Along with the expected births, marriages and burial entries, the Incumbents often added various comments. These could be about their parishioners, the causes of death, parish events or other snippets. Here is a round up on some interesting ones.
BULWICK
In the year 1799 The harvest in this parish commenced on the 2nd of September and was finished on the 4th November.
May 4th 1800 T Wingfield. Rector There was a tremendous storm of Thunder, Wind and Hail: there were many hailstones which measured from 5 to 6 inches in circumference. Windows were broken & birds killed by them in this Parish.
April 1801 T Wingfield. Rector This Parish was numbered and in it were found, including all ages, of Males 180, of Females 209
July 13th 1808 T Wingfield. Rector The hottest day was remembered in this County. The Thermometer in the coolest situation shod [sic] above 90 degrees. Several persons died in the field from heat. A woman of the name Smith died in Mr Tryons Hay meadow in Harringworth, another woman in South Luffenham meadow and several others in this neighbourhood.
May 1821 T Wingfield. Rector This Parish was numbered and in it were found including all ages, Males 251, Females 220.
Recipe for the Ague. T Wingfield. Rector
Half pound of Powder of bark.
30 grams of Snake Root. 40 grams of Salt of Wormwood.
Mix them together and divide these into 6 doses one to be taken every 3 hours when the fit is off.
NB. An Emetic to be taken the evening before the Powders are first taken & they should be repeated on the ninth day.
WEEKLEY BURIAL REGISTERS
1785 Elizabeth BROWNING, an unfortunate young woman who being with child to a man that would not marry her destroyed herself by poison 1 July.
1792 John MEADOWS, bachelor, was killed by a fall from a horse which it is supposed severed his spinal marrow aged 24 April 5.
1795 Samuel PERCIVAL April 28 aged 80. He had lived faithfully with one wife 54 years whom he left a widow.
LONG BUCKBY
21 Jan 1814 The burial of Edith Freeman, who from obstinate temper, kept to her bed 44 years. Relict of the Rev. G Freeman LL.D aged 74 years.
19 Sep 1815 Ann Wills, spinster, many years cook for G Freeman, Esq. Burial, Long Buckby, Aged 72 years.
DEENETHORPE
From the year 1718
‘Edmond, the son of Edmond Harison was buryed September 6 and affidavit made the 10th.
John the son of John Spencer of Deenthorp Labouror was buryed September ye 5 day and Affidavit made the 7th 1718.
Edmond Harrison the son of Edmond Harrison of Deenthorpe Labouror – deceased – was buryed at the same time and affidavit made according to law – widower and ye two boys was found drowned together in a pond the fifth of September they were about 9 years old each them and their clothes lay by them at the head of the pond.’
STOKE BRUERNE
28 May 1797 Ruth Whitlock baptised ‘N.B. Jonas Whitlock enlisted to the service of the East India Company on or about Shrove Tuesday in the year 1790 and has never been at home since. Ruth, his wife, being pregnant was taken before the Revd Edward Bayley of Quinton, one of his Majesty’s Justices of the Peace for this County, by the Overseer of the poor of the Parish of Shutlanger, and made oath that she was gotten with child by Samuel Cliffe, Widower, of the Parish of Stoke Bruerne.’
Reuben son of Thomas & Maria Kent of Shutlanger baptised 6 December 1807. ‘N.B. This child was born at Shutlanger in the house of Thomas Lyman who keeps an alehouse there known by the sign of the Plough. The father being a Private in the 52nd Regiment of Infantry (as his wife says) and the mother residing at Abthorpe near Towcester with her mother, the officers of that parish would not permit her to continue; so she came to Shutlanger and was put by the Overseer of the Poor into the house of Thomas Lyman and two days afterwards brought to bed’
BRAYBROOKE
28 Oct 1831 Joseph Norman aged 25 – Killed by a fall which brake his neck when drunk. Fighting with Robt. Payne of this place. – Coroners verdict ‘accidental death’, ‘Payne not having fallen upon him nor knocked him down and thus not being the direct cause of his death’ – the father of this unhappy man (Norman) met his death by intoxication and in a quarrel!! Disate Nons …
NORTHAMPTON ALL SAINTS
1777 Bernard Levi (a converted Jew), Ironmonger, baptised April 11.
1768 Martha Thoresia daughter of Antonius Trevissany (a Foreign Dr.) and Mary his wife, born January 25, baptised February 16.
1743 Charles, son of Carlos Speho (Spaniard), born March 31, baptised April. (buried September 1 1744).
1731 Richard son of Peter Van Howtuen, Trumpeter in Capt. Lancaster’s Troop in Lord Cobham’s Regiment of Horse, buried June 18.
ROTHWELL
Buried 23 Dec 1871. Mary Kingston aged 63 ‘buried hastily in fear of an infection by relatives in the dark hours without previous knowledge on my part of their intent’. W Newbolt, Rector.
[AM April 2025]