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GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1833 00673 9848
THE
CHURCH REGISTERS
AND
PARISH ACCOUNT BOOKS
OF
OCKLEY, CO. SURREY,
ALFRED RIDLEY BAX.
[Reprinted from the "Collections of the Surrey Arclueological Society."]
LONDON : PRINTED BY ROWORTH & CO. LIMITED,
NEWTON STREET, HIGH HOLBORN, 1890,
1368202
THE CHURCH REGISTERS AND PARISH I ACCOUNT BOOKS OF OCKLEY, Co. SURREY.
Bv ALFRED RIDLEY BAX.
—
I npHERE must be few, if any, parishes whose records I X extending over several hundred years fail, if care- I fully examined, to afford some curious or interesting I particulars illustrative of the past.
The Registers, and especially the Parish Account Books "'-of the picturesque and somewhat sequestered village of \0ckley, in the Weald of Surrey, although not containing many remarkable entries, yet afford interesting glimpses of the life of its inhabitants and recall manners and cus- toms now utterly changed.
THE REGISTERS.
The earliest Register is of paper, bound in leather, having a narrow gilt line round the upper edge : it has a rather elegant, lozenge-shaped design embossed in gold in the centre; the corresponding one at the back has apparently been cut out. It measures 12^ in. by 8^in., begins on the first page in black letter: " The Register of Ockley anno Dofhi 1539 and in the one & Thirtyeth yeare of or souaigne lorde Kinge Henrye the Eighte of England ffraunce and Ireland Defender of the faith &c."
The first entry is a burial: "William Stapter was buried the xxvth Daye of Maye 1539." In this book the baptisms, marriages, and burials are all mixed.
There is a gap between 1554 — 1562 (but not so in the large Register to be described hereafter); probably a leaf has gone; and again a gap occurs between 1643 — 1646, where portions of the torn leaf remain : it is con- tinued down to 1663, after which are some entries, a2
4 THE CHURCH REGISTERS AND
very badly written up, of births and baptisms of the Margesson family : the book' would seem to have re- mained for some years in possession of William Mar- gesson, who used it apparently to make notes of occur- rences on his farm, domestic aphorisms, &c.
In an early part he has transcribed the following lines, probably not original, except in the spelling : —
The new born infant in the Cradle lies, And when it sleeps not, fills Our ears with cries. Being grown big with foolish Spoorts (sic) aud play The first ten years of life are thrown away : yet he Injoyes [mo
Till those ten years are over ; That Inocence (sic) which he must boast 1 Poor man when Three score winters he has told Now places all his hops (sic) Bags of Gold ; who can but this strange vanity admire : The less We want the more Ave still desire ; He has to (sic) much and yet he won Have more ; Staruing himself in midst of all his store ; what can more Vain than a Rich miser be ; Or more emphatically poor than hee (sic) Now the last sands of man's short life are run ; Death strikes his Dart home and his work is done: He has run uutill he is allmost Out of breath ; now see how he on crutches creeps to death : of all ho Toil'd for he can onely haue, A sad cold coffin and a gloomy graue Then cease your tears for 'tis in vain to cry, Heaven's Great decree is pa And man must die."
Elsewhere, in 17th century hand : —
" Ockley A note of the names of such as have beune peeti constables euery yearo successively since Anno 1608/.
1608. Rob* Ticknor of Wickland.
1609. John Constable.
1610. Thomas Constable of Trout s.
1611. John Rownde.
1612. Tho. Cole.
1613. John Peter of henhurste.
1614. William Spooner Constable, and Tho. Mulford, Tithingman.
1615. Richard Dalton.
1616. Jcames Chelsam.
1617. Tho. Songhurste.
1618. Tho. Wheatland.
1619. John Lyfford.
1620. Richard Margesson.
1621. Tho. Baxe, Constable, and John Cole, Tythiugman.
1622. Henry Coxe. [Tvthingman.
1623. William Parker, Constable, and Tho. Constable" of Brits,
1624. John Wicker, Constable, and George Nye, Tythiugman. 162o. Tho. Cole, Constable, and John Clare, Tythiugman.
1626. Tho. Lee, Constable, and William Lutman, Tythiugman. [man.
1627. John Nyghtingall, Constable, and Peter Songhurste, Ty thing-
PARISH ACCOUNT BOOKS OF OCKLEY. 5
1628. William Dalton, Constable, and William Lutman, Tythingman.
1629. Richard Mayland, Constable, and Tho. flutter, Tythingman. 1630-31. John Longhurste of Wickland, Constable, and John Swan,
Tythingman. 1632. Tho. Songhurste, Constable, and Tho. Stone, Tythingman. 1633.
1634. John Chelsam, Constable, John Peter, Tythingman.
1635. John Weller, Constable, and Tho. Stydman, Tythingman.
1636. John Stone, Constable, and Tho. Stydman, Tythingma.
1637. Henry Steere, Constable, John Margesson, Tythingma.
1638. William Longhurste, Constable, William Dudley, Tythingman. 1639.
16-10/1. Edmonde Kinge, Constable, and Henry Gates, Tythingman. 1642/3. Richard Margesson Jufl, Henry Tydie, Tythingman.
