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.
These are divided into the three events up to 1754, from when marriages are registered separately, but baptisms and burials continue in the same book. After 1812 each event has its own book. The early entries are clearly copied up. With the exception of a few baptisms amongst lots of space on the page, and a few marriages from 1652 to 1655, no events were registered 1640-1655. From 1786 to 1790 the baptismal register is set out in columns headed Baptisms (year), Profession, Wife’s name, Born, Baptised, and the burial register gives cause and date of death.
Baptisms Gaps in register: 1559/12/30 to 1560/04/07; 1563/01/04 to 1563/05/02; 1563/08/30 to 1564/01/08; 1566/04/09 to 1566/09/25; 1569/01/26 to 1569/03/02; 1570/12/28 to 1571/02/15. Between 1593/05/29 and 1594/08/09 only one baptism is recorded and that gives no day or month. The year 1604 seems to be missing: the entries go from 1603/12/19 to 1605/01/08. The Register is in part almost illegible and badly kept. From 1605/07/21 to 1606//03/14, name of child only given. Entries from Dec.1627-Dec.1630 in mix of Arabic and Roman numerals. In 1668 in particular, but in surrounding years also, some parts of register illegible. There also seems to be confusion between birth dates and baptism dates, with many BT variants. 1803 illegible.
Marriages No marriages in PR for 1611; but three in BT. Register 1635-40 well kept. The register disordered, with entries for 1732 to 1735 preceding those for 1687 to 1732.
Burials In the burial register, there seems to be a confusion of year dating starting on p.243 of the register; when the year 1589 is used twice. There are no burials in PR for February and March 1625, but there are sixteen burials in the BT for 1625. Around 1630 - 1640 sometimes entries appear with ‘obiet’ or ‘obeit’. Although ‘Burials’ is written alongside the dates in 1655, after this the word ‘Died’ appears by the date; (occasionally a burial date is given). Apparent gap in burials 1811/05/18 to 1811/06/05
Latin: December 1612-July 1613, July 1616-June 1617.
Date Styles: New Style begins 1752 (?) but New Style also 1655 - 1687.
No BTs until 1599.
Baptisms: No BTs for 1602, 1603, 1606; 1631, 1632, 1636-1661, part of 1662, 1664, 1667, 1678, 1685, 1686.
Record Office index of BTs says 1612 is missing, but BT listed for 1613 fits PR entries for 1612. BT listed for 1635 do not correspond with PR for that year. There are many variant dates in burials for year March 1671 to April 1672 and many children’s forenames omitted from 1662/07/13 are supplied from BT.
BTs illegible or damaged: 1615 “almost decayed away”; 1623, 1624, 1628, 1635; 1687; 1739/07/08 - 1759/07/31; 1739/11/04-1739/11/16;. Feb-March 1739; Aug.1740; 1746 damaged; 1752 worn. No BTs for 1841-56.
Marriages: no BT 1602-1603, 1606-9, 1612, 1615 torn, 1619-21, 1626, 1631/2, 1636, 1667/8, Jan 1686 - Feb 1687, 1692. N0 BT 1729, 1730, 1732. BTs damaged: 1738; 1794. No BTs from 1837.
Burials: no BT 1602-1603, 1606-9, 1613, 1615-22, 1626, 1631/2, 1636, 1638-9, 1654/5, 1659-61, 1664/5, 1678, 1686/7.
Ba 1562/01/12 (Griffeth) Two entries bracketed together in Register with the same surname. This may indicate two baptisms on the same date or two children of the same family, but this is not assumed as no parents names are given.
Ba 1562/01/23 (Dannolde) Two entries bracketed together in Register with the same surname. This may indicate two baptisms on the same date or two children of the same family, but this is not assumed as no parents names are given.
Ba 1562/02/07 (Hande) Two entries bracketed together in Register with the same surname. This may indicate two baptisms on the same date or two children of the same family, but this is not assumed as no parents names are given.
Ba 1562/07/19 (Cow) Two entries bracketed together in Register with the same surname. This may indicate two baptisms on the same date or two children of the same family, but this is not assumed as no parents names are given.
Ba 1564/10/28 (Finchet) Three entries bracketed together in Register with the same surname. This may indicate two baptisms on the same date or two children of the same family, but this is not assumed as no parents names are given.
Ba 1566/02/26 (Dunne) Two entries bracketed together in Register with the same surname. This may indicate two baptisms on the same date or two children of the same family, but this is not assumed as no parents names are given.
