Repton and its neighbourhood

Chapter V Repton Church Registers

There are three ancient register books of births, baptisms, marriages and burials, and one register book of the Churchwardens’ and Constables’ Accounts of the Parish of Repton. They extend from 1580 to 1670.

The oldest Volume extends from 1580 to 1629: the second from 1629 to 1655: the third from 1655-1670. The Churchwardens’ and Constables’ Accounts from 1582 to 1635.

The oldest Volume is a small folio of parchment (13 in. by 6 in.) of 45 leaves, bound very badly, time-stained and worn, in parts very badly kept, some of the leaves are loose, and some are quite illegible. It is divided into two parts, the first part (of thirty pages) begins with the year 1590 and extends to 1629: the second part begins with “Here followeth the register book for Ingleby, formemarke and Bretbye,” from 1580 to 1624.

The Second Volume consists of eighteen leaves of parchment (13 in. by 6 in.), unbound, the entries are very faded, only parts of them are legible, they extend from 1629 to 1655.

The Third Volume has twenty-six leaves (11½ in. by 5½ in.). The entries are very legible, and extend from 1655 to 1670.

On the first page is written:

December yᵉ 31, 1655.

Geo: Roades yᵉ day & yeare above written approved & sworne Register for yᵉ parrish of Repton in yᵉ County of Derby

By me James Abney.

THE FOLLOWING ENTRIES OCCUR.

1595	Milton. Wᵐ Alt who was drowned buried yᵉ 26 of ffebruarie.
1604	William a poor child wh died in the Church Porch buried yᵉ 4th of June.
1610	Mʳᵉˢ Jane Thacker daughter of Mʳ Gilbert Thacker Esquyer buryed the Xᵗʰ of January Aᵒ Dmi 1610.
	“Vixit Jana deo, vivet pia Jana supernis, Esto Panōphæo gratia grata Iovi.”
1612	Mʳ Gilbert Thacker Esquyer buryed the X of July.
1613	John Wayte churchⁿ entered the XXVI of Aprill.
1638	Philip yᵉ sonne of Mʳ Haughton & Lady Sarah his wife was bapᵗ at Bratby. March 30.
1638	The lady Jane Burdit wife of Sⁱʳ Thomas Burdit buryed the 24ᵗʰ of March.
1640	Robert the sonne of Mʳ Francis Burdet of Formark Esquiour was borne the 11ᵗʰ day of January and baptized the 4ᵗʰ day of February 1640.
1647	William the son of Will Bull bap about Candlemas.
1648	John Wilkinson of Englebye was bur Nov 4. Recᵈ 6ˢ/8ᵈ for the grave.
1650	Godfrey Thacker sen burᵈ March 26ᵗʰ.
1652	Old Ashe of Milton bur Oct 12.
1657	Samuel yᵉ son of Thomas Shaw yᵉ younger bap 28 June.
	(He became the eminent Nonconformist Divine &c.)
1657	A tabler at Tho Bramly bur Aug:
	(Tabler, a pupil of Repton School who lodged or tabled in the village).
1658	Yᵉ foole at Anchorchurch bur Aprill 19.
1658	James a poore man dyed at Bretby Manner was bur May 20.
1660	A ladd of Nuball’s of Engleby bur yᵉ same day Jan: 2.
1664	Mʳ Thomas Whitehead was bur Oct 17.
	(1ˢᵗ Ussher of Repton School.)
1666	Thoˢ Rathban (Rathbone) the Under School-master was bur Nov 30.
1667	Mʳ William Ullock the Head Schoolmaster of Repton School died May the 13ᵒ and was buried in the Chancel May the 15ᵒ.
	Collected at Repton (for reliefe of yᵉ inhabitants of Soulbay in yᵉ County of Suffolk yᵗ suffered by fire) October yᵉ 30 1659 the sume of Tenn shillings and eight pence.
	Geo: Roades, Pastor.
	Several similar collections, “for the fire att Wytham Church, Sussex, the sume of 3s. 6d.”
Sepᵗ 4 1664	“Towards the repairs of the church at Basing in the county of Southampton 4s. 3d.”
Feb. 19 1664	“For the inhabitants of Cromer at Shipden yᵉ sume of four shillings five pence.”
	“For two widdows that came with a letter of request viz: Mʳˢ Elizabeth Benningfield and Mʳˢ Mary Berry the sum of 3s. 4d.”
	Ditto for Mʳˢ Calligane 3s. 2d.
Sepʳ 23 1660	“For a fire att Willinghal Staffordshire yᵉ sum of 13/s.”
	Geo: Roades, Minister. John Stone, Churchwardens. his ✠ mark.

