January 24th 1881

The annual vestry meeting of St. Silas' Church English Harbor of which due
notice was given during Divine Service on the previous Sunday was held in the
School Room at English Harbor on Monday afternoon January Twenty fourth 1881
at three oclock, the Rev Walter R Smith presiding.

Meeting opened with prayer

Present
   The Lay Reader Mr Facey
   Joseph Penny (of Richard), Archibald Bestone of Joseph, Church Wardens
and
Wm Bestone (Mark),
Wm Penny (Robt),
Mark Bestone,
John Wells Penny,
Reuben Penny (Robt),
Saml Penny (Mark),
Wm Penny (John [maybe "R" or "Sr"]),
Joseph Bestone (Wm),
George Wells (James),
Peter Penny,
Joseph Penny (John of Jno),
William Bestone Wm,
Abraham Penny (John of Jno),
Joseph Penny John,
John Bestone (Joseph),
John Penny (Jas),
Mark Penny (John of Jno),
George Ford (George),
Charles Penny (Saml),
Wm Penny (Saml of Wm),
Arthur Penny (John of John),
John Bestone (Mark),
Henry George Bestone (Jno of Mark),
Albert Penny ([Jno ?]),
George Ford Senr,
William Bestone (Joseph),
Joseph Ivamy (Wm),
James Penny (Catharine),
Richard Penny (William),
James Well Senr,
Albert Penny (Wm),
William Penny Senr,
John Wells (Mark),
Solomon Penny (Catharine),
Wm Bestone (John),
Joseph Penny (James of Richard),
Israel Penny (Saml of Wm),
John Bestone (James),
Richard Penny (John),
Jacob Penny (Richard),
Francis Penny (John).

Church warden accounts for past year read
Proposed by Wm Bestone (Mark)
Seconded by Jno Wells Penny
and passed unanimously
That the Church Wardens accounts be passed as now read.

Thanks of the meeting then given to the retiring Church Wardens.

The Minister then chose Mr Jacob Penny of Richard as his warden for the
next two years.
Proposed by Joseph Penny (Richd)
Seconded by Archibald Bestone
That Mr Mark Bestone (of Mark) be Peoples Warden for the term of two years
Carried unanimously
Mr William Penny of Robt was appointed Deputy Church Warden

Proposed by Wm Bestone (Mark)
Seconded by William Penny (Robt)
That Joseph Penny (of Richard) be Sexton of St. Silas Church
carried unanimously

Proposed by John Bestone (Mark)
Sec by Joseph Bestone (Wm)
That in future two men go round & collect /6 (six pence) currency per man
from every member of the congregation in each year for the Sexton's pay
carried unanimously

Archibald Bestone and William Penny (John) volunteered to make the
collection for the present year.

Proposed by John Bestone (Mark)
Sec by Archibald Bestone
and carried nem: con:
That the ancient rule of the Church be carried out and that the Sexton do
make the people go into Church and not stand about the Church
[looks like "door"] either before or during Divine Service

Proposed by Joseph Penny (Sexton)
Seconded by William Bestone (Mark) and carried unanimously
That the Collection for the Minister and Lay Reader be made in the same
manner as last year and that the whole amount of the Road money as worked
out by the members of the Congregation be given to the Minister that he
may pay the six pounds per annum to the Lay Reader as agreed between the
said vestry & Mr Facey last year, and the said Minister is to retain the
whole of the balance for his own use.

The members of the Congregation then present agreed to give a haul of
firewood to the Lay Reader (Mr Facey) during the present winter.

The meeting closed with prayer.

                        Walter R Smith
                        Minister

P.S.  This list of days labour given to the Church in April last was read
      to the meeting and approved

                        Walter R Smith
                        Minister