Castle Hedingham: The Great and the Good

During the past decade while I’ve been transcribing the registers from St Nicholas, Castle Hedingham, I’ve been making mental notes about some of the more interesting entries and thought I’d draw them together into some posts.  First off is the great and the good of Castle Hedingham, or, since I didn’t know any of these people personally and cannot make a judgement about their characters, the great.

From www.geograph.org.uk/photo/30510*

Castle Hedingham stands out from other villages because it has an actual castle in it: yes, the Hedingham Castle from which the village gets its name.  Lots of well-connected people have lived there and it has a website with a brief history.  (And many well-connected people have married there – like me! J)

The most famous inhabitants are, of course the de Vere family, Earls of Oxford.  The parish registers began in 1558 during the final months of the reign of Mary I, so the first de Vere who relates to the registers would be Edward, 17^th Earl of Oxford.  There’s a lot of nonsense about his being the real author of Shakespeare’s works, new works from Shakespeare continuing to appear after de Vere’s death in 1604 not being sufficient evidence to prevent a conspiracy theory flourishing.  The de Vere family likely had their baptisms elsewhere, perhaps privately at a chapel in the Castle, or in another village or even in London, as they do not appear in the baptismal register.  Later on the castle was in the ownership of the Majendie family and more recently has been in the hands of the Lindsays, descendants of the de Veres.

Other well-known residents were the Catesbys and the Jekylls.  Mark Catesby (follow the link to see his beautiful and vibrantly coloured illustrations of North American flora and fauna) was a naturalist, son of John Catesby and Elizabeth Jekyll.  Both Mark and his mother appear in the baptismal register.  Various other families were described as ‘gent’ in the parish registers – the Brewsters / Brusters, one of the many Smith families, the Kirbys (“Kirkebyes”) of Kirby Hall, the Scots, the Birds…I’m not going to be precious about who I include here as ‘great’: if the parish register said they were a gentleman or gentlewoman, here are their records in chronological order:

