Wroxton Village Web Site

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© Richard Woollacott unless otherwise credited

 

From an old notice that John Woodward found in the Church and transcribed .

 

THE TOWER

 

The following is a copy of a document dated 16th November 1747 recording an agreement for the building of the present tower the previous structure having, it is believed, been blown down shortly before.

 

Memorandum: It is agreed between the Rt. Honble. Francis Lord North & Guildford, his Heirs, Executors & Administrators & Wm. Hitchcox of Ratley in the County of Warwick, Mason his Heirs, Executors, Administrators, & Assigns: That in consideration of the sum of One Hundred and Fifty Pounds to be paid to the said William Hitchcox his Heirs & c. The said William Hitchcox shall pull down the tower of Wroxton Church & rebuild it in a substatntial and workmanlike manner, conforming to the plan thereof made by Saunderson Miller of Radway in Warwickshire Esqre. To which this agreement refers: & the said Wm. Hitchcox shall at his own cost & charge find the materials for perfecting the sd. Building & also all carriage, except the days work with a team which every farmer of Wroxton has agreed to furnish. In Witness whereof the parties have hereunder set their hands this 16th day of Nov. 1747.

 

N.B. Hanging the Bells is not comprehended in this agreement.

 

Signed in the presence of    (Sgd) North & Guildford

Wm. Hitchcox

 

(Sgd) Saunderson Miller

Rob Cheyne

 

 

The work appears to have been completed about June 1749.

 

In the tower are five bells and a clock. The bells have the following inscriptions:

 

No.1 "Cantate Domino canticum novum 1676"

No.2 "Henricus Bagley me fecit"

No.3 "Henry Bagley made me"

No.4 "Samuel Aldington and William Elles Churchwardens"

No.5 "That all may come and none may stay at home

                                  I ring to sermon with a lusty bome"

From a ‘wormeaten’ notice transcribed by John Woodward

 

 

 

  VICARS of WROXTON-CUM-BALSCOTE

 

1200 Michael Belet, Rector

1226 John De Compton,   1st Perpetual vicar

 Nicholas

1264 John De Rowell

1296 William De Wellddon

1332 John De Neuton

1349 John Broun of Churchill

 Thomas Saresyn

1369 John Wybert

1369 William Wicock of Upton

1382 John Grovere

1392 Stephen Braleley

 

1441 Thomas De Balscote B.C.L.

 Thomas Sidnall

1504 Johannes Banbury

 

1616 Robert Pettifer  M.A. Oxon.

1621 John Millett  B.A. Oxon.

1642 John Dyde  M.A. Oxon.

1662 John Beaby   B.D.  Oxon.

1664 Cresswell Wheatley  M.A.  Cantab.

1670 William Jackman  B.A.  Oxon.

1683 Francis Goodwin  B.D.  Oxon.

1696 Thomas Beaker  M.A.  Oxon.

1723 Francis Wise  M.A.  Oxon.

1745 Francis Wyles  B.C.L.  Oxon.

1766 Matthew Lamb   D.D.  Oxon.

1792 John capel Townshend

1825 Thomas Wyatt  M.A.  Cantab.

1853 Moses Mitchell  M.A.  Oxon.

1854 John Murray  B.A.  Cantab.

1863 Alfred Hooke  M.A.  Oxon.

1864 daniel Godard Compton  M.A.  Oxon.

1874 Thomas Langhorne  M.A.  Oxon.

1878 John Robert Izat  M.A.  Oxon.

1892 Jocelyn Henry Speck  M.A.  Oxon.

1907 Arthur Haig  M.A.  Cantab.

1917 John Shipley Pettifor

1929 Arthur William Dickens  M.A.  Durham

1935 Walter mayo Aste  M.A.  Oxon.

1939 Ronald Cameron West  A.K.C.  London

1951 Spencer Roberton  M.A. Cantab. B.D. M.Th. Lond.

1961 Robert Edward Lea walker  M.A.  Oxon.

1988 Rev. Ivan Meads  B.A. (Hons) london

1996 Rev R. Jeffrey chard  B.A. Wales

2009 Rev. Dr. John Reader  B.A.  Oxon. D.Ph. Wales