Kept by / buried by Parish

[Pricey4848]

I take it the above comments recorded in church records (1800's) relate to those christened and buried at public (parish) expense?
Thanks

[Old Bristolian]

Yes, in general - "kept" probably referred to the parents receiving poor relief from the parish

Steve

[stanmapstone]

I take it the above comments recorded in church records (1800's) relate to those christened at public (parish) expense?
Thanks

The Church of England has never charged fees for Baptisms, (unlike weddings and funerals) Under Ecclesiastical law no fee can be charged for the administration of Sacraments. The only time official fees have been charged was when there were duties on Register entries imposed for five years 1694-8 by William III.
Individual incumbents may have expected a fee where there was an ancient custom to that effect, but as a baptism is the initiation into the Christian Church then people would be encouraged to have it done, and not be put off by being charged a fee. The Baptismal Fees Abolition Act was passed in 1872, under which no fee can be charged for baptism notwithstanding any ancient custom to the contrary.  The purpose of this act was to make the law clear in respect of fees for baptisms or for registering baptisms, it appeared that fees were being charged in some parishes, and it was intended to put an end to this system.

Stan