WARNING: The correct use of any parish data from this project requires initial reading of the GENERAL NOTES as well as of the specific PARISH NOTES.
The registers used old style dates to 1752/01/01. Baptisms, marriages and burials were recorded separately under each year, though in the same volume, until July 1754. Thereafter, christenings and burials continued in the same register until 1813, with a separate marriage register from July 1754. Christenings and burials were registered in separate books from 1813.
Latin Registers 1560 - 1614 in Latin. Latin again from April 1672.
The top outer edge of the Register 1560 - 1577 is badly damaged resulting in the loss of several names. In the accompanying database as much as possible has been retrieved, but only where the surname survives legibly has the entry has been transcribed. Before the database entry dated 1560/04/00 (Buckleye) four illegible entries existed for April.
On the flyleaf of the register beginning in 1665 is a note that “The Registers from 1625 to 1665 are lost but copies of them exist in the Registry Office Chester. WH”. In fact, by 1831, these years were known to be missing.
Thus for 1626 - 1665 in the accompanying database all entries are from the bishops’ transcripts.
From 1797/01/15(Miller) the registration of baptisms records the grandparents of baptized, following Bishop’s request.
There are registers of graves, not included in this database, for 1833-1928 and 1858-1979.
No BTs up to 1599 save for 1588 and 1593; lacking for 1601-3, 1605-7, 1609, 1615-17, 1622, 1625. (Many PR entries do not appear in the BTs.) 1631, 1636, 1639, 1640, 1642-56, 1667, 1677, 1678, 1688, 1700, 1771, 1856, 1858. No BT burials for 1739
BT illegible 1686 and 1688(parts), 1696, 1740/41, 1851
Ba 1580/00/04 (Kay) Month between October and January
Ba 1580/00/23 (Hampson) Month between October and January
Ba 1580/00/23 (Eton) Month between October and January
Ba 1592/10/21 (Alexander) Father’s names illegible because erased.
Ba 1595/12/16 (Bostocke) “apud medium vicum” = Middlewich? Coded as such later. E.g 1633/04/23 (Farington)
Ba 1604/03/00 (Wrench) BT only
Ba 1641/04/18 (Williamson) Gard i.e. churchwarden
Ba 1662/11/17 (Hoole) BT only “unbaptized”
Ba 1666/02/22 (Bailey) BT only
Ba 1666/03/13 (Picton) BT only
Ba 1672/10/23 (Stretch) BT only
Ba 1689/03/03 (Barrow) Listed in burials
Ba 1689/03 10 (Barnshaw) Listed in burials
Ba 1689/03/24 (Barnshaw) Listed in burials
Ba 1693/03/28 (Gally) BT only
Ba 1743/00/00 (Lathbury) BT only
Ba 1750/10/10 (Vernon) BT only
Ba 1751/02/24 (Bramall) BT only
Ba 1752/07/21 (Holford) BT only
Ba 1770 (Chatterton) BT only
Ba 1850/12/15 (Chamberlain) Unsigned note in margin states “P Entry see 318” Entry 318 dated 1850/11/03 has same details save for date.
Bu 1578/03/20 (Ver) Hole in page - Vernon?
Bu 1590/06/03 (Hoole) “was killed by a potter’s wheel”
Bu 1603/03/27 (Okes) Entry appears at foot of page and is repeated at top of next page (i.e. at beginning of new year in OS dates). Transcribed once.
Bu 1612/03/27 (Vernon) Entry appears at foot of page and is repeated at top of next page (i.e. at beginning of new year in OS dates). Transcribed once.
Bu 1612/04/02 (Broome) Entry appears at foot of page and is repeated at top of next page (i.e. at beginning of new year in OS dates). Transcribed once.
Bu 1615/08/16 (Nicson) “lanius” = butcher?
Bu 1615/10/05 (Shawe) “clauda” = limping?
Bu 1615/10/12 (Lecester) “rota molendina” = millwheel?
Bu 1623/07/11 (Clyton) “killed by a cart” may refer to next entry
Bu 1623/07/14 (Okentrop) “killed by a cart” may refer to previous entry
Bu 1625//07/16 (Simcocke) “Hic m’rsus fuit in aqua in dorsa molen-dini” written across three entries.
