The present rector, who is the third, is the Rev. Charles Newling, and the benefice something like the following:
| l. | s. | d. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| A prebendal stall in the cathedral | |||
| church of Lichfield, | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Eight acres and a half of glebe land, | |||
| at Long bridge, nearBirmingham, | 32 | 0 | 0 |
| Emoluments arising from the seats of | |||
| the church, | 140 | 0 | 0 |
| Surplice fees, | 50 | 0 | 0 |
| Easter offerings, | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| An estate at Sawley, in the county of | |||
| Derby, under lease for threelives, | |||
| renewable by fine, at theannual | |||
| rent of | 66 | 13 | 4 |
| ------------ | |||
| 304 | 13 | 4 | |
| Out of which is paid to the rector | |||
| of St. Martin's, inconsideration | |||
| fees and offerings onceappropriated | |||
| to that church, | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| ----------- | |||
| 289 | 13 | 4 | |
BIRTHS AND BURIALS.
There are many inducements for an author to take up the pen, but the leading motives, however disguised, seem to be pride and poverty; hence, two of the most despicable things among men, furnish the world with knowledge.
One would think, however, there can be no great inducement for a man to write what he is conscious will never be read. Under this class may be comprehended alphabetical collections, chronological tables, books of figures, occasional devotions, etc. here also I range the lists of officers in Birmingham, the annual sums expended upon the poor, and the present chapter of numbers. These are intended for occasional inspection, rather than for regular perusal: we may consider them as deserts served up for a taste only, not a dinner; yet even this rule may be broken by a resolute reader, for the late Joseph Scott, Esq; founder of the trust before-mentioned, assured me, in 1751, that he had perused Bailey's Dictionary as methodically as he had done Tom Jones; and, though a dissenter, he continued to read the Common Prayer Book from end to end, about twice a year; which is more than, perhaps, the greatest lover of that excellent composition can boast.
I shall, to avoid prolixity in a barren chapter of the two extremes of life, select about every tenth year from the register. Those years at the time of the plague, make no addition to the burials, because the unhappy victims were conveyed to Lady-wood for internment.
These lists inform us, that the number of streets, houses, inhabitants, births, burials, poor's rates, and commercial productions, increase with equal rapidity. It appears also from the register, that there were more christenings lately at St. Martin's, in one day, than the whole town produced in a year, in the 16th century--The same may be found in that of St. Phillip's.
The deaths in Deritend are omitted, being involved with those of Aston.
| Year. | Births. | Burials. | Year. | Births. | Burials. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1555 | 37 | 27 | 1667 | 146 | 140 |
| 1560 | -- | 37 | 1668 | 113 | 102 |
| 1571 | 48 | 26 | 1681 | 251 | 139 |
| 1580 | 37 | 25 | 1690 | 127 | 150 |
| 1590 | 52 | 47 | 1700 | 172 | 171 |
| 1600 | 62 | 32 | 1719 | 334 | 270 |
| 1610 | 70 | 45 | 1720 | 423 | 355 |
| 1623 | 81 | 66 | 1730 | 449 | 415 |
| 1628 | 100 | 96 | 1740 | 520 | 573 |
| 1653 | -- | 47 | 1750 | 860 | 1020 |
| 1660 | -- | 75 | 1760 | 984 | 1143 |
| 1665 | -- | 109 | 1770 | 1329 | 899 |
| 1666 | 144 | 121 | 1780 | 1636 | 1340 |