Family History

Browne Willis
16 September 1682 – 5 February 1760
In 1742 the church of St Mary Magdalen burnt down in a fire which destroyed much of the town. Only the tower at the west end of the church survived the fire and its restoration took place led by the local notary, Browne Willis. Thirty pounds was spent in 'setting up, leading' and putting a new roof on the tower with the idea of rebuilding the rest of the church.
Browne Willis had previously made a survey of the church in about 1730 describing it as consisting of two aisles with a tower, 65 feet in height with six bells and a clock.
Willis was born at Blandford St Mary, Dorset, the eldest Son of Thomas Willis of Bletchley, Buckinghamshire. Between 1724 and 1730, Browne Willis built St. Martin's Church on the site of the old Chantry Chapel of St. Margaret and St. Catherine at Fenny Stratford. He was grandson of Dr Thomas Willis, the physician and fellow of the Royal Society
In order to perpetuate his own memory Browne Willis arranged for a sermon to be preached at St. Martin's. The firing of the 'Fenny Poppers', six small cannon, dates from this time. In 1740 Browne Willis bought a house in Aylesbury Street, Fenny Stratford and the rent from this was used to pay for the sermon and gunpowder for the Fenny Poppers. A tradition which continues today.
16 September 1682 – 5 February 1760
In 1742 the church of St Mary Magdalen burnt down in a fire which destroyed much of the town. Only the tower at the west end of the church survived the fire and its restoration took place led by the local notary, Browne Willis. Thirty pounds was spent in 'setting up, leading' and putting a new roof on the tower with the idea of rebuilding the rest of the church.
Browne Willis had previously made a survey of the church in about 1730 describing it as consisting of two aisles with a tower, 65 feet in height with six bells and a clock.
Willis was born at Blandford St Mary, Dorset, the eldest Son of Thomas Willis of Bletchley, Buckinghamshire. Between 1724 and 1730, Browne Willis built St. Martin's Church on the site of the old Chantry Chapel of St. Margaret and St. Catherine at Fenny Stratford. He was grandson of Dr Thomas Willis, the physician and fellow of the Royal Society
In order to perpetuate his own memory Browne Willis arranged for a sermon to be preached at St. Martin's. The firing of the 'Fenny Poppers', six small cannon, dates from this time. In 1740 Browne Willis bought a house in Aylesbury Street, Fenny Stratford and the rent from this was used to pay for the sermon and gunpowder for the Fenny Poppers. A tradition which continues today.