Bu 1679/04/26 (Shaller BT only
Bu 1679/11/17 (Bettely) BT only
Bu 1679/11/09 (Armstrong) BT only
Bu1682/03/08 (Hutchin) BT only
Bu 1682/03/08 (Buckly) BT only
Bu 1682/12/30 (Foden) BT only
Ma 1623/05/12 (Yate/Bleas) BT only
Ma 1623/06/14 (Lee/Knottesford) BT only
Ma 1623/10/14 (Sutton/Lowndes) BT only
Ma 1623/11/10 Hilton/Pruddleshurst) BT only
Ma 1624/02/24 (Irons/Basnet) BT only
Ma 1624/05/06 (Low/Basnet) BT only
Ma 1624/06/28 (Stephens/Kay) BT only
Ma 1624/08/10 (Stringfellow/Winnington) BT only
Ma 1624/12/10 (Milnes/Sudlow) BT only
Ma 1625/03/13 (Walley/Whittingham) BT only
Ma 1665/07/25 (Dutton/Gandie) BT only
Ma 1665/08/19 (Dale/Harrison) BT only
Ma 1665/12/03 (Holland/Longarard) BT only
Ma 1712/01/02 (Farrington/Barton) BT only
Ma 1712/03/02 (Arrowsmith/Sudlow) BT only
Ma 1722/12/28 (Pickstock/Smith) BT only
Ma 1747/02/26 (Barbor/Holsford) BT only
1595-1618 Simon Savage, Presbyter of Davenham and Dean of the Deanery of Nantwich
1665-[d.1678] James Marbury, Rector
1679 Robertus Ridgway, Rector
1707-1718 James Marbury Rector [son of above]
1719-25 Thomas Derbishire, Curate
1725-43 Thomas Derbishire, Rector
1744 George Barber, curate
1745-56 Ashburnham Legh, Rector
1780 Wm Brock, Rector
1761-87(died) J. Tench, curate
1791 John Tench
1787-1802 J. Brayshay (Brayshaw), curate
1797-1821 Jas Tomkinson, Rector
1823-36 Henry Tomkinson
1839-84 Thomas France (Thomas France-Hayhurst)
Johannes Harper, variously clark or clerk, signs 1679-1684, as though a churchwarden.
1602 Radulphus Barrow, Robertus Wrench;
1603 Will Chenies, Charles Baker;
1604 George Simcocke, Henricus Dutton;
1605 Rowlandus zzzz, Richardus Wirral, gardiani John Blease, Alexander Becket, James Dave, Richard Alamson;
1606 Robertus Williamson, Johannes Acton, gardiani, Edwardus Kay, Radus Basnet, Johannes Haughton, Willmus Boatley;
1607 Robert Winnington, Thomas Sutton, churchwardens, Rafe Massey, Thomas Taylior, William Wright, John Wrench;
1608 Radi Bostocke of Moreton, gent, George Walley, yeoman, churchwardens, Willm Bettaley, Robart zzz, Ralph Holland, Thomas Leftwich, sworn men;
1609 Robertus Venables, generosus, Radulphus Walley, generosus, gardiani, Randull Wrenche de Moolton, George Bradford, James Alexander, Thomas Hoole, sworn men;
1610 Edward Leigh, Olliver Vernon, gent, churchwardens, Richard Deane, John Joynson, Andrew Kaye, Hugh Farington, sworn men;
1611 Richardus Deane, Georgius Wilson, gardiani, Robt Buckley, William Meanley, Robt Philcocke, Thomas Burrows, Invatores;
1612 George Holland, Thomas Hollande, Gardiani, Lanslet Oke, Willm Carter, Robt Gest, Willm Meanley, sworn men;
1613 William Walley, Ellice Entersley, gardiani, Thomas Cleyton, Henerie Adderton, Rondle Wrench of Shurlach, Raffe Blease, invatores;
1614 Georgius Bradforde, Robertus Ridley, churchwardens, Rafe Nightgale, Henry Berwick, Rafe Blease, Hugh Stiele, sworn men;
1615 George Bradford, Robart Ridley churchwardens, Richard Deane, Edward Vernon, Richard Lownes, Henery Adderton;
1617 Thomas Hilton, Rafe Buckley, gard. Robt Buckley, William Buckley, Rafe Nicson, John Partington, sworn men;
1618 Rondle Wrench, William Higgenson, churchwardens;
Rondle Fallowes, William Millington, Richard Leigh, Thomas Amson, sworn men;
1619 William Bostocke, Rafe Pearson, churchwardens;
William Jacson, Lanslet Okes, Robert Leftwich, William Millington, sworn men;
