The Journal of the Commons House of Assembly

FEBRUARY 14, 1759319appear to them, to the House; And It is referred to Mr. Wragg, Mr. Mazyck,Mr. Lamboll, Mr. Rattray, Mr. Graeme, Mr. Izard, Mr. Stobo, Mr. Leigh, Mr.Pinckney, Mr. Manigault, Mr. Drayton.A Memorial of the Commissioners for building the Church and Parsonageof the Parish of St. Michael, was read, Setting forth,That the Memorialists have proceeded so far in building the saidChurch that the Galleries and Pews thereof are now preparing by the Workmen,but as the Memorialists are to defray the Expence of finishing the samewith the Monies that shall arise by the disposing of the Pews for Leases, theytake Leave to represent to Your Excellency and Honors that they apprehendthe Monies to be raised by that means will fall short of what is wanted toCompleat the said Building, and that they have great Reason to believe thatif the Titles to the Pews in Saint Michael’s were put upon the same footingas the Pews of Saint Philip’s and the other Churches in this Province are put,they shall be enabled to raise much larger Sums than they can at presentexpect, for many who are desirous of being Subscribers have declared thatthey will, and doubtless the Generality of them will give more for a Pew tobe Conveyed to them, their Heirs and Assigns for ever than for a Lease, tho’of Ninety Nine Years, incumbered with a Rent of five Pounds Currency PerAnnum.And as the Land allotted for a Coemitery or Church Yard is thought tobe too small, especially in this growing Town and warm Climate, the Memorialistsbeg leave to propose that the Land on which the Parsonage House isdirected to be built may be added to enlarge the said Coemitery and thatthe Commissioners may be impowered to purchase a suitable Lot of Landand House for that purpose in some Convenient place in Charles Town, outof the Monies that are appropriated for building the Parsonage of the Parishof St. Michael.That the Memorialists have Reason to expect that the said Church willbe finished in about a Twelve Month’s time, In Order therefore that theParishioners may receive as soon as possible the Benefits intended by the saidChurch they recommend that some fit Persons be authorized and directedin convenient time to invite a Worthy Minister of God’s holy Word to comefrom England and officiate in the said Church, to be Elected and Chosenin the same manner as the Rector or Ministers of the several other Parishesin this Province are elected and Chosen.And Praying that leave may be given for bringing in a Bill for thesePurposes.Ordered that leave be given to bring in a Bill according to the Prayerof the said Memorial, and that Mr. Mazyck and Mr. Pringle do prepare andbring in the same.