< Back The Vestry Books and Registers of St.John's Parish, Stamford Submitted by Chris Hunt Perhaps the best plan to give an idea of the oldest of the three vestry books will be to take the first three pages, where are recorded the particulars of all the payments made by the Churchwardens for the year ending 18th April 1588, and a statement of the parish accounts rendered at the end of the year. The first entry reads this:- Payd forth for riting at the larst account to Master Tompson ijd. Payd uppon Low Sunday for a pynt of Moskadyne and brede vijd. for hallf a pynt the Sunday following iijd. for mending the grett bell stay ijd. for ij load of sand for the pavements xxid. for ijd load of stone carrige viijd. for mending an irron pin for the grett bell ijd. to the pavyer for his worke vis. viijd. to the plumer for mending the leaydes ijs. viijd. for wood id. the xxvijth of August for a quart of Moskadyne for the Communion xiid. to the bookbinder for mending the service book and the prayer book iis. vijd. to the parritor for the carriage of the inventary to Lincolln xiid. to George Ellington for harroing the Church land iiijs. for mending the bandrick of the seckond bell iiijd. Bestowed on the ringers on St. Thomas’ Day in drink and brede viiid. Payd for mending the grett bell whell iiijd. for neilles ijd. for a pottell of Moskadyne on Christmas Day for the Comunion ijs. for the xiiijth of January for a pynt of Moskadyne vid. for the xxith of January a pynt of Moskadyne for the Comunion vid. for mending the hookes of the Church door iiijd. for washing the surpllis and tabell clothe iiijd. for ij horses to the vysitation iis. viijd. for horse keep xd. for our dinners ijs. vid. for making our bill iiijd. for mending the belt of the grett bell and irons ijd. to Goodman Goodlands for mending the great whell and stay ijs. for a pottell of Moskadyne for Pallmes Sunday ijs. for glass for the west window and ij guardes viijd. for vi strick of barly for sede vis. xd. for George Ellington for pllowing and sowing iiijs. for half a pynt of Moskadyne for Easter even xijd. for V pientes of Moskadyne for Easter Daye ijs. vid. It is interesting to note the quantity of wine used at this period, viz., a pottel or four pints on Christmas Day and Palm Sunday; a quart was used on Easter Eve and five pints on Easter Day. These quantities are large, but I noticed in the account 40 years later, viz., in 1629, they were still larger, viz., on Good Friday two quarts and on Easter Day six quarts of wine were consumed. Other payments interesting to the parishioners of St. John’s are those referring to the cultivation of the church land, viz., for seed corn, ploughing, sowing and harrowing, as this land is still held by the Churchwardens though now let on a building lease and the rent used towards church expenses. After the detailed particulars of expenses the following memorandum is recorded, and it is interesting to notice the altered meaning of words. Memorandum that William Hutton and Matthew Southwell, Churchwardens of St. John’s Parish in Stamford, did gyve their accompt up to the viijth day of April 1588, for yo yeare before, before Tobye Loveday, Alderman of the Borough and Towne of Stamford aforesaid, Robert Meadowes, gentn; John Symon, John Yarwood, Geo. Hall, John Barnes, and others, in wch yeare their receipte came to xliiijs. ixd., and their allowance came to liiijs. ijd., so yt their allowance amounted their receipte ixs. ijd. All wch accompt was brought in Church stock, which at the accompt before was delivered to sundrie men as by the former accompt appeareth, and which Church stock with the increase comes zvl. xiijs. --- say Fyfteen pounds eyght shillings at which accompt the foresaid William Hutton, Senior Churchwarden, was dismyst, and John Musson was was elected the chosen officer by the parishioners, at which time was delivered to the Churchwarden the sum of eight and twenty shillings and sevenpence, and there remayned to be putt to trust of the Parish the summe of xiiil. xs., besyde xxxjs. for the two acres of barlye sold to John Barnes, to be payd at the next accompt, in the whole fyfteen pounds rwo shillings. I say xvl. ijs. Delivered the said thyrteen pounde tenn shillinge into the hande, custodye, and keping of Tobye Loveday, Alderman, and Robert Medowes, gentn. You will notice instead of their “payments exceeded their receipts,” it is stated “their allowance amounted their receipts,” and also that having fulfilled his duty and accounted for the balance in hand the senior Churchwarden was “dismyst,” really meaning they awarded him a legal discharge from further responsibility. In 1606 there is first entered a list of church goods which were formally handed over to the new Churchwarden, as follows:- A silver cuppe with a cover for the Comunion. An olde table clothe made of an olde cope. A surplis. A Bible in the large vollume. Two Comunion bookes. A prayer booke for the King’s deliverance. Jewell’s Appologie. Two bookes of Homelyes. One other little booke of Homelyes. Two bookes of Homelyes. One other little booke of Homelyes. A booke of Cannons. A Homelye on the right use of the Lord’s Supper. The Register books. In addition to the above, “A new bason” was given by one Anne Anthony in 1612, also two puter flagons and a boule for the Communion, given by Mr. Thomas Harrison of London, draper. In the list for 1634, is added:- A pewter cup for the bread. Four trenchers and a basket, and some additional books, viz:- An old book of prayers for Wednesday and Friday. A form of prayer with an order of Fasting. The remonstration of King James against Cardinal Perron and Erasmus’ Paraphrase of ye Four Evangelists and the Acts of the Apostles chained to a desk with two chains. The four trenchers seem to point to a practice, similar to that of the Scotch Church at the present time, of handling the bread to communicants in their seats. The Churchwardens appear to have regularly paid the ringers for ringing on the anniversary of the King’s Coronation, on the 5th November, St Thomas’ Day, for the Bishop, &c., and it was interesting to note in the accounts of 1634 an entry, “Paid for ringing when the King came through the town, 2/,” especially when referring to the history of Stamford, I found it recorded in May of that year “Charles the First and his Queen, after spending two days at Apethorpe, passed through Stamford, the Mayor bearing the mace before them.” The system of election of Churchwardens which ruled from 1588 to 1702 appears to be one which gave very many parishioners an interest in Parish work and might, I am inclined to think, be reverted to with advantage. Thus a senior Churchwarden, a junior Churchwarden and a sidesman being appointed, the next year the senior Churchwarden retired, the junior Churchwarden became the senior, and the sidesman became junior Churchwarden and a fresh parishioner was elected as sidesman. In 1702, however, the present rule of a Parish Churchwarden and a Rector’s Warden appears to have been introduced and the rotation system dropped. In 1608 a sounding board appears to have been thought necessary for both reading desk and pulpit, for there is an entry. Paid for making a new Reading seat and a cover over it and for the pulpit cover 48/2 The Vestry proceedings of 1626 are interesting to Stamfordians, as they may be seen the signatures of two comspicuous men, Mr Wm. Salter, who was three times Mayor, and also that of Mr Jeremy Cole, who was Mayor in 1640, when the Council petitioned Parliament in favour of making Stamford a shire town by adding to it the County of Rutland, the Soke of Peterborough and the Hundred of Vess. He also desired to make the river navigable and obtain other privileges. It appears to have been quite the practise at this period, 1630, to give the clergy occasionally officiating a complimentary present of wine, thus:- Gave to Mr. Fish, Preacher, a quart of white wine and sugar 1/6 Gave Mr. Williams a pint of sack 1/- Gave Mr. Millwood a pint of sack and a quart of claratt 2/- and not only the clergy but the Bishop also was favoured thus in 1633:- To the Bishop one pottell of sack 2/- and again in 1634:- Given the Bishop the 7 Aug. in wine 3/8 Another visitor in 1652 appears to have fared even better than the Bishop, it being recorded Sent M. How preaching at St. John’s a pint of sack and a pint of white wine, he dining at Mr. Alderman’s (that is at the mayor’s house. And at the end of the 17th century there are many entries such as the following:- 1673. Published and collected the brief for the great fire at Fordingbridge in Southamptonshire happening on Sunday, 23 June 1672, upon which was collected ten shillings and five pence. Again 1686:- Collected in the parish of St John’s £7 14s 4d for the poor distressed French Protestants. Briefs are mentioned very frequently but without the object being named. Archaeologists would be interested in the records of 1695 when Robert Peck, the father of Francis Peck, the antiquarian and historian, was elected sidesman, and in 1696 and 1697 junior and senior Churchwarden in the usual rotation previously mentioned. Francis Peck was born in the parish in 1692, the Register recording his baptism that year thus:- Francis son of Robert and Elizabeth Peck, born May 4th, bapd. May 12th. In the inventory of church goods in 1717 there is an additional item to those mentioned in1681. viz., a pulpit cloth, and I note this is as this same old pulpit cloth, more than 200 years old (with the date 1701 handsomely embroidered upon it) may still be seen at St. John’s Church, fixed up round the inside of the pulpit. Another difference in the two inventories is the omission in 1717 of “Twelve leather buckets” mentioned in an earlier list, at which time the church was apparently made use of as fire station. Under the date 16th April 1729, is an account of what certificate men belong to the parish, with a list of thirty names following, and a foot-note dated 26th April 1733:- An account of Ceificate men entered this day with 5 additional names. Later in the same month at a meeting, the Vestry marked their disapproval of supporting the “Bull Running” proceeding out of church funds, as it was resolved: That the Churchwardens shall not be allowed to expend money at the Apparitions, or on Bull Running Day or at any other time without the consent of the parish, and no allowance shall in future be made for ringing on 23rd April. This is St George’s Day, which used to be celebrated as a national festival long after and not withstanding Queen Elizabeth’s order to discontinue the celebration. I will only make one quotation from the last century’s records, namely in 1813. An agreement was made with Mr. Robert Taylor, of St. Neots, to re-hang the four bells and re-cast the second, for the sum of £42, carriage included. The Registers of St. John’s begin with the year 1561. The first records are from 1561 to 1634, written upon vellum. There is then a blank till 1664, from which date until 1705 they are continued. These two old registers were not put into bindings and were becoming very dilapidated. At my suggestion the then Churchwardens (Mr. Poole and the present Mayor, Mr Higgs) had then put into a suitable cover, which will protect them in future. The next volume dates from 1706 to 1774 and the third from 1775 to 1812. The first Register is headed thus:- All those that have been married, christened & bureyed from the first of St Michael the Archangel in the year of our Lord God 1561, unto the end & terme of the same feast in the year of our Lord God 1562. and the first entry is:- Married. Francis Tueson and Ellyn his wife 22 Oct. 1561. This is a name still known in Stamford, and, indeed, in St John’s Parish. Times do not appear to have been very prosperous in 1569 and 1570, as the record for both years reads:- Married this year – none. It is an interesting fact to the present Rector, and especially to the inmates of Snowden’s Hospital in Scotgate, that each page of the Register from 1561 to 1598 is signed by the Rector, Richard Snowden, the founder of that charity 300 years ago. Another memorial of this gentleman remains in in the church tower where one of the bells bears the inscription: “Richard Snowden, Parson, Anno, 1561”. The entry in 1585 of the burial on 2nd January of Richard Bernard, the Bellman, reminds us of the old custom of the Bellman, who used to go round the town between twelve at night and two in the morning for some weeks before Christmas, ringing his bell and informing the inhabitants of the time of night and the state of the weather. This custom was continued up to about 40 years ago (1860’s). The normal death rate of the parish for some years previous to 1604 had been about six or eight, but in that year when, as stated in Butcher’s History, 713 persons died of the plague in Stamford and St. Martin’s, a special entry of 88 burials is registered in St. John’s Register in six months, and included Mr Snowden, the Rector. The entry is headed:- In the sickness time from 27 April until 2 October 1604 were buried. then follow the names and dates, frequently two and three in a day, and whole families seem to have been stricken, for example:- Agnes Davison buried 17th June; Alice Davison buried 18th; Richard Davison buried 19th; Jane Davison buried 20th; Phillis Davison 21st. Again, the Norton family had a terrible record in the burial of seven members of the family in four days, viz.:- Zackary Norton, buried 5th Aug., Tobie Norton buried 6th Aug. & Lucy Norton the same day, Jane Norton on the 7th and Abraham Norton the same day, & Nicolas Norton & Lucy Norton, junr. on 8th August. The following is a copy of an entry made in the Register in 1602. Whereas there is a license to eat flesh upon fish days granted to Isabel Salter the wife of William Salter Gentleman, she being notoriously subject to sickness and with child, dated the 15th day of March 1602, and the cause thereof continuing still the eighth day after, and desiring the said licence to endure still upon full recovery, therefore the said license is recorded in the Church book the 8th day after the date thereof being the 22nd March in the year aforesaid in the presence of the Churchwardens. John Tod Thomas Lytler his mark. In 1633 the burial of the then Rector is recorded thus:- 2 July. Buried. John Reynolds Clark. and in the Churchwardens’ accounts is an entry Paid for ringing at the burial of Mr Reynolds 1/6 As this was more than the amount usually paid for ringing, viz., 8d., we may infer, I think, that dumb peal was rung on the occasion. In the Register of Baptisms for 1636 is that of Thomas Hardy, son of Thomas Hardy and Elizabeth his wife. This youth appears to have gone to London, as Thomas Hardy, citizen of London, died in 1747, founded the Charity now known as Hardy’s Charity, for the benefit of eight widows of St John’s, his native parish, and which is distributed on his birthday, 5th June. He was baptised on the 6th, the next day, as recorded in the Register. Stamford being situate upon the Great North Road accounts for many deaths being recorded of unknown travellers such as I find in 1769:- A poor unknown soldier buried 12 Sept. A poor traveller, his name not known 19 Sept. (Vestry Book 1675). The next is, I think, a very interesting entry referring to the burial of Humphrey, an ex-Churchwarden, Town Councillor, and a prominent parishioner. From the Vestry Book I find he was a Sidesman in 1647, Churchwarden in 1648, Overseer of the Poor in 1674. His name is frequently mentioned, and his signature appears as one of those present at the Vestry Meeting in 1675, yet in February 1680, when he died, in the place of the usual record of burial it is stated:- Humphrey Reynolds an excommunicate person thrown into a hole. This Humphrey Reynolds was a chandler and one of the issuers of the Stamford series of 17th century tokens. Drakard’s