Bangor Vestry Minute Book

This fonds consists of a minute book which records the proceedings of Bangor parish vestry meetings from 12 September 1867 to 27 May 1916. Its entries record the usual vestry business such as appointment of various officers under vestry control, such as constables, overseers of the poor, highway surveyors etc and the business of highway maintenance. It also includes approval of rate collectors' and overseers' accounts and possible ways to improve the prosperity of the town through an increase in visitors.

From the later Middle Ages until the late nineteenth century, the parish, as well as having responsibility for ecclesiastical affairs, was the major instrument of local government, which continued until reforms in the late nineteenth century. Parishes, represented by a selection of their members known the "vestry", had responsibility for poor relief, highways, law and order, fire prevention, schools and election of parochial officers such as overseers of the poor. In 1894 parish government was reconstructed which left the vestry with limited powers such as the election of churchwardens and administration of charities.

Bangor vestry met regularly in the Cathedral, it dealt with business such as the appointment of constables and guardians of the poor, surveyors of highways and members of the Bangor Burial Board, examining and passing the accounts of the overseers of the poor etc. In 1874 it considered ways to improve the amenities of Bangor to increase the number of visitors staying in the town. In 1916 the vestry passed a motion that it should transfer all its civil functions to the City Council, as was already the case in other rural parishes, retaining only its ecclesiastical functions.

This item is incorporated into the General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts .

Open to all users

Description compiled by Anne Lenaghan, October 2001

Item level word-processed list is available at the Archives Department of the University of Wales, Bangor. Reference number: General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts: 6840

Usual copyright conditions apply. Reprographics are made at the discretion of the Archivist.

Also held at the Archives Department of the University of Wales Bangor are the Bangor Rate Books. Reference numbers: General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts 2726, 6838-6839, 32815.