Across the last page of the register is written this sage piece of advice:

“Beware toe whome you doe commit the secrites of your mind for fules in fury will tell all moveing in there minds.”

Richard Rogerson, 1684.

NAMES OF REPTON FAMILIES IN REGISTERS.

Pickeringe, Pyckering.

Meykyn, Meakin, Meakyn, Meakine, Meykyn.

Orchard.

Byshopp, Bushopp.

Cautrill or ell.

Measam, Measom, Meysom, Mesam, Mesom, Messam, Measome, Meysum, Measham, Meysham.

Gamble, Gambell.

Ratcliffe, Ratleif.

Waite, Weat, Wayte, Weyte, Weite, Weayt.

Marbury, Marburie, Marberrow.

Keelinge.

Wayne.

Gilbert.

Nubould, Nuball.

Chedle, Chetle, Chetill.

Bancrafte, Banchroft.

Thacker or Thackquer.

Guddall.

Myminge, Meming, Mimings.

Gudwine, Goodwine.

Bull.

Eyton, Eaton, Eton.

Drowborrow.

Dowglast.

Bladonne, Blaidon, (carrier.)

Dakin, Dakyn.

Wainewrigh, Waynewright.

Rivett, Ryvett, Rivet.

Kynton.

Heawood.

Budworth.

Mariyott.

Pratt.

Smith als Hatmaker.

Bykar.

Ward.

Nicholas, Birchar.

Bolesse.

Shaw.

Heardwere.

Stanlye.

Chaplin, Charpline, Chaplayne.

Myrchell.

Bowlayes.

Fairebright.

Hygate.

Denyse, Deonys.

Heiginbotham, Higgingbottom.

Shortose, Shorthasse.

Howlebutt.

Wixon, Wigson.

Waudall or ell.

Morleigh.

Hastings Crowborough, or Croboro, Crobery, Crobarrow.

Damnes. (2nd usher of school.)

Boakes, Boaks.

Proudman.

Bakster.

Chauntry, Chautry.

Ebbs.

Wallace.

Sault.

Bastwicke.

Hooton.

Truelove.

Gressley, Greasley.

Pegg.

Jurdan.

Ilsly.

Robards.

Steeviston of Milton.

Rathbone, Rathban. (under schoolmaster.)

Poisar.

Nuton.

Dixcson.

Doxy.

The Register book of the Churchwardens’ and Constable’s Accounts extends from 1582 to 1635, and includes Repton, and the Chapelries of Formark, Ingleby, and Bretby.

It is a narrow folio volume of coarse paper, (16 in. by 6 in., by 2 in. thick), and is bound with a parchment which formed part of a Latin Breviary or Office Book, with music and words. The initial letters are illuminated, the colours, inside, are still bright and distinct.

At the beginning of each year the accounts are headed “Compotus gardianorum Pochialis Eccle de Reppindon,” then follow:

(1) The names of the Churchwardens and Constable for the year.

(2) The money (taxes, &c.,) paid by the Chapelries above mentioned.

(3) The names and amounts paid by Tenants of Parish land.

(4) Money paid by the Parish to the Constable.

(5) Money “gathered for a communion,” 1st mentioned in the year 1596. At first it was gathered only once in July, but afterwards in January, June, September, October, and November.

The amounts vary from jd to vjd.

(6) The various “items” expended by the Churchwardens and Constable.