History of Stamford, page 529 gives an illustration of his coin. He took up his freedom 24th October, 1644, was elected a capital burgess 17th Feb., 1646, chamberlain 1656 (and therefore a predecessor of my own, as I am now chamberlain or borough treasurer), but he was removed from the chamber 7th October 1659, by virtue of a writ of mandamus. According to the sessions rolls he was pursuant to the verdict of the jury of the clerk of the market, fined 5/- for having four single pounds, two half-pounds, and two quarters too light, and on 5th April 1665, his name, with that of Humphrey Allen Reynolds, was presented to the jury, they having absented themselves from attending their parish church (St. John’s) for the space of three months. During his life he appears to have paid but little respect to either municipal or ecclesiastical authorities of the day, for besides being removed from the council chamber he was also excommunicated, as is proved by the record of his burial. Another reference to excommunication occurs two years later, when in 1682 is the following:- Mary the daughter of William Moss an excommunicate person was baptised & the mother churched. There are many records I could quote, interesting to Stamfordians of to-day, but I will only mention a few. 1751. Elizabeth daughter of Edward Lyon basket maker and Mary his wife. This name and trade is still associated together in Stamford. Mr W. Lyon of 36, Broad Street, is a basket maker, and I have no doubt this association has remained during the last 150 years. Another similar instance of a long succession in business occurs with the family of Ratcliffe, also basket makers. In 1770, Thomas, son of John and Elizabeth Ratcliffe, basket maker, was baptised, and up to a very few years ago Mr. Ratcliffe carried on the business now continued by Mr. Friend. Some of the occupations mentioned about this period are curious:- Humphrey Jenkins, wire dancer. John Johnson, silk throster. J.Skeith, dish turner. Sam Tabbener, horse courser. Geo. Allen, post boy. Israel Holford, hemp dresser. In 1769 is recorded the burial of Cassandra wife of James Whitley, player, aged 57. Buried 10th Feb. I mention this as there is a monumental tablet on the north wall of St John’s Church to the memory of this lady, described as one “who possessed all the good qualities that accomplish the best of women,” and judging by the monument, the shield of arms and crest, and the description of the husband as James Whitley, Gentleman, he was probably a man of means and a noted actor in his day, who had retired and settled in Stamford. It will be interesting to members of the Stamford and County Club in St Mary’s Street to know that this James Whitley it was, who with Mr. Alderman Clarke, built the old Stamford Theatre in 1768, at a cost of over £800, and which building was converted into the present Club Room in 1871. After 1754 a separate Register was kept for marriages, and first used in August of that year, according to Act of Parliament. Whereas previously there was only the entry in the handwriting of the Registrar, in the new book both the contracting parties sign in the presence of two witnesses and the officiating clergyman as at present. It is interesting to note that the first 50 marriages there are 54 signatures and 46 marks, so that only about half the persons were able to write their names. The marks, however, are very interesting, not being ordinary crosses, but a printed initial P or T, a man’s hat, fish-hook, half-circle, a square and many other things. I will only give one more extract and that is for the year 1783, when on March 30th is recorded the burial of Wm. Pepper, victualler, aged 49, who, according to Drakard’s History, aspired to be a poet. Upon his grave stone in St. John’s Churchyard was inscribed, after the usual name and date:- Tho’ hot my name, yet mild my nature, I bore good will to every creature, I brewed fine ale and sold it too, And unto each I gave his due. THOMAS SANDALL (1905) SOURCE THE RUTLAND MAGAZINE VOL. 2 No. 12 – 1905-06 page 117-124 for the xiiijth of January for a pynt of Moskadyne vid. for the xxith of January a pynt of Moskadyne for the Comunion vid. for mending the hookes of the Church door iiijd. for washing the surpllis and tabell clothe iiijd. for ij horses to the vysitation iis. viijd. for horse keep xd. for our dinners ijs. vid. for making our bill iiijd. for mending the belt of the grett bell and irons ijd. to Goodman Goodlands for mending the great whell and stay ijs. for a pottell of Moskadyne for Pallmes Sunday ijs. for glass for the west window and ij guardes viijd. for vi strick of barly for sede vis. xd. for George Ellington for pllowing and sowing iiijs. for half a pynt of Moskadyne for Easter even xijd. for V pientes of Moskadyne for Easter Daye ijs. vid. It is interesting to note the quantity of wine used at this period, viz., a pottel or four pints on Christmas Day and Palm Sunday; a quart was used on Easter Eve and five pints on Easter Day. These quantities are large, but I noticed in the account 40 years later, viz., in 1629, they were still larger, viz., on Good Friday two quarts and on Easter Day six quarts of wine were consumed. Other payments interesting to the parishioners of St. John’s are those referring to the cultivation of the church land, viz., for seed corn, ploughing, sowing and harrowing, as this land is still held by the Churchwardens though now let on a building lease and the rent used towards church expenses. After the detailed particulars of expenses the following memorandum is recorded, and it is interesting to notice the altered meaning of words. Memorandum that William Hutton and Matthew Southwell, Churchwardens of St. John’s Parish in Stamford, did gyve their accompt up to the viijth day of April 1588, for yo yeare before, before Tobye Loveday, Alderman of the Borough and Towne of Stamford aforesaid, Robert Meadowes, gentn; John Symon, John Yarwood, Geo. Hall, John Barnes, and others, in wch yeare their receipte came to xliiijs. ixd., and their allowance came to liiijs. ijd., so yt their allowance amounted their receipte ixs. ijd. All wch accompt was brought in Church stock, which at the accompt before was delivered to sundrie men as by the former accompt appeareth, and which Church stock with the increase comes zvl. xiijs. --- say Fyfteen pounds eyght shillings at which accompt the foresaid William Hutton, Senior Churchwarden, was dismyst, and John Musson was was elected the chosen officer by the parishioners, at which time was delivered to the Churchwarden the sum of eight and twenty shillings and sevenpence, and there remayned to be putt to trust of the Parish the summe of xiiil. xs., besyde xxxjs. for the two acres of barlye sold to John Barnes, to be payd at the next accompt, in the whole fyfteen pounds rwo shillings. I say xvl. ijs. Delivered the said thyrteen pounde tenn shillinge into the hande, custodye, and keping of Tobye Loveday, Alderman, and Robert Medowes, gentn. You will notice instead of their “payments exceeded their receipts,” it is stated “their allowance amounted their receipts,” and also that having fulfilled his duty and accounted for the balance in hand the senior Churchwarden was “dismyst,” really meaning they awarded him a legal discharge from further responsibility. In 1606 there is first entered a list of church goods which were formally handed over to the new Churchwarden, as follows:- A silver cuppe with a cover for the Comunion. An olde table clothe made of an olde cope. A surplis. A Bible in the large vollume. Two Comunion bookes. A prayer booke for the King’s deliverance. Jewell’s Appologie. Two bookes of Homelyes. One other little booke of Homelyes. Two bookes of Homelyes. One other little booke of Homelyes. A booke of Cannons. A Homelye on the right use of the Lord’s Supper. The Register books. In addition to the above, “A new bason” was given by one Anne Anthony in 1612, also two puter flagons and a boule for the Communion, given by Mr. Thomas Harrison of London, draper. In the list for 1634, is added:- A pewter cup for the bread. Four trenchers and a basket, and some additional books, viz:- An old book of prayers for Wednesday and Friday. A form of prayer with an order of Fasting. The remonstration of King James against Cardinal Perron and Erasmus’ Paraphrase of ye Four Evangelists and the Acts of the Apostles chained to a desk with two chains. The four trenchers seem to point to a practice, similar to that of the Scotch Church at the present time, of handling the bread to communicants in their seats. The Churchwardens appear to have regularly paid the ringers for ringing on the anniversary of the King’s Coronation, on the 5th November, St Thomas’ Day, for the Bishop, &c., and it was interesting to note in the accounts of 1634 an entry, “Paid for ringing when the King came through the town, 2/,” especially when referring to the history of Stamford, I found it recorded in May of that year “Charles the First and his Queen, after spending two days at Apethorpe, passed through Stamford, the Mayor bearing the mace before them.” The system of election of Churchwardens which ruled from 1588 to 1702 appears to be one which gave very many parishioners an interest in Parish work and might, I am inclined to think, be reverted to with advantage. Thus a senior Churchwarden, a junior Churchwarden and a sidesman being appointed, the next year the senior Churchwarden retired, the junior Churchwarden became the senior, and the sidesman became junior Churchwarden and a fresh parishioner was elected as sidesman. In 1702, however, the present rule of a Parish Churchwarden and a Rector’s Warden appears to have been introduced and the rotation system dropped. In 1608 a sounding board appears to have been thought necessary for both reading desk and pulpit, for there is an entry. Paid for making a new Reading seat and a cover over it and for the pulpit cover 48/2 The Vestry proceedings of 1626 are interesting to Stamfordians, as they may be seen the signatures of two comspicuous men, Mr Wm. Salter, who was three times Mayor, and also that of Mr Jeremy Cole, who was Mayor in 1640, when the Council petitioned Parliament in favour of making Stamford a shire town by adding to it the County of Rutland, the Soke of Peterborough and the Hundred of Vess. He also desired to make the river navigable and obtain other privileges. It appears to have been quite the practise at this period, 1630, to give the clergy occasionally officiating a complimentary present of wine, thus:- Gave to Mr. Fish, Preacher, a quart of white wine and sugar 1/6 Gave Mr. Williams a pint of sack 1/- Gave Mr. Millwood a pint of sack and a quart of claratt 2/- and not only the clergy but the Bishop also was favoured thus in 1633:- To the Bishop one pottell of sack 2/- and again in 1634:- Given the Bishop the 7 Aug. in wine 3/8 Another visitor in 1652 appears to have fared even better than the Bishop, it being recorded Sent M. How preaching at St. John’s a pint of sack and a pint of white wine, he dining at Mr. Alderman’s (that is at the mayor’s house. And at the end of the 17th century there are many entries such as the following:- 1673. Published and collected the brief for the great fire at Fordingbridge in Southamptonshire happening on Sunday, 23 June 1672, upon which was collected ten shillings and five pence. Again 1686:- Collected in the parish of St John’s £7 14s 4d for the poor distressed French Protestants. Briefs are mentioned very frequently but without the object being named. Archaeologists would be interested in the records of 1695 when Robert Peck, the father of Francis Peck, the antiquarian and historian, was elected sidesman, and in 1696 and 1697 junior and senior Churchwarden in the usual rotation previously mentioned. Francis Peck was born in the parish in 1692, the Register recording his baptism that year thus:- Francis son of Robert and Elizabeth Peck, born May 4th, bapd. May 12th. In the inventory of church goods in 1717 there is an additional item to those mentioned in1681. viz., a pulpit cloth, and I note this is as this same old pulpit cloth, more than 200 years old (with the date 1701 handsomely embroidered upon it) may still be seen at St. John’s Church, fixed up round the inside of the pulpit. Another difference in the two inventories is the omission in 1717 of “Twelve leather buckets” mentioned in an earlier list, at which time the church was apparently made use of as fire station. Under the date 16th April 1729, is an account of what certificate men belong to the parish, with a list of thirty names following, and a foot-note dated 26th April 1733:- An account of Ceificate men entered this day with 5 additional names. Later in the same month at a meeting, the Vestry marked their disapproval of supporting the “Bull Running” proceeding out of church funds, as it was resolved: That the Churchwardens shall not be allowed to expend money at the Apparitions, or on Bull Running Day or at any other time without the consent of the parish, and no allowance shall in future be made for ringing on 23rd April. This is St George’s Day, which used to be celebrated as a national festival long after and not withstanding Queen Elizabeth’s order to discontinue the celebration. I will only make one quotation from the last century’s records, namely in 1813. An agreement was made with Mr. Robert Taylor, of St. Neots, to re-hang the four bells and re-cast the second, for the sum of £42, carriage included. The Registers of St. John’s begin with the year 1561. The first records are from 1561 to 1634, written upon vellum. There is then a blank till 1664, from which date until 1705 they are continued. These two old registers were not put into bindings and were becoming very dilapidated. At my suggestion the then Churchwardens (Mr. Poole and the present Mayor, Mr Higgs) had then put into a suitable cover, which will protect them in future. The next volume dates from 1706 to 1774 and the third from 1775 to 1812. The first Register is headed thus:- All those that have been married, christened & bureyed from the first of St Michael the Archangel in the year of our Lord God 1561, unto the end & terme of the same feast in the year of our Lord God 1562. and the first entry is:- Married. Francis Tueson and Ellyn his wife 22 Oct. 1561. This is a name still known in Stamford, and, indeed, in St John’s Parish. Times do not appear to have been very prosperous in 1569 and 1570, as the record for both years reads:- Married this year – none. It is an interesting fact to the present Rector, and especially to the inmates of Snowden’s Hospital in Scotgate, that each page of the Register from 1561 to 1598 is signed by the Rector, Richard Snowden, the founder of that charity 300 years ago. Another memorial of this gentleman remains in in the church tower where one of the bells bears the inscription: “Richard Snowden, Parson, Anno, 1561”. The entry in 1585 of the burial on 2nd January of Richard Bernard, the Bellman, reminds us of the old custom of the Bellman, who used to go round the town between twelve at night and two in the morning for some weeks before Christmas, ringing his bell and informing the inhabitants of the time of night and the state of the weather. This custom was continued up to about 40 years ago (1860’s). The normal death rate of the parish for some years previous to 1604 had been about six or eight, but in that year when, as stated in Butcher’s History, 713 persons died of the plague in Stamford and St. Martin’s, a special entry of 88 burials is registered in St. John’s Register in six months, and included Mr Snowden, the Rector. The entry is headed:- In the sickness time from 27 April until 2 October 1604 were buried. then follow the names and dates, frequently two and three in a day, and whole families seem to have been stricken, for example:- Agnes Davison buried 17th