1644. John Wicker, Constable, Daniel Cole, tythingman.
1645. John Constable, Constable, John Cheseman, tythingman."
On another page of the same book : —
"Richard Margesson served ye office of hie constableship (sic) In the year 1694."
"October the 29th Day 1719."
" Then my couzen William Hamshear's Horse came a-keeping
[for 1 a week."
" Sarah Wakeford, Daughter of William Wakeford, was Baptized the third Day of July, anno Dom. 1670."
At the end of the book —
" An order for disposinge of ane placinge of every one in theire seates according to theire howses as was agreed uppon by the moste substantiall Inhabitants and confirmed by D. Ridley then Archdeacon for Surr. Anno Dni. (1619) at the visitacou at Gnildeford.
The North Side — |
The South Side — |
Seate Eversheds |
1 Seate Halle |
Lyfeild |
Holbrooke |
Henhurste |
Wakehurste |
Islinghurste |
Weekes |
Jonldens |
|
! Wickland |
|
Trouts |
2 ffurnercs |
All ins |
Wallis |
Pisleye |
Puttocka |
Naldrett |
Bookeres |
Stileres |
|
! Plashett |
|
Shiproddes |
3 Vanu |
Tiphamea |
Osbornes |
Collis |
Wallis Wood |
Averies |
Boswelles |
Turneres |
G
THE CHURCH REGISTERS AND
The North Side — eontd. The Weomens Seates.
4 Eversheds Halle Holbrooke Henhurste Lyfeilde
5 Wakehurste
ft'urneres Islinghurste
Allines Weekes
6 Allmeres Ric. Margesson Trouts. Pislie Stileres Wicklande
7 Tephames Boswelles Younges Osbernes Jouldens
3 Bookers Dalton's, Wallis
Plashett Shiprods Collie
9 Averies
Naldrett Little Collis Abrahames Parkeres hutchins
The South Side — contd.
4 Lettes Britts Youngs Cranleies Abrahames Parkeres. huchins
5 Nichas Constable John Mayland
Kobt. Snellinge John Cole Tho. Mulford Peter Songhurste
6 fferre Carpolles little bookeres Cobbats Wickland Coxes
7 Wollues
Edward Stydmaus Wallis Weeks. Wood Peeteres huchins little collis ffishawe
The Weomens Seates
8 Wallis Letts Puttocks Vann
Coxe's Wickland
JO
fferc
Edward Studman
Wallis Wood
Wolues
Weekes Wood
ilisbawe
9
Tu meres
Britts
Cranleies
Peter Songhurste
John Mayland
John Cole
10
Snellinge Nichas Constable Tho. Mulford
11
Carpolls Luttman Little Bookeres
finis."
PARISH ACCOUNT BOOKS OF OCKLEY.
I am informed by the Rector that the following list gives the number of feet of fencing round the Church- yard, as apportioned to each property to keep in repair.
"Surr: A note of the ffamilyes belonginge to Ockley. Church yarde of Ockley pishe.
You muste begiu at the Church gate & soe goo North warde.
Imprimis, Joldennes
Item Wintersills house and Stubbes
Itm the Bonnetts ...
Itm the ffanne
Itfi Hille land & ffurneres
Itm the Cranlies & Rowhall
Itin Troutes
Itin John Puttukes
Itm Weekes
Itiri Wallis
Itm John Longhurst
Itm Jordens
Itm Abrahames
Itm Cobbits
Itm the Weekland . . .
Itm Noldreds
Itm the Alines
Itm Leethe
Itm Henhurste
Itm Garlands
Itm Pisslase
Itiri Heath Cocksham
Itin Tippams
Itm Picknolls Styleres
Itin Stone Styleres
Itm Plachatt
Itm the fferre
Itm Wakehurste ...
Itm Wollis
Itm Spaules
Itm Aylmeres
Itm Carpols
Itm Averies
Itin Younges
Itm Britts
Itm Turners
Itm the Ruckman Meade
Itm Hillerfield
Itm Islinghurste ...
Itm Lets
thel December J 1628. |
xii pedes |
x pedes |
xiij pedes |
xvj pedes |
x pedes |
viij pedes |
xix pedes |
xvij pedes |
xij pedes |
x pedes |
xx pedes |
ix pedes |
vj pedes |
xix pedes |
xi pedes |
xxi pedes |
xii pedes |
xxix pedes |
xij pedes |
xij pedes |
ix pedes |
v pedes |
xij pedes |
vij pedes |
v pedes |
ix pedes |
vj pedes |
[blank] |
iiij pedes |
iij pedes |
x pedes |
vj pedes |
vj pedes |
ix pedes |
xij pedes |
x pedes |
ix pedes |
v pedes |
xxv pedes |
vij pedea |
8 THE CHURCH REGISTERS AND
Itm Telvetts ... ... ... ... viij pedes
Itm Woollues ... ... ... .... v'j pedes
Itm Milgarden ... ... ... • ... Yj pedes
Itm Holbrooke ... ... ... ... xx pedes
Itm the old Ruckenam ... ... ... viij pedes
Itm Halle ... ... ... ... xxv pedes
Itm Osbones ... ... ... ... xij pedes
Itm Bosworrs ... ... ... ... xij pedes
Itm Paynes ... ... ... ... xij pedes
Itm Potlande ... ... ... ... xj pedes
Itm Bockers ... ... ... ... vj pedes
Itm Bramblmrste ... ... ... ... iiij pedes
Itm Sheeprods ... ... ... ... xj pedes
Itm Pistley ... ... ... ... xj pedes
Itm Evcrsheil ... ... ... ... ? xj pedes
Itm Hilllande ... ... ... ... x pedes
Itm Bull Croftes ... ... ... ... xij pedes."
