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.
Mixed Registers
Volume 1 1582-1659
(Cheshire Archives and Local Studies CALS reference: PR7/1/1)
Separate sequences for each event, except mixed entries for
1611-1612 entered amongst the baptisms, with corresponding gaps
in the marriage and burial sequences.
Baptisms 1582 - November 1651;
Marriages 1582 - October 1648;
Burials 1582 -April 1649.
Then mixed entries December 1651 to April 1659 (baptisms),
February 1659 (marriages) and
March 1659 (burials),
written on a different size of parchment.
For baptisms there are gaps between July 1615 and February 1616,
and for burials between May-December 1615, with no records
for January 1616.
In the baptisms for July 1615 there are 5 crossed out entries,
which are given under Oddities, below.
In 1812 (see Oddities below) it was reported that there
were no marriages extant for 1649, 1650, and 1654-57,
and there are now none for 1658.
Volume 2 1659-1688 (CALS reference: PR7/1/2) Separate sequences for each event. Baptisms (see Oddities below) April 1659-October 1688; Burials April 1659 -September 1688; Marriages November 1661-January 1688. Gap in marriages from February 1659 to November 1661.
Volume 3 1688-1754 (CALS reference: PR7/1/3) Separate sequences for each event. Baptisms November 1688-April 1752; Burials October 1688-April 1752; Marriages December 1688-February 1754. In baptisms the month names for March and April 1689 are written in such a way as to indicate no records, and May is omitted completely.
Volume 4 1752-1796 (CALS reference: PR7/1/4)
Separate sequences of baptisms and burials. Baptisms May 1752-March 1796; Burials May 1752-April 1796.
There is also a rough notebook of Baptisms and Burials from 1782 to 1796 which is not included in this database.
Volume 5 1796-1812 (CALS reference: PR7/1/5) Separate sequences of baptisms and burials. Baptisms May1796-December 1812; Burials April 1796-December 1812.
Registers of Christenings 1813-November 1890 four volumes.
Registers of Marriages November 1754-June 1876 six volumes of which the first two have banns at their ends, not included in this database.
Registers of burials 1813-November 1882 four volumes.
There is a register of graves dated about 1871, not included in this database.
Registers in Latin
None.
BTs Lacking (with help from CALS list)
Baptisms before 1607 except for 1581, 1609-1610, 1611-1617, 1619, 1621, 1626, 1631, 1632, 1635-1639, 1641-1662, 1664, 1669, 1678, 1686, 1690, 1697, 1769, 1816-1824, 1826, after 1867
Marriages before 1607 except for 1581, 1609-10, 1619, 1621, 1626; those for 1627 are torn and illegible; 1631-32, 1635-1639, 1641-1662, 1664, 1678, 1686, 1690, 1697, 1769, 1816-1824, 1826, after 1867
Burials before 1607 except for 1581, 1609-10, 1619, 1621, 1626; those for 1627 are torn and illegible; 1631-32, 1635-1639, 1641-1662, 1664, 1678, 1686, 1690, 1697, 1769, 1816-1824, 1826, after 1867
Dating
See Oddities below
Baptisms
Ba After 25 July 1615 baptismal entries for the following
five people have been deleted:
John son of Wm Hill, and John son of Robert Wood, both dated 15 July
Susan daughter of Mr Wood dated 25 July
Robert son of Robert Ankers
Rzzz son of Edward Hill dated 11 March 1618
Ba 1627/04/22 Beley BT only.
May have been crossed out in PR but illegible.
Ba 1625 ‘Joseph Tofte’ is written to the left of the heading ‘November’
Ba 1634/10/25 Peirson Forename ‘Quinph’ doubtful, partly crossed out in PR.
Ba 1775/05/07 Openshaw BT only
Ba 1795/02/08 Read BT only
Ba 1795/o2/15 Leech BT only
Ba 1795/03/01 Hulme BT only
Ba 1795/03/01 Bentley BT only
Ba 1795/03/01 Armstrong BT only
Ba 1795/03/08 Locket BT only
Ba 1795/03/08 Moreton BT only
Ba 1795/03/08 Fielding BT only
Ba 1795/03/15 Grey BT only
Ba 1795/04/05 Doan BT only
Ba 1795/04/07 Barrett BT only
Ba 1801/05/14 Foden BT only
Ba 1801/11/29 Street BT only
Ba 1830/03/14 Embleton BT only
Marriages
Ma 1672/02/09 Gatley BT only
Ma 1672/02/20 Leigh BT only
Burials
Bu 1674/05/16 Wright BT only
Bu 1771/04/21 Greenall BT only
Bu 1774/03/11 Vaudrey BT only
Bu 1774/03/17 Venables BT only
Bu 1775/04/25 Leigh BT only
Bu 1792/05/11 Mair BT only
Bu 1793/06/09 Brandele BT only
Bu 1806/03/14 Jackson BT only
Bu 1806/04/12 Jackson BT only.