Dr. J. Charles Cox examined the contents of the Parish Chest, and published an account of the Registers &c., and accounts, in Vol. I. of the Journal of the Derbyshire Archæological Society, 1879. Of the Accounts he writes, “it is the earliest record of parish accounts, with the exception of All Saints’, Derby, in the county,” and “the volume is worthy of a closer analysis than that for which space can now be found.” Acting on that hint, during the winter months of 1893-4, I made most copious extracts from the Accounts, and also a “verbatim et literatim” transcript of the three registers, which I hope will be published some day.

Dr. Cox’s article is most helpful in explaining many obsolete words, curious expressions, customs, and references to events long ago forgotten, a few of the thousands of entries are given below:

The first five leaves are torn, the entries are very faded and illegible.

1582	It for kepyng the clocke		ixs
1583	It to the glacyier for accᵗ whole year		vjs	viijd
	It to the Constable for his wages		iiijs
	(Several references to the bells which will be found in the chapter on the bells.)
	It to the ryngers the xviiᵗʰ day of November			xijd
	(Accession to Queen Elizabeth.)
	It to John Colman for kylling two foxes			xijd
	(A similar entry occurs very frequently.)
1584	It for a boke of Artycles			vjd
	(Issued by order of Archbishop Whitgift, called the “Three Articles.”)
	It for washying the surplis			viijd
1585	It Layed for the at the Visitatun at Duffeyld		ijs	vjd
	It for wyne the Saturday before Candlemas day for the Communion		vs
	(Candlemas day, or Purification of the B. Virgin Mary, when candles used to be carried in procession.)
	It for bread			vjd
	It at the Vysitation at Repton		ijs	viijd
1586	It at my lord byshopps vysitation at Darby spent by the Churwardens and sidemen		vs
	It of our ladies even, given to the ringers for the preservation (of) our Queene			xijd
	(Our ladies even, eve of the Annunciation of the B. Virgin Mary. Preservation of our Queene, from the Babington conspiracy.)
1587	It to Gylbarte Hynton for pavynge the Church floore	iijli	iijs	jd
1590	A note of the armoure of Repton given into the hands of Richard Weatte, beyinge Constable Anno Di 1590 Inprimis ij corsletts wᵗ all that belongeth unto them.
	It ij platt cotts (coats of plate armour.)
	It ij two sweordes, iij dagers, ij gyrgells (girdles).
	It ij calivers wᵗh flaxes and tuchboxe.
	(calivers, flaxes, muskets, flasks for powder, touch boxes to hold the priming powder.)
	It ij pycks and ij halberds.
	It for the Treband Souldear a cote and bowe and a scheffe of arrows, and a quiver and a bowe.
	(Treband Souldear = our volunteer. Train-band soldiers were formed in 1588, to oppose the Spanish Armada.)
	It to Mr. Heawoode for the Comen praer boke		ixs
	It geven to Mr. Heawoode for takynge payne in gatheryng tythyne			xvjd
1592	It geven to Rycharde Prince for Recevyinge the bull and lokinge to hym			jd
1594	It spent at Darby when I payde the money for the lame soldiars (returned from France.)			iiijd
1595	It spente at Darby when we weare called by sytatyon xxiii daye of January		vjs	viijd
	It geven to Thomas Belsher for bryngying a sertyfycatte for us beying excommunycatt			viijd
	(Excommunication issued by the Archdeacon owing to the neglect of the Church windows.)
	It spent att Darby—where we weare called by Sytation for glazing the Church—in the court			xxd
	It at Darby when we sartyfyed that our Church was glazed—to the Regester			viijd
1596	In this year the amᵗ “gathered for a communion,” is first mentioned. The amounts varied from jd to vjd.