June; Alice Davison buried 18th; Richard Davison buried 19th; Jane Davison buried 20th; Phillis Davison 21st. Again, the Norton family had a terrible record in the burial of seven members of the family in four days, viz.:- Zackary Norton, buried 5th Aug., Tobie Norton buried 6th Aug. & Lucy Norton the same day, Jane Norton on the 7th and Abraham Norton the same day, & Nicolas Norton & Lucy Norton, junr. on 8th August. The following is a copy of an entry made in the Register in 1602. Whereas there is a license to eat flesh upon fish days granted to Isabel Salter the wife of William Salter Gentleman, she being notoriously subject to sickness and with child, dated the 15th day of March 1602, and the cause thereof continuing still the eighth day after, and desiring the said licence to endure still upon full recovery, therefore the said license is recorded in the Church book the 8th day after the date thereof being the 22nd March in the year aforesaid in the presence of the Churchwardens. John Tod Thomas Lytler his mark. In 1633 the burial of the then Rector is recorded thus:- 2 July. Buried. John Reynolds Clark. and in the Churchwardens’ accounts is an entry Paid for ringing at the burial of Mr Reynolds 1/6 As this was more than the amount usually paid for ringing, viz., 8d., we may infer, I think, that dumb peal was rung on the occasion. In the Register of Baptisms for 1636 is that of Thomas Hardy, son of Thomas Hardy and Elizabeth his wife. This youth appears to have gone to London, as Thomas Hardy, citizen of London, died in 1747, founded the Charity now known as Hardy’s Charity, for the benefit of eight widows of St John’s, his native parish, and which is distributed on his birthday, 5th June. He was baptised on the 6th, the next day, as recorded in the Register. Stamford being situate upon the Great North Road accounts for many deaths being recorded of unknown travellers such as I find in 1769:- A poor unknown soldier buried 12 Sept. A poor traveller, his name not known 19 Sept. (Vestry Book 1675). The next is, I think, a very interesting entry referring to the burial of Humphrey, an ex-Churchwarden, Town Councillor, and a prominent parishioner. From the Vestry Book I find he was a Sidesman in 1647, Churchwarden in 1648, Overseer of the Poor in 1674. His name is frequently mentioned, and his signature appears as one of those present at the Vestry Meeting in 1675, yet in February 1680, when he died, in the place of the usual record of burial it is stated:- Humphrey Reynolds an excommunicate person thrown into a hole. This Humphrey Reynolds was a chandler and one of the issuers of the Stamford series of 17th century tokens. Drakard’s History of Stamford, page 529 gives an illustration of his coin. He took up his freedom 24th October, 1644, was elected a capital burgess 17th Feb., 1646, chamberlain 1656 (and therefore a predecessor of my own, as I am now chamberlain or borough treasurer), but he was removed from the chamber 7th October 1659, by virtue of a writ of mandamus. According to the sessions rolls he was pursuant to the verdict of the jury of the clerk of the market, fined 5/- for having four single pounds, two half-pounds, and two quarters too light, and on 5th April 1665, his name, with that of Humphrey Allen Reynolds, was presented to the jury, they having absented themselves from attending their parish church (St. John’s) for the space of three months. During his life he appears to have paid but little respect to either municipal or ecclesiastical authorities of the day, for besides being removed from the council chamber he was also excommunicated, as is proved by the record of his burial. Another reference to excommunication occurs two years later, when in 1682 is the following:- Mary the daughter of William Moss an excommunicate person was baptised & the mother churched. There are many records I could quote, interesting to Stamfordians of to-day, but I will only mention a few. 1751. Elizabeth daughter of Edward Lyon basket maker and Mary his wife. This name and trade is still associated together in Stamford. Mr W. Lyon of 36, Broad Street, is a basket maker, and I have no doubt this association has remained during the last 150 years. Another similar instance of a long succession in business occurs with the family of Ratcliffe, also basket makers. In 1770, Thomas, son of John and Elizabeth Ratcliffe, basket maker, was baptised, and up to a very few years ago Mr. Ratcliffe carried on the business now continued by Mr. Friend. Some of the occupations mentioned about this period are curious:- Humphrey Jenkins, wire dancer. John Johnson, silk throster. J.Skeith, dish turner. Sam Tabbener, horse courser. Geo. Allen, post boy. Israel Holford, hemp dresser. In 1769 is recorded the burial of Cassandra wife of James Whitley, player, aged 57. Buried 10th Feb. I mention this as there is a monumental tablet on the north wall of St John’s Church to the memory of this lady, described as one “who possessed all the good qualities that accomplish the best of women,” and judging by the monument, the shield of arms and crest, and the description of the husband as James Whitley, Gentleman, he was probably a man of means and a noted actor in his day, who had retired and settled in Stamford. It will be interesting to members of the Stamford and County Club in St Mary’s Street to know that this James Whitley it was, who with Mr. Alderman Clarke, built the old Stamford Theatre in 1768, at a cost of over £800, and which building was converted into the present Club Room in 1871. After 1754 a separate Register was kept for marriages, and first used in August of that year, according to Act of Parliament. Whereas previously there was only the entry in the handwriting of the Registrar, in the new book both the contracting parties sign in the presence of two witnesses and the officiating clergyman as at present. It is interesting to note that the first 50 marriages there are 54 signatures and 46 marks, so that only about half the persons were able to write their names. The marks, however, are very interesting, not being ordinary crosses, but a printed initial P or T, a man’s hat, fish-hook, half-circle, a square and many other things. I will only give one more extract and that is for the year 1783, when on March 30th is recorded the burial of Wm. Pepper, victualler, aged 49, who, according to Drakard’s History, aspired to be a poet. Upon his grave stone in St. John’s Churchyard was inscribed, after the usual name and date:- Tho’ hot my name, yet mild my nature, I bore good will to every creature, I brewed fine ale and sold it too, And unto each I gave his due. THOMAS SANDALL (1905) SOURCE THE RUTLAND MAGAZINE VOL. 2 No. 12 – 1905-06 page 117-124 A printed version HERE Previous Next

Daniel Lambert BACK CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO SEE IN FULL Stamford Crested China – Daniel Lambert T.S. Duncomb, Greaves & Co, and Dolby Brothers all who traded on High Street, the Stamford Supply Company, and Starsmore & Co. to name another two are just a few of the shops in Stamford before and after the First World War that sold crested china in Stamford. From small pots and vases to aeroplanes, submarines and zeppelins, crested china came in all sorts of shapes. The most local shape to Stamford is of course Daniel Lambert who died on June 21 st 1809 in the Wagon and Horses Inn in St. Martins. His gravestone in St. Martin’s New Churchyard records his weight as Fifty-Two Stones and Eleven Pounds. DOWLOAD PDF Previous Next

< Back Andy Capp Daily Mirror Cartoon Character Born Near Stamford in 1956 By Chris Hunt Although there is some debate as to the actual year that Andy Capp, all be it a cartoon character, was born. What is certain, is that in an interview printed in the TV Times in June 1975, Andy’s creator, Reg Smythe (1917-1998), claimed that he was born in 1956, somewhere on the A1 between Stamford and Grantham. This was before the days of the Stamford By-Pass, so perhaps a blue plaque is needed on the old Great North Road, somewhere within the Borough boundaries. His international reputation has waned over the years; however, Andy Capp still appears in the Daily Mirror and the Sunday Mirror. The British Cartoon Archive claims he has been syndicated into around 1700 newspapers, in 51 countries and translated into 14 languages. He is truly an international character. Chris Hunt December 2025 A Print version is available HERE Previous Next

Hayes & Son Milk Cart BACK CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO SEE IN FULL Hayes and Son - Coach and Wagon Builders Based locally at their works on Scotgate, 1825-1924, partly where the car park is now sited. They produced almost anything that needed a wheel, from carriages for a Maharaja and the British Royal family, to a wheelbarrow for a labourer, and in the 20th century, coach built bodies for motor cars. One of their examples is this three wheeled milk cart owned by John Thomas Tabram from Uppingham and built c.1910, which can be seen at the Rutland Museum in Oakham. DOWLOAD PDF Previous Next

< Back Black Sabbath Plays Baston 1970 It might come as a surprise that Black Sabbath with their original line-up of Ozzy Osbourne on vocals, Tony Iommi on guitar, Geezer Butler on bass and Bill Ward on drums, played on Saturday July 11 th 1970 in a Marquee on the Baston Playing Field. A Barbecue and Dance was organised by the Baston Community Association and for 12 shillings and 6 pence (62½ new pence) you would have heard a band that became the founders of Heavy Metal music and led by the legend that is Ozzy Osbourne. SOURCE SLEAFORD STANDARD (FRIDAY) JULY 10 TH 1970 p4/c8-10 A print version can be downloaded HERE Previous Next

PRIVACY POLICY This privacy policy applies between you, the User of this Website, and Stamford Local History Society, the owner and provider of this Website. Stamford Local History Society takes the privacy of your information very seriously. This privacy policy applies to our use of any and all Data collected by us or provided by you in relation to your use of the Website. Please read this privacy policy carefully. Definitions and interpretation 1. In this privacy policy, the following definitions are used: Data: collectively all information that you submit to Stamford Local History Society via the Website. This definition incorporates, where applicable, the definitions provided in the Data Protection Laws; Cookies: a small text file placed on your computer by this Website when you visit certain parts of the Website and/or when you use certain features of the Website. 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< Back Boat Commercial Inn, Stamford A Poem From 1865 Submitted by Chris Hunt On the Sea of Adventure Again I’m afloat! Once more have embarked, In my favourite Boat! My Spirits and Wines Are the best of their kind; My Home-brew’d is such None better you’ll find. The best accommodation That can be had in the town, Must give great satisfaction, And not cause a frown. Kind friends and the public I ask for your trade, None will treat you much better Than your Servant, JOHN WADE Source Stamford Mercury (Friday) December 22 nd 1865 p1/c4 Notes The Boat and Railway public house at the bottom of St Mary’s Hill on the corner with Wharf Road was formerly the Boat Commercial Inn, a name board closely linked to the adjacent river trade. In December 1865, it re-opened under the stewardship of John Wade a former proprietor. And to mark and publicise the event John Wade inserted the above doggerel poem in the Stamford Mercury. In 1865 its address was commonly described as Bridge-foot on St Mary’s Hill. The pub was acquired by local brewery, Melbourn Brothers, in 1911 by which time the & Railway had been added. It finally closed in 1962. Chris Hunt December 2025 A print version can be downloaded HERE Previous Next

Search Results Back to Home page 121 items found for "" Events | The Stamford Local History Society | United Kingdom EVENTS In keeping with the aims of the Society, visits to local places of interest are arranged during the summer months. In addition, the Society may at other times of the year arrange commemorative displays in the town. Visits Summer 2024 - Longthorpe Tower, 25 July ​ Summer 2023 - Milton Hall - Ketton Cement quarries and works. ​ Prior years have included Guided tours of Apethorpe Palace and Burghley House Roof Displays and Events Summer 2023 The Society has supported and ha s led some Heritage Open Day events in 2023 and prior years. These have included: Walks and Talks along the Stamford Canal Sites of the Town’s World War Two Air Raid Shelters A Dry Pub Crawl Around St Martin’s Stamford’s Medieval Walls and Gates Walking Ermine Street and Ryhall Road Prior years have included Commemoration of hundreth anniversary of WWI at the Stamford Arts Centre Family History | Stamford Local History Society | United Kingdom FAMILY HISTORY In conjunction with Stamford Library, volunteers from the Society assist the public in utilising all of the freely available digital platforms to trace their ancestors. Our Workshops The Society hosts weekly family history and research sessions at Stamford Library, making use of online databases and the library’s Local History Collection. These include but are not limited to the following: You can seek advice on searching for Military Records, using Census information from 1841, finding Births, Marriages and Deaths, and delving into past newspaper articles. The workshops take place on Wednesday mornings between 10.30 and 12.30 and are led by officers and committee members of the Society. These sessions are free to both members and non-members and a Lincolnshire Library Card is required. Stamford. Elizabeth Pulley. Murder Most Foul | Stamford History < Back Stamford. Elizabeth Pulley. Murder Most Foul Chris Hunt 2022 On March 16th 1860 there occurred in High Street, St Martins, a murder most foul when Elizabeth Pulley, ‘spinster of that parish’ was murdered in her own home and valuables stolen by a near neighbour, Henry Corby. Although first thought to be an unfortunate accident. Having failed to cover-up his crime by attempting to burn the body of the deceased, but when evidence was found that pointed towards his involvement and the body exhumed he was arrested and charged with her murder. Before he was committed to trial he took his own life in Stamford Gaol. This crime was not just of local interest, articles reporting the case appeared in local, regional and national newspapers. The Victorians loved to read about gruesome murders. The last public hanging did not place till eight years later. There must have been some who were disappointed that Henry Corby took his own life, which ironically he did by hanging in his prison cell. Printed broadside ballads were a common sight being sold on the streets, on market days and at fairs. They were quickly printed on cheap paper whenever publishers saw a profit. The murder of Elizabeth Pulley was just such an opportunity as can be seen from the following transcribed document which was printed by Taylor, Printer, Brick Lane, Bethnal Green (London). Although undated the original dates from 1860. Although we can read it from a moral viewpoint, it could be suggested that it falls into a ballad sub-genre best described as Gallows Literature. THE LAMENTATION OF Mrs. ELIZABETH PULLEY Who was Murdered, Robbed, and Burnt at Stamford _______________________________________ The cruelest murder e’re was pen’d, Has in that place been found. Elizabeth Pulley, a lady was, To the poor was good and kind, Who was robbed & murdered by a wretch To a cinder burnt we find. The gold rings from her finger, The murderer took away, The writing-desk and a bank-note, With a hundred pounds they say. The silver-plate and other things, Both gold and silver coin, He took from Lady Pulley, Who was so good and kind. The white-locks