One Jackson may be in PR under different date
Bu 1814/01/29 Kinsey BT only
Bu 1833/04/13 Harker BT only
Bu 1833/04/21 Cross BT only
At the front of the earliest parish register, PR7/1/1:
“The Contents of this Volume.
1st Baptisms from the year 1581 to 1651
2nd Marriages ditto ditto 1501 to 1648
3rdly Burials ditto ditto 1581 to 1649
4thly Baptisms, Marriages and Burials intermixed to? the 1659.
NB there are some burials mixed with the Baptisms in the first part
[signed] O.L. 1798”
Also added in pencil:
“No entries of marriages in this book 1649, 1650,
1654, 1655, 1656, 1657
[signed] H.G. 1812”
Inside front of the second volume, PR7/1/2
“The contents of this book are
1st Baptisms from 1659 to 1688
2nd Burials from 1659 to 1688
3llo Marriages from 1659 [59 struck out and 61 inserted in
pencil] to 1688
O. L. 1798.
In pencil “Peter Hunter vicar of the parochial
chapelry 1660.”
On parchment sheet is written: John Athur Slacke 1662 [?]
[?]Mr Robert Chantley Clarke 1669 may ?
Inside parchment sheet “The Register Booke of all
Christenings, Marriages and Burialls at the parochall chapelry
of Knuttsford Begun the 14 day of April 1659”.
Baptisms
In PR7/1/2 inside front cover Note of the birth of Edmund Howe, son of Edmund Howe, Saturday 4 June 1651, Mary Howe daughter of aforesaid Edmund born 16 August 1657, and Margaret Howe daughter of aforesaid Edmund born 1 April 1660.
In PR7/1/2 after bap on 16 August 1662 a double line across the page and the rest left blank. New page has heading “Christenings”, and the first is dated 12 October 1662. No similar break in burials or marriages, but there are no buials between 27 August and October, and marriages between 22 July and 25 November.
In PR7/1/2 on backing sheet, note of the birth of Margery daughter of Richard Shaw of Nether Knutsford, January 15 1697.
In PR7/1/3 inside front cover is a note that Katherine dau of John Leadbetter of Nether Knutsford was baptised 14 March 1692.
In PR7/1/3, after 1744/06/22 is inserted:
“The new Parish Church of St. John Baptist in Knutsford
was consecrated by the Right Revd Father in God Samuel, Lord
Bishop of Chester the 24th day.”
In PR 7/1/3 After 1751/12/25 in Baptisms, and 1751/12/19 in
Burials is the following:
“According to a late Act of Parliament the New or
Gregorian style now commences, the first day of January ensuing
being to be computed the first day of the year 1752 and the
computation of every hear henceforward is to begin on the first
day of January and not as hitherto on the 25th day
of March.”
The next entries begin in January 1752.
PR7/1/3, after 1752/04/21, the last baptism, “attested by Samuel Sanders Vicar”, and the same after 1751/08/30 for burials and 1752/04/26 for marriages.
In PR7/1/4 “Baptisms continued from volume the 3rd”. Temp O, Leycester as vicar he attests pages and notes when copies were given in at visitations.
In PR7/1/4, baptisms after 21 September 1752, “NB This
month of September contains only 19 days viz from
the 2nd to the 14th being this year
omitted according to the direction of the late Act of Parliament
for altering the style end of October.
(attested by) Saml Sanders.”
In 1806, concerning the baptism of Edward Holland:
“We, the undersigned Swinton Colthurst Holland &
Anna Holland both late inhabitants of Knutsford in the County
Palatine of Chester - Subjects of his Brittanick Majesty
(& married in the Parish Church of Knutsford by the reverend
Oswald Leycester, Vicar of the said parish the ninth day of May
last in the year of 1805) at present residing in the City of
Trieste do declare ourselves the real legitimate parents of
Edward Holland born on the 11th day of February
last, & baptized this day by the Reverend Pastor Schulby,
Minister of the Lutheran Church in this City.
In faith of which we have hereunto subscribed our names in the
presence of:
25th Day of March 1806
Signed in the presence of:
Catherine Holland S.C.Holland
James Manley A.Holland
“We, the undersigned, do certify that the above is a
true copy of a written statement by Swinton Colthurst Holland,
Gentleman, a late inhabitant of Knutsford and now a resident
in the city of Trieste and signed by himself and A. Holland
his wife, in the presence of Catherine Holland and James
Manley as witness our hands this 15th December, 1806.
