Senior Clerks 1782-1856

Senior Clerks 1782-1856

This grade was created in 1782. (fn. 1) The number of Senior Clerks was then fixed at six and remained unaltered, as did that of the divisions in which they served, until 1834. Between 1805 and 1818 the Clerk of the Minutes ranked as a Senior Clerk. (fn. 2) When in 1834 the number of divisions was reduced to five there was a corresponding reduction in the number of Senior Clerks. (fn. 3) In 1850 the number was reduced to four, one for each of the divisions established in the previous year and one to superintend the reorganised Registry Department. (fn. 4) The grade was abolished in 1856. (fn. 5)

Between 1782 and 1805 the Senior Clerks all received a basic salary of £100 as Clerks on the establishment. In addition they enjoyed allowances which varied in amount according to the divisions in which they were serving. In 1782 these allowances were fixed at £400, £350, £500, £380, £360 and £280 for those serving in the first to sixth divisions respectively. (fn. 6) In 1798 they were fixed at £525, £485, £565, £500, £335 and £380 respectively. (fn. 7) In certain divisions the amounts were subject to variation according to whether conditions of peace or war prevailed. (fn. 8) In 1805 a uniform progressive scale was introduced for the grade, beginning at £600 and rising after fifteen years to £700 and after twenty years to £800. (fn. 9) In 1813 the scale was improved and the maximum salary was raised to £1000 after twenty years. In 1821 it was fixed at £600 rising by annual increments of £20 to £800. (fn. 10)

LIST OF APPOINTMENTS

LISTS OF APPOINTMENTS