Here's an early piece, alas no Christian name given, but I would have thought
this could be determined elsewhere as the article is referring to Westminster
Abbey.
The Times, Thuesday, Oct 30, 1787: pg. 3: Issue 887; col B
Under News:
Friday night last, or Saturday morning early,
some thieves broke into the Abbey Church, West-
minster, by getting upon an old shed, by the
door at Poet's Corner, and ripping up part
of the casement; whilst in the church, they broke
open a small cupboard, and took from thence a
silver staff, belonging to Mr. Catley, the Virger;
they afterwards cut off the gold lace from the
covering of the Altar Table, and, with this booty,
they got off undiscovered.
It is not long since some fellows got into the
same church, and stole the silver ornament from
off the Beadle's staff, and other trifling articles;
the church should keep a better look out, and de-
posit the insignias of office, which are valuable,
in some secure place, not within the body of the
church. --Mr, Catley intends to offer a handsome
reward; for a a Virger may as well come to church
without his head as withouth his staff.
David Meredith
Nottingham, ENG