21 Feb 1558[/59]	Chr	Anna D of John KIRKEBYE Gentleman
9 Mar 1558[/59]	Bur	Giles SMITH Gent
11 Jul 1562	Bur	Mrs VERE wife of Mr Albrick VERE was buried the 11th of Juli. 1562. E.4.
31 Aug 1562	Bur	John DE VERE earle of Oxenford was buried the 31 of Aug. 1562
31 Dec 1562	Chr	Willium S of Willium BRUSTER Gentleman
15 Aug 1563	Bur	Ana KIRKEBYE gent infant.
6 Apr 1564	Chr	Cordal S of Willium BRUSTER Gentilman
17 May 1565	Chr	Bridget D of Willium BRUSTER Gent
20 Sep 1565	Chr	Marye D of John KIRKEBYE Gent
4 Feb 1566[/67]	Bur	Bridget BRUSTER gent infant
12 May 1568	Bur	Francis CHEMAN Gent
2 Jun 1569	Bur	Anna BRUSTER Gent
5 Sep 1573	Mar	John LAYTON Gent and Elizabeth TUSSER Gent
2 May 1575	Mar	Robert TURNER Gent and Anna COORTOPPE
17 Jul 1575	Chr	John S of Willium BRUSTER Gent
23 Aug 1575	Mar	Hugh VEERE Gent and Ellen WASHE Gent
31 Mar 1577	Chr	Edmund S of Willium BRUSTER Gent
9 Sep 1579	Chr	Anna D of Willium BRUSTER Gent
14 Mar 1579[/80]	Bur	Mr Alberye DE VEERE esquier was buried the 14th of March.1579.E.22.
24 Apr 1580	Bur	Susane DE VEERE daughter of Mr Hugh DE VEERE was buried the 24th of Apr.1580.Eliz.22.
17 Sep 1581	Chr	Edward S of Willium BRUSTER Gent
2 Apr 1583	Bur	Willium BRUSTER Gent
4 Apr 1583	Chr	Francis D of Arthur MILSE Gent
9 May 1583	Bur	The Earle of Oxenfords first sonne was buried the 9th of May 1583.E.25
24 Jun 1583	Bur	Mirable BRUSTER widow gentilwoman was buried the 24th of Jun.1583.E.25o.
31 Jul 1583	Bur	Margerye DE VEERE daughter of Hugh DE VEERE esquier was buried the 31 of Juli 1583.E.25.
3 Dec 1584	Mar	Laurence SCOT Gent and Jane KIRKEBY Gent
12 May 1586	Chr	Willium S of Laurence SCOT Gent
12 Dec 1587	Chr	Beniamin son of Beniamin BERD Gent
16 Feb 1587[/88]	Chr	Edmund S of Laurence SCOT Gent
22 Jul 1588	Bur	John KIRKEBYE Gent
7 Oct 1589	Chr	Marleuile D of Laurence SCOT Gent
21 Dec 1591	Chr	Laurence S of Laurence SCOT Gent
13 Dec 1592	Bur	Marye BERDE wife of Beniamin BERDE gent was buried the 13th of De.1592.E.35o.
6 Sep 1593	Chr	Willium S of Henrye KIRKEBEY Gent
21 Aug 1594	Chr	Elizabeth D of Laurence SCOT Gent
24 Apr 1595	Chr	Elizabeth D of Henrye KIRKEBEY Gent
13 Mar 1596[/97]	Chr	Beniamin S of John TEMPLE Gent.
5 Nov 1597	Bur	Joan GLASCOCKE wife of Edward GLASCOCKE gent was buried the 5th of No 1597.E.39o.
22 Jan 1597[/98]	Chr	Susanne D of Henrye KIRKEBEY Gent
23 Feb 1597[/98]	Chr	Marye D of Henrye SNELLOCKE Gent
5 Nov 1598	Bur	Henrye KIRKEBYE sonne of Henrye KIRKEBYE gent was buried the 5th of No. 1598 E.40.
4 Feb 1599[/1600]	Mar	John BURLES Gent single man and Dorcas SNELLOCK Gent single woman
19 Jun 1600	Chr	Francis D of Henrye KIRKEBEY Gent
28 Nov 1608	Chr	Abner son of Edward COO Gent
30 Sep 1616	Bur	Agnes LANGTON wife of Christopher LANGTON Gent was buried ye 30th of September 1616 Jacobi 14o.
18 Oct 1616	Bur	Elizabeth VEER Gentlewoman
29 Feb 1619[/20]	Bur	Christopher LANGTON Gentleman Minester of this towne was Buried the 29th of ffebruary 1619. Jacobi Anglie 17o
24 Jul 1620	Chr	Robert BAKON ye Sone of Mr Baequell BUKEON, Esquier was bap: Ye 24 of July 1620 Jac. 18
28 Aug 1621	Bur	Thomas SADLETON Gent
11 Feb 1621[/22]	Chr	Philliphe BACON ye Daughter of Mr Backqueell BACON Esquier was baptiz ye 11 of Februarye 1621 Jacobi 19.
7 Oct 1623	Mar	John SPENSCER Gent and Ane CARO Gent
25 Apr 1624	Bur	The Righte Worppfull Mr John DE VEARE Esquier was buryed ye 25 of Aprill 1624 Jacobi 22.
10 Jul 1625	Mar	Richard SMITHE Gent and Chatherine VEERE Gent
10 Mar 1632[/33]	Bur	Francis WHITEMORE Gentl.