II.
Next to the paper Register is the large principal one, written on parchment and bound in leather ; it measures 16 in. by 7J in. The early part is evidently a transcript from the original paper book, with this difference, that the baptisms, marriages, and burials have all been sorted and written up separately. Inside the cover is written, "The Eegister Book of The Parish of Ockley, In the County of Surrey." The greater part of it has been most carefully kept and is in admirable condition, but there is a falling off in the writing about 1700, when it would seem as though the duty of posting up the entries had devolved upon the clerk.
There are but few unusual christian or surnames: the only Puritan ones are those of Godhelpe Cooper (1631, 1633) and Deodate Coxhill (1630): the surname of Pricklowe or Pricklove is also uncommon.
The baptisms and burials extend from 1539 — 1812, and the marriages, 1538 — 1754.
At the end of this Register is a Table of the Surplice Fees due to the Rector of Ockley, List of Church Fur- niture belonging to St. Margaret's, Ockley, and St. John's, Ockley Green (the latter mainly built by the exertions of the present Rector, and consecrated 1872),
PARISH ACCOUNT BOOKS OF OCKLEY. 9
both made out at Easter, 1878, and Mortuary Memo- randa, of which some specimens are subjoined.
Mortuary fees, 16 May 1777, of Mr Mitchel of Ewhurst.
William Mitchel lately buried at Ewhurst. 15 Dec. 1777, Mr Borer of Leigh parish, on the death of
Mv Wakeham, latey (sic) deceased. 14 Jan. 1778, of Sarah Puttock, due on death of her late father. Recd of the Executors of John Mills of Capcll, buried here,
ten shillings mortuary, by me. D. E., Curat. Memor. I reccl of Mr. Worsfold, nephew of Mr Worsfold of Lye field, ten shillings for a mortuary, on the 26th of August 1733, on account of the Death of His Uncle who was buried at Ewhurst. " Received, March 10th 1779, ten shillings mortuary six and eight- pence breach of ground and one guinea for a funeral Sermon and on account of the burial of William Margesson, Esq1-, an ornament to his good family. Dan Evans, Curate."
There are notes of the formation of vaults for the families of Steere, of the Jayes, and Arbutlmot, of Elderslie(1832).
Then follow some memoranda which recall the much- vexed question of proprietorship in pews.
" N.B. The Pew in the Chancel opposite to the Rector's Seat and now occupied by Mr Steere of Jeyes, is the sole exclusive property of the Rector. T. Woodrooffe, Rector, 1798."
" N.B. The Pew in the Chancel between the Rector's pew and the railing of the Altar on the south side of the aisle, is the sole and exclusive property of the Rector, who receives from John Sykes, Esq1", of Elderslio Lodge, an annual payment as a consideration for allowing him to occupy it. John Cook, Rector, 1818."
" Received this tenth day of May, 1782, of Mr John Margesson one pound and one shilling for setting up tomb stone over Mr William Margesson. by me Dan Evans."
There are also receipts for stones to " Mr- Boorer, 10 Dec. 1783."
" Sent an Account of this Register and that of Oakwood Chapel to Mr Langley, at Dorking, amounting from Octr 1st 1783 to Oct. 1st 1784, as follows :
Weddings 6 Oakwood Chapel
Christenings 4 Christenings 5
Buryeings 4 Buryeings 1
14 6
3s. Od. Is. 6d.
Paupers excepted in both."
10 THE CHURCH REGISTERS AND
" On Easter Monday in the year 1730 John Longhurst of the Parish of Ockley was chose (sic) Churchwarden by me.
W. Stockwood, Rector." " None under age are to be marryed without their Parents' Consent."
The earliest names in the Kegister of Baptisms are the following : — Ayleward, Asliwen, Bax,1 Boughton,
1 Bax. This is one of the early names in the Register. Members of the family often filled parish offices ; but owing to many of them, on the rise of Quakerism, adopting the opinions of George Fox, they necessarily became ineligible as churchwardens.
Richard Bax, of Pleystowe in Capel, was the head of one branch of the family, and Edward Bax, of Ockley Court, of the other.
For an account of the conversion of Richard Bax to Quakerism, see Sussex Arch. Coll., Vol. XVJ, p. 70.
Before the meeting-house was erected in the "village of Capel, meet- ings were held for many years at Richard Bax's house, Pleystowe in Capel, where a register was set up, and most carefully kept, of all the births, marriages, and burials of Members of the Society in the district. (Vide Early Friends in Surrey and Sussex, by T. W. Marsh, London, 1886.) He was visited by George Fox, in 1670. (Vide George Fox's Journal, 1st Editiou, 1690, p. 342.)
