THE BARRATT FAMILY
of Bedfordshire
   
Robert was chosen as one of the Churchwardens for East Endside Kempston for the year 1746-7. Any ratepayer could be appointed to this job, which was unpaid, although he could charge for beer when there was a meeting and a I/- for collecting the rate from the other ratepayers. Any stranger passing through the village and needing help could apply to the Churchwardens for alms. These were usually people being sent back to their home parish who had by law to support any paupers who had a settlement in their parish. There seemed to have been a lot of sailors passing
through Kempston, which seems strange for an inland parish. These men had probably been press-ganged into the Navy and had
now been released and were returning to their homes. Robert gave them small sums of money to help them on their way. He paid the small boys of the village for killing vermin, mostly
polecats at 4d each but on one occasion for an otter he paid 2s.6d. He also had to pay out for materials and work for repairs to the Church, for bread & wine for the communion, buy beer for
the bell ringers for the bells to be rung on the anniversary of the King's Coronation, his birthday and Guy Fawkes Day. He had
to buy a copy of the printed instructions for a Fast. Great Britain was at this time at war with France and also Charles Edward, the Young Pretender had invaded Britain and had won
several victories. A National Fast was declared and everyone was instructed to go to Church and pray for our forces to be victorious. For the year Robert was Churchwarden he spent out
£7.0s.4?d.

 In 1747, Robert's daughter Mary, who was living and working in the parish of Barton, married William Prudden, a collarmaker of
Bedford. They were married by license and Robert was one of the suretys for the license. The wedding took place on 6th April,
1747 at St Pauls, Bedford.Robert wasagain Churchwarden for 1747-8. In November he had to go to Bedford, this was in connection with Matthew Caris, he was probably a pauper whom Robert had to take to a JP for a
statement to be taken under oath as to where he belonged. There was also some excitement caused in Kempston when the long
ladder, which was usually kept in the church for use when repairing the windows or roof, was found to have been thrown in the water. Perhaps some of the villagers had celebrated the 5th
November too well. Robert as Churchwarden had to pay I/- for getting the ladder out of the water and having it carried down to the Bell. To ensure it did not happen again a chain was
bought for l/6d and the ladder was kept in future at The Bell where there was always someone to keep an eye on it.
In April 1748, there was a Visitation by the Church Authorities. It was usually for the Archdeacon to visit each parish during
the year and every three years the Bishop would visit his parishes. Robert paid the bills for the expenses, for dinner for the Minister and the Clerk which cost 5/-, the dinner for 13 Churchwardens, from Kempston and surrounding parishes cost 9/-. Robert paid Abraham Biggs I/- for collecting the rate or levy
for him. Both had lived in Kempston for many years and no doubt knew each other well, so Abraham was probably quite willing to help his friend out.