12 May 1636	Bur	Barbery FOWLE ye wife of Thomas FOWLE Gent was buryed May 12th
31 Dec 1636	Bur	Mathew ELISTONE Gent
18 May 1637	Chr	Thomas S of Thomas SMITH Gent
14 Nov 1638	Bur	Jane SCOTT Gentellwoman
6 May 1639	Bur	The Right Wl Mrs Tomassin DE VEARE was buryed the 6th of Maye 1639
16 Jan 1639[/40]	Mar	Nickolas JEKIELL Gent single man and Elizabeth HOLLGATE single woman
13 Aug 1639	Bur	The Righte worpll. Henery CARONE was buryed the 13th of August 1639
2 May 1641	Chr	Elizabeth D of Nickolas JEKIELL Gent
12 Apr 1643	Mar	The Righte Worshipfull Mr Vear HERCOURTE and Mrs Lucye THORTON gentell woman wear maryed the 12th of Aprill 1643
27 Apr 1643	Bur	Elizabeth JEKIELL the daughter of Nickollas JEKIELL gent was buryed
8 Jun 1643	Bur	Elizabeth JEKIELL ye wife of Nickollas JEKIELL gent was buried
18 Dec 1643	Bur	Anthoney ROBERSONNE Gent
20 Aug 1651	Bur	Edward BUTTALL sonne of Edward BUTTALL Senior gent was buryed the 20th of of [sic] Auguste 1651
25 May 1654	Mar	Adam BOWEN Gent single man and Mary ADAMS ALIAS BUTCHER single woman
30 Jul 1660	Bur	Charles JEKILL sonne of Nicholas JEKILL gent
25 Aug 1661	Chr	John S of Nicholas JEKILL Gent
4 Feb 1662[/63]	Bur	Mary JEKILL daughter of Nicholas JEKILL Gent b: Febr 4
15 Mar 1662[/63]	Chr	Martha D of Nicholas JEKILL Gent
6 Jun 1663	Bur	Martha JEKILL daughter of Nicholas JEKILL gent
28 Oct 1664	Chr	Samuel S of Nicholas JEKYLL Gent
30 Oct 1664	Bur	Samuel Sonne of Nicholas JEKYLL gent
25 Jan 1665[/66]	Bur	William CARTER gent
7 Aug 1666	Chr	Ann D of Nicholas JEKYLL Gent
6 Jan 1668[/69]	Chr	Sara D of Nicholas JEKYLL Gent
3 Dec 1668	Chr	Christopher son of Christopher COURTMAN Gent
20 Jan 1670[/71]	Chr	John son of John CATESBY Gent
10 Jan 1671[/72]	Bur	Mary VERE Lady buryed January 10
9 May 1672	Chr	Jekyll CATESBY second son of John CATESBY Gent and Elizabeth his Wife Baptized May 9
10 Feb 1672[/73]	Bur	Christopher COURTMAN sonne of Christopher COURTMAN gent bury Febr 10
18 Nov 1673	Chr	Charles JEKYLL son of Nicholas JEKYLL Gent and Martha his Wife Baptized Novr 18th 25o Charles 2nd
16 Jun 1674	Bur	Charles JEKYLL son of Nicholas JEKYLL gent buri June 16
14 May 1676	Bur	Samuell CATESBY son of John CATESBY gent buried May 14th
29 Sep 1678	Bur	Henery CATESBY sonne of John CATESBY Gent buried Sept 29th
19 Jun 1679	Bur	Thomas JEKYLL Gent Sonne of Nicholas JEKYLL Gent buried Jun 19
15 Aug 1679	Bur	Martha JEKYLL wife of Nicholas JEKYLL Gent buried August 15
25 Apr 1680	Bur	Ann JEKYLL Daughter of Nicholas JEKYLL gent
30 Mar 1682[/83]	Chr	Mark CATESBY son of John CATESBY gent and Elizabeth his wife Baptiz March 30th Natus March 24th 1682
15 Nov 1683	Bur	Nicholas JEKYLL Senior Gent Buryd November 15th
31 Aug 1689	Bur	Thomas UNWIN Senr. Gent.
5 Dec 1690	Bur	John CATESBY the Younger Gent Buried Deceb 5th
30 Jun 1692	Chr	John CATESBY Son of John CATESBY Esq bapt June 30
12 Nov 1703	Bur	Mr John CATESBY of Sudbury was buryed at Hedingham Castle
20 Feb 1707	Mar	Thomas JEKYLL of Clarein [probably Clare in the county of Suffolk] and Martha NICHOLS of this Parish
26 Jan 1719[/20]	Bur	Sir William ASHURST
22 Jan 1733[/34]	Bur	William ASHHURST Esqr.
25 Sep 1736	Bur	Samuel ASHURST Esqr.
23 Nov 1749	Chr	Judith D of James HALLEY Esq. & Mary his Wife
4 Feb 1751[/52]	Chr	James S of James HALLEY Esq. & Mary his Wife
28 Sep 1753	Chr	Isabella D of James HALLEY Esq. & Mary his Wife
7 Mar 1755	Chr	James S of James HALLEY Esq. & Mary his Wife (March 7)
10 Apr 1755	Bur	Mrs Sarah ASHHURST of St Lawrence Jewry
20 May 1757	Chr	Philip S of James HALLEY Esqr. & Mary his Wife
