and settling the maintenance of ministers in
England and Wales. In 1654 the powers of the Plundered Ministers'
Committee were transferred to the Trustees for Maintenance. The
Committee took the receipts of all Tithes, Fifths, and First Fruits; and
later on the income of the rectories, bishoprics, deaneries, and
chapters; they sold the bishops' lands, &c.

It was out of this income that augmentations and advances were granted by
the said Committee to ministers and school-masters. In the Record Office
at London there is an audited account the Treasurer to the "Trustees for
the Maintenance of Ministers and other pious uses of moneys," showing
among the disbursements for the year ending 26 December, 1658, one to

"Thomas Badland, of Willenhall (6 months to 1659, March 25) . . . 10
pounds."

In curious contrast with this high-minded clergyman, who sacrificed his
living to his conscience, is his successor in the Curacy of Willenhall,
the Rev. Mr. Gilpin, who had to be seriously admonished for non-residence
and other faults, and was at last, in the year 1674, turned out of the
living altogether. Not improbably this gentleman was a pluralist, an
example of the class of clergymen by which the Church of England was very
much degraded at that period.

Dr. Oliver's history printed the following "Dismissal of the Rev. Thomas
Gilpin," from the original document found in the possession of Mr. Neve,
of Wolverhampton, in 1836:--

We, whose names are subscribed, the undoubted and immediate lords of
the Manor of Stow Health, hearing and well weighing the said
complaints of the Inhabitants of the towne of Willenhall, lying
within our said Manor, made and brought against you, Thomas Gilpin,
clerk, Curate of the Chapell there:

Doe in consideration thereof and in pursuance of an Order made and
inrolled on some of the Rolls of the Court of our said Manor, bearing
date 11th day of October in the Sixth Year of the Reign of our late
Soveraigne, Lord, King James, over England, etc.

And of our power and authority thereby, Displace and Discharge you,
the said Thomas Gilpin, from the place, Dignity, and office of
Curate, Minister, or Priest in the said Chapell.

And do hereby present and allow John Carter, clerk (a person elected
and approved by the Inhabitants of Willenhall aforesaid), to be
Curate of the said Chapell in your place and stead, to read divine
servi