Wherwell Parish History V
In AD 1914 the Wherwell estate passed from the possession of the Iremongers into that of Colonel and Mrs Jenkins, whose daughter, Marjorie, Countess of Brecknock, held until her death in 1989. Her son, Marquess Camden, retained the land, but the Priory buildings with the surrounding parkland were sold in 1990 to Mr. and Mrs. James Hogg. The house is now called Wherwell Priory, not Wherwell Abbey as might have been expected. The name is believed to have been changed in the 17th Century. (The Priory was normally the officer next under the Abbot of an Abbey).
The Manor of Fullerton was Abbey Land until the Dissolution, after which, passing through a number of hands, in AD 1892 it became the property of Mr William Cory, whose sister later became the owner. She in turn left it to her nephew, Major Charles Liddell, MC.
After enjoying an independent existence for a thousand years the Parish of Wherwell was united with its neighbour across the river, Chilbolton. By the Union of Benefices Act, it was laid down that when one or the other of these Benefices became vacant, the surviving incumbent should be inducted to the joint benfice.
This occurred in 1943 when the Rev Alfred Lewis, Vicar of Wherwell, retired, whereupon the Rev Canon H L Marsh, who had been Rector of Chilbolton since 1935, became also Vicar of Wherwell.
The two parishes remain separate, and the right of Patronage is exercised alternately by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, represented by the Bishop of Winchester, (for Chilbolton) and by Lord Camden (for Wherwell).
Canon Marsh retired in 1948 when the Rev W W Russell-Chapman became Rector of Chilbolton and Vicar of Wherwell. He in turn retired in 1966 (and died a few weeks later) and the Rev Murray E Gawne was inducted to the livings of both Parishes. He was followed by Rev Christopher M Hubbard in 1977 who served both parishes until the end of 1990.
The Reverend Errol Williams, the present incumbent, was appointed in 1991 and is Vicar of Wherwell and Rector of Chilbolton. (Lord Camden has inherited, and retains the right to be Lay Rector of Wherwell and his ecclesiastical duties are carried out ‘vicariously’ by Reverend Williams - hence his title “Vicar of Wherwell”)
Little or nothing is known of any early incumbents, with the exception of the Rev Stephen Bachelor (or Bachiler), and his successor Rev John Bate (1605-1633) who seems to have been his brother-in-law.
It appears that there was a suit in Star Chamber in which George Wydley of Clatford, who in some way combined the professions of medicine and theology, preferred a charge of slander against Bachelor and Bate, and Stephen Bachelor junior; in proof whereof he stated that they not only composed verses derogatory to his character and fame, but set them to music and sang them publicly and privately.
The wording of the verses has not survived; only the statement that they would hardly be classed as parlour literature.
In addition to the pre-Reformation fragments there are four post-Reformation memorials, one an altar tomb of Sir Owen West, who died in 1551, and his wife. (West was the family name of Lord de la Warr at that time) and three let into the floor of the Nave.
(1) John Cropp who died in 1740 and Mary his wife (date illegible)
(2) John West, son of Lord de la Warr, who died "a child" in 1656
(3) Mary, daughter of Ferdinando Hudleston Esq of Millom Castle in Cumberland, and wife of The Hon Charles West. (No date on tomb)
Many of the records of the Parish since the Reformation must have been lost in the fire, but the Parish Registers of Births, Marriages and Deaths have been preserved, going back to 1634, and also the account books of the Overseers of the Poor, who were responsible for dispensing poor relief, in money or kind, are in existence from 1790 to 1794 and from 1806 to 1821.
From 1723 onwards there is an entry against each burial "a certificate was brought" or "an affidavit was brought", The certificate or affidavit related to the law whereby all burials had to be in woollen shrouds and the certificate had to be bought within 8 days of interment. If buried in a linen shroud, a penalty had to be paid into the hands of the Churchwardens for the benefit of the poor of the Parish.
This is recorded for example, as having happened on October 6th 1742 when Bethiah, wife of Nathaniel Brassey Esq was buried - there are many similar references in the burial register.
In 1781 a more formal register was introduced with printed instructions at the front and the sheets ruled to ensure that all necessary details were included:- these included the cause of death, and it is noteworthy that in the first 100 entries there was only one case of cancer, but many of "decline" (? TB or other debilitating illnesses which were unidentified, but the person slowly deteriorated until death) and fits, and of course old age - this was generally the cause if the person was over 60 years at death!!!
Finally, in 1812 an act was passed "for the better regulating and preserving Parish and other Registers". After this there were three separate Registers, with a supplementary record of the publication of the banns at the back of the Marriage Register.
Stuck into the back of one of the Registers is the following Memorandum .
August 19 1771
We the Minister and underwritten inhabitants of the Parish of Wherwell acknowledge that there is no old accustomed road by the Mill to the Church, Vicarage House or Parsonage Yard, but the present way was first made about 20 years ago by Mr Iremonger….and that in testimony of his sole right in it the said way was shut up and the gates locked on Sunday July 14th 1771 as a proper [illegible] against its ever being claimed as a
public way.
Be it remembered likewise that there is no road through the Churchyard, but by permission of the Vicar.
Signed by R King, Vicar and 5 others.
