Gravestones
Volunteers from Living Archive MK set about trying to find out more about the lives of people who are buried in the graveyard.
During late 2016 and early 2017 Helen Aylott and Dianne Sutton, with help from Judith Francis, used the printed Taylor transcribed Parish Registers for Stony Stratford, available in Stony Stratford Library, to see what they could find out about the people and families mentioned on the gravestones.
In 1974 Tanya Egan had recorded the inscriptions on the gravestones at St Mary Magdalen for an academic project and our grateful thanks go to her. Without her work we would not have been able to undertake much of the gravestone research as during the intervening 40 plus years many of the stones have become almost illegible.
Helen Aylott collated and typed all of the information we gleaned and with her daughter Sue Scofield took all the photographs.This included cleaning many of the stones to make them legible, and both deserve huge thanks for their work on the project.
Thanks are also due to Roger Emery and Wolverton and District Archaeological and Historical Society for making Tanya’s data available to us, the staff at Stony Stratford Library for accommodating our research and especially Mr Taylor for transcribing the records and making them publically available.
The information below is an example of what has been traceable for each identifiable family name and which could be of assistance to anybody who is tracing their own family history. Using the Censuses and checking on Historic Trade Registries in the 1800s, volunteers managed to put the families together and became overwhelmed with the amount of information which came to light. Emotions were aroused for some of the families when their tragedies were noted, such as ‘Here lieth the remains of eight infants of the above named.’ hidden under the lichen at the bottom of a stone and the realisation that many people died at a very early age compared to today, presumably from illnesses of that era and sheer hard work. It was also hard to absorb how many families lost their first infant son and kept producing children until one survived into adulthood; this resulted in several wives dying young and the father taking a second wife within a short space of time to look after himself and the living children. We also established the occupations of some of the families, many of which were innkeepers, of course, and also where in Stony Stratford they were practicing their trade.
Below is just a small sample of the many gravestones researched by our volunteers. A more comprehensive list can be downloaded at the bottom of the page.
As with any research of this kind readers are reminded to check the original records for themselves.
During late 2016 and early 2017 Helen Aylott and Dianne Sutton, with help from Judith Francis, used the printed Taylor transcribed Parish Registers for Stony Stratford, available in Stony Stratford Library, to see what they could find out about the people and families mentioned on the gravestones.
In 1974 Tanya Egan had recorded the inscriptions on the gravestones at St Mary Magdalen for an academic project and our grateful thanks go to her. Without her work we would not have been able to undertake much of the gravestone research as during the intervening 40 plus years many of the stones have become almost illegible.
Helen Aylott collated and typed all of the information we gleaned and with her daughter Sue Scofield took all the photographs.This included cleaning many of the stones to make them legible, and both deserve huge thanks for their work on the project.
Thanks are also due to Roger Emery and Wolverton and District Archaeological and Historical Society for making Tanya’s data available to us, the staff at Stony Stratford Library for accommodating our research and especially Mr Taylor for transcribing the records and making them publically available.
The information below is an example of what has been traceable for each identifiable family name and which could be of assistance to anybody who is tracing their own family history. Using the Censuses and checking on Historic Trade Registries in the 1800s, volunteers managed to put the families together and became overwhelmed with the amount of information which came to light. Emotions were aroused for some of the families when their tragedies were noted, such as ‘Here lieth the remains of eight infants of the above named.’ hidden under the lichen at the bottom of a stone and the realisation that many people died at a very early age compared to today, presumably from illnesses of that era and sheer hard work. It was also hard to absorb how many families lost their first infant son and kept producing children until one survived into adulthood; this resulted in several wives dying young and the father taking a second wife within a short space of time to look after himself and the living children. We also established the occupations of some of the families, many of which were innkeepers, of course, and also where in Stony Stratford they were practicing their trade.
Below is just a small sample of the many gravestones researched by our volunteers. A more comprehensive list can be downloaded at the bottom of the page.
As with any research of this kind readers are reminded to check the original records for themselves.
