For Whom The Bell Tolled

Persons Excommunicated.

Jno. Taylor

Jno. Howerth

Alice Robinson

Thomas Mills

Alice Farrar

Alice Scolefield

Miriam Lord

It appears from this incidental memorandam that the procefs of Excommunication, or, as it was then called,of drawing the Sword of St Peter, continued at Milnrow down to 1719, or even to a later period. In the earlier ages of the Church this solemn act of Discipline was so contrived as to cause the greatest pofsible sensation within the circle where the offenders were known.

The sentence itself was generally pronounced by torch-light-at its conclusion the torches were extinguished, and a Bell tolled. A mefsenger was then forwarded to all the clergy in the Parish or Deanery, where it was pronounced. It was repeated in all the Churches, and posted on all the Church doors: And all those to whose knowledge it came were forbiddenon on pain of a similar punishment, to hold any intercourse or communion with the Excomd.

This severe sentance was not resorted to until expostulation--remonstrance--formal notice, & other milder expedients had proved ineffectual.

The above was written in the register of the MILNROW, Rochdale,Lancashire Parish Register, and dated 1832.