Geo. Smith, Curate of Knutsford
Samuel Holland of Sandlebridge
Father of the said Swinton Colthurst Holland, who can take
oath that the above signatures S.C.Holland and A.Holland were
the real handwriting of his son and daughter-in-law aforesaid.
“We, Edward Stanley, Consul General of his Britannick
Majesty at Trieste do hereby certify and make known to all whom
it may concern, that I was present at the baptism of the child
of Swinton Colyhurst and Anne Holland, both subjects of his
Britannick Majesty, and who have signed the above certificate to
which full and undoubted faith is to be given, within and out of
court: and that the said child was Baptized in this city on
the 25th day of March 1806 by the Reverend Pastor
Schulby, Minister of the Lutheran Church, by the name of Edward,
and is hereby acknowledged to be the lawful subject of his
Britannick Majesty and this certificate is duly entered into
the Official Register of the British Consulate.
In testimony to the truth whereof we have set our Hand &
Seal of Office at Trieste this 25th March 1806.
Edward Stanley
“We the undersigned do certify that the above is a true
copy of a written Instrument, to which were set the Hand &
Seal of Office of Edward Stanley, Consul General of his
Britannick Majesty at Trieste.
As witness our Hands this 15th Day of December,
1806.
Geo. Smith, Curate of Knutsford
Samuel Holland of Sandlebridge
Marriages
Begin in PR7/1/1
“A true register of all marriages from the 28 January in
the yeare of our lord God 1581 accordinge to the Quenes
majesty’s Instructions”.
After 1590/03/13 is written;
“In the year of our Lord God 1590 we found no marriages
at all”
Before 1603/08/08 is a note;
“In as much as Richard Yearwood and Elizabeth his wife
of Knottesford in theCountie of Cheshire have been of a long
time ... ... ... .their health knowe you therefore that I,
Thomas Broome, Curat of the pysh of Knottesford aforsayed have
licensed the sayd Richard Yearwood and Elizabeth his wife for
the better recovery of their health to eat flesh during all the
tyme of their sickness and until such tyme as they shal
perfectly have recovered their health according to the
Queenes ma/ties lawes and statutes in such cases made and
provided for, witness hereunto the said Thomas Broome hath
registered the same the xxth day of March in the xivth year
of the reign of our Soverayne ladie Elizabeth in the year of
Grace of God Queene of England France and Ireland defender of
the fayth 1602.
Thomas Broome Curat
In the pysh of Knottesford William Highfield
John Ankers”
In PR7/1/2 after 23 April 1665. Note of end of year and of visitataion at Knottesford, similar notes 19 May 1666, 13 May 1667, 20 April 1668
PR7/1/3, after 1752/04/21, the last baptism, “attested by Samuel Sanders Vicar”, and the same after 1751/08/30 for burials and 1752/04/26 for marriages.
PR7/1/3, after last marriage, “NB marriage are carried on further in this volume than baptisms or burials viz to 15 March 1754 being the time of the commencement of the Act of Parliament for the better preventing of clandestine marriages. Finis”.
Burials
PR7/1/2, after 8 May 1664 a line and a note “year end forr the last visitation at Frodsham the 24 May 1664.” Similar notes for Knuttesford 26 April 1665, 19 May 1666, Nether Knuttesdfrd 13 May 1667, 20 April 1668, After this date the formula “Soe ends the year 16**” with a line across the page is used in many years.
PR 7/1/3, 1720/02/03 Rylance “No affidavit for the said Rachel Rylance was brought within 8 days after her burial the same was certified to Francis Acton Church warden of Ou[e]r Knutsford upon the 15th day of February An Dom 1719/20
In PR 7/1/3 After 1751/12/25 in Baptisms, and 1751/12/19 in Burials is the following: “According to a late Act of Parliament the New or Gregorian style now commences, the first day of January ensuing being to be computed the first day of the year 1752 and the computation of every hear henceforward is to begin on the first day of January and not as hitherto on the 25th day of March.” The next entries begin in January 1752.
PR7/1/3, after 1752/04/21, the last baptism, “attested by Samuel Sanders Vicar”, and the same after 1751/08/30 for burials and 1752/04/26 for marriages.
On parchment flysheet of PR7/1/3 “Mary Green of Nether Knutsford who was found zzz [dead, and] was buried January 27 1700.
PR7/1/4, before burials begin is a memo on a contested election in which Thomas Partington was elected by the vestry as sexton 1 December 1782
After 1809/04/15 (Lee) is written:
“George Leycester of Toft Esquire died on 15 April and
was buried on 20 April 1809 at Cheltenham.”
