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