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THE PARISH CHURCH (part 7).

THE FONT.

The most curious, if not the most ancient, piece of workmanship in the Church, is the Font, which stands on the left hand immediately on entering the great south door; the pedestal as well as the sculptured ornaments are in good preservation, with the exception of one flower, which has been mutilated for some purpose or other; it stands three feet nine inches high; the pedestal is plain and neat, and on the under side of the body is the figure of a bishop (probably that of St. Swithin) holding a book to his breast. It is generally supposed to be the work of the sixteenth century. In the early ages of christianity, fonts were kept in private houses, and sometimes placed in woods and other secluded places, but afterwards, they were introduced into the porches of churches, and subsequently into their interior parts.

For the sake of record, I shall in the next place proceed to notice the Benefactional Tablets, of which, in this church, there are four, viz. two in the bishop’s choir, and two in the chancel.

IN THE BISHOP’S CHOIR.

Mrs. Hannah Saltmarsh, daughter of Mr. John Smeaton, Alderman of this Town, gave towards the repair and amendment of this Church, the sum of £100 —£30. towards the teaching of the poor children, and £20. for the use of the poor, to be distributed at the discretion of the vicar.—Mrs. Barbara Moody of this Town, gave in the year 1726, the sum of £24. the use of which is to be distributed upon the feast of St. Mark, for ever, amongst six of the poorest widows of this town, at the discretion of the vicar and the Senior Bailiff for the time being.

George Wharton of this Town, Gentleman, gave one close in Dominie Cross to the head Master of the Free School, to read the Common Prayer on every sunday in the afternoon in the Church of East Retford. And also five pounds per annum, out of his estate in Little Gringley, for the teaching and clothing five poor boys of this parish, not being the sons of freemen, for ever; and also gave 15 penny loaves to be given every monthly communion for ever; and appointed John Simpson, James Wharton, Gentlemen, and Thomas Gylby, vicar, trustees for the same.— —Stephen Rose of this Town, Gent. painted and gave the history of the last supper for the adorning and beautifying this chancell.* —Mrs. Sharpe of this town gave the interest of twenty pounds, now in the hands of the Corporation, to be distributed to the poor, by the Senior Bailiff.

IN THE CHANCEL.

Sir Gervas Clifton, of Clifton, Cou^y Notts. Kt. and Bart. gave to this Corporation 1 large Silver Bowl, Gilt, 1 lesser Bowl, 2 Wine Bowls, 2 Silver Salts, 12 Silver Spoons, and one Silver Mace.— —Lady Frances Pierpoint. relict of Sr. Henry Pierpoint, of Holme Pierpoint, Cou^y Notts. Kt. gave an annuity of £10. to be yearly given to Ten of the most poor and aged people of this Town, and appointed the then Chapter of Southwell, and their successors, trustees for the same.— —Sir Geo. Savile of Rufford, Cou^y Notts. Bart. now Marquess of Hallifax, gave to the re-building of this Church the sum of 20 pounds.— —The Right Hon. Geo. Viscount Castleton. of Sandbecke, Cou^y York, gave a great quantity of stone by which ye inhabitants were enabled to finish so good a work.——Sr. Edwd Neville, of Grove, Cou^y Notts. Kt. and Bart. gave to this Corporation, a very stately Silver Mace to be borne before Mr. Senior Bailiff.— —Sr. Wm Hickman, of Gainsbro’, Cou^y Linc Bart. gave to the Church 2 large Silver Flaggons, 1 large Chalice with cover, 1 large Salver for the Communion Plate.—Wm. Clarke of Walkeringham, Cou^y Notts. gave by his last will 3 Pounds, to be distributed by equal portions at Lady Day and Michaelmas yearly, to 3 aged poor people and honest behaviour of this town, which sum is to be paid by his heirs for ever, out of his lands, of Gainsbro’, Morton,and Walkrith, Cou^y Linc and ye Minister and Churchwardens, are authorized by the said will to enter and distraine upon ye said lands in case ye said sum be not paid accordingly.— —Richard Sleswicke of this town, Gent. gave all his lands and tenements whatsoever, lying here or in West Retford, to ye building and maintaining an Hospitall for 3 poor men of this Town, chosen by the Bailiffs and Aldermen, for the time being, who are, by Decree of Chancery, appointed Trustees for the same.— —John Smith, of Worksop, Cou^y Notts. gave to this town, 4 Pounds, in consideration that the Bailiffs, for ye time being, pay yearly unto the Church-wardens eight shillings, to be distributed upon the feast Retford, every Christmas.

*This painting is placed within the altar rails, on the south side of the chancel; nothing more, however, can be said of it than that it is "an ordinary picture of the Lord’s Supper."

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