Ba 1575/03/04 (Curtrey) Two entries bracketed together in Register with the same surname. This may indicate two baptisms on the same date or two children of the same family, but this is not assumed as no parents names are given.
Ba 1568/12/29 (Gunner) Name may be Gumer
Ba 1569/03/14 (Gummer) Name may be Gunner
Ba 1569/09/24 (Harforde) May be Hawforde
Ba 1579/11/24 (Brickill) Two entries bracketed together in Register with the same surname. This may indicate two baptisms on the same date or two children of the same family, but this is not assumed as no parents names are given.
Ba 1583/12/10 (Johnes) Forename uncertain
Ba 1580/04/22 (Netherall) Surname uncertain
Ba 1580/08/21 (Gigge) Surname uncertain
Ba 1581/04/08 (Pane) Surname uncertain
Ba 1584/08/09 (Lor..) Surname uncertain
Ba 1600/07/24 (Byram) BT only
Ba 1600/00/00 (Sharnocke) DoB 1600/04/03 Two entries bracketed together in Register with the same surname. This may indicate two baptisms on the same date or two children of the same family, but this is not assumed as no parents’ names are given.
Ba 1602/07/21 (Hinshoe) (Illes) Surname uncertain
Ba 1610/00/00 (Rydley) BT only
Ba 1610/00/00 (Oulderhead) BT only
Ba 1610/00/00 (Potter) BT only
Ba 1610/04/04 (Ashton) BT only
Ba 1626/01/02 (Picton) BT only
Ba 1626/02/05 (Hine) BT only
Ba 1626/02/06 (William) BT only
Ba 1626/00/00 (Robinson) BT only
Ba 1626/03/10 (Joynson) BT only
Ba 1626/03/12 (Werden) BT only
Ba 1626/04/02 (Anion) BT only
Ba 1626/04/09 (Broster) BT only
Ba 1626/00/00 (Hancock) BT only
Ba 1654/00/00 (Wartton) Date not identified as baptism or birth (1654/10/25)
Ba 1654/00/00 (Browne) Easter Day 10th April 1654
Ba 1669/03/24 (Broster) BT only
Ba 1670/04/04 (Adams) BT only
Ba 1672/05/25 (Taylor) 16th May = Holey Thursday
Ba 1675/02/20 (Barnes) BT only
Ba 1677/02/15 (Briscoe) BT only
Ba 1670/06/29 and 1673/08/13 (Lem?) Same surname (unclear) both entries in same hand. Seem to have been added later.
Ba 708/09/30 (Sherwin) This entry is interleaved.
Bu 1600/07/27 (Noton) BT only
Bu 1600/11/12 (Johnes) BT only
Bu 1600/11/20 (Rydley) BT only
Bu 1601/01/05 (Davies) BT only
Bu 1601/06/22 (Blnk) BT only
Bu 1601/09/27 (Clayton) BT only
Bu 1601/09/27 (Furbur) BT only
Bu 1601/11/28 Ellis) BT only
Bu 1605/03/20 (Adshead) BT only
Bu 1614/05/20 (Sotherne) BT only
Bu 16260120 (Dune) BT only
Bu 16260121 (Case) BT only
Bu 16260129 (Moores) BT only
Bu 16260208 (Whittle) BT only
Bu 16260209 (Whithead) BT only
Bu 16260220 (Rathburne) BT only
Bu 16260224 (Robinson) BT only
Bu 16260228 (Smyth) BT only
Bu 16260301 (Barnes) BT only
Bu 16260309 (Fernall) BT only
Bu 16260316 (Bradell) BT only
Bu 16260320 (Willso) BT only
Bu 16260322 (Chry) BT only
Bu 16260326 (Francis) BT only
Bu 16260327 (Warton) BT only
Bu 16260407 (Lunt) BT only
Bu 1664/04/10 (Leigh) BT only
Ma 1599/05/08 (Croncke) BT only
Ma 1611/00/00 (Boore W.) BT only
Ma 1611/00/00 (Boore T.) BT only
Ma 1611/00/00 (Cooe) BT only
Ma 1626/02/00 (Allen) BT only
Ma 1626/00/00 (Vos) BT only
Ma 1626/00/00 (Fleete) BT only
Ma 1666/04/25 (Worthyngton) BT only
Ma 1720/12/29 (Hamley ) BT only
Ma 1720/12/29 (Sellars ) BT only
Ma 1721/02/02 (Whittingham ) BT only
Ma 1717/05/09 (Price), 1718/04/24 (Henshaw), 1719/11/25 (Parsonage): Not clear whether “Mr. Adams” granted the licence or performed the ceremony
Ma 1720/27/6 (Wickstead) PR reads “by licence & by Mr.Adams”
Ma 1722/07/13 (Dod) “Licence granted by Mr.Adams”
Ma 1823/01/08 (Myddleton) Note in margin “Mrs.Thrale’s family was Salisbury?” (There is a hache mark by this entry at each margin.)