	Also an account of “a dowble tythyne levied and gathered for yᵉ Church by Gilbart Hide, at ijd per head, on all beasts &c. in Repton and Milton.”
1598	It payᵈ to Will Orchard for yᵉ meaned souldyers for yᵉ whole yeare		iiijs	iiijd
	(By an act passed, 35 Eliz. cap. 4. the relief of maimed soldiers, and sailors was placed on the parochial assessments.)
	It payᵈ to Willᵐ Massye for killinge of towe baggers (badgers) and one foxe		iijs
1600	It payᵈ to the parritor (apparitor, an officer of the Archdeacon’s court.)			vd
1601	“The Constables charges this p’sent yeare 1601.”
	Spent at yᵉ muster at Stapenhill yᵉ xxi day of Decʳ			xvd
	It payᵈ to yᵉ gealle (jail) for yᵉ halfe yeare		vjs	viijd
	It spent yᵉ v daye of Aprill at yᵉ leat (court)			viijd
	It for mending yᵉ pinfould (in Pinfold Lane)			iiijd
	It for mendinge yᵉ stockes and for wood for them			xjd
	(The stocks used to stand in front of the village cross.)
	It payᵈ to Mr. Coxe for a p’cept for Watchinge & Wardinge			iiijd
	(“Watchinge & Wardinge.” A term used to imply the duties of Parish Constables. The number of men who were bound to keep watch and ward, &c., is specified in the statute of Winchester (13 ed. I.).)
	It given to yᵉ prest sowldiers			xijd
	It was in the year 1601 that the conspiracy of Essex, in which the Earl of Rutland was implicated, was discovered. Special arrangements were made to meet it. A general muster of (pressed) soldiers was made in Derbyshire.
	It payᵈ for one sworde		iiijs
	It ″ 3 girdles		iijs
	It ″ dressing yᵉ pikes			vjd
	It ″ one le(a)thering for yᵉ flaxe			vjd
	It ″ dagger sheathe, & a sworde scaber			xijd
	It payᵈ for one horse to carry yᵉ armor and for bringing it home			xiijd
	It payᵈ for a payre of Mouldes (for making bullets)			viijd
	It spent ledinge yᵉ armore to Darbey			xijd
	(According to the Statute of Winchester the armour had to be taken by the constables to be viewed.)
	It spent wᵗʰ yᵉ saltpeter men			ijd
	(“Saltpeter men” engaged during the reign of James I. and Charles I. in collecting animal fluids, which were converted in saltpetre, and used in the manufacture of gunpowder.)
	It spent wᵗʰ a prisoner being w’h him all night and going with him to Darbye		iiijs	ijd
	It payᵈ to Thomas Pearson for mending the crosse		xjs	iiijd
	(The Village Cross.)
1602	It given to gipsies yᵉ XXX of Januarye to avoid yᵉ towne			xxd
	(“This is by far the earliest mention of gypsies in the Midland Counties.” They arrived in England about 1500, in 1530 they were forbidden to wander about, and were ordered to leave the country.)
	It payᵈ in the offishalles Courte takinge our othes			viijd
	(The oaths in taking office as Churchwardens.)
	It payᵈ to yᵉ Clarke of yᵉ Markett for a proclamatione			vjd
	It payᵈ to Thoˢ Chamberlain for killinge of vii hedgehoges			vjd
	It recᵈ by these Churchwardens Henry Pratt sʳ, John Cartter, Henry Cautrall, Thoˢ Hill the daye and yeare above sayᵈ (xviii Dec 1603) One boxe wᵗʰ xviii pieces of evidences.
	(Evidences = deeds referring to plots of land, &c., in, or near the Parish. There are 17 of these deeds in the church chest.)
	The Chalice.
	One olde boxe with a cheane thereto fixed, towe pieces of leade and four Keayes.
1603	It spent in makinge a search the night the robbery was done in Caulke			iijd
1604	It payᵈ for wine for a Communione yᵉ xiij daye of January for 3 gallands		iiijs
	It for bread			ijd
	Firste spent at yᵉ metinge about Geneva			iiijd
	It spent goinge to Darbye to paye yᵉ money for Geneva			vjd
	(A collection for the support of refugees there.)
	It payᵈ for one booke of yᵉ constitution of oʳ Kinge			xxd