from off her head, The murderer he must tear, For amongst burnt clothing and other things, Was found much human hair. The carpenter that did her work, Henry Corby, was his name. And for that horrid murder They took him for the same. He must have had a heart of stone, To do that dreadful deed, For of all the murders that ere was done, This is the worst, indeed. To a cinder burnt the lady, Oh, what a cruel one; In the ashes was found her tooth, Likewise her finger bone. Oh, the deed was laid to Corby, A carpenter by trade; And since the murder has been done, He many a debt has paid. Two young men that was in his shop, On a shelf, they by chance did see, The writing-desk and the gold rings, Which belonged to Mrs Pulley. For Elizabeth and Thomas Pulley, On the gold rings were their names, Which those young men saw in the shop And to the police they told the same. For murder they took Corby, And charged him with the crime, And remanded he has been At Stamford different times. Upon the nineteenth day of April, Just at the break of day, Fast to a bar of the window, Corby hung himself, they say. And those that read these verses, Cannot help to shed a tear, For on a slate he had wrote these words, Unto his wife and children dear. From public-houses, my dear boy, I pray you keep away, And try to assist your mother, Much as in your power lay. Do try to help one another, Through this wide world of care, Farewell to you, my loving wife, Adieu my children, dear. Taylor, Printer, 93, Brick Lane, Bethnal Green A print version can be downloaded HERE Previous Next George Longstaff and ClayTobacco Pipe Manufacture in Stamford | Stamford History < Back George Longstaff and Clay Tobacco Pipe Manufacture in Stamford Nicholas J Sheehan 2023 Brief History of the Clay Pipe industry The manufacture of clay tobacco pipes began in England in the 16th century soon after the introduction of tobacco from North America by Sir Francis Drake . [1] London took the lead in producing pipes, followed by Bristol, and the industry quickly spread throughout the country, so that b y the mid-17th century clay pipe making was a well-established trade nationally. [2] The South West of England, particularly Devon, Cornwall and Dorset, was the primary source of the white earthenware clay used throughout the pipe making process. Pipe smoking was common amongst all classes but the fortunes of the industry fluctuated early on in response to opposing factors such as the punitive tobacco tax of 1604 and the granting of a charter to the Worshipful Company of Tobacco Pipe Makers in 1619, [3] as well as to disruption by the English Civil War. [4] After smoking was temporarily supplanted by snuff in fashionable circles in the 18th century, [5] there was a resurgence of pipe making from about 1820. [6] However, a s cigarettes, cigars and wooden pipes subsequently became more popular, the industry went into terminal decline and few clay pipe-making businesses survived into the 20th century. [7] Clay Pipe Making in Stamford Pipe making reached Lincolnshire around 1640 [8] and clay pipes may have been being produced in Stamford by 1665. [9] The earliest trader of pipes in Stamford was Francis Barnewell, a surgeon and tobacconist, but it is unlikely that he made pipes himself, more probably bringing them in from London. [10] The first recorded pipe-maker was William Whitehead who was active in 1673 [11] and worked in the trade for about twenty years. [12] Several other pipe makers followed for short periods. [13] Robert Collington (d.1733), a grocer, imported clay from the Isle of Wight and Thanet [14] for the local pipe makers up to about 1716 [15] and later set up his own pipe-making business.[16] He may have been the only pipe maker working in Stamford at that time. Production of clay tobacco pipes in Stamford occurred mainly during the periods 1650-1745 and 1815-1895. [17] Between these times, because of falling demand, no pipe makers were recorded in the Stamford Hall books, either as freemen or apprentices, from about 1745 until 1817. [18] After Robert Middleton (1789-c.1860) entered the trade in 1817, [19] he and his family became the sole makers of pipes in the town until 1849. [20] His business on North Street was then taken over by George Longstaff. [21] George Longstaff (1815-1875) George Longstaff was the principal clay tobacco pipe-maker in Stamford during the third quarter of the 19th century. Born in 1815 in Spalding, he was the fifth of ten children of Henry Longstaff and his wife Ann (nee Sewell). All five sons became pipe makers, with at least four of them, Thomas Staveley, Charles, George and Sewell becoming masters and William and James being employed by other master pipe makers. George learnt his trade in Spalding before moving to Stamford, where he married Mary Larks (d.1916) at All Saints Church in 1846. They had eight children. [22] On taking control in 1849, George acquired Robert Middleton’s kiln, workshop and two-storey house on North Street. It was the only kiln operating in the town at the time [23] and he was assisted in running the business by his wife Mary and younger brother Sewell (b.1828). Robert Middleton’s youngest son, also called Robert, stayed on and worked for the Longstaffs for several years, most likely until at least 1863. [24] Other former Middleton employees who stayed on included William Henry Taylor and Robert Andrews. [25] Peter Cole and James Lees may also have worked for George Longstaff for a while. [26] It is evident that the business thrived as George submitted plans in 1873 to extend the kiln. [27] Although the Longstaffs remained in the same home, their address changed to 15 and 16 Elm Street after the east end of North Street was renamed East Street in about 1868 and the small lane between East Street and Broad Street became Elm Street. [28] Another of George’s brothers, Willliam (c.1817- bef.1881), was also working as a pipe-maker in Stamford in 1851, but for whom is uncertain. It is not known from where George Longstaff obtained his raw materials but one nearby source of tobacco pipe clay was the extensive pits at Northampton whose black or grey-coloured clay was exported to neighbouring and more distant counties. When such supplies were exhausted, the business may have used Devon clay. [29] Longstaff was not known to have used the brownish-coloured local clay, although Samuel Saunders who was a pipe maker in Stamford Baron in the late 17th and early 18th centuries occasionally did so. [30] George Longstaff marked most of his pipes 'GL' on the sides of the spur [31] and he was the only member of the family to add his personal insignia apart from Thomas Staveley Longstaff who stamped 'LONGSTAFF' upon the bowls of his pipes. [32] After George’s death in 1875, aged 59 years, his widow Mary took over the running of the business until at least 1892. However, by then, the industry was in sharp decline and falling demand forced her to cease manufacture and close down the kiln. [33] Efforts by the Longstaff Bros, probably George and Mary’s sons, A. and Jabez, to revive the business in 1896 proved futile [34] and most pipe-makers had shut down by end of the 19th century. The Longstaff’s brick-built clay pipe kiln was discovered in 1972 during building work on North Street, at the rear of Stamford School. [35] Fate of Clay Pipes The lifespan of clay pipes was relatively short. C onsidering the huge numbers produced, along with their fragility and disposable nature, it is unsurprising that intact or fragmentary examples are regularly found in rubbish dumps, on agricultural land, and in parks and domestic gardens, often carried there in midden waste or soil imported from elsewhere. [36] There have been major finds of clay tobacco pipes at several sites in Stamford, including that of the North Street kiln, the River Welland and Stamford Racecourse. [37] A small number of these pipes were made by George Longstaff. Clay tobacco pipe found in the Stamford area [Photo Nicholas J Sheehan] A print version can be downloaded HERE ------------------------------------------------------ [1] National Pipe Archive. Worcester and Clay Tobacco Pipes. http://www.pipearchive.co.uk› publications [2] Carpenter, Daniel. Clay pipe making. Heritage Crafts . April 26, 2017 [3] Oswald, Adrian. The Evolution and Chronology of English Clay Tobacco Pipes. Archaeological News Letter. Vol 7. No.3. September 1961. p.55 [4] National Pipe Archive [5] Oswald [6] Wells, Peter K. The Pipemakers of Lincolnshire. In: Davey, Peter (ed.). The Archaeology of the Clay Tobacco Pipe I. Britain: the Midlands and Eastern England. B A R British Series 63. Oxford: BAR Publishing, 1979. p.123 [7] Carpenter [8] Wells, p.123 [9] Comrie, A C. The Clay Tobacco Pipe Industry in Stamford. In: Davey, Peter (ed.). The Archaeology of the Clay Tobacco Pipe I. Britain: the Midlands and Eastern England. B A R British Series 63. Oxford: BAR Publishing, 1979. p.187 [10] Comrie, p.187-8 [11] Wells, p.160 [12] Comrie, p.188 [13] Comrie, p.188 [14] Comrie, p.193 [15] Comrie, p.188 [16] Wells, p.161 [17] Comrie, p.187 [18]Comrie, p.188 [19] Comrie, pp.194-5 [20] Comrie, p.188 [21] Wells, p.161 [22] Hammond, Peter. The Longstaff Family of Tobacco Pipemakers. Society for Clay Pipe Research Newsletter 70. Autumn/ Winter 2006. pp.11-14 [23] Comrie, pp.194-6 [24] Comrie, p.195 [25] Comrie, p.197 [26] Comrie, p.199 [27] Wells, p.161 [28] Comrie, p.198 [29] Moore, W R G. Northamptonshire Clay Tobacco-Pipes and Pipemakers. Northampton Museums and Art Gallery, 1980. pp.4-5 [30]Comrie, p.192 [31] Comrie, p.223 [32] Hammond, p.13 [33] Comrie, p.193 [34] Comrie, p.200 [35] Wells, p.161 [36] Comrie, pp.219-21 [37] Comrie, p.201 Previous Next The Bridge Gate of Stamford and John Frammesley | Stamford History < Back The Bridge Gate at Stamford and John Frammesley Chris Hunt 2023 The date of the establishment of the final line of Stamford’s town walls is not known, so far archaeology has not provided us with an answer. And although surviving murage grants for the building or repair of a defensive wall exist between 1261 and 1352. Such grants do not provide us with the line of the town wall. Further uncertainty is raised as to the date of the completion of the first bridge over the River Welland on the St Martin’s High Street – St Mary’s Hill axis. A date post 1086 seemingly most likely, and even then the dog legged route of the Great North Road could have skirted the Danish Burg before the construction of the Town Wall and thus even after this road alignment would have not needed a Bridge Gate. The river with the bridge and its gate at Stamford provided a defensive pinch point on the main road through Stamford. The gate also served other purposes, for by the late Middle Ages a room above it was used as a meeting place almost certainly linked to a Guild and where the town’s Alderman and Burgesses met in a Common Hall. Also, by this date the town’s gaol adjoined it on the west side. The Bridge Gate carried on these functions until its demolition in the late 1770’s and the construction of the present Town Hall on St Mary’s Hill. It could be said that the most famous English bridge from the medieval period was London Bridge over the River Thames, with its gate, drawbridge, chapel and shops. This was the site where the heads of traitors were displayed to remind the populace and visitors to the City that they should remain loyal to the monarch. Such judicial executions were finally formulated through the Treason Act of 1351/52. A person was guilty of high treason under the Act if they: Planned or imagined, the death of the king, his wife or his eldest son and heir. Violate the king's companion, the king's eldest daughter if she was unmarried or the wife of the king's eldest son and heir. Commit war against the king in his realm. Adhered to the king's enemies in his realm, giving them aid and comfort in his realm or elsewhere. Counterfeiting the Great Seal, or the Privy Seal. Counterfeiting English coinage or imported counterfeit English coinage. Killing the Chancellor, Treasurer, one of the king's justices, a justice in eyre, an assize judge, and Justices, while performing their offices. The convicted traitor was fastened to a hurdle, or wooden panel, and drawn by horse to the place of execution, where he was then hanged (almost to the point of death), emasculated, disembowelled, quartered (chopped into four pieces). His remains would then often be displayed in prominent places across the country, very much serving as a warning to others. It was common for the “quarters” to be sent to either major cities or towns which were seen as perhaps not totally loyal to the monarch. In March 1450 rebellion was in the English air and to defuse the situation King Henry VIth banished the Duke of Suffolk for five years. This was seen by some as a signal that this would herald the end of Henry’s regime and was an impetus for the London mob to take to the streets. As a result on March 21st 1450 there was an abortive rising, John Frammesley, a London vintner’s servant, was accused of sedition and treason and was arrested for chanting in the streets a rhyme picked up by the populace:- “By this town, by this town, For this array, the king shall lose his crown.” This was enough for Frammesley to be hung, drawn and quartered. His head was placed on London Bridge along with other traitors. The King’s Council in June 1451 sent one of his “quarters” to Stamford to be placed on the Bridge Gate, which quarter is not recorded. So why Stamford? The reason of course has not survived. It might just simple be that the town being on the Great North Road was a place where plenty of travellers would have seen John Frammesley’s remains and been reminded of the danger of rebellion. Another reason could be that Stamford was a seen as a potential source of trouble. After all it was part of the estate of Richard Duke of York whose death later propelled his son Edward to the Battle of Towton and the Crown. Of course we shall never know. So when you next cross the town bridge remember that the remains of a traitor were displayed above the entrance to the town. Chris Hunt, February 2023 A print version can be downloaded HERE Previous Next Sufferings of the Early Quaker Community in Stamford | Stamford History < Back Sufferings of the Early Quaker Community in Stamford Chris Hunt 2023 Hidden amongst Quarter Sessions Records are cases against the non-conformist religious communities between 1662 and 1689. With the restoration of Charles II, Parliament introduced a number of Bills which when enacted allowed the courts to challenged the rights of religious dissenters. The established Church saw the Quakers as a challenge, not just a threat to their religious primacy, but also due to their refusal to pay tithes and ecclesiastical taxes. Starting with the Quaker Act in 1662 and the Conventicle Act in 1664, there began a period of official persecution in England and Wales. The persecution of Dissenters was relaxed after the Declaration of Indulgence in 1687 and 1688, and finally stopped under the Act of Toleration in 1689. Unfortunately, the Stamford Quarter Sessions records from the 17th century which have survived suffer from water damage that make them in most cases unreadable. However, Joseph Besse, published in 1753 a detailed nationwide account, entitled, ‘A Collection of the Sufferings of the People called Quakers’. This work has been re-published in recent years, understand the title of the ‘Sufferings of Early Quakers’. Within it are recorded two entries for Stamford. ANNO 1682 In November was a Meeting at a Place called St. Martin’s belonging to the Town of Stamford; to which came an Informer named Hawkins, of Market Deeping, and another Person whom he had hired to assist him. These brought with them some Parish Officers, and without producing any Warrant carried those that were met before