pluralities started gradually at the end of the reign of King George III. It is interesting to know that the famous Duke of Wellington, who was a Member of Parliament as well as an Army General and Secretary of State for Ireland, was a prime mover in the matter of compelling clergy to reside in their parishes, and doing away with what was undoubtedly an abuse.

In spite of the little Church School at Hartlip, founded in 1678, by the late Mary Gibbon, it appears very few could write their names when coming to he married, especially the womenfolk. As schooling was not compulsory it would seem many parents did not regard education as necessary, and, of course, children went out to work often-times at seven years of age, girls entered domestic service at ten, and boys who were to have a trade were apprenticed at the same age. Two parish clerks named John Bowles and William Thomas who held office here at the time now recorded, signed their names as witnesses at almost every wedding that took place in Hartlip Church.

Some who attended the Missionary Exhibition may remember an old lithograph picturing our

Church - kindly lent by Mr. Twort, of Newington - as it was probably about 1840. The writer has seen a letter written some years ago by the late Mr. E. Stevens, our old Schoolmaster, who knew of Hartlip before alterations were effected. In those days before the present Vicarage was built the Coach house and stable opened on the Churchyard, and a wide road led up to them. This road was closed by a five barred gate and another like it was where the Lych-gate now stands. The road between the School and Churchyard has always been it would seem a right of way to the Lower garden, as it was called - part of which is the additional Church yard now. "The Vicar of Hartlip holds the right with the owner and tenant of 'Place Farm.'" As part of Cuckoo Orchard was sold by Mr. H. G. Faussett-Osborne to the late Mr. Gerald Denson, Mrs. Denson now shares the right with the Vicar for the time being.

In 1854 the present Vicarage was erected and land purchased to add to its amenities. This meant a new lay-out. It was effected by the Rev. W. Fisher, Vicar. The cottage in the grounds was built and gifted to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners by the Rev. G. Farmer. The Rev. D. H. Creaton gave part of the Lower garden to enlarge the Churchyard.

BAPTISM.

Aug. 7 - Anthony John, son of Ernest Arthur and Ivy Carlton

G.F.S.

The Members went with Mesdames Mutter and Luck to London for a day on August 16th. An early start was made and London was reached by 7.45 a.m. They visited St. Paul's, the Abbey, St. Martins-in-the-Fields, and Townsend House. They also went to the West End shopping centres and enjoyed the thrill of escalators.

MOTHERS' UNION.

Mrs. Locke most kindly gave a delightful garden party to our members and a few friends on August 17th. It was most enjoyable.

HARVEST FESTIVAL.

This will be on October 2nd. Holy Communion at 7 and 11 a.m.; Children's Gift Service at 3 p.m.; Evensong and Sermon at 6.30 p.m. Our Dedication Festival will be as usual on September 29th, St. Michael's Day; Holy Communion at 7 a.m. and 10 a.m.; children at 9 a.m.; Evensong and Sermon at 7.30 p.m.

Special preachers will be announced later. Gifts for the Church will be welcomed.