Ma 1824/12/16 (Mawdesley) Bride’s surname may be Mackwhire
Ma 1830/11/16 (Williams) BT only
Ma 1830/11/22 (Youd) BT only
Ma 1830/11/24 (Rowlands) BT only
Ma 1857/12/27 (Davies) Bride’s father “unknown”
Ma 1858/05/06 (Gibson) Bride’s father “unknown”
Ma 1858/09/27 (Bailey) Bride’s father “unknown”
Ma 1860/07/ Bride’s father “unknown”
1652 John Pemberton Minister of St Johns
1658 Peter Leigh Minister of St. Johns
1662 Mr. Fetherston Min. of St Johns
(Also conducting services: 1659 Mr. Hunt Minester of Maries in Chester
1661 John Glindell Minester of St Peters in Chester
1661 John Wilson Minester of Trenity Parish in Chester)
1735-1740 Charles Oulton Vicar
1740-1777 Lawrence Adams Vicar
1777-1780 John Price, Vicar
1786-1837 Wm Richardson Vicar
1829-1837 Thomas Heath Curate
BTs give signatures as follows at year ends:
1735-6 Wm Nicholls, Pr Robinson;
1738 W.V. Merrell;
1738-9 Thos. Bridge;
1739-40 John Wright;
1740 Thos Hickman;
1741-42 Thos Hickman, John Whearwell;
1743-44 Jas. Comberbach, W. V. Merrell;
1745 Jno Thomason Hickson;
1745-46 Thos Corbin;
1746 Willm Jones;
1749 Thos Stringer, Thos Ley;
1750 Thos Ley, John Hiccocke;
1754 Benj. Maddocks;
1763 Will Bingley, Robt Boyd;
1764 Robt Boyd, Jos Beckett;
1765 Jos Beckett;
1774 Richd Golding, Thos Robinson;
1775 Thos Robinson, Thos Pinnington;
1776 Thos Pinnington, Dan Pickance;
1777 Jos Carter, William Sefton;
1778 William Sefton;
1779 Thos Jenkins;
1786-87 Thomas Griffies, Owen Lloyd;
1787-8 Owen Lloyd, Saml Vaughan;
1788-9 Thos. Barker;
1789-90 Thos. Barker, Will Seller;
1791 Thos Potter, Fras Parry;
1792 Fras Parry, John Peers;
1793 John Peers, Edwd Jones;
1794 Edwd Jones, Jno Bachondod;
1799 Edw Repington, Ralph Lowe;
1801 John Jones, Saml Robinson;
1802 Saml Robinson, Thos zzzz;
1804 James Parry, William Hickson;
1805 William Hickson, John Harrison;
1819 J Edwards, Josh Fitzgerald;
1820 Robt Fawkes, Richd Corlett.
1624/05/18 baptisms “being first after the fonte was bewtified” with an asterisk at the end of the line.
After Ma 1654/11/22 “Wedings accordinge to the Acte of Parlement - April the 7th 1655.”
1676 “This booke was taken into the church July 1676 and there everye Sabbath Christenings, Marrages & buriales to be entered by the minister church wardens and clark, the creation whereof is through many mistakes & defects made formerly by Thomas Morries clarke. Robt Warmingham, Peter Barker: Church Wardens”
After burial entries for March 1687 the following appears:
“May the 28th 1682 Collected for the Parish Church of Lumley in the County of zzzzz the sume Eighteen shillings & threepence.
September the 17th 1682 Collected for the towne Caister in the County of Lincoln the sume of nineteen shillings and fourpence.
December the 3rd 1682 Collected for the burning of two warehouses in Thomas Street in London the sume of thirteen shillings and a penny.
