This is a plan extracted from Morpeth St. Mary's Pew Register, 1800 - 1828.
The plan shows the outline of the church and the position of the pews [seats]. The numbers relate to people who would sit in that particular pew during church services. A record of the numbers, and who they relate, to is contained within the register.
It was usual at this time to rent a pew. Payment of a pew rent ensured that you had a reserved place within the church.
Many of the Morpeth parish records are deposited with Northumberland Archives Service. Previously they were kept at the church. For many years church records were stored in the Parish Chest. This tradition dates back to medieval times. The Chest would usually be found in the vestry and kept under lock and key. All church records would be stored there. For example, baptism registers, poor relief records and churchwardens' accounts would all be found within the Chest.
