Sexton

Sexton (probably from sacristan), the keeper of things belonging to divine worship. He is chosen by the incumbent, but sometimes by the parishioners, according to custom. There is, it seems, no presumption in law that the office of sexton in an ancient parish church is a freehold for life, Rex v. Dymock (Vicar and Churchwardens), (1915) 1 KB 147. His particular duties are to cleanse the church, to pen the pews, to fill up the graves, to provide candles and other necessaries, and to prevent disturbance in the church, 59 Geo. 3, c. 134, ss. 6, 10; and 19 & 20 Vict. c. 104, 9, and 11 & 12 Geo. 5 (No. 1), s. 6.