For some curious particulars, see Notes and Extracts from the Account Book of Richard Bax, a Surrey Yeoman, kept between 1648-1662; by the present writer, in the Antiquary, October, 1882, Vol. VI.
Sir William Duncombe sold the manor and lands of Ockley about 1694 to Edward Bax, who almost immediately afterwards conveyed them to Mr. John Evershed, of Eversheds (Manning and Bray, Vol. II, p. 163).
In the Pleystowe Register, the births of many members of the family are recorded as taking place at Ockley Court.
The Court and land attached Avere sold by Thomas Bax and Margaret Bax, widow, his mother, in 1744, to Mr. W. Tash. {Fines for Trinity Term, 18-19 George II, 1744. Public Record Office.) Edward Bax was Overseer in 1683, 1691, 1699, 1706, 1717, 1718, 1722, 1727, 1737, 1763.
Edward Bax signs the accounts in 1683, 1695, 1699, 1706, &c.
Thomas Bax was Overseer in 1713, 1714, 1724, 1744, 1746, 1752, 1757.
He signs the accounts in 1695.
Many of the family suffered severely, even to imprisonment and loss of their goods, for their religious views and for their conscientious objections to the payment of tithes. (See Joseph Besse's Suffer- ings of the Quakers, London, 2 vols,, 1753, which contains only a selection from many more detailed in the large series of MS. volumes of Sufferings preserved in the Record Room at Devonshire House, Bishopsgate Street.)
PARISH ACCOUNT BOOKS OF OCKLEY. 11
Butler, Constable,1 Cook, Collin, Ede, Evershed,2 Hitchcock, Longhurst,3 Margesson,4 Nightingale, Peter,5 Steere,6 Stone, Sy mines, Tickner, Wright.
1 Constable. An important and widespread yeoman family in Surrey and Sussex.
Branches are to be traced at Ockley, Capel, Abinger, Ewhurst, Horley, Charlwood, Newdigate, Wootton, Dorking, Ashtead, Epsom, Ryegate, Home, Lingfield, Oxted, Shere, Godalming, Send, Egham, Mitcham, Streatham, Southwark ; and Burwood, Crawley, &c, &c, in Sussex:
Thomas Constable was Overseer in 1664, 1683.
William Constable „ „ 1665.
Richard Constable ,, „ 1668.
John Constable „ „ 1679, 1698, 1702.
Joseph Constable ,, „ 1691.
2 Evershed. This family gradually rose into importance in the 16th and 17th centuries, until in 1706 John Evershed became an Esquire. He was Sheriff of Surrey (10 Anne 1712).
The Arms of Evershed are tricked in the Visitation of Sur?-ey, Add. MS. 5,533, Brit. Mus. Argent, on a chief sable, 3 pierced mullets of 6 points or ; Crest, a pierced mullet of 6 points or, between a pair of wings displayed argent.
Confirmation of Arms by Sir Thomas St. George, Garter, and Sir Henry St. George, Clarenceux, to John Evershed, of Evershed, 1696, is printed in full, with plate, in Miscellanea Genealogica et Hcraldica, O.S., Vol. II, p. 191.
3 Longhurst. They were at Ockley at an early period.
Will of John Longhurst, of Howbroak, Ockley, was proved in A. C. S., 8th June, 1546.
John Longhurst was Overseer in 1665, 1686, 1699, 1733 ; Church- warden, 1678, 1698, 1728, 1729, 1730, 1754, 1755, 1756, 1757, 1758, 1770, 1771, 1782, 1783, 1797, 1805, 1812.
Thomas Longhurst was Overseer in 1689, 1712 ; Churclnvarden, 1713.
Richard Longhurst was Overseer in 1703 (?), 1715, 1723 ; Church- warden, 1695.
William Longhurst was Churchwarden in 1815, 1816, 1817.
4 Margesson. Many of the members of the Margesson family are buried in Ockley Churchyard.
The pedigree of Margesson, of Ockley, co. Surrey, and Offington, co. Sussex, is to be found in W. Berry's Comity Genealogies, Surrey, p. 17, London, 1837.
5 Peter. This name is found very early in Surrey. It occurs in Ockley at least as early as 32 Henry VIII (Subsidy Roll).
6 Steere. This family is found largely represented in the Registers. Other members were established in the adjoining parishes of Capel, Wootton, Newdigate ; also at Crowhurst, Lingfield, Dorking, Ashtead, Ewhurst, Leatherhead, Mitcham, Southwark ; and at Rudg- wick and Rusper, in the adjacent county of Sussex.
12 THE CHURCH REGISTERS AND
Most of these represent substantial yeoman families, some of whom rose to considerable local importance in the County as landed gentry.
The first entry of baptism is —
Thomas Hitchcockc baptized January the 2d day, 1538-9.
The first marriage recorded : —
1538. Christopher Haylwarde & Amies Arysse marr'yd Novr 6 day.
The first burial: —
1539. William Stapter was buryed May 25th day.
The following are among the interesting entries in the Register; wherever possible, I have added a foot- note in illustration of the extract :
1576. x John Morgan, Rector of Ockley & Newdigate,! o^tii i,
buryed at Newdigate July J ' '
1587. Michaell Ward, Rector of Ockley, buryed Septemb. 9th day.
1615. Morris Sackvill, Rector of Ockley, was buryed Septemb.
13th day.
