Treasurers' books

DRc/FTb/1-243

1548-1913

series

243 files (paper fragments, paper rolls and bound volumes, some with loose enclosures, now removed)

The series of treasurer's books is complete from 1672-1913, except the volume for the year 1686-1687 which is missing. There are also a few earlier examples. Each book is generally divided up as follows: salaries paid to the Dean, prebendaries, minor canons, lay readers, choirmaster, organist, choristers, King's scholars, officers, stewards, counsellor, bailiff, other church officers and the beadsmen (also known as bedesmen or paupers); the royal subsidy and annuity; pensions to the clergy; episcopal fees (exenia); alms and donations; reparations (i.e. repairs) to the fabric of the Cathedral and other properties in the Precincts, Rochester, e.g. Minor Canon Row, choristers' (i.e. choir) school (later books only); exhibitions for King's scholars; expenses at law: extraordinary expenses and highway repair; necessaries; wood for fuel; carriage; and other items. The later treasurers' books record expenses incurred in connection with various named estates of the Dean and Chapter. Of particular interest are the "miscellaneous payments" (formerly headed "necessary but uncertain expenses"), accounts which contain a detailed record of the activities of the Cathedral, its relationship with the municipal authorities, architectural development, social change and technological advancement over several centuries. The names of many local tradesmen and labourers are recorded; they thus constitute a valuable source on the presence and activity over defined periods of such persons in the Rochester area. The treasurers' books also show how the life of the Cathedral impinged on wider local, national and international events and vice-versa, through, for example, the wide range of nationalities and backgrounds of people listed as receiving alms. The form of the books changes very little: they were kept for the most part by the deputy treasurer who was sometimes a prebend and sometimes a minor canon, and mostly served for one year only. From 1866 onwards they were kept by the Chapter Clerk as deputy treasurer. From 1866-1872 the treasurer paid no salaries to the Dean and prebendaries since these were paid by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. The permanent endowment which the Dean and Chapter received in 1872 made provision for these salaries, so from 1872 onwards these salaries are again recorded in the treasurer's book. The books were audited in the same way as those of the receiver general.

The treasurers' books should be compared with the Chapter minute books (DRc/Ac), to which in any case many of the entries in the later books are cross-referred.