1620 Thomas Chantler, John Higgenson, churchwardens;
Richard Addomson, Roger Kay, William Bettiley, Raphe Barrow, sworn men;
1621 Rondle Wishall, John Yate, churchwardens, John Jacson, George Joynson, Rafe Holland, Edward Horton, sworn men;
1622 Randle Pickmaire, Richard Wrench, churchwardens, Georg Venables, Robt Rowe, sworn men;
1665 George Horton, Thomas Hoole, churchwardens, John Hoole, Henry Clarke, sworn men;
1666 Thomas Hoole, William Higginson;
1667 William Higginson, Thomas Eaton;
1668 Thomas Eaton, Raphe Joynson;
1669 Raphe Joynson, William Hignett;
1670 William Hignett, Edmund Stockley;
1671 Edmund Stockley, William Paintor;
1673 Raph Nixon, Leftwich Oakes gard;
1674 Leftwich Oakes, Johannis Wrench gard;
1675 Johannis Wrench, Henricus Weever;
1676 Henry Weever, William Tumlinson, Gard;
1677 Petrus Aspshall, Georgius Walker,Gard;
1678 Richardus Bradford, Petrus Aspshall Gard;
1679 Phillippus Bostock, Richardus Wrench, gard, Johannes Harper clark;
1680 Robertus Atherton, Robert Synderland Gard, Lawrentius Row zzz, Johannes Harper, clerk;
1681 Johannes Acton, Richardus Holland, Gard;
1682 Richard Hocknell, Georgius Holland, gard, Johannes Harper, clerk;
1683 Johannes Barrow, Phillippus Acton, Gard;
1684 Richard Smallwood, warden, John Hulse, Ralph Atherton, gard, John Harper, clark;
1689 William Willington. Richard Duncalfe;
1690 Randle Lounds, John Higginson;
1691 William Tomlinson, Daniel Hignet;
1692 William Holland, John Cooper;
1694 William Banyon, (mark of) Joseph Sanbach;
1695 Thomas Hoole, John Hall;
1696 Thomas Burroughs, John Wrench;
1697 Matthew Nickson, Charles Higginson;
1698 William Holland, Ralph zzz;
1699 William Basnett, Samuel Barrowe;
1700 Richard Hollins, (mark of) John Carter;
1701 (mark of) John Carter, Thomas Tomlinson;
1702 (mark of zzz Foster, Tho Tomlinson;
1703 (mark of) Raph Foster, Richard Joanes;
1704 Richard Jones, (mark of) Samuel Buckley;
1705 Wm Wrench, James Buckley;
1706 Wm Wrench, Samuel Leigh;
1707 Wm Partington?, George Buckley;
1708 Benj Segrave, zzzzz;
1709 John zzzz, Joseph Stanley;
1710 Roger Lowndes, Samuel Hide;
1711 Charles Culcheth ?, John Measles ?;
1712 Robert Foster, Ralph Darlington;1713 Randle Amson, Samuel Farrington;
1714 Wm Fairbrother, Tho Joynson;
1715 Edwd Snelson, one died in his wardenship;
1716 Tho Blackey, Ja Headen;
1717 Richard Wrench, Ralph Bayly;
1718 John Gregge ?, Ralph zzzz;
1719 Wm Percivall, Peter Hilditch;
1720 Jon Copper, Jon Manly;
1721 Charles Cook, Nathan Pickthorn;
1722 Tho Painter;
1723 Phillip Acton, John zzzz;
1800-1 Peter Bancroft, John Bennett jnr;
1802-3 George Butler, John Hughes;
1804-5 George Kinsay, Thos Chatterton;1806-7 William Caldwell, Jos Lea;
1808 Richard Earl, John Lightfoot;
1822 Thomas Jepson, John Jackson.
Churchwardens’ accounts begin in 1685. These are not included in this database.
Note after 1595/02/19 (Hulse): “Finis baptizationum anno 1594 in Parochia de Davenham per Simonem Savagem presbiterium Davenhae”
On the reverse side of the strip of paper with BTs for 1661 are listed “Collections”:
For Great Drayton on 16th June 7s 2d
... for repairing the church called St. Mary’s at Burrowrough in Yorkshire the 30th June - 6s 4d
and 10 more: for a ship, fires, ministers, individuals, Protestants in Lythiania, people in Isle of Insicrony (?) in Ireland.