1616. Nicholis Culpeper, Rector of Ockley, Avas buryed October
5th day. 1710-11. Elizabeth, Daughter of John Gardiner, Buried March 7.
1712. Edward, son of Mr Will. Haines of Wotton, was buried
June 21.
1713. Mary, Daughter of John Gardiner, was buried Ap. 6.
Memorandum y* ye said Mary Gardiner was not buried by any Minister of ye Church of England beeing baptizd by ye dissenting Minister only.
1714. Thomas, son of Laurence Cobbet, buried June 2. 1716.2 James, son of John Gardiner, buryed March 1.
Note ye said James was baptized by a Dissenting Minister.
The pedigree of Steere (partly worked out), for Capel and Ockley, is given in W. Berry's County Genealogies, Surrey, p. 24 (pub. 1837).
Arms. — Per pale sable and gules, three lions passant argent.
Crest. — Out of a mural crown per pale gules and sable, a lion's jamb erect argent, armed of the first.
1 To my disappointment, after careful search in the Indices to the Registers of P. C. C. and Archdeaconry and Commissary of Surrey, I have failed to find any testamentary dispositions by these four clergymen, whose burial entries are here given.
2 From this and a subsequent entry, it would seem that the Gardiners were Nonconformists.
PARISH ACCOUNT BOOKS OF OCKLEY. 13
1716.1 Mr Edwd Evershed buried May 8.
1716.2 John Evershed, Esqr, buried Aug. 1.
1716.3 Mr Edmund Steere of Capell buryed Sept. 6.
1 Admon. of the goods, &c. of Edward Evershed, late of Ockley, co. Surry, bachelor, Avas granted in P. C. C, 10th August, 1716, to John Evershed, his cousin and next-of-kin.
2 Admon. of the goods of John Evershed, late of Ockley, co. Surrey, bachelor, was granted in P. C. C, 14th September, 1716, to John Young, Esq., cousin and next-of-kin. In the floor of church is an inscription, on blue marble ledger, to " Johx Evershed, Esqe, | dyed the 28th day of | July 1716 | Aged 62 years."
3 His Will is dated 25th January (1st Geo. I), 1714, and begins : " I Edmund Steere, now of the parish of Capell in the County of Surrey gent, being in bodily health and of sound and disposing mind and memory (I praise God for itt) but being in yeares (vizt. full sixe and ffif ty yeares old if I live to the 20th day of next Aprill) and considering
the uncertainty of this transitory life," &c
" ffirst and principally I cornend my soule into the hands of Almighty God hopeing for Salvacon in and through the meritts of Jesus Christ my Saviour and Redeemer. My body I comitt to the Earth to be buryed by mine Executors hereafter named in the Churchyard of the pish of Ockley in the said County of Surrey in manner following (that is to say) I will and appoynte to be buryed in Linnen and to lye as near to my late father as Conveniency will admitt of. Item I will and appoynte a Tombstone to be putt upp over my Grave like unto my fathers with this Supcripcon) or some other av0'1 may be judged more proper) ingraven upon itt, vizt: — 'Here lyeth the Body of Edmond Steere (who was the sixth sonne of John Steere th' elder late of Jayes in the pish of Wootton in this County Gent.) who departed this life the [ ] day of [ ] Anno Dili 17 , and
in the [ ] year of his Age.' Item I will & appoynte the
sume of Three pounds to be laid out for Gold Rings to be given to Sixe Batchellours, that shall bear upp the pall att my ffunerall. As for all other provisions for my mineral 1 I leave the same to the discrecon of mine Executors, together with the advise and approbacon of the Over- seers to this my Will. Item itt is my will & desire that none shall come to my ffunerall but such as shall be invited and because I am only a Boarder (that soe the ffamily where I shall Dye may be putt to as little trouble as may be) I desire to have but few psons invited to my ffunerall ; however I leave itt to mine Executors and the Overseers to doe therein as they shall thinke meete. Now As touching that Worldly Estate Avhich itt hath pleased God of his goodness to blesse me Avith- all I doe hereby giA-e and dispose thereof as folloAveth (that is to say) Imprimis I give and bequeath to the poore of Three of the ffoAver pishes of Ockley, Wootton, Dorking and Capell the sume of Seaven pounds and Tenne shillinges (that is to say) to the poore of each pish
14 THE CHURCH REGISTERS AND
of Three of the said ffower pishes the sume of ffifty shillings of lawfull money of Great Britaine the same to be payed by mine Executors Avithin one months time next after my decease to the respective Over- seers of the poore of the said pishes for the use of the said poore. Item Itt is my will that the poore of that pish who shall have a right to ffifty shillings npon the account of my being to be buryed in Linnen shall have noepteof the Seaven pounds and Tenne shillings before mencoed. And the reason why I have express'd my Legacy to the poore in manner as aforesaid is because I am not certaine whether the ffifty shillings to be paid to the poore for my being to be buryed in Linnen will be due to the poore of Ockley (where I am to be buryed) or whether it Avill belong to the poore of that pish Avhere I shall dye If the ffifty shillings to become due to the poore upon the account of my being buryed in Linnen shall belong to the poore of that pish Avhere I shall dye and the providence of God shall soe order it that I shall not dye in any of the said ffoAver pishes but in some other pish In such case I giA*e and bequeath to the poore of efty one of the said ffoAver pishes the sume of ffifty shillings to be payd in manner as aforesaid. Item I giA-e and bequeath to my Three Sisters in laAV Mrs. Raper of Hackney AviddoAv, Mrs. Steere of Guildford AviddoAv and the Wife of my Brother Thomas Steere of London Gent, the sume of Tenne pounds a peice to buy them mourning. Item I give and bequeath to my Sister Barling of Dorking aforesaid and my Cousin ffiducia Avife of [ ] Papillon of Hackney aforesaid Gent,