	(Issued by order of King James after the Hampton Court Conference.)
1605	It payᵈ for one booke of thanksgivinge for our Kinge			vjd
	(After the Gunpowder Plot.)
1609	It given to the parritor from the bishop (sic) of Canterbury			xijd
	It payde for poyntinge the steeple	vli	0	0
1610	It Receaved of the Churchwardens of Bretbye for there part towards byinge the booke of Jewells workes		iijs
1611	It spent the Ambulatione weeke		ijs
	(Perambulating the parish, or “beating the bounds” in Rogation week.)
	For ledinge corne to the tithe barne (which amounted to)	vli	iiijs	xjd
	For gatheringe of tithe for Mʳ Burdane
	19 days & half	jli	ixs	iijd
	5 ″ without his mare		vjs	vd
		jli	xvs	viijd
1614	It given uppon Candellmas daye to one that made a sermone		ijs
	The Church Bookes.
	First one Bible.
	2 bookes of Common Prayer.
	One booke of Paraphase of Erasmus uppon the Gospells.
	The Contraversye betwyxte Whittegifte and Carttrighte, Jowell and Harrddinge.
	The booke of Jewells workes.
	3 prayer bookes.
	The booke of the queens Injunctions.
	One booke of Sermons.
	One booke of Articles had at the Bishopes visitatione.
	The said bookes be in the Keepinge of Mr. Wattssone (Headmaster of Repton School, 1594-1621), except the Bible and one booke of Common Prayer.
1615	A long list of 77 subscribers for “a newe beell.” Probably the VIth bell (the tenor). Sum gathered	xijli	viijs	viijd
1616	Receaved by Christopher Ward, Constable, from John Cantrell, the Townes Armore.
	2 Corsletts with 2 pickes.
	2 Culivers—(guns).
	One flaske and tuchboxe.
	V head peeces; towe of them ould ones.
	2 howllboardes.
	One payre of Banddebrowes. (Small wooden or tin cases, covered with leather, each holding one charge for musket or culiver, fastened to a broad band of leather, called a bandoleer, worn over the shoulder).
	2 oulde girdles.
	3 newe girdles: twoe of them with the sowldiers.
	3 payre of hanggers in the sowldiers keepinge.
	3 sowrdes, with two daggers.
	Allsoe the swordes in sowldiers keepinge.
	Allsoe 2 platte Coottes yᵗ Clocksmith not delivered.
	It paid for an Admonitione here and there to enter into matrimonie agreeable to the lawe			vjd
1617	It given in ernest for a newe byble			xijd
	Receaved for the ould Byble		vs
1618	It paide for a Newe Byble		xliijs
	(This Bible is still in the Parish chest, in a very good state of preservation. “Imprinted at London by Robert Barker, Printer to the Kings most Excellent Majestie. Anno 1617.”)
	It paid for a the Common Prayer booke		viijs
1619	It paid to Rich. Meashame for Killing of vii hedghoges			vjd
1621	A list of the church books, as above, “delivered unto the saide churchwardens Willᵐ Meakine, Tho Gill, Edward Farmour.”
1622	Bookes sent to Mʳ Willᵐ Bladone to be emploied for the use of the Parrish, and to be disposed of at the discretione of Mʳ Thomas Whiteheade (Headmaster of Repton School, 1621-1639). Recᵈ by Mʳ Robert Kellett, Godfry Cautrell, Roger Bishope, and Robert Orchard, Churchwardens 1622, the XXVᵗʰ of December, the said bookes, videlicet:—
	First a faire Bible well bound and hinged.
	2. Bᵖ Babingtone his worckes.
	3. Mʳ Elton on the Collosians.
	4. Mʳ Perkins on the Creede.
	5. Mʳ Dod and Cleaver on yᵉ Commandments.
	6. Bellinging (Bellynny) (Belamy) his Catechesmie.
	7. Mʳ Yonge his Househould Govermente.
	8. The first and second partte of the true watche.
	9. The second partte of the said true watche by Mʳ Brinsley.
	10. The plaine mane’s pathewaye, and sermon of Repenttance written by Mʳ Dentte.
	11. Bradshawe’s p’paracon (preparation) to yᵉ Receavinge of yᵉ Bodie and bloude.
