SD748. James Martin to Bishop of Hereford
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 2, 372 (in part).
Old Colwall
Nov. 11th 1831
MY LORD,
Your constant residence in a distant part of the kingdom, and your occupations as Warden of Winchester College, have probaby rendered you less attentive to your duties here as Bishop of Hereford, than you otherwise would and ought to be; I therefore shall take the liberty of drawing your attention to the following statement of facts.
Your Lordship is no doubt well aware of the large church preferment attached to the see of Hereford; and, amongst others, the rectory of this and the four surrounding parishes, namely—Colwall, Cradley, Bosbury, Little Marcle, and Coddington.
Cradley, with a population of 1500 souls, is possessed by a rich pluralist, the son of the late bishop, who never resides.
Bosbury, with a population of 1100 souls, your Lordship has lately given to a young man who never resides, or even keeps a resident curate; the church being served by a tutor in a gentleman’s family, who lives in a distant parish.
Little Marcle, with 200 parishioners, is held by a pluralist, and has neither resident rector nor curate.
The parish of Coddington was presented to another relative of the late bishop, many years since, and has been, during the greater part of that period, sequestered for the payment of his debts,—he living in a state of beggary, drunkenness, and infamy that is scarcely credible by any but the two hundred unfortunate parishioners intrusted to his care.
This same divine was also for many years the only officiating minister of this parish (Colwall), and, when sufficiently sober, performed the church service in both parishes: our rector, never having been amongst us for twenty years, intrusted a population of 1100 persons to the entire management of this non-resident curate!
About three years since, we, the parishioners of Colwall, with great difficulty obtained the removal of this person from this curacy, and a resident clergyman of great respectability was appointed in his place. From that period this gentleman has diligently fulfilled all the duties of a parish priest, divine service has been performed twice instead of once on Sundays, the sick have been visited at their own homes, the needy have been constantly relieved out of his small salary, and in short I can attest, as a resident and a magistrate in the parish, that the conduct of this gentleman has visibly improved the morals and ameliorated the condition of the poor; and consequently that he has made himself beloved by his flock, and respected by his neighbours.
Upon the recent death of our long absent rector, a petition was immediately forwarded to your Lordship, from the inhabitants and landowners of this parish, requesting you to appoint our curate to the living. This petition was backed by the recommendation of several of the most respectable individuals in the neighbourhood. The only result of these urgent applications has been the appointment of a stranger, who, we understand, is a pluralist, has no intention of residing, and is about to remove our worthy curate to make way for a young relative preparing for orders.
I trust, My Lord, the foregoing statement will justify me in calling your immediate attention to the circumstances related by
Your Lordship’s obedient servant,
James Martin
Old Colwall, Nov. 11th, 1831.
Text: The Times, 17 November 1831, p. 3.
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