a Justice, and made Oath, that William Collington, of Stamford, preaching in that Meeting, when indeed he had not, but the Meeting was held throughout in Silence: However the Justice certified the Mayor of Stamford according to the Information sworn before him, whereupon the Goods of the said William Collington were seized to the value of £20. ANNO 1683 Jane Redsmith, a poor Widow, for a Meeting at her House in Stamford, had all her Goods in Stamford, had all her Goods taken from her to the Value of £10 0s 0d. Taken also from William Collington and Elizabeth Moll, for being at the same Meeting, Goods worth 15s 0d. Are there any other Court Cases? Clearly until the damaged rolls are restored these two entries remain our only court records to the Quakers in Stamford in the 1680s. Chris Hunt (February 2023) A print version can be downloaded HERE Previous Next Ketton Gas and Coke Company (limited) | Stamford History < Back Ketton Gas and Coke Company (limited). Chris Hunt 2021 Today, unless you live in a very rural village, you take a gas supply as the norm. Of course, it has not always been the case. In September 1965 forty-odd miles off the Lincolnshire coast Natural Gas was discovered and so began a speedy decline and demise of the Coal Gas industry, which was colloquially called Town Gas. The production was of course not dependant on the size of the settlement, but more on the ease of obtaining cheap coal balanced by customer demand, or should that be a population that could afford the cost of the product. It was not until the first decade of the 19th century that the technology for the safe production and distribution of gas was available. This led to the world’s first gas company in 1812, the London and Westminster Gas Light and Coke Company. Initially outside of Britain’s coalfields the only places where cheap coal was available, were ports, riverside sites and towns supplied by canals. A major factor was that the use of gas for street lighting was so much cheaper than the use of oil lamps or candles. In Stamford’s case it was not until June 1823 that Royal assent was given for a Company for lighting the streets of the town which were first lit in March 1825. Locally to Stamford there were gas works at Easton on the Hill, King’s Cliffe and Ketton. Cheap coal only being available with the coming of the railways to these villages. The Ketton Gas and Coke Company (Limited) was incorporated in 1862. The Company was capitalised at £1,250 made up of 250 £5.00 shares. In November 1862, it was reported in the Stamford Mercury that a few shares were still available from the Company Solicitor, a Mr. John Dabbs of Stamford, and it further stated that ‘there is reason to believe that an ample Dividend of a permanent character will be realised’. The chosen site close to Ketton Railway station had been purchased and a contract had been entered into with Mr. George Bower of St Neot’s to provide the engineering equipment. The Directors of the Company had plans and specification drawn up for the building work which were made available between November 7th and 14th 1862 The tenders to be in the hands of the Secretary at the Office in Stamford by 1.00pm on November 15th or by 6.00pm on the same day at the White Hart Inn, at Ketton. Notice was given that the Directors would be meeting at the Inn on the same day to consider the Tenders and that those Tendering were invited to attend. Mr. Bower had also entered a Tender for the building work as on November 21st 1862 the Company announced that his Tender had been accepted, that the work would commence immediately with completion in ‘about two months’. George Bower, 1826-1911, was an industrialist and developer of gas appliances, whose products were sold at home and abroad from his iron foundry in St Neots. By 1880 he had also provided Gas Work equipment locally to gas works at Easton on the Hill and Kings Cliffe, and locally to the Marquis of Exeter at Burghley House, the Great Northern Railway at Essendine, Apethorpe Hall and Shillingthorpe Hall. The Ketton Gas and Coke Company must have initially been seen as a successful venture for in June 1865 five of the £5.00 shares were sold at auction by Mr. William Langley at the Assembly Rooms in Stamford for £6 2s 6d per share (a profit of 22.5% over three years). This success was short lived as at auction held by Mr. Richardson in March 1867 at the George Hotel, twenty fully paid up £5 shares went unsold as they only achieved £4 7s 6d and were bought in. If share prices are a guide to business success it would seem that the Company was not seen as a firm investment for when sixteen fully paid up £5 shares were offered by auction in January 1869 they sold for prices varying from £3 6s 0d to £3 10s 0d. In comparison shares in the Stamford Gas and Coke Company which had a face value of £50 were selling for £83 or £84 each. Clearly by 1891 the Company was in difficulty as in the August of that year the then Company Secretary, a Mr. H. B. Barnett, issued a notice that a meeting would be held on September 1st to consider the ‘Financial and General Position of the Company, and determine whether the business of the Company ‘shall be continued or wound up voluntarily or otherwise, and to transact such other Business as may be necessary’. The decision was made to issue a Winding-Up Petition for the Company which was duly advertised in the London Gazette on September 25th 1891. On October 20th 1891 the Ketton Gas Works and Plant were offered for sale by auction. This included the Gas Manager’s House, Retort and Purifying Houses, Purifier, Scrubber, Condenser, Meters, Mains, and other Effects, on a site of approximately 600 square yards. It therefore comes as a surprise to discover that the sale of shares in the Company were still being advertised in the Stamford Mercury in May 1899 when thirty fully paid £5 shares were offered at auction. Clearly Ketton still enjoyed a gas supply for in May 1908 the Gas Works and Plant were again offered for sale as a going concern. The site was described as having a Stone-built and Slated Manager’s house, Stone-built and Tiled Retort and Purifying Houses, Gasometer, Purifier, Scrubber, Condenser, Meters, Mains, and other Effects. The purchaser was Mr. J.H.Silcox, the managing director of the Pontardawe (Swansea) Gas Company for £360. New ownership under new management resulted in a degree of investment for when finally the ‘fixed and loose plant’ was sold in April 1916 some of the equipment was relatively new. What effect the Great War had on the supply of coal, a labour force to run the plant, or the demand for gas is uncertain. Messrs. Richardson, the auctioneers, split the machinery into Lots, including a Gasometer in excellent condition with 6,000 cubic feet capacity, a new 3¼h.p. 1915 Gas Engine by Crossley with fitted water cylinder, a Gas Engine by Robinson of Manchester, a new 1914 Exhauster by Bryan, Donkin & Co., a Scrubber, a set of Condensers, a 1914 Station Meter by Willey & Co., a Winch for raising the Purifier Box Top, two Retorts Beds (one of three beds and the other of one bed) with lids, a Boiler, two Water Tanks, eighty nine new slot and ordinary Gas Meters, and thirty one Gas Cookers (1914). Along with other numerous Gas Fittings and other effects. The site was sold separately and in 1923 the cottage, retort house, outbuildings, along with about three miles of gas mains; was bought by Mr. Sivers of Ketton for £250. So ended Ketton’s gas supply until the arrival of natural gas sixty odd years later. Ketton Gas Works 1886 A print version can be downloaded HERE Previous Next Women's Suffrage in Stamford: Fight for the Vote 1913 | Stamford History < Back Woman’s Suffrage in Stamford Fight for the Vote 1913 Chris Hunt 2023 On Saturday July 12th 1913 the talk in Stamford was of that evening’s meeting on the Meadows where the issue of female suffrage and the right to vote was to be discussed. Reporters from the three local newspapers were in attendance, the Stamford and Rutland Guardian , the Stamford & District News and the Lincolnshire, Rutland & Stamford Mercury . Today we remember the Suffragettes, the militant wing of the movement for Votes for Women. There was however a non-militant organisation, the Suffragist’s, who allowed men to join their organisation, and it was them who organised the meeting on the Meadows as part of the 1913 Great Pilgrimage for women’s suffrage. Groups of women, with some men, marched from all parts of the country to London. Where on Saturday July 26th 1913 in Hyde Park a crowd of over 50,000 heard speeches calling for Votes For Women and those present unanimously passed the motion: - “That this meeting demands a Government measure for the enfranchisement of women.” As to the meeting in Stamford. The Guardian reporter summed up the day as follows:- The announcement on local hoarding, in eye-aching red and green, that a number of ladies belonging to the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies would address the people of Stamford on Saturday evening, in the Meadows, created keen interest, and their arrival was awaited by a huge assembly. The party, known as the Great North Road section, is one of a number marching through the country to London, and they are identified with a strictly law abiding and non-party organisation. Leaving Newcastle on June 18th, the contingent under notice has been subjected to what can only be described as hostility and rough treatment in some places, notably, in Mansfield and such occurrences can only be described as despicable seeing that the ladies are pursuing their agitations for the vote – the merit or de-merit of the demand we are not concerned with – by perfectly peaceful and legitimate means. On the other hand they have been the recipients of extraordinary kindness and hospitality. The National League for Opposing Women’s Suffrage did not allow the march of the pilgrims to proceed without protest, and consequently men paraded the streets bearing sandwich-boards, upon which placards declared that women do not want votes. The Pilgrims made it quite clear that some women want them badly. The Suffragists, neatly attired in walking costumes, and wearing sashes of red, white and green, numbered about a dozen and carried banners setting forth the nature of the cause they are advocating. A motor car preceded them, containing Miss Norma Smith, who made the necessary arrangements at each place. The party left Grantham on Saturday morning (July 12th 1913), and on the way to Stamford held successful meetings at Colsterworth and Great Casterton. Their arrival here took place about 7.30 and an eager and expectant concourse of people gathered in Red Lion Square and lined Scotgate. As the Suffragists accompanied by several Stamford ladies who supported their cause, marched to the Meadows their reception was by no means unfriendly. Several of the ladies carried bouquets of flowers and altogether they presented a very attractive appearance. No time was lost in starting the speech making and very soon the trollies forming temporary platforms were surrounded by a dense throng of people. The crowd in the Meadows and lining the river bank must have numbered between three and four thousand, and very wisely, the police force was strongly augmented by constables from the adjacent district (Kesteven Constabulary). The arrangements for coping with any rowdyism were excellent, and Supt Theaker, the head of the Stamford force, who was consulted regarding the arrangements by the Union representatives, is to be congratulated on the way in which such a huge assembly was handled. It will be well recollected that upon the occasion of a Suffragette meeting in the Square a few months ago there were disgraceful scenes, and on Saturday evening it was soon evident that a number of those present were bent on creating a noise. Rushes were made for the platform occupied by Miss Garlick and her friends, but the police were able to prevent any mischief. Verbal interruptions were frequent, but these were of a good-natured character, and the ladies powers of repartee were fully demonstrated. It was a case of give-and-take, and the sallies evoked hearty laughter. Strangely enough all the opposition was centred on one trio of speakers. The speeches from the other platform proceeded without interruption to the end. Miss Garlick presided over the unruly assembly, and the other speakers were Miss Beaver and Miss Meikle (Leeds). On the other platform were Mrs Gerald Dowson as “chairman,” accompanied by Miss Norma Smith (organising the pilgrimage from Sheffield to Huntingdon), and Mrs W.E.Dowson of Nottingham. Miss Garlick, like the other speakers, placed the Suffragist arguments very eloquently. Some facts revealed concerning their Union included the information that it has a membership of 47,000, fresh adherents having been obtained at the rate of a thousand a month for some time past; that their methods are perfectly peaceful and law-abiding; that they are no way associated with the militant section, and that their express purpose is not only to assure the people of the country, but once again to assure the Prime Minister and all Members of Parliament that women do want the vote, notwithstanding the fact that on the way there that evening they notice a few tired-looking gentlemen carrying placards bearing the strange device, “Women Don’t Want the Vote.” She made it clear that the Union to which she belonged did not favour the militant methods. Miss Beaver spoke well, but was soon interrupted, and her mention of Mrs Pankhurst’s name was an error. It raised a storm of disapproval, and the hubbub after this was on the increase. The speaker urged that if women were not deemed intelligent enough to have votes, then some men who now possessed them scarcely knew how to use them. This remark did not mend matters and the interruptions continued at intervals. However, Miss Beaver managed to make some excellent points. Miss Meikle had not the best of attention and at the outset of her remarks, when interrupted, wrote notes on a tablet until the noise ceased. Towards the close of the meeting turf was thrown, and the addresses, which lasted for about an hour and a quarter ended amid much animation. The descent of the speakers from the trollies was the signal for a determined attempt to rush them, but the police succeeded in forming a strong bodyguard. As the ladies approached the bridge a desire was somewhat apparent to push them, along with the police, into the Welland. A number of townsmen however, went to the assistance of the officers and the ladies were got safely across the bridge, the entrance to which was then barricaded by the majority of the police while the suffragists made their way to the different residences which were affording them hospitality for the night. The following Wednesday afternoon (July 16th 1913) there was another suffrage meeting in the town. This one was organised by the Stamford branch of the Conservative and Unionist Women’s Franchise Association. This was held in the Bede House garden, Broad Street, which was addressed by the Countess of Selborne, President of the Association. This meeting being held in the week was a much more refined occasion, with tea and cake, and no need of police protection. The meeting was as political and the Guardian was there to report on the speeches. The Rev. J.R.H.Duke, rector of Thornhaugh presided over a good attendance, and was supported on the terrace by Lady Selborne, Misses M.Evans (Hon. Secretary of the local branch, D.Evans, Young, Hart, M.Kellett, Sunderland-Taylor, Williams, and Duncombe (Honorary Secretary of the Oakham Branch), along with Mr T.Sandall and a number of local clergy. The chairman, in a brief series of remarks, said that by all rules of ordinary logic women should have votes upon the same terms as men. At present they had municipal votes