-J. B.]
CHAPTER XVI.
OBSERVATIONS ON PARISH REGISTERS,
ACCORDING TO THE WAY PRESCRIBED BY THE HONBLE. SIR WM. PETTY, KNIGHT.
[THIS chapter consists merely of memoranda for the further examination
of those valuable materials for local and general statistics - the
parochial registers. Aubrey has inserted the number of baptisms,
marriages, and burials, recorded in the registers of Broad Chalke, for
each year, from 1630 to 1642, and from 1676 to 1684 inclusive;
distinguishing the baptisms and burials of males and females in each
year. The like particulars are given for a period of five years from
the registers of Dunhead St. Mary. He adds, "In anno 1686 I made
extracts out of the register bookes of half a dozen parishes in South
Wiltshire, which I gave to Sir Wm. Petty." The following passages will
suffice to indicate the nature of his remarks.- J. B.]
MR. ROBERT GOOD, M.A., of Bower Chalke, hath a method to calculate the
provision that is spent in a yeare in their parish; and does find that
one house with another spends six pounds per annum; which comes within
an hundred pounds of the parish rate.
Sir "W. Petty observes, from the account of the people, that not above
halfe teeming women are marryed; and that if the Government pleased
there might be such a multiplication of mankind as in 1500 yeares
would sufficiently plant every habitable acre in the world.
___________________________________
Mdm.
Pages:
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179