Inventory of Manse Contents 1880
In 1880 Rev Henry L Church was appointed Superintendent of the Windsor Methodist Circuit. Then, as now, each circuit was responsible for providing and maintaining the manse. Nowadays “it is the responsibility of the Circuit (as set out in Standing Orders 533, 803 and 954) to provide a suitable manse, to decorate it and to furnish it with carpets, curtains, a cooker, office furniture and a lawnmower”(1). In those days, more was provided, as illustrated by a 21 page detailed inventory(2) of everything, including items in the garden and servant’s bedroom, down to the last teaspoon and items not present due to being in the wash …
Sample of transcription
Second Floor Front Bedroom:
1 3 ft 6 in Iron Bedstead
1 Feather Bed, bolster, and Pillow
1 Straw palliasse
3 Blankets
1 White Counterpane
White Valance to bedstead
1 pr Mahogany drawers (5 drawers)
5 rush bottomed chairs
2 Cane bottomed chairs
Hanging wardrobe with 5 pins & pair of cretonne Curtains
1 Night Commode
1 painted Iron Fender
1 deal dressing Table
1 deal wash stand with ware complete & 2 chambers
1 Small Mahogany Looking Glass
1 Holland Blind with roller
1 pr Dimity window curtains
1 Short Muslin Window Curtain
1 deal Towel horse
Kidderminster Carpet & oil cloth
To read the whole document transcription
follow this link to the Thames Valley Circuit website:
http://www.methodistthamesvalley.org.uk/Manse%20Inventory%201880.pdf
or open the PDF at the bottom of this page.
Notes
1. Source: A Charter for Incoming Ministers, adopted by the Conference of 2000
2. The original document is held in the Circuit Archives in Berkshire Records Office. Editor’s Note: This transcript includes occasional minor clarifications to make it more meaningful for today’s reader.
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