and could fill the office of Town Councillor, Guardian, and even Mayor. There was no reason why they should not take an equal interest in the greater affairs of the empire. Municipal questions largely concerned building, drainage, and roads, which was not really women’s business, so that the Parliamentary vote would enable them to deal with questions with which they would be more at home. As to property and taxation, it had been well said that representation and taxation should go hand-in-hand; there should be no objection against the contention that if women had to pay their share towards the upkeep of the country they should be given the chance of helping to decide how it should be expended (hear, hear). Besides, women were more economical than men, whilst they were quite as intelligent, if not more so in many cases. Women were conservative in the ordinary sense and would do more than men in the assistance of art, and the preservation of the memorials of the past. They would, as voters, strengthen the Conservative and Unionist side of the House of Commons, and might be reckoned on to protect the Church from attack, particularly the Welsh portion. To say, as some did, that if women had votes they would be under the influence of the parish priest was ridiculous. As to the militant methods of some women, there was no reason why so many others who favoured peaceful advocacy should be deprived of the privilege they claimed. He regarded the “cat and mouse” Act as a bad piece of legislation. The government had practically invited outrage, and one prominent supporter told those who asked for women’s suffrage that they would not get it until they made themselves a nuisance. Could it be wondered at that some took his words seriously? In conclusion, Mr Duke asked the Countess to address them. Her ladyship, he said, bore an honoured name, one which was respected all over the county. She was the daughter of a great statesman, and sister to Lord Roberts and Lord Hugh Cecil, who were staunch supporters of the Church. Lady Selborne, who was warmly received, said she was very pleased to visit Stamford, which was the only place represented by her father, the late Marquis of Salisbury, in the House of Commons, up to the time he went to the House of Lords. When she was asked to come and speak here, she felt that she would like to do so, for his sake (applause). He was always a supporter of the principle of giving votes to women and furthered the cause when County Councils were instituted and women were granted the power to vote in those elections. Thus, she felt that the work of their Association would have had his approval. Women had just as great an interest in all public questions as men possessed, and it was the theory of democracy that those that contributed to the State should have a voice in the choice of legislation and in the selection of the government responsible for the public business of the country. If women were granted the vote it was not likely that the powers of government would ever be put into their hands, and they would always be content to leave it to men to deal with, even if they ever possessed the right to become Members of Parliament. It was the business of women to choose and not to govern. Women had great influence in politics, and any Bill which had their support always made its way to the front. The speaker dealt with the great influence exercised by women, and its power of good or evil. Women with votes would know that with political power they would also have responsibility and they would therefore deal with any question with more care and thought than was the case at present. If women had the vote they would not be so likely to rush into politics in an emotional way just when some question cropped up that specially interested them. It would be far better to have voting women than influencing women. The passing of a reasonable measure entitling women to vote would prevent much of the present evil of militancy, which was depriving the cause of a great deal of sympathy. In several of our colonies, America and Norway, women had been granted the vote, and the system was a success. In Sweden and Denmark the granting of the vote was being favourably considered. It was somewhat remarkable that in no other country but ours had the agitation for votes for women resulted in militant methods. But any violence was due to Ministers saying one thing and meaning another. They should have said “No” at the outset, instead of making promises and not fulfilling them. In the House of Commons Women’s Franchise Bills had passed their second reading, and it was generally understood that when this was the case the principle of a measure was approved. But despite this women had not yet been granted a vote. The speaker considered that the Prime Minister, had he taken more care, could have drawn up the Franchise Bill so as to admit an amendment. This would have saved a great deal of bitterness and controversy. But the militant outrages formed no reason why the female sex generally should not be granted votes, for the women who had resorted to extreme measures did not number more than about 50, and it was unfair to keep a million and a half women disfranchised because of the faults of a few. Women had as great an interest in the affairs of the country as men, and what was sauce for the goose should be sauce for the gander (applause). The best argument of all in support of votes for women was that it was a success, whether in County Councils or other departments of public life. Her ladyship, in conclusion, urged the members of the branch to continue the good work they had undertaken, and go forward with all possible activity. They should read up the subject, for it was only by being themselves convinced that they could convince others. Let them persuade their friends to join the Association, and thus strengthened, go on until their aim was accomplished. In proposing a vote of thanks to the Countess for her address and to the chairman, Miss Evans said that Stamford had a special claim upon her ladyship’s kindness, for she did not come among them as a stranger but as the daughter of the late Lord Salisbury, who in bygone years ably represented Stamford in Parliament. Her visit would rouse this branch to do even more for the cause of women’s liberty. Some said it was unwomanly to work for that cause, but how could it be when there were so many women who could not protect themselves, and who were working under labour conditions that urgently called for reform (applause). Other people said that a vote was no protection, but if this were the case why was there so much battling concerning the proposal to abolish plural votes? Miss Evans was congratulated on an able speech. Once the meeting finished those present were entertained at tea. How different to the earlier meeting held on the Meadows? In the same week that the Stamford and Rutland Guardian reported on the Suffragists meeting on Stamford Meadows and the meeting of the Conservative and Unionist Women’s Franchise Association there appeared in the same paper the following poem entitled:- THE SUFFRAGETTES We collected in our thousands, By the Welland’s flowing stream, To beguile the evening hours, Listening to the suffrage scheme. I am not disposed to offer, Views upon the female vote, But I wish to tell the scoffer, Things I would have him note. When he cast his senile “booing”, In a helpless woman’s face, He was eloquently showing, Much degeneracy of race. Pity him his lack of reason, Scorn for those who urge him on, This is Stamford’s senseless season, Chivalry is past and gone. Is there one who this attended? Could have faced, on yonder dray, With a courage, cool, and splendid, Asses with so loud a bray? (by) CYNICUS As to the Stamford & Rutland Guardian’s editorial comment. It stated:- All things considered, the Suffragist’s meeting at Stamford, on Saturday passed off remarkably well. For the credit of the great majority it must be made clear that those who disturbed the meeting and initiated the horseplay were simply out for a lark and cared nothing for common sense or argument. There was a chance of a Saturday night spree and that was all they wanted. Some, it was obvious, had had recourse to something stronger than water and so their share of the clamour need not be taken much notice of. Several of the interjections during the speeches were by no means devoid of wit and had the interruptions been simply verbal the meeting would have been quite enjoyable. But the foolish josting and turf-throwing was quite another story, and proved the caddish propensities of a certain section of the crowd. The speakers were ladies of education and should have been treated as such. However, as we have said, no great harm was done, and perhaps the occasional disorder was but the vent for those of vinous tastes. The Stamford and District News also reported on the event and although their report is similar there are a number of incidents reported that did not appear in the Stamford & Rutland Guardian . As they passed the Post office there was a slight attempt to “boo” them, but this soon subsided, and escorted by members of the Police Force the ladies were escorted down St John’s Street and Castle Hill to the meadows. Two trolleys belonging to Mr B.W.Aldwinckle were standing one on each side of the footpath between the two bridges, and speeches were delivered simultaneous from the two vehicles, to an assembly of between 2,000 and 3,000 persons. During part of the rally, at one time the crushing was so bad that numbers of little children near (one of) the wagons were escorted by the police out of the crowd into places of safety. Several of the men possessing a greater sense of justice and fair play than some of the others appealed to the disorderly ones to be quiet, but this had no effect, and the disorder continued, during which there was singing (including a verse of a hymn) and shouting, while a few piece of turf were thrown at the ladies. As to the scenes on the Meadows, the disturbances led to an appearance of two of the agitators at the Magistrates Court under the news banner, Disorderly Scenes at a Suffragette Meeting. Stamford Men Summoned. Amusing Evidence. Clearly the editor, or the compositor, or the reporter should have picked up that the Meeting had been held by Suffragists and not Suffragettes. The whole report mentioning Suffragettes. Two men were ordered to appear before the Magistrates on Saturday (July 19th 1913) on charges of improper conduct on the occasion of the Suffragettes meeting in the Meadows last week. They were Robert Stafford, 3 East-street, who was summoned for using indecent language, and Naaman Briggs, of 1 Zebra Cottages, against whom there was a charge of being drunk and disorderly. With regard to Stafford, P.c. Holgate stated that the man was very much under the influence of drink, and was creating annoyance by swearing and shouting. One man went to him and asked him to be quiet, whereupon defendant said words telling him in effect, to get out of the way. The defendant pushed about, and a man of about 50 years of age was knocked down. If the crowd had come that way, the constable feared the man would doubtless have been seriously injured. Supt. Theaker informed the Court that Stafford had been before the Magistrates seven times previously, and said he desired to press the case, as the language used by the defendant could only be described as vile. A fine of 10 shillings, with 7 shillings costs was imposed. The man Briggs created some amusement by a quaint saying. Asked whether he was guilty of being drunk and disorderly on the occasion referred to, he said, “I reckon I had a drop of beer, but I was not disorderly.” After P.c. Pacey had been sworn, Briggs said “Now, what did I say?” but he was told to be quiet. The officer told the Bench that the defendant, who was very drunk, was shouting and pushing about among the crowd. He called out “Mrs Pankhurst , ***** her.” Someone near asked him to be quiet, whereupon he expressed the hope that the suffragists would be in a much warmer place than the defendant, said the constable, continued this sort of thing for something like twenty minutes, pushing both women and men about, and although witness spoke to him he took no notice whatever. Defendant: What did you say when you brought me the summons? Didn’t you say go straight home when you spoke to me? The Constable: I never said anything of the sort. Defendant: None of your “guyfly.”(Laughter) I did nothing but shout Mrs Pankhurst! The Clerk: You can only ask the witness a question. Defendant: Was I drunk? The Constable: Certainly. Defendant: Then why didn’t you lock me up? The Constable: I gave you a chance to get home. Defendant: If I was drunk I couldn’t have got home. Briggs added that he went out shopping before he went home at half-past nine. Turning to P.c. Pacey, he said “Tell a straight tale.” Supt. Theaker, who was also present at the Meeting, supported the evidence of the constable, and said, that the man was frequently asked to go home by several in the crowd. Defendant: That was Daddy Hopkins. (Laughter). The Inspector: continuing said the defendant’s conduct was very bad indeed. There were several there who were rather disorderly, but he didn’t take much notice of that; in a case of this kind, however, where very bad language was used he considered it his duty to bring it before the notice of the Bench. The Chairman (to the Defendant): Have you anything to say? Defendant I expect I have got to pay, but I don’t want to pay much. (Laughter). I ain’t ??? a deal. (Laughter). This is the first time I’ve been here, and it would take a different suffragette meeting from that to get me here again. (Laughter). Defendant added: I saved the women. They were pelting at me instead of the women. (Laughter). While the Magistrates were considering the verdict the defendant caused further amusement by asking, “Have they done with me now, here? The Justices imposed a fine of 5 shillings, including costs, and the Mayor expressed the hope that this case would be a warning to him in the future remarking that if he kept from the drink he would be all right. Defendant: But I started young sir. (Laughter). Supt. Theaker: Are you going to pay? Defendant: No; shall you trust me? He was allowed a week. The Great Pilgrimage was a protest march in favour of votes for women and against militancy and was arguably the single most influential non-violent event in the fight for votes. It created an environment across the country, especially where meetings were held, of open debate of the subject rather than the newsworthy reports of broken windows, arson and hunger strikes. Previously it was as if any disaster could be blamed on the Suffragettes. Stamford was no different. Back on Thursday May 22nd 1913 two separate fires one at the Wesleyan Chapel on Barn Hill and another in the stables behind the Stamford Hotel created rumours in the town that those ‘damn suffragettes’ were involved. Suddenly in the minds of some, a woman should not be allowed out with a box of matches. Stamford had a population of around 9.500 people in 1913, between 2,000 and 3,000 attended the meeting on the Meadows that Saturday evening. Let us hope that the majority supported female suffrage. Sources 'By the Way’ Comment Stamford & Rutland Guardian July 19th 1913 p7/c1 Suffragettes Poem Stamford & Rutland Guardian July 19th 1913 p7/c2 Unionist Women Franchise Meeting Stamford & Rutland Guardian July 19th 1913 p8/c1&2 Suffragists Visit To Stamford Stamford & Rutland Guardian July 19th 1913 p8/c4&5 Women Suffragists in Stamford Stamford & District News July 16th 1913 p5/c2 Stamford Men Summoned Stamford & District News July 23rd 1913 p5/c1 Suffragettes On Tour Stamford Mercury July 18th 1913 p4/c4 Notes: Stamford & District News published on Wednesdays