On the flyleaf of the register volume beginning in 1665: “ Register booke of all the Christenings Weddingss & Buryalls which have been at the Parish Church of Davenham since the Annuntiation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Yeare of our Lord God according to the computation of the Church of England one thousand six hundred and sixty five and in the seaventeenth yeare of the reigne of our Soveraigne Lord Charles the Second by the Grace of God over England, Scotland, France and Ireland King Defender of the faith
James Marbury Rector
George Horton, Thomas Hoole Churchwardens
Anno dom 1665.”
At the end of 1808: “Memorandum: The children of Chas: Leicester Esq late of Stanthorne and (sic) registered at Middlewich.”
At the end of 1846: “The following are the names of children baptised in the Episcopal Chapel of Rudheath and which have by mistake been hitherto only entered in the Rudheath Chapel Book commencing from September 1st 1844.
J. France (Rector)
After 1846/11/13 (Goodier) is written: “ Here ends the Register of the names of the children Baptised in the episcopal chapel of Rudheath from 1st Sept 1844 to 31st December 1846
J. France (Rector)
The ancient parish of Davenham lay in the middle of Cheshire. The contiguous ancient parishes were, clockwise from the north, Great Budworth, Middlewich, Sandbach, Middlewich again, Over, and Whitegate. Davenham ancient parish comprised the whole of the townships of Bostock, Davenham, Eaton, Leftwich, Moulton, Newhall, Shipbrook, Shurlach, Stanthorne, Wharton, Whatcroft, and part of the township of Rudheath (the rest in Sandbach and Great Budworth parishes). In our period to 1871 the new ecclesiastical parishes of Wharton and Stanthorne (Pevsner and Williams give date 1843, but Youngs gives 1860) and of Dane Bridge (1846) were created from Davenham parish. Parts, at least, of Rudheath township had been extra-parochial, and this may help to explain the creation there of an Episcopal Chapel, which was licensed and built between 1835 and 1837. Nothing is listed at the Cheshire Record Office which looks like the register book mentioned in Oddities above. However, in 1723 Rudheath township had become part of the new ecclesiastical parish of Witton, and Witton parish records include registers for Rudheath which begin in 1903.
The population of Davenham ancient parish can be estimated by the number of households in ecclesiastical ‘censuses’ of 1563 (203 households or families), c.1720 (221), and in 1778 (250 houses), while the sum of the households in the townships of the parish in the hearth tax of 1664 was 212 (excluding Rudheath Lordship which had 41). The population of the ancient parish in 1801 was 2,891 people, and 7,543 in 1871. Leftwich and Wharton were the most populous townships at these two dates.
A manuscript index of marriages between 1754 and 1812 made by B. W. Tuff- Norman in 1941 is in the parish records, and there is a xerox copy at the Cheshire Record Office. A typescript transcript of the earliest register 1560-1625, and of the bishops’ transcripts from 1588 to 1664, by J. Mitchell (2004), is available at the Cheshire Record Office
Anon, typescript list of Burials in Davenham old churchyard (nd.) Copy in Cheshire Record Office
Colin Phillips compiled these notes, using Susan George’s digest of the information collected by transcribers and recorded with each transcription pad. Further information about the make-up of the register volumes came from the list in the Cheshire Record Office, which also provided some details of the evolution of the ancient parish.
The population estimates were gathered as follows 1563: British Library, Harleian MS 594, ff. 97-102, count of households; 1664: Public Record Office, Exchequer, E. 179/86/145 (on microfilm), hearth tax returns; c. 1720 F. Gastrell, Notitia Cestriensis, ed. F.R .Raines, vol. I (Chetham Society, old series, VIII, 1845); and 1778: Cheshire RO, Diocese of Chester, EDV/7/1 (on microfilm). For 1801 and 1871 see VCH Cheshire, vol. II, p. 213. Further details on the evolution of the parish came from C. Williams, Guide to the Cheshire Record Office ([Chester], 1991), pp. 81, 87; Guide to the local administrative units of England, Vol. II Northern England, ed. F.A. Youngs, Jr (1991), pp. 30, 33, 40, 42; and N. Pevsner and E. Hubbard, The buildings of England: Cheshire (Harmondsworth, 1971), pp. 381, 389. The complex geography of Rudheath township can be followed in the base map in A.D.M. Phillips and C.B. Phillips, A new historical atlas of Cheshire (Chester, 2001). The identity of some clergy was resolved using G. Ormerod, The history of the county palatine and city of Chester, ed T. Helsby (2nd edn, 1882), pp. 241, 257.)