John Burt
(Surgeon of this place) Who died 5th July 1804 aged 43 Here also are deposited the remains of Susanna his second wife who died May 14th1825 and also of the above named John Burt who died on the 2nd day of October 1832 in the 81st year of his age. Note: This stone was found under stone Number 1. Further information: Note: The Stone commemorating Ann Susanna Burt appears to have the maker or stonemason’s name of Rervill Stony Stratford marked on it. Note: John Burt is registered in the Wolverton & District Archaeological and Historical Society’s Trade Register (WDAHSTR) as a Surgeon in 1824 and lived on the East Side. Note: John Burt is registered in the Historical Trades Directory as being a Gentleman in1832 living in High Street, Stony Stratford Note: in Taylor Parish Records 1796-1812 Vol 8 Anne Burt wife of John Burt was buried on 26th June 1804 Susannah Burt was buried on 30th May 1825 aged 61 John Burt was buried on 8th October 1832 aged 80 Hollier
Sacred to the memory of Sophia Hittier sister of M ……..Eliz. Watson died Aug 16th, 1830 aged 54 Further Information: Sophia Hittier: There is no Burial recorded from the 20th July to 7th October in the year 1830. Therefore the year could have been misread. Sophia Hittier is believed to be the sister of M …… Eliz Watson (See No: 009 above). There is no record of the birth of the two sisters in or around the 1760s to the Watson family. Note: Further inspection of the photograph of the gravestone depicts a Sophia Hollier who died on the 4th August 1839 aged 51, indicating that the date may have originally been misread. Hamblin
To the memory of Jon Hamblin Who departed this life Jan 26th 1821 aged 53 years. Note: Photo 103 is of a gravestone bearing the inscription ‘To the Memory of Mary wife of Joseph Hamblin’. Dates illegible. Further information: Joseph Hamblin died 26th January 1821 aged 53 years. He was buried on 31st January 1821 [Taylors Parish Register for Burials (No. 292) Vol: 15] Note: His age is given in the above register as 54 years. Note: There is mention of a Catherine Hamblin in the Historical Trade Directories of Stony Stratford in1824 being a teacher and living on the West Side. Note: There is also an entry in the above directory of a Joseph Hamblin being a Teacher in 1832 and residing at School, Market Place, Stony Stratford. Sibbie
In memory of Sibbie the wife of John Horn who departed this life the 24th day of January 1736 in the 52nd year of her age Further information: entry in [Taylors Parish Records of Burial 1715-1738 Volume 4] shows Sibylla wife of Mr Charles Horn was buried on the 26th January 1736 aged 52 years. Entry in [Taylors Parish Records of Marriages1715-1738 Volume 4] shows Mr. Charles Horn and Mrs. Sibylla Ayres were married by licence on 10th April 1732 It is unusual for someone at this period of time to be referred to in the PRs as MR unless they are of an upper class. The marriage entry also uses MR and MRS suggesting that Sibylla is a widow. The stone is now illegible so John may have been read as Charles. The Licence, which would have told more about the couple is not at the Centre for Bucks Studies. However, Mr Horn has called his late wife ‘Sibbie’, rather than the formal Sibylla on the gravestone which suggests they are not of the gentry and Sibbie is a given name found amongst the Gypsy community. Her surname Ayres is also found amongst the travelling community and Horn is a variant of Hearn, which is also a Gypsy surname, so one wonders if this couple were Gypsies who frequently stopped at Stony on their travels. If the marriage licence can be found it could shed further light on them. |
Watts
To the memory of Sarah Watts wife of John Watts who died April 27th 1835 Further information: Note: Sarah Watts Burial was recorded in as 30th April 1833 [Taylor Parish Records of Burial 1813-1865 Vol: 15] She was the Mother of the above Elizabeth Ann Watts. She was also the Mother of: John Watts who was baptised 11th October 1836 [Taylors Parish Records of Baptism 1813-1850 Vol: 15] John Watts the Husband of Sarah Watts and father of Elizabeth Ann, infant and son John Watts. His occupation was Postboy. Longman
Sacred to the memory of Richard Longman who died 16th Jan 1822 aged 40 years R. L. 1822. Further Information: Richard Longman died 16th January 1822. He was buried 23rd January 1822 aged 41years [taken from Taylors Parish Records of Burials (No. 340)1812-1865 Vol.15] Note 1: In a further entry in No.078 of this document, Richard Longman is mentioned again with an additional comment that he was the Husband of Lya Longman. Note 2: There is a Richard Longman registered in the Historic Trade Directories of Stony Stratford in 1824, a Publican at The George Inn in 1811. Note 3: There is a further entry of Elizabeth Longman in the above Directory as a Publican in 1824 at “The Cock” on the East Side. Heddleston