the like Sume of Tenne Pounds a peice to buy them mourning. Item I give and bequeath to my brother in laAV Clement Barling Gent, the Sume of ffiAre pounds to buy him mourning. Item I give and bequeath to the children of my said brother Thomas Steere the sume of ffive pounds a peice to buy them mourning. Item I g'iA*e and bequeath to my nepheAv Edmund Steere an Apprentice in Loudon and to his brothers Thomas Steere and Robert Steere of Guildeford aforesaid the Sume of ffive pounds a peice to buy them mourning. Item I giA-e and bequeath to my Sisters in LaAve Mrs. Eglesham and Mrs. Cossart the sume of fnVe pounds a peice to buy them mourning. Item I give and bequeath to Mrs. Paget the Avife of Mr. John Paget Minister of the Ghospell (sic) in the pish of Ockley aforesaid, Mrs. Hutches of Guildeford aforesaid Widd, my cousins John Gardner of Ockley aforesaid Grocer and Jane his AArife my cousin Mary Gardner of Hackney aforesaid Spinster my Landld (and Cousin) William Steere of Capell aforesaid yeoman my Cousin Thomas Steere his brother my Cousin Palmer AviddoAv his Sister and my Cousin Mary Steere my Landlord's daughter the Sume of TAventy shillings a peice to buy them mourning Rings. Item I give and bequeath to Mrs. Mary and Mrs. Sarah the daughters of the said Mr. John Paget my Cousin William Steere my Landlord's Sonne and my Cousin and SchollarMary Palmer my Landlord's neice the Sume of Tenne shillings a peice to buy them Rings All Avhich said Seinall Legacies before menconed I Avill and appoynte to be paid by mine Executors Avithin One month's time next after the day of my decease in good and laAvfull money of Great Britaine. Item I giAre and bequeath to the said Mr. John Paget the Sume of Tenne Pounds of kiAvfuli money of Great Britaine to be paid him by mine Executors Avithin
PARISH ACCOUNT BOOKS OF OCKLEY. 15
Three months time next after my decease ffor which Legacie I will and desire him (without any farther reward) to preach my ffunerall Sermon on the ffirst or Second Lord's day next after my burial! from this Text psalme ye 50th and the last pte of the last verse. To him that ordereth his &c. Item I give and bequeath to these sixe ministers of God's Avord vizt. Mr. Mayo of Kingston upon Thames Mr. ffoster of Guldeford Mr. Highmore of Dorking Mr. Lobb of Horley Mr. Chaundler att Turners Hill in Sussex and Mr. Stokes of Horsham in Sussex Sixe Twenty Shilling peices of Old Gold (that is to say) to each and eSy of them One Twenty Shilling peice of Old Gold as a Token of my love to them. Item I give and bequeath to those Twenty men of my neigh- bours and Acquaintance whose names I have written downe in a peice of paper and pinn'd itt to this my Will the Sume of Twoe shillings and Sixpence a peice of lawfull British money. Item I give and bequeath to the Servants of the ffamily where I shall last live the sume of Tenne Shillings a peice of like lawfull money. I give and bequeath my Diamond Ring to Mrs. Sarah Camden wife of Mr. j ] Camden Minister which Ring I bought when I
courted her. Item I give devise and bequeath unto my Cousin Lee Steere of Hackney aforesaid Esqr All that my Messuage or Tenement and Barne together with the Twoe platts of ground and prmisses with the apptennces thereunto belonging and apptaining situate lying and being in the pish of Wootton aforesaid in the said County of Surrey and now or late in setfall teanures or occupacons of Richard May and James Childe To have and to hold the said Messuage or Tenement Barne Plotts of Ground and fmiisses before menconed with the app- tennces unto the said Lee Steere his heires and assignes for ever. Item I further give and bequeath unto my said Cousin Lee Steere All my stones and bricks lyeing in the Greene about the Tree before the said messuage or Tenement and alsoe that my peice of Plate (which is a Silver plate) with my Mother's Coat of Armes ingraven upon itt. Item I give devise and bequeath unto my said brother Thomas Steere All that my Messuage or Tenement and ffarme lands tenemts here- ditamts and pWsses Avith th' apptennces called or knowne by the name of pollingfold or by any other name or names conteynening by estimacon Three score acres (more or lesse) situate lyeing and being near Oakewood Chappell) in the pish of Abinger in the said county of Surrey and now or late in the teanure or occupacon of John Paris or his assignes To have and to hold The said Messuage or Tenement and ffarme Lands tenemt8 hereditamts and pWsses with this and e9y of their apptennces unto my said brother Thomas Steere his heires and assignes for ever." .... He bequeaths "to my said Sister Barling all those my Three Messuages or Tenmts and ye pmiisses
