Diocesan Registry.

Document No. 201.

1712.

AN EARLY MENTION OF POTATOES: A QUESTION OF CHURCH TITHE.

At ye Annual Convocation at Bps Court, June y^e 12th, 1712.

Whereas it is observed, yt ye farmers and other Tennants within this Island have, for five or six years past, turned the tillage of very Considerable parts of y^r respective holdings into planting of Pottatoes ; upon which a great part of y^r Manure is Expended, which in time may be of pernicious consequence to ye Rights of the Church. It is therefore Ordered, yt all persons shall give a just account and proportion of y^r Pottatoes unto ye Rector, Vicc^r. or Proctor of ye Respective Parish, as of any other tyth growing or Produced off and from ye Earth: which if any person refuse to do, they are by ye Sumnr., or in case of further Disobedience, by a Souldier to be committed. And all Rectors, and Viccrs and other Proctors are likewise to take care yt no prejudice do accrue to ye Church by their Neglect in this Matter.

Thos. Sodor & Man
Sam : Wattleworth Archdn
Robert Parr
John Curghy.