21 Mar 1765	Bur	Thomas ASHHURST Esqr.
5 Aug 1785	Bur	Thomas UNWIN Esqr.
3 Feb 1786	Bur	Mrs Elizabeth ASHHURST Widow of Willm ASHHURST Esquire late of Hedingham Castle
13 Apr 1786	Chr	Thomas Fowell S of Thomas Fowell BUXTON Esqr. & Anna his Wife
6 Oct 1786	Bur	Henry MAJENDIE second Son and third Child of Lewis MAJENDIE and Elizabeth his Wife of Hedingham Castle
25 May 1788	Chr	Georgiana D of Lewis & Elizabeth MAJENDIE Esq. of Hedingham Castle, born 23 April 1788
28 Jun 1795	Chr	Henry Lewis S of Lewis & Elizabeth MAJENDIE Esqr. of Hedingham Castle, born 13 May 1795
11 Feb 1799	Bur	Peter EDWARDS Esqr. of Halstead
9 Nov 1807	Bur	Mrs Elizabeth MAJENDIE of Hedingham Castle the Wife of Lewis MAJENDIE Esqr. of that place
12 Feb 1818	Bur	Elizabeth MAJENDIE aged 80 of Hedingham Castle
8 Dec 1824	Chr	Mary Ann D of Thomas NUNN Gentleman late in India now in Paris
6 Dec 1825	Chr	Charles Brogden S of Charles & Louisa SPERLING Esqr. of Pie Corner, born 13 Oct 1825
29 Nov 1831	Chr	Rochfort Astle S of Charles Robert & Louisa SPERLING Esquire of Etchingham, Sussex born 24 Oct 1831
3 Jun 1833	Chr	Harriett Louisa D of Charles Robert & Louisa SPERLING Esquire of Etchingham, Sussex born 7 May 1833
21 Aug 1833	Bur	Lewis MAJENDIE Esq. aged 77 of Hedingham Castle
29 Jan 1835	Chr	Frederic Van Hagen S of Charles Robert & Louisa SPERLING Esquire of Etchingham, Sussex born 31 Dec 1834
10 Nov 1837	Chr	Rosalie Caroline D of Charles Robert & Louisa SPERLING Esquire of Etchingham, Sussex born 14 Oct 1837
26 Sep 1839	Chr	Henry Reginald S of Charles Robert & Louisa SPERLING Esquire of Etchingham, Sussex born 31 Aug 1839
15 May 1841	Bur	Georgina Augusta Maria Ashhurst MAJENDIE of Dunmow aged 1 year and 6 months
4 Sep 1841	Chr	Rowland Morley S of Charles Robert & Louise SPERLING Esquire born 8 Aug 1841
12 Feb 1851	Chr	Gertrude Agnes D of Thomas Littell & Susannah Hamilton BRIDGE MORLEY of River Lane, Gentleman, born 13 Jan 1851
12 Feb 1851	Chr	Susannah Laura D of Thomas Littell & Susannah Hamilton BRIDGE MORLEY of River Lane, Gentleman
11 Sep 1855	Bur	Georgiana MAJENDIE aged 67 of Richmond, Surrey
10 Nov 1862	Chr	Ethel Harriet Ellen D of Charles & Eliza Mary SPERLING Esq of Pie Corner
13 Jan 1863	Bur	Mary Lewis MAJENDIE aged 67 of Great Dunmow
12 Oct 1867	Bur	Ashhurst MAJENDIE aged 83 of Hedingham Castle
12 Aug 1868	Bur	Frances MAJENDIE aged 80 of Hedingham Castle
24 Jul 1869	Bur	Emma Sophie MAJENDIE aged 62 of Great Yeldham
29 Jun 1874	Chr	Augustus John Morley S of John & Henrietta Augustus CHAPMAN of Walsall, Staffordshire, Gentleman
3 Jun 1881	Chr	Willie Aston S of Edward & Jane BURKE of Walter Belchamp, Essex, Gentleman
10 Jan 1885	Bur	Thomas Littell Morley BRIDGE aged 82 of Castle Hedingham, in the New Burial Ground
29 Oct 1885	Bur	Lewis Ashhurst MAJENDIE aged 50 of Castle Hedingham
2 Dec 1888	Chr	Grace Carina D of Timothy & Annette BENNINGTON of The Castle, Gentleman
22 Feb 1893	Chr	Lettice Joan D of Timothy & Annette BENNINGTON of The Castle, Gentleman
14 Jan 1902	Bur	Eleanor Elizabeth Ashurst MAJENDIE aged 52 of S. Katharine’s Precinct, Regents Park, London
30 Jan 1912	Bur	Margaret Elizabeth MAJENDIE aged 61 of Lockinge House, Wantage, Berks
8 Apr 1914	Chr	Nicholas Vincent Patrick Eyre S of Edward Eyre & Nellie WILLIAMSON of The Cedars, Castle Hedingham, Gentleman
30 Jan 1981	Bur	Musette Frances Jacqueline Natalie MAJENDIE aged 77 of Hedingham Castle

*Photo © Copyright David Phillips and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.