lyeing and being in the Towne of Dorking aforesaid
one of them being scituate in the High Streete of Dorking and now in the Teanure or occupacon of Thomas Attwood or his Assignes and the other Twoe scituate in the West Streete of Dorking aforesaid and now in the seinall Teanures or occupacons of George Nye and the
Widdow Turner and their Assignes and from and after the
decease of my said Sister Barling the said Three Messuages
16 THE CHURCH REGISTERS AND
or Tenmts unto my nephewes the said Thomas Steere and
Robert Steere of Guldeford aforesaid and to their heires and assignes
for ever. Item unto my Brother Robert Steere of London
Gent, all that my Messuage or Tenmts or ffarme lands .... cornonly
called or knowne by the name of Minstrell's Wood conteyning
by estimacon Threescore and Tenne Acres (be the same more or less) scituate in the pish of Billiugliurst in the County of Sussex and now or late in the Teanure or occupacon of Daniel Ireland or his Assignes and
alsoe All that my Messuage or Tenmt or ffarme lands in the
pish of Curdford in the said County of Sussex cornonly called or
knowne by the name of Redd Land conteyning by estimacon
ffive and Thirty Acres of Land (be the same more or lesse) and now or late in the occupacon of Richard Coles or his Assignes To have and
to hold unto my said Brother Robert Steere and his Assignes
for and duringe the tenne of his naturall life without impeachment of waste and from and after the decease of my said Brother Robert
Steere I give the said Messuages Tcnemts and ffarme lands
before menconed in Sussex unto my said nephew
Edmund Steere his heires and assignes for ever." Should his nephew Edmund Steere predecease his brother Robert then his Sussex property to go to his brother Robert and his heirs. Gives his barn "called Ledgland ats Lodge Land conteyning by estimacon Thirty acres more or lesse " in Ockley " and now or late in the occupacon of the Widow Simmonds or her Assignes unto my nephew John Steere of Guide- ford aforesaid Gent, and to his heires assignes for ever," subject to the payment of £50 to his brother Edmund Steere within one month's time after he arrives at 21. He further gives to " Sister Barling All my Linnen in my Great Chest" — to nephew John .Steere "All my Law Books — unto my said Landlord William Steere my press my Cupboard and my Chaires and Cusheon " — to " said Landlord's daughter my Stone Ring my Silver Snuffbox and my Looking Glasse — to my said Landlord's Sonne my Gun and my little Pistol. Item I will and appoynte William Pricklove's Bond to be cancelled and Edward Bennett's Bond to be delivered upp to be cancelled." " Item I will and desire my near Relacons (that I have given noe Mourning to but have given them ffreehold Land) to put themselves into mourning." Appoints "my said Brothers Thomas Steere and Robert Steere Executors," to whom he bequeaths all the rest and residue after his debts, legacies, and funeral expenses are paid. Desires " said kinsmen
and ffriends " William Steere and John Gardner to be Overseers
"and for their paines therein I give unto each of them one ffive and twenty shilling peice of Old Gold, over and above their reasonable charges and expences." (Signed) Edmund Steere.
Witnesses — Benjamin Constable, William Wood, Jane Hooker.
On a paper pinned to the Will —
" My halfe crowne Legatees spoke of in my Will are these :
1. William King.
2. Richard Booker.
3. Henry Roberts.
PARISH ACCOUNT BOOKS OF OCKLEY. 17
4. William Streete.
5. Edward Stone.
6. John Richman.
7. George Noldret.
8. William Wood (at the parsonadge).
9. Joseph Peter th' Elder.
10. Richard Streete th' Elder.
11. John Tilt.
12. John Comfort.
13. William Palmer.
14. Daniel Charlewood th' Elder.
15. John Lefford.
16. John Constable (that goes to hear at Stilehurst)
17. Thomas Weller.
18. James ffnller.
19. John Veutris and
20. Robert Lipscombe.
All of them at Capell. " I desire that mve more of my ffriends which I thought to have brought in amongst the 20, but knew not who to leave out to make roome for them may have 2s 6d a peice given them as a token of my Love Avhich are these John Beldham.
Edward Risbridger (his brother in law). Thomas Titchener. William Lefford and Nathaniel Roffey at Horsham." Proved by the oaths of Thomas and Robert Steere the brothers and executors named, 30th October, 1716.
A nephew and niece of the testator are thus commemorated on ledgers in the floor of church (now removed to belfry) : —
Here Lieth | Interred ye Body of Mary ye Daughter | of Clement and | Mary Barling | of London avIio | Dyed the 9th Day of July in the year of | our Lord 1689 | iEtatis Sua? 1.
Here Lieth ye Body | of Abraham Cossart | the son op | Abraham Cossart | how defarted ye | 14 day of May 1697.