Robert Heddleston Late Officer of the Exchange Stony Stratford died October 7th 1819 Further information: Robert Heddleston died 7th October 1819, aged 62. He was buried on 10th October 1819 [taken from Taylors Parish Record for Burial 1813-1865 Vol: 15] He is recorded on his tombstone as: Officer of the Excise (no records kept of individual Officers at this time.) Note: Officer of the Excise was an elected official who collected the Excise Duty payable on many products during the late 1700s and throughout the1800s. It was applicable to any sale or manufacture of certain goods, such as spirits, beers, cider and Perry products as well as tobacco. The wide production and use of barley and other crops to brew malt in a major coaching centre such as Stony Stratford would have been extensive and taxed. A fixed tax could also be levied on an occupation such as attorney of law, doctors and other professional members of the town. Dickins
To the memory of Sarah Dickins wife of George Dickins who died Aug 4th1820 aged 73 years Further Information: Dickens George registered in Historical Trade Directories of Stony Stratford (1792, 1798, 1811, 1824 and 1832) as a Baker residing in Old Stratford. Sarah Dickens wife of George died 4th August 1820 and was buried on 6th August 1820 |
Watson
In memory of Matthew Watson (Late of the Bull Inn) He died Sept 10th 1827 aged 50 years also Perry Watson son of the above died March 13th 1832 aged 20 and of Elizabeth wife of Matt Watson died Feb 4th 1837 aged 57 (Stonemason) Harrison Buckingham Further information: Matthew Watson (at St. Mary Magdalene) was buried September 15th, 1827, aged 50 [Taylor Parish Records 1813-1865 Vol: 15] There was a Percy Watson buried at St. Mary Magdalene March 17th, 1831 age 19 [Taylor Parish Records 1813-1865 Vol: 15] Note: on further inspection of the gravestone the inscription reads ‘also of PEREY Watson son of the above who died March 13th, 1832 age 20 years’. The previous entry was probably a miss-spelling of Perry Elizabeth Watson of Old Stratford was buried Feb 7th, 1837 age 57 [Taylor Parish Records 1813-1865 Vol: 15] Note: The inscription of ‘Harrison’ and ‘Buckingham’ on the gravestone are believed to be the name of the Stonemason Note: The Historical Trade Directory records Matthew Watson as a publican of The Bull, East Side in 1824 and Elizabeth Watson as a publican of The Bull in High Street, Stony Stratford in the same Trade Register in 1832. Wall
Simon Wall who died Sept 29th1861 aged 76 years also of Anne Wall wife of Simon Wall died Oct 21st 1864 aged 76 SW 1861 Further information: When the 1861 census was taken Simon Wall, aged 76, who described himself as a Gentleman, was living in Wolverton with a wife, Ann, aged 73. He was shown as being born in Daventry, Northants and she in Stony Stratford. On the 1851 census Simon is living in Kilsby near Rugby, Warwickshire, a retired cattle dealer, aged 66. Ann is not in the household on census night. On the 1841 census Simon and Ann are both in Kilsby with a young man called William Adams also in the household. Simon is a cow dealer. The Walls appear to have a non-conformist background as a Simon Wall was baptised at the Independent Chapel at Kilsby on 1st January 1830, born 29th December 1828. A Mary Wall was baptised at Sheaf Street Independent in Daventry on 18th March 1822, born 3rd November 1821. A Richard Wall was baptised at either Kilsby Independent or the Newport Pagnell Great Meeting on 29th May 1825, born 5th October 1824 and it may be he who marries Mary Ann Boyes 28th August 1855 at St. Andrews in Rugby. Clare
To the memory of Will Clare husband of Hannah Clare died March 11th 1814 Further information:William (son) was baptised on 17th April 1803 and was buried on 23rd January 1831 [taken from Parish Burial Records No: 606 Baptisms & Burials Vol: 8] William Clare and Hannah Brown of this Parish were married January 29th 1803. [Marriages1794-1812 and Banns 1794-1819 Vol:7] Will Clare (husband) was buried on 18th March 1814 [taken from Parish Burial Records No: 6] Hannah Clare wife of above died in October 1851 aged 76 and was buried on 16th October 1851. [Parish Burial Records 1813-1865 No: 1237 Vol:15] Thomas son of William and Hannah Clare was baptised on 28th April 1805 Sarah CLARE daughter of William and Hannah Clare was borne 20th April 1807 and Baptised 3rd May l807. Elizabeth CLARE daughter of William and Hannah CLARE was born on 10th June 1812 and Baptised 21st June 1812 1841 Census: Records show details of Hannah Clare, aged 60, a widow, living at Mill Lane, Stony Stratford West,together with her son Thomas Clare, then aged 35 and Elizabeth Clare, aged 30. Also residing with them was Mary Dawson, a possible 25 year old servant. |
Please click the thumbnail below to download a more comprehensive list of the Magdalen Tower gravestones.