Lincoln, Rutland and Stamford Mercury on Friday Stamford & Rutland Guardian published on Saturdays The first names/initials of the women at the Conservative and Unionist meeting were added from the Stamford & District News of July 23rd 1913 p7/c1. For more background information on this topic the recently published book by Jane Robinson; Hearts And Minds. The Untold Story of the Great Pilgrimage and How Women Won the Vote , is a MUST read. A print version can be downloaded HERE Previous Next Nora Blake: Young Stamford Pacifist | Stamford History < Back Nora Blake: young Stamford pacifist K Hansell, N J Sheehan 2021 Following the World War One exhibition at Stamford Arts Centre in November 2018, the Society was contacted by Paul Markwell regarding his mother Nora Blake. As a thirteen-year-old schoolgirl in Stamford, Nora wrote the winning essay in a national competition for children of ex-servicemen. Her achievement was reported in The Stamford and Rutland News on Tuesday May 8, 1934, and the essay was reproduced in full in the next issue of the newspaper. Stamford St George’s School Girl’s Prize Essay 1934 Nora Blake (aged 13) War War! The very word makes me shiver. Although the Great War ended before I was born, I know enough about it to realise that all countries concerned are still suffering from its results. We are all paying the penalty. No country can spend four years in destruction, blowing millions of pounds in the air in the form of shells, without suffering from chaos. The whole of the industrialised world was disorganised, and as a consequence many soldiers who survived from the war without serious consequences came back only to find it impossible to secure employment. Also thousands of families mourn the loss of loved ones, and thousands more have the care of those who were disabled, the blind, the crippled, the insane. Truly war levies a terrible toll. Without dwelling unduly on the horrors of war, or its far-reaching ill effects on the community, I think that all will agree that the great task of this generation is to arrange international affairs so that another war is avoided. Politicians during the war, I understand, talked a lot about it being a war to end war and since 1918 the League of Nations has had a meeting in Geneva with this end in view. Disarmament Conferences have been held and there has been much talk between nations. But, while every country agrees that war should end, the nations have not been able to form any plans to satisfy all. Every conference has closed without achieving any tangible result and this is a very disappointing state of affairs. After sixteen years of conferences we find that the nations mistrust each other and are afraid to put down armaments. Suspicion is the order of the day and we find nations arranging to spend more money on defence services. All are seeking security but will a competition in armaments give security? Let us consider this question. This makes us think about the next war. I think that there will be as much difference in the next war and the Great War as there was between that and the Napoleonic Wars. I think death will come from the air in the form of gas and poison bombs. Attacks will take us by surprise and the result will be that large cities, with all their inhabitants, will be wiped out in a few hours. It seems very possible to spend all out lives in defence and yet be unsafe. What is the alternative? Just this. All lovers of peace must continue to work for gradual disarmament, even if their cause seems hopeless. All education should have this end view. Public demonstrations of a warlike nature should be avoided. Children should not be taken to torchlight tattoos and boys should not be encouraged to play with toy soldiers. An international army, having all the armaments of the world, should keep peace in the same way that the police force keeps civil peace. It is very rarely that a policeman has to fight but the knowledge that he is there, backed by the powers of justice, is generally sufficient to keep us safe from robbery and violence and I think that is the ideal for all peace lovers, for the world to be policed. Now, no idea was ever realised easily. Rome was not built in a day and all the countries of the world will not become suddenly reasonable. But if all people who believe, as I do, will work and pray for “The Day”, it will come. It may not be in our time. But good citizens are always content to work for a future generation. In our school we have a book on citizenship which has on the cover a figure of the head of Jesus. It has two faces. So, in school, we learn the history of the past. We find that great progress has been made and that the world is much better to live in than it was in the middle ages. When we compare conditions with what they are today, we should be optimistic for the future. Shades of the great reformers of all times encourage us to carry on with the good work and not to doubt the ultimate result. It also seems to me that all nations are waiting for someone to take the lead. They are like children. I frequently hear children say “I will if you will” but no one wants to that the initiative. I believe that if France would only begin, Germany would be glad to follow and vice versa. I wish one country would have the courage to tell the world “We will disarm by 1950”. If the country could be my own, I should be very proud. I for one would be willing to take the risk. If I am to have a sticky finish, I should like to know that my country has done the right thing. If the world persists in arming, a future war is inevitable. It may not be in my time, but as a good citizen, that is no consolation. I am aware that all I have said is idealistic, but nevertheless, all good peace-loving people must work for peace on these lines, looking with the eye of faith for the glorious dawn of the day when “Swords shall be turned into plough-shares and spears into pruning hooks” The Winning Medal Nora Blake was the third of the four children of Frank and Vida Blake, with an elder brother John, sister, Olive and a younger brother, Ken. They were all born and brought up in Stamford. Nora left school at 15 and went to work at Martin-Markham Ltd where she met her future husband, Len Markwell. In later life she was known as "Jill". Len and Jill moved to Ryhall in 1956 where they lived for over 50 years. Jill Markwell continued to write for pleasure, often poems that she would send to friends. She was always very proud of the medal that she won in the national competition when she was 13. Jill sadly passed away in May 2009. A print version can be downloaded HERE Previous Next Stamford in 1868 | Stamford History < Back Stamford in 1868 Chris Hunt 2018 1868. J.Clapton. Esq; Mayor. February 25th, owing to the failure of his health, the Earl of Derby resigned the premiership, and on the 28th, Mr Disraeli became Prime Minister. In March, the entrance lodge to Burghley High Park, near the race course, was commenced. May 4th, Viscount Ingestre (son of the Earl of Shrewsbury) elected Member of Parliament for Stamford, vice Viscount Cranbourne elevated to the peerage by the death of his father, the Marquis of Salisbury. On the 8th a spirited race was rowed on the river Welland between Stamford Bridge and the Railway Bridge, between the crews of an outrigger and a four-oared gig, and attracted crowds of spectators. The colours were light blue and white. The “light blues” won by a length. On the 23rd June, William Unwin Heygate was elected Member of Parliament, in place of Viscount Ingestre, elevated to the peerage. July 31st, close of the last Parliament elected under the Reform Bill of 1832. August 6th, an Anglo-Saxon cinerary urn was found on the Essendine Railway in the parish of St George. September 18th, a steamer on board which was Lord Burghley, eldest son of the Marquis of Exeter, was wrecked in Queen Charlotte’s Sound, New Zealand. No lives lost. October 14th, about 5.00am, a very destructive fire broke out at Mr Joseph Phillips’ brewery, in Water-street, and was not got under control for some hours, during which time it destroyed the malting-rooms (which contained several hundred quarters of malt) and the ale stores. The damage was very heavy. The town engines were present and also one from Burghley, one from the works of Messrs. Ashby and Jeffery, and Mr Blashfield’s L’Extincteur. On the 17th, a stone coffin, of the Roman period, containing two skeletons and fragments of pottery, a bone pin, &c., was found on the farm of Mrs Gilchrist, between Stamford and Tinwell, about half a mile from Ermine-street. November 11th, the London Gazette contained a proclamation for dissolving the seventh parliament of Queen Victoria. The Second Reform Bill having deprived the borough of Stamford of one of its members, Sir John Hay was on the 16th returned as Stamford’s only representative in Parliament. Mr Andrew Gray, a shipping agent from London, was proposed and seconded; he made a speech and then his candidature was withdrawn. On the 2nd of December, the Disraeli ministry resigned, on the account of the result of the election. Showing a majority of one hundred and twenty-one to the opposition. On the 4th, Mr Gladstone was commanded to form a ministry, which was sworn into office on the 9th. Source:- The Annals of Stamford 1837-1887 by Arthur J. Waterfield printed and published in 1867 by Haynes & Son, 51 High Street, Stamford. Note: - 1868 was the year of parliamentary elections in Stamford. Two by-elections in May and June followed by a General Election in November when the borough returned for the first time just one Member of Parliament. The reduction from two being as a result of the passing of the Representation of the People Act 1867. A print version can be downloaded HERE Previous Next Restoration and Rebuilding of Browne's Hospital | Stamford History < Back Restoration and Rebuilding of Browne's Hospital 1870 David Wallington 2012 A report of 1869 stated: The Hospital buildings are in an advanced state of decay and dilapidation and with the exception of a small part are hardly fit for habitation. There was pressure to completely clear the site which occupies land between Broad Street and North Street and erect new buildings, but local opinion forced a rethink and the current two storey building on Broad Street was retained. James Fowler (known widely as Fowler of Louth) was appointed architect. Fowler was born in Lichfield and trained under Joseph Potter, the Cathedral’s architect. His career spanned the years of the Gothic revival and following his move to Lincolnshire he was active in building or restoring churches, vicarages and public buildings as well as being responsible for designing three alms-houses: Browne’s, Allenby Almhouses in Fotherby and Orme Almhouses in Louth as well as adding buildings to Holy Trinity in Retford and Gospelgate Bedehouses in Louth. It is therefore not surprising that Fowler should turn to Minton for the tiled floor in the passage between the Common Room and Chapel and to Skidmore of Coventry for the gas fittings and art metalwork. Francis Skidmore took over his father’s firm in 1845 and initially repaired church silverware. But he was soon designing church furnishings and was a pioneer in the gas lighting and heating of churches. He exhibited at the 1851 Great Exhibition and was widely used by George Gilbert Scott for the then fashion of metal screens separating chancels from naves. Of these the best known are the screens at Lichfield (still in place), Hereford (now in the V & A) and Salisbury (parts of which are being rediscovered). One of his largest commissions was the huge fleche on the top of the Albert Memorial in London and the wonderfully intricate metal fencing around that memorial. Sadly his obsessiveness with detail led to bankruptcy and because of the loss of his firm’s records he remains an obscure Victorian innovator and entrepreneur. His gas fittings have largely disappeared but we are fortunate that at Browne’s we have three examples of light fittings adapted for electricity: two in the passage and cloisters and one (lamp standard) on the eastern side of the lawn. Inside we have a rare example of two gas fittings still in place on the balcony of the chapel and a part of another fitting in the Confrater’s Room. A lot of the metal work on the doors of the old building and on the accommodation for the residents is clearly also from the Skidmore Manufactory. A tentative examination of Fowler’s work suggests that he turned to Skidmore when working on other projects in the county. It somehow seems fitting that in the 19th Century Browne’s Hospital turned to Coventry for work on the alms-houses as William Browne had developed links with it when developing his wool trading business four hundred years previously. A print version can be downloaded HERE Previous Next David Cecil's Will and David Cecil's Wife: Two Notes | Stamford History < Back David Cecil's Will and David Cecil's Wife: Two Notes Professor Alan Rogers 2012 William Cecil, Lord Burghley was obsessed with his family history. He continually sought and obtained information and produced several contradictory pedigrees; so any light that can be thrown on earlier generations of Cecils is valuable. David Cecil of Stamford, his grandfather, Alderman (i.e. mayor) and MP for the town, was a particular concern; for someone had charged Lord Burghley with being the son of an innkeeper (a story which is still repeated). This is not true: the basis for it is that David was given the Tabard in Stamford by John Dyccons glover, councillor and Alderman of Stamford in the 1490s and almost certainly father-in-law of David Cecil, to be used for his (Dyccons’) will. A full biography of David Cecil will be published shortly in Nottingham Medieval Studies (Alan Rogers, ‘The Parliamentary representation of Stamford, 1467-1509’). This note concerns two matters; his will and his wife. David Cecil’s will David Cecil made two wills. One is dated the Conversion of St Paul (25 January) 1535 [i.e. 1535/6] (PRO PROB 11/29 fol 2d-3) and the other (strangely) is dated the Conversion of St Paul 1536 [i.e. 1536/7] (to be found in British Library Cotton iv 29; it has been wrongly indexed as referring to the rector of St Peter’s church, Stamford, which is why it has been missed to date). It seems clear that the Cotton version was a draft and inaccurately dated, for it was the 1535/6 will which was proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury in March 1541/2, not the will dated 1536/7. There are a small number of differences between the provisions made in the two drafts. The sequence varies, and some items in the draft will are split apart. One clause in the draft is repeated twice in the final version. Two additional clauses relate to an extra payment to St George’s church and to the sale of swans for the benefit of David’s soul. The final will is then slightly longer than the draft will, with 39 clauses instead of 35. The wording of each clause varies from time to time. Richard Cecil remains sole executor to both; in the draft will, he is subject to the supervision of John Haryngton of Exton but this is not stated in the final will. The witnesses are very different. WILL OF DAVID CECIL January 1535/6 PRO Version In the Name of god Amen. In the ffest off Conversawn off seynt Paule Anno dni millesimo quingentesimo tricesimo quinto I David Cyssell of Stamford in the Countie of Lyncoln Esquier being of good and perfytt Remembrance in mynd, also well and perfitly deliberat make my testament and last Wyll in this maner and fourme following First I bequith my soule to almightie god and to our blessid lady seynt mary mother of mercy, and to all the glorious company of hevyn, and my body to be buryed in the parishe churche of seynt George of Stamford aforeseyd. Item I give to the high aulter of seynt George of Stamford