Curates of the parochial chapelry
1599-1611 Thomas Broome
1660 Peter Hunter Minister of God’s Word
1668-1685 Kettlesbie Turner
1688-1739 James Robinson
Vicars
1744-1770 Samuel Sanders
1770-1785 Joseph Hadfield
1787-1798 Oswald Leycester
1809-1825 Harry Grey (non-resident from 1819)
1824-1864 Robert Clowes
Assistant clergy and curates
1688 Mr Toungs (? Curate)
1744 John Byron
1771 Robert Wright
1771-1791 John Foden
1791-1797 George Smith
1819-?1824 Robert Gell Stipendiary curate
1819-?1824 Andrew Guyse Kinsman Stipendiary curate
From 1836 there was a Chaplain of the House of Correction at Knutsford whose names appear in the registers.
Churchwardens (or Chapelwardens)
1599 Robert Bent, Walther Leadward, John Woode, John
Rydgwaye; 1600 Richard Sudlow, William Yearwood, James Downes,
John Rydwaye, (In ma Edmonnd Yeule instead of Rydwaye); 1602
Robart Burges, Peter Chorlton, William Yearwood, John Acton;
1604 John Anckers, John Houghe, Willaim Highfeeld, Edward
Partington.
In ma Philipe Pemberton, Homfraye Yearwood, Thomas Leycester,
Johan Rydgwaye; 1605 Henrye Antrobus, Geffray Aldcrofte, John
Ridgwaye, Robert Fodon; 1606 John Hough, Richard Yearwood Robt
Swintone, Edward Houle; 1607 James Millington, Raffe Burges,
Raffe Newall, John Cadman; 1608 Raphe Sprage, William Aldcrofte,
John Acton, Randull Moores; 1609 William Bostock, Robert Norbury,
Robert Barlowe, George Partington; 1611 Richarde Suddlowe,
Jefferie Aldcrofte, Edward Partington, John Woode;
1613 George Ankers, Robt Shaw, Philip Downes, John Edge the
Younger;
1667 William Danniell, Richard Lowndes, Randle Mores, James
Ridgway; 1668 John Toft, William Heighfeild, John Holland,
Randell Cadman;
1673 Thomas Bartles, John Ashton, John Ridghway, Samuell
Slacke
[Sidesmen William Hurst, Israel Lowe, Ralph Shaw, William
Greenwood]
1674 James Johnson, Richard Aldcroft, Samuell Leigh, Thomas
C(T?)adman [sidesmen Humfery Blackburne, Josaph Barlington,
William Baguley, John Burgis]; 1688 Jo Forness
1705ish Robt Hewitt, Danl Royle; John Hewitt, John
Pool, zzzz, zzzz; 1709 Robert Hewitt, Daniel Royle (his mark);
1710 Uriah Low; 1718 Jas Porter, Wm Pimlott;
Knutsford lies towards the centre of the county of Cheshire. When the registers began, Knutsford was a parochial chapelry in the ancient parish of Rostherne. By Act of Parliament in 1741, 14 Geo II cap 5, it became a separate ecclesiastical parish. It was bounded to the north-west by the parish of Rostherne, to the north-east by the parish of Mobberley, to the east and south by the parochial chapelry of Over Peeover (also part of the parish Rostherne), and to the west by Great Budworth parish. The parochial chapelry, later parish comprised the townships of Bexton, Nether Knutsford, Over Knutsford, Ollerton, and Toft. In the nineteenth century, Ollerton became part of the new parish of Marthall for which registers begin in 1839; Toft and Bexton became the new parish of Toft in 1855; and Over Knutsford, with the district of Cross Town in Nether Knutsford, formed the new parish of Knutsford St Cross in 1858. The population of Knutsford parochial chapelry can be estimated by the number of households in ecclesiastical ‘censuses’ of 1563 (140 households or families), c.1720 (412), and, in the parish, in 1778 (518 houses), while the sum of the households in the townships of the parochial chapelry in the hearth tax of 1664 was 273. The population of the parish in 1801 was 2,870 people, and about 3,500 people lived in the 1871 parish.
Previous transcriptions and monumental inscriptions
[anon] Fiched transcript of burials 1582-1752 [copy in CALS]
[anon], “[Knutsford] Monumental Inscriptions: East churchyard, wall tablets and stained glass” (Sale, North Cheshire FHS,1975 [ TS copy in CALS]
[anon], “[Knutsford] Monumental Inscriptions: West churchyard” (Sale, North Cheshire FHS,1978 [ TS copy in CALS]