In earlier times records were considered the property of their maker who would retain them as he left office. Unusually Lincoln's Inn kept its own records from an early date, 1422, when its Black Books recording the proceedings of its Bench begin. An entry for 1442 refers to a payment for a wine party (pro potacione) with the Middle Temple. The Inn's earliest records date from 1501 and so reflect a mature and well-established Society. A survey in the 1574 found some 200 members (11 Benchers, 40 barristers and 139 other gentlemen) and 138 chambers.