churchwardenshipn.

1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Marguillerie, a Churchwardenship.

1648 R. Chestlin Persecutio Undecima 58 For a Churchwardenship I haue known motions at the Kings Bench Bar, for a Prohibition of a legall, and usuall choice, when the Faction found themselves not strong enough in votes in their Parish.

1710 Brit. Apollo 18–20 Dec. The Office of Church-Wardenship.

1797 T. Battye Red Basil Bk. 57 Had Hallows's accounts in the churchwardenship of Mr. Horsefall been presented to his successor Mr. Locke, the latter would have naturally been inclined to take a peep.

1843 W. Gresley Bernard Leslie xxiii. 233 This portentous fabric of deal boards, which I have no doubt was erected during the churchwardenship of some carpenter.

1868 Contemp. Rev. 9 28 The Establishment even gives him the occasional dignity of the churchwardenship.

1916 T. C. Pease Leveller Movement iii. 89 He thundered out that the oath of churchwardenship, the oath of canonical obedience, and the oath ex officio were alike against the law of the land.

1976 G. B. Hindle Provision for Relief of Poor in Manch., 1754–1826 v. 73 Battye also speaks favourably of the churchwardenship of Messrs. Poole and Stott in 1788 and 1789.

1996 Church Times 19 July 4/1 They..decided to permit one person to hold two churchwardenships, only if they were in parishes already linked through plurality or having the same minister.