Feby 4th 1683 Collected for the towne of Prestine the sume of eighteen shillings and eight pence.” Near the bottom of the page is a name John Jzzzz
1693-1787 ‘Invaleed’ occurs many times. It is thought that these men were out-pensioners of the Chelsea Hospital, having seen military service and been wounded.
‘A Palatine’ occurs in 4 baptism and 10 burial entries in 1709.
From 1716 on, many burials are recorded as ‘buried at Spital/Spittle. St. Giles’ cemetery is situated at the beginning of Christleton Road, Boughton, about three-quarters of a mile East from St. John’s Church, Chester, and was used as a burial ground for a period in charge of St. John’s Church. Last burial at Spital recorded after 1854/09/25 (Garner).
At the front of the Register commencing in 1735 is a list of parish appointments [here calendared rather than transcribed] John Macock elected clerk March 25 1735
Thomas Carter elected clerk June 15th 1752. Thomas Palin nominated and appointed clerk by the Reverend Laurence Adams Vicar at the decease of Thomas Carter and approved by the Parishoners unanimously July 9th 1760. William Rawlinson nominated and appointed Parish Clerk of St. John the Baptist by the Reverend William Richardson Vicar at the decease of Thomas Palin 2 Feb.1791.
Benjamin Linney appointed Parish Clerk by the Reverend William Richardson Vicar on the decease of William Rawlinson 2 Feb.1808. At the same time, Joseph Carter appointed Sexton on the decease of his late father Benjamin Carter.
Bu 1769/10/11 (Orange) ‘Built house in churchyard’
Ba 1828/05/18 An asterisk leads to a footnote: “This Sir John S.P.S. was nephew of Piozzi who married the widow, Hester Lynch Thrale of Streatham, Dr. Johnson’s friend. She adopted her husband’s nephew, made him her heir and left him her fortune and villa in Wales, Brynbella, at Trmeirchion near St. Asaph. Sir John was knighted when a young man on taking up an address to the Prince Regent, as High Sherrif of Flintshire.”
In Bu 1855/02/02 (Orange) ‘House by porch pulled down this year’.
The ancient parish of Chester St John was partly within the urban area of Chester, but it also comprised until 1843 part of the township of Hoole (the rest in Plemstall ancient parish). In addition to Plemstall, St John’s was adjacent to the extra parochial area of Spital Boughton, as well as the city parishes of St Oswald, St Bridget, and St Mary on the Hill. In our period to 1871, the new ecclesiastical parishes of Chester Christ Church and of Boughton St Paul were created about 1840 (Youngs, below, gives 1843 for Christ Church and 1846 for St Paul; Williams states that the Christ Church registers and the St Paul registers begin in 1838. Any connection between St John and Shocklach that existed in 1563 (see Dyer and Palliser below) had ended by 1720. The nature of any connection between St John and the township of Wervin made in 1563 is unclear.
The population of St Johns ancient parish can be estimated by the number of households in ecclesiastical ‘censuses’ of 1563 (242) households or families), and c.1720 (548-568). The population of the ancient parish in 1801 was 3,831 people, and 11,943 in 1871 (including part of Hoole township).
J.H.E. Bennet and P. H. Lawson, comps, Monumental inscriptions in the church and churchyard of St John the Baptist, Chester” (typescript, 1912, copy in Cheshire Record Office).
Colin Phillips compiled these notes, using Jennifer Duncan’s digest of the information collected by transcribers and recorded with each transcription pad. Further information about the make-up of the register volumes, and the evolution of the parish, came from the original registers in the Cheshire Record Office. The population estimates were gathered as follows 1563: The diocesan population returns for 1563 and 1603, ed. A. D. Dyer and D. M. Palliser (British Academy: records of social and economic history, new series, vol. 31, 2005), p. 78; c. 1720 F. Gastrell, Notitia Cestriensis, ed. F.R .Raines, vol. I (Chetham Society, old series, VIII, 1845). For 1801 and 1871 see VCH Cheshire, vol. II, p. 211.) Details on the evolution of the parish came from C. Williams, Guide to the Cheshire Record Office ([Chester], 1991), p. 81; and Guide to the local administrative units of England, Vol. II Northern England, ed. F.A. Youngs, Jr (1991), pp. 13, 14, 39. The complex geography of the Chester parish can be followed in the base map in A.D.M. Phillips and C.B. Phillips, A new historical atlas of Cheshire (Chester, 2001).