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THE VESTRY BOOKS AND REGISTERS OF ST. JOHN’S PARISH, STAMFORD.

Summited 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

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