The Clerk of the Pipe was a post in the Pipe Office of the English Exchequer and its successors. The incumbent was responsible for the pipe rolls on which the government income and expenditure was recorded as credits and debits.
The Dialogus de Scaccario or Dialogue concerning the Exchequer, written in about 1178, details the workings of the Exchequer and gives an early account of how the Pipe rolls were created. The Dialogue was written by Richard FitzNeal, the son of Nigel of Ely, who was Treasurer for both Henry I and Henry II of England.Warren Governance pp. 73–74 According to the Dialogue, the Pipe rolls were the responsibility of the clerk of the Treasurer, who was also called the ingrosser of the great roll and, by 1547 at the latest, the Clerk of the Pipe.Chrimes Administrative History p. 60
The Pipe Office was abolished in 1834."Pipe rolls entry " Websters Online Dictionary
A similar post existed in Ireland and Scotland.
Clerks of the Pipe 1400s: Sir Nicholas Dixon The history of the worthies of England who for parts and learning have been eminent in the several counties : together with an historical narrative of the native commodities and rarities in each county / endeavoured by Thomas Fuller. Fuller, Thomas, 1608-1661 (pub. 1662). Printed by J.G.W.L. and W.G. for Thomas Williams (1662) 1431–: Robert Cawood Robert Malton 1486–: Nicholas Lathell 15nn–: Thomas Cavendish (died 1524) 1520s–1545: John Hyde 1551–?1589: Christopher Smith 1579–: John Morley (died 1587) 1579–?1592: Thomas Moryson (died 1592) 1592–1594: Sir John Wolley (died 1596) 1596–1605: Sir Edward Stafford 1607–?1609: Francis Wolley (died 1609) 1609–1610: Arthur Jarvis 1610–1616: Sir Arthur Mainwaring 1616–1632: Henry Croke (jointly) 1616–1632: Anthony Rous (jointly) (died 1632) 1632–1659: Henry Croke 1659–1680: Robert Croke (died 1680) 1689–1703: Robert Russell 1703–1706: William Cheyne, 2nd Viscount Newhaven 1706–1710: Sir John Cooke 1710–1711: William Farrer 1711–1728: William Cheyne, 2nd Viscount Newhaven 1728–1728: Anthony Cornish 1728–1748: Henry Holt Henley 1748–1748: Sir William Corbet, 5th Baronet 1748–1758: Richard Arundell 1758–1783: Sir John Shelley, 5th Baronet 1783–?1834 Lord William Bentinck 1834 Post abolished
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