OLD DUDLEY DURING THE LAST SIXTY YEARS.
To the Editor of the Dudley Guardian.
Sir,—In reference to the letters which have appeared in the Dudley Guardian for several weeks past signed “Veritas,” and “Z.”—such letters containing matters which are in many instances preserved as historical records,—permit me to say that some of the statements are very vague and indefinite. We will take for instance Saint Thomas’ Church, Dudley. Your correspondent states it cost the sum of £24,000, raised partly by rates and partly by voluntary contributions, also giving the list of the donors, from which your correspondent omits many old Dudley names. As there was more than one subscription list, I beg to give you a copy of one of them:—
“Dudley Parish Church of St. Thomas.
July 21st, 1814.
“At a meeting held at the time and place aforesaid, in pursuance of public notice given on the preceding Sabbath in both churches (the Rev. Dr. Booker in the chair), the following resolutions were passed unanimously, to carry into effect the pious intentions of the inhabitants of Dudley, to erect a suitable parish church for the services of the Almighty.
First.—That a committee be appointed, and that all subscribers of forty pounds and upwards do constitute such committee.
Secondly.—That the following form be immediately submitted to the Right Honourable Lord Viscount Dudley and Ward, the patron, for his lordship’s concurrence and subscription, as well as that of the inhabitants at large.
We, whose names are hereunder written, do hereby undertake and promise to subscribe the several sums of money set opposite to our respective names; the same to be applied in taking down and rebuilding the Church of St. Thomas, in Dudley, and for defraying other expenses incident thereto. Which sums we do hereby severally agree to pay into the hands of the Treasurer hereafter to be appointed, by ten equal successive quarterly payments, the first quarterly payment to be made on the 25th of January, 1815.