ijs. Item to our ladyes works of lyncoln xijd. Item I will that my wyfe shall have all the plate that was hers before that I maryed her and also all other goodes of household that was hers at oure mariage. Also I give to my seyd wyffe Twenty ky[n]e and a bulle of myn owne goods in recompence of suche catell as she brought to me. Item I give to my seyd wyfe two horses and two mares. Item I give to my seyd wife Thirtie seme of malte and Ten scyme of Wheate and Ten scyme of barley and Threscore shepe, that ys to sey, ffouretie old shepe and Twenty lambes. And also I give to my seyd wyfe Twenty Lodes of wood. I give to my seyd wife two fetherbeds, one in the Nursery and an other in the Closet where she lyeth in. Item I give to my seyd wyff the bed and bedsted with the hengings of silke as yt stonds complete in the gesse Chamber by the strete. Item I give to my seyd wyfe a marke of Swannes markyd with laduls streght up and down the byll and the legges and she to enyoie yt to her and her assignes for ever. Item I give to Richard Cissell my eldest sone two complete fetherbeddes one over the Closett and another over the parlour as they stonde holy. Item I gyff to my said son Richard my best gown and the Chosse. Also I gyff to David my secounde sone two fetherbeddes complete, one at the steyrhed with sperver and other appertenances and ( del ) an other fetherbed. Item I give to my seyd wyfe all my londs in Stamford in Nassyngton and els where for the terme of her lyff and after her departing I will that all my seyd londs do remayn to my seyd sone Richard Cissell and to his heires for ever. Item I give to my doughter Joane Twenty pounds sterling in mony or in mony worthe and that to be delyvered to Joane my wyfe being her naturall mother, to be in save custody of her seyd mother for the preferment and promocion of her maryage. Item I give to the fowre ordurs off freyers of Stamford to praye for me vjs viijd to every one of the seyd orders. Item I give to Jone my doughter the one half of household stuff at Dowsby as in brasse, pewter and bedding hangings lynyn and other stuf remayning at Dowsby and all this stuf to be in custodye of Jane my wyf unto the tyme of mariage off Joane my seyd doughter. Item I give to Richard Cyssell my sone all my titill and interest that I have in the Chantre londes that ys gyven for the fynding of a prest to singe for Sir Davyd Phillip in seynt Marys churche in Stamford. Also I give to my seyd/// sone Richard all my tytle and interest that I have or may have in the Tabert of Stamford and in all other places the whiche John Dycons left to be song for by a prest in seynt mary churche aforeseyd for his soule and all crysten soules. Item I give to David Cyssell my secounde sone Twenty quarters of barley to be delyvered to hym by myn executour by four and of this side the feast of seynt Marten in Wynter next to folowe the dey of my departing from this lyfe and to be taken out of my Croppe that growith or may growe in Tynwell feelds. Item I will that two of my merke of swannes herebefore not bequeathed be solde by myn executour and the mony takyn for them to be dispoased for my soule. Item I will that all the hangings, tabulls, trestells and formes and other ymplyments in my halle, in my grete parlour and in my galery on the south syde of my house do contynew as they are and also do remayne ther as standers or heirelowms for ever. Item I bequeth to my wife ffyfty quarters of malte. Twenty quartetrs of barley. Ten quarters of wheate and xl lodes of wood. Item I give to my seyd wyfe two cuppes of sylver parcell gilte with covers, and a pece called the horne all gylt. Item I give to my seyd wyfe a pece gilt with the whetesheef in the bottom, the whiche I gaffe her before our mariage. Item I will that she have all her goods off household that were hers at the daye of oure mariage in as good state and repare as they were the same daye. Item I give to my sone Richard my best gowne and the choyse. Item I will that Anthony Vyllers have the secound gowne, my best dublett and my velvet Jackett. Item I wille that David my sone have my blake gowne of clothe lyned with damaske, a dublet of satten stoked, with a Jackett and my grene coate. Item will that Sir William Huddeston sing for my soule and all Crysten soules the one hole yere in the churche of seynt George in Stamford and to have v li for his stypent.fyve pounds sterling. Item I will that ther be given for the helth of my soule that three days xx li, that ys to sey at the daye off my buryall,, at the vijth daye and at the xxx ti daye. Item I give to the high aulter off seynt George for tythes and offerings not perfatly donne vjs viijd. Item I will that my detts be payd of my goods laufully knowen and axed. Item I will that every servaunte of myn household have blak coats. Item I will that Richard Wyer have a fetherbed. Item I ordeyn and make my seyd sone Richard Cissell my sole executour, to dispoase the resydue of my goods above or otherwise not given nor bequeathed for the honor of god and for the helth of my soule after the laudable maner that he can do or devyse. These being wytnes Sir Thomas Wenstare notary, John Bocher and Richard Wyre with many others. Probate at London 16 March 1541 David M. Loades , The Cecils: privilege and power behind the throne, London: The National Archives, 2007, following S T Bindoff , The House of Commons, 1509-1558, vols i-iii, Members, London: Secker and Warburg, 1982 , dates the probate copy to 25 January 1535 but as can be seen, it is dated 25 January (the Conversion of St Paul) 1535/6. The will was proved in March 1541/2. COPY OR DRAFT WILL OF DAVID CECIL dated January 1536/7 BL Cotton Ch iv 29 In the Name of god Amen. In the ffest off Conversyon off Saynt Paule Anno dni millimo cccccmo tricesimo sexto I Davyd Cyssell off Stannford in the Countie of Lincoln Esquyer being off good and perfytt Remembraunce, In mynd also well and deliberate make my testament and last Wyll in maner and fforme ffoloyng. First I (bese del ) bequeth my soule to almyty god and to oure blessyd lady mother off mercy and to all the gloryouse Company off hevyn and my body to be buryed in the quere off Saynt George off Stannford aforesayd. Also I gyff to the hye aultar off Saynt George for tythes and offeryng not perfytely done vjs viijd. Item to oure ladyes werks off Lincoln xijd. Item I wyll that my wyffe shall have all the plate that was hyrs before that I maryed hyr. Also I gyff to my said wyffe ij coppys off sylver parcell gylte with covers, a pece callyd the horn all gylte. Also I gyffe to my said wyffe a pece gylt with the whetesheffe in the bottom the which I gaffe hyr before our maryage. Also I wyll that she have all hyr good off howshold that were hyrs at the day of oure maryage in as good state and repayre as thei were that same day. Also I gyff to my said wyffe xxti ky[n]e and a bull off myn owne goods in recompence off such catell as she brought to me. Item I gyff to my said wyffe ij horsys and ij marys. Also I gyffe to my said [sic] l quarters of malte xxti quarters of Barleye, x quarters of wheite xlti lods of woode. And lx shepe that is to say xl old shepe and xx lambys. Also I gyff to my said wyffe ij feytherbedds one in the Nursery and one other in the Clossett wher she lyethe. Also I gyff to my said wyffe (ij fetherbedds del ) the bed and bedsteid with the hyngyngs of sylke as it standeth complete in the gesse Chamber bye the strete. Also I gyff to my said wyffe a marke of Swanys merkyd with ladull streight upp and down the byll and the legge and she to enioye it to hyr and hyr assignes for ever. Also I gyff to Richard Cyssell myn eldest son ij complete fetherbedds one over the Clossett and one other over the parlure as they stand holly. Also I gyff to my said son Richard my best gown and the Chosse. Also I gyff to Davyd my second son ij feyther bedds complete, one at the stayr hed with sperver and other appertenances and ( del ) an other fether bedd. Also I wyll that Davyd my said son shall have my blakke gown off clothe lyned with damaske and a dublett off saten stokked, a jackett and my grene cote. Also I gyff to Antonye Villers my second gown, my best dublett and my velvett jackett. Also I gyff to my said wyffe all my lands in Staunford in Nassington and els’ where for the term of hyr lyffe and after hyr departyng I wyll that all my said lands do remayne to my said son Richard Cycell and to his heyres for ever. Also I gyff to my doughter Jone xx li sterlyng in money or money wurthe and to be delyveryd to Jane my wyffe beyng hyr naturall mother, to be in save custodye off hyr said mother for preferment and promocion off hyr maryage. Also I gyff to every one off the four orders off frers off Staunford to pray for me vjs viijd. Item I gyff to Jhone my doughter the one half off howsehold stuffe at Dowsebeys as in brasse, pewter and beddyng hangyngs lynen and other stuff remaynyng at Dowsebye and all the stuff to be in custodye off Jane my wyffe unto the tyme off maryage off Jhone my said doughter. Also I gyffe to Richard Cyssell my son all my tytle and interest that I have in the Chauntre londs that be gyven for the fyndyng off a preste to syng for Sir Davyd Phylypp in saynt Marys Churche in Staunford. Also I gyff to my said sonne Richard all my tytle and Interest that I have or may have in the Tabert of Staunford and in all other placys the which John Dycons left to be song for by a preste in saynt marys Church aforesaid for his soule and all crysten soulys. Also I gyff to Davyd Cyssell my second son xxti quarters off barley to be delyveryd to hym by myn executour before and over this half ffest of Saynt Martyn in Wynter next to ffolowe the day off my departyng from this lyffe and to be taken out off my Cropps that groweth or may growe in Tynwell ffelds. Also I wyll that my detts be payd off my goods laufully known and askyd. Also I wyll that all the hangyngs, tabulls, trestylls and fformes and other Implyments in the hall, in my greit parlure and in my galery on the south syde off my house do contynew as they are and also do remayne theyr as standerds or heyre lomes for ever. Item I wyll that Sir William Huddylston shall syng for my Soule and ( del ) all Crysten souls by the space of one yere next after my departyng in saynt George Churche in Staunford and shall have v li for hys stypend. Also I gyff to every off my servaunts a blakke cote off clothe and to Richard Wyre my servaunt a fetherbed. Item I wyll that theyr be gyven for the helthe off my soule and all Cristen souls at iij days xx li, that is to say at the day off my buryeng, at the vij thday and the xxx ti day. The Residue off my goods unbequethyd I gyff and bequeth unto Richard Cycell my son whom I make my sole executour, he to have ( del ) occupie and enioye my said goods to the payment and contentacion off my detts and the fulfyllyng and performacion off thys my testament and last wyll. Also I ordeyn and make Mr John Haryngton of Exton supervisour off this mye testament, to whom I gyff and bequeth an horse. Thes beyryng wytnes Sir David Smyth parson off Saynt George my gostly ffather, Mr Andrew Gannow, John Alen, Sir William Sherman vicar of Maxsey, Sir Wyllam Huddilston and other. There are no signatures or any other markings – no endorsements except those of the Cotton collection. This document is on paper, clearly written. It is either a copy of the will or a draft; we need to compare it against the probate copy to see if there are changes. There are a few deletions which could be the result of miscopying or drafting errors. Loades, following Bindoff, dates the probate copy to 25 January 1535 but as can be seen this one is dated 25 January (the Conversion of St Paul) 1536 – i.e. 1537. The will was proven in March 1541/2. The description of the house is the main feature of this will. David Cecil’s first wife Lord Burghley recorded David Cecil’s first wife (his grandmother) as Alice, daughter of John Dyccons of Stamford, and this has been repeated in every pedigree so far. That she was the daughter of Dyccons seems certain although there is no direct evidence. Dyccons asked Cecil to use the proceeds from the Tabard for masses for his soul, and the town council gave to Cecil the waits’ badges which Dyccons as councillor held. But the gild book of St Katherine’s gild (which is strictly contemporary) records that in November 1497, David Cecil and his wife Agnes were admitted to gild (Gonville and Caius MSS 266/670 fol 39d; see Alan Rogers 2011 Act Book of St Katherine’s Gild 1480-1534 Bury St Edmunds : abramis publishers). There is no other known mention of her name; she entered the household of Lady Margaret Beaufort, mother of Henry VII and died in that household in 1507 (St John’s College, Cambridge, SJCC D91.19 fols 30, 34) – well before William Cecil was born. We can only assume that Lord Burghley was misinformed. A print version can be downloaded HERE Previous Next Previous 1 2 3 4 5 ... 11 Next

SNIPPETS A depository for small articles, notes, titbits and other miscellanea of local interest. The Archive of St Michael's Church Honorary Life member of the society provides a glimpse of the numerous documents often collected by local churches. John S Hartley 14 November 2023 Read Snippet A List of Stamford Aldermen from 1398 to 1457 Despite many early records from this period having been destroyed or lost a Steward of Stamford Town preserved a list of sixty aldermen. Chris Hunt 1 January 2022 Read Snippet Radcliffe and Browne's School, Stamford-Prize Volume A school prize binding Chris Hunt 1 January 2021 Read Snippet Blackstone & Co Works Rules 1916 An interesting insight into industrial work rules during WWI Chris Hunt 1 January 2018 Read Snippet Drowning on Broad Street Landlady found face down in cistern Chris Hunt 1 January 2017 Read Snippet Rate Book 1836 In 2017 Alan Rogers published his transcript of the 1836 rate assessment of Stamford. This important document lists all of the property in the town and names the owners and the tenants. Professor Alan Rogers 1 January 2017 Read Snippet Browne's Hospital Property A transcription of a survey of all of the properties owned by Browne's Hospital in 1845. Contains descriptions, site plans and names of tenants. Professor Alan Rogers 1 January 2014 Read Snippet Stamford and the Gough Map The earliest known image of the town Chris Hunt 1 January 2014 Read Snippet Transcript of Bert Bailey's WWI Diary The WWI diary of a Stamford man P Massey & K Hansell 1 January 2014 Read Snippet Hearth Tax Returns for St Martin's, Stamford - 31st July 1663 The earliest surviving hearth tax return for any part of Northamptonshire. Professor Alan Rogers 1 January 2014 Read Snippet

STAMFORD HISTORIAN From 1977 to 1982 the Stamford Survey Group (the forerunner to this Society) published The Stamford Historian, and a sample of its scholarly articles can be viewed below. A detailed list of all of the articles can be accessed HERE , and the actual articles can be viewed at Stamford Library. Death by Misadventure: Coroners Inquests 1700-1850 - Part 1 investigating Stamford deaths John Hartley Stamford Historian September 1978 Read Article Death by Misadventure: Coroners Inquests 1700-1850 - Part 2 a list of inquests John Hartley Stamford Historian September 1978 Read Article Queen Eleanor's Cross location of the Stamford cross Ken Coles Stamford Historian February 1980 Read Article St Cuthbert's Fee in Stamford the third manor of Stamford Dr E C Till Stamford Historian February 1982 Read Article Stamford Poor Law Union a history of Stamford's workhouse Dr Stella Henriques Stamford Historian February 1979 Read Article Stamford and the Plague the plague and parish registers Aubrey Plowman Stamford Historian February 1980 Read Article The Cecil's Monopoly of Milling in Stamford 1561-1640 the townspeople, millers and the Cecils Dr D L Thomas Stamford Historian February 1982 Read Article