	12. Hieron his Helpe to Devotione.
	13 and 14. Allsoe towe bookes of Martters (Fox’s).
	15. Dowenams workes.
	The conditions to be observed concerning the usinge and lendinge of the forsaid bookes.
	First that the said minister nowe p’sent and Churchwardens and all theire successors shall yearely at the accountt daye for the parrish deliver up the bookes to be viewed by Mʳ Whiteheade wᵗʰ the parrishioners.
	Allsoe that the said minister and churchwardens or any one of them shall have authoritie to lend any of the said bookes to any of the parrish of Reptonne for the space of one, 2 or 3 months, as they in there discretione shall see fittinge, one this condicione, that the parties borrowinge anye of the bookes aforenamed eyther fowly bruisinge tearinge defaceinge or embezellinge the said bookes borrowed, shall make good the said bookes thus defaced, towrne, bruised, or embezelled unto the parrish.
	Allsoe that the said bookes, kept by the minister and Churchwarddens in some convenient place shall not be lent more than one at a time to anye of the parish.
	Allsoe that anye p’son borrowinge any of the said bookes shall subscribe his name on borrowinge of the same booke.
	(Allsoe the name) of every booke by anyᵉ borrowed shall (be entered) by the said minister and churchwarddens.
	(This is a list, and rules of the first “lending library” mentioned in Derbyshire. The books have been “embezelled” years ago.)
1623	It given to the Ringers at the time of Prince Charlles his comminge forth of Spaine.
	(When he and Buckingham went to Madrid, to arrange a marriage with the Infanta of Spain.)
1625	It paide for towe bookes appoyntted for prayer and fastinge			xxd
1626	Paid for a linnen bagge to keepe the Chalice with the cover			ijd
	It paid for a booke of Thanksgiving			xiijd
1627	It spent in takinge down the Clocke			xijd
	It paid for makinge the Clocke	iijli
	It paid for carryinge the Clocke to Ashby and fetchinge yᵗ againe		iijs
1628	It given unto a preacher the Sabboth daye beinge the 30ᵗʰ of December		iiijs
	It paide for a littell prayer book			iijd
1629	It given yᵉ 24ᵗʰ of May to a preacher		iijs	ivd
1630	It paide for towe excommunicacions			xvjd
	It paide the IXᵗʰ of November for the Retanene of excommunicacions		ijs
1632	It spent the VIᵗʰ daye of May going the Ambulacione		ijs	ivd
	Delivered to Gilbᵗ Weatt, John Pratt, Churchwardens, the 30ᵗʰ daye of December 1632.
	Wᵗʰ the Church bookes.
	first the chalice with the cover.
	A pewtyer flaggine.
	A cerples and table clothe.
	A carpitte.
	A cushine for yᵉ pulpitte and a coveringe Clothe.
	One table wᵗʰ a forme and a Buffett stoole.
	vj coweffers (coffers) and vij keys twoe cowffers filled with leade.
	vj formes and moulde fraeme for castinge of leade:
	A moulde frame.
	5 Tressells of wood.
	xviij deeds in a boxe xij of yem sealed and vj w’hout seales.
	Church books (as before, with the addittion of),
	One book of Homilies.
	A praire booke of thankesgivinge after yᵉ conspiracie.
	A boke of Cannons (Canons).
	Register boke.
	Dod and Cleaver.
	Codgers househould Government.
	Third part of newe watch.
1633	It given unto a Irishman and womane they having a pass to Northumberland			iijd
	It paide for X yards of Holland to make a newe serples and for makinge of yᵗ		xxvjs	vjd
	It given to a companie of Irishe foulkes they havinge a pass allowed by Sʳ Rich Harpur			iiijd
1634	It given to one having greatt losses and taken prisoner by Turrkes			xiijd
	It paid to John Cooke for the Communion table and the frame and the wealing of it about	iijli
1635	It given to a woman that had two chilren			ijd