And through the courtesy of Joseph Eedes, Esq., I am enabled to add the undermentioned extracts from Hackney Parish Registers, in further illustration of this entry : —
Baptism. 1718, Oct. 16. Fiducia, da. of Mr. Lee Steere by Martha
his wife, born Dec. 12, 1717. Burials. 1718, Oct. 10. Mrs. Fiducia Papillon (wife) carried away 1725, Dec. 8. Mr. Samuel Papillon, Linendraper, carried
away to St. Katherine Colman. 1729-30, Mar. 3. Miss Martha Steere, infant. 1738, Dec. 11. Mrs. Fiducia Raper, carried away, 1742, Oct. 8. William Steer, a child. 1745, June 7. Fiducia Steere, spinster, 1753, Jan. 20. Lee Steere, Esq, B
18 THE CHURCH REGISTERS AND
1717. Elizabeth, daughter of John Gardiner, buryed Aug. 25. 1722.1 Mr John Gardiner Buried Oct, 23, 1722.
For a Genealogy of the Papillon Family, see Agnew's Protestant Exiles from France, Vol. I, p. 195.
1 The Will of "John Gardner of Stone Street in the parish of Ockley in the county of Surrey, grocer," is dated 19th October, 1722, and was proved in P. C. C, 25th May, 1723 (99, Richmond), by the oath I of Jane Gardner, widow, the relict. He desires that " all my just debts be in the first place paid and discharged " — gives, " unto my Daughter Jane Gardner the sume of five hundred pounds at her age of two and Twenty years out of the lands and Tenements hereinafter devised to my son Joseph Gardner and his heirs." Item . . . . " unto my son Joseph Gardner and his heirs for ever at his age of two and Twenty years all that my Messuage or Tenement ffarm and Lands with the Appurtenances thereto belonging called or known by the name of or by such like name and also all that my piece or parcel of meadow ground Avith the appurtenances which I late purchased of Edward Bax all lying and being in the parish of Ockley aforesaid and also my two Crofts or parcells of Land which I purchased of the Widow Saker and my ferncy Close with the Lime Kilne lying in the parish of Wootton and also all that my piece or parcel of Land | called Alines lying in Ockley aforesaid with the barne and stable thereupon built and likewise my two Tenements standing on the said Land and Ground one of them in the occupacon of William Thornton and the other in the occupacon of Matthew Stedman and also all that my barn and parcell of arrable Meadow and pasture land called ....
the Averyes Containing by estimation forty acres situate in
Wootton aforesaid and now in my own occupation to have and to hold
the said Messuages or Tenements Lands and premises unto
my said son Joseph Gardner his heirs and assigns for ever subject nevertheless to his Mother's Thirds and the payment of the said five hundred pounds to my said daughter Jane." Should his son Joseph die before 22 without leaving lawful issue, then the property to go to son John Gardner (subject to same conditions as before); should he also die without lawful issue, then to daughter Jane Gardner and her heirs for ever ; but should she die without lawful heirs, then to loving wife Jane Gardner. Lastly, he leaA^es to his said wife all household goods .... ready money and personal estate whatsoever, "the better to enable her to maintaine and bring up my said three children Jane, John, and Joseph Gardner until they shall respectively attaine to their ages of two and twenty years." Makes wife Jane sole executrix, appoints " loving friends John Steere of Guldeford, Gent, William Margesson of Ockley, yeoman, and John ffairhall of the same place, yeoman, overseers . . . . " and I give to them ten shillings a piece to buy them rings and I will they shall be paid all reasonable charges for their Care and Pains in the execution of this Trust."
(Signed) John Gardxkr. Witnesses — Thomas Pyke, James Child, John Mower.
PARISH ACCOUNT BOOKS OF OCKLEY. 19
1724-5.1 Mr William Haines, of Oakwood Hill, Bur. Mar. 15.
1725.2 Mr John Boreman, of Jays, Wootton, bur. Ap. 14.
1725. Rev. Mr Thomas Vaughan, Chap11 of Oakwood, bur. Ap. 24Ul. 1728. John Warner, of the Parish of Rye in Sussex, Ap. 17. 1728. Mary Smith, a Traveller, Bury'd Sept. 26.
Another Traveller, call'd by the Cant-name Pig-fat, bur.
"7ber 29th. 1733. Eliz. Haines, of the parish of Horsham, was buried Aug.
the 8th.
1733.3 Mrs Mary Barling, of the par. of Dorking, was buried Oct.
15, 1733.
1736.4 Laur. Cobbet was buried Nov. 30, 1736.
1741.5 Mr William Martin, Rector ("Minister" struck out) of
Rusper Parish, buried Mar'1 24, 1741.
1742.6 Jacob Strudwick, accidentily (sic) killed, was bur. June 15,
1742. 1742. Henry Eede, bur. Aug. 18, 1742.
1747-8. Sarah (wife of Wm) Figg (with her new-born Infant), Burd Jan* 8th. 1748." Hon. Lieut. Gen. Folliot, of Leith Hill, bur. Nov. 12th.
( William ]
1 The words < .-, > were formerly cut in the wall of the belfry.
) Gent (
( 1700 )
2 There