The Pews War of 1812

The following is a transcript of a document found in the Parish Register of Baptisms of 1812. The images attached appear to show that this document was itself a transcript of the original, which was written on parchment and ordered to be kept in the Church. I don't know if the original exists and have only seen these images hence some wrong/missing words.

The evidence is that a new church building was started in 1808 and when completed Pews had been installed rather than the old Stalls. This document suggests that the Gentry in the village at the time were in conflict about their own importance and consequentially their seating position in church during services etc. The document allocates pews/seats to those involved to resolve the problem. The commoners many have tried to scupper this settlement as one of them then painted wrong numbers on the pews.

Appropriation of Seats

When this Chapel had undergone a complete repair in 1812, and Pews had been erected instead of Stalls, a considerable difficulty occurred as to the appropriation of the Pews, and after many unsuccessful attempts to effect an accommodation of the differences the following arrangements were unanimously agreed to by the parties concerned.

Considering that it will be absolutely impossible even if a faculty were resorted to, to regulate the seats in the Pews newly made in Stockton Church agreeable. The wishes or even the precise Rights of the several Free holders, and it being very desirable that as far as an accommodation should be such as circumstances will admit.

We do hereby recommend the following arrangement to the persons concerned, certainly without a bias explicably on our parts, but solely with a sincere desire to do equal justice and to prevent future litigation as well as prevent disagreement.

Impraines (sic) We recommend that the Pews be all numbered beginning at the Alter and coming down the Pulpit side first.

We shall then say that Nos 1 & 2 in the chancel are as now appropriate elect to Mr Agar
That No 3 is the Reading Desk and Pulpit.
That in No 4
    Mr Botterill have two seats
    Mrs Ware have one seat
    Mr Wilkinson of London one seat
That No 5 be appropriated to Mrs Ware
That in No 6
    Mrs Ward have one seat
    Mr Lake have one seat
    Mr Ward Jnr have one seat
    Mr Pearson have one seat
That in No 7
     Mr Botterill have one seat
    Mr Green have one seat
    Mr Letby have one seat and the remaining be vacant
That No 8 be considered for Mr Plumers servants, and for the cottage house [he] bought of Mrs Ware
That in No 9 Mr Pearson and Mr Lyth have each one seat
That No 10 be appropriated to Mrs Ware
That in No 11.
     Mr Jebson have one seat
    Mr Hesselwood have one seat
     Mr Scruton have one seat
    Kate Wilkinson have one seat
That No 12 be for Mr Agar's tenants
That No 13 be appropriated to Mr Plumer for the Hall House
That Nos 14 & 15 in the chancel be at Mr Agars disposal

Witness our hands this fourteenth day of Sept 1812
    W Noddins Incumbt & Curate

By mistake of the Painter the Nos are not agreeable to the above directions.

Errata for 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15  1   2   3   4   5    6   7 on Pews
Read       1  2   3   4   5   6    7   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15

The original is on parchment and ordered to be kept in the Church

As a follow on to this it is understood that the numbers were not repainted and on 30 May 1819 Benjamin Agar gave up a seat in No. 9 for the use of John Brigham church Warden.