The OPC is John Pope
Contiguous Parishes (our neighbours)
Ashbury (BKS) – Baydon – Little Hinton – Shrivenham (BKS)
Websites
The Parish Church of St. Mary the Virgin
The church has an elaborate Norman doorway reset in the chancel, and a basin shaped Norman font. The church is in the main of the fifteenth century and has a west tower of no great elevation
Bishopstone is a charming village on the Berkshire border and should not be confused with the other Bishopstone in the Ebbe valley. The church (St Mary) is largely perpendicular and contains a Norman font and some old glass in the east widow of the south aisle. The bells were destroyed in a fire in 1891, but have since been replaced. The mechanism of the old clock, dated 1654, is preserved under the tower. Note good mass-dial on the buttress of the south aisle and a good Norman north doorway. (The Little Guides 1949, Methuen)
St. Mary’s Gallery St. Mary’s Interior Gallery St. Mary’s Churchyard Gallery
St. Mary’s North Path Grave Marker Gallery
Parish Register Transcripts
Burials
Parish Registers held at WSHC
Baptisms 1573-2006
Marriages 1573-2003
Burials 1573-1952
Other Resources
Email me via the contact an OPC link for look ups on baptisms and burials
Parish History
Village Location
To the east of Swindon and south of Shrivenham (not to be confused with Bishopstone in the Chalke Valley).
John Aubrey’s North Wilts 1659 Lewis’s Topographical Dictionary of England 1845 Antiquities of Bishopstone 1891
Bishopstone Coloured Postcards
If you hold any pre 1930’s postcards which you are willing to contribute to this section please contact me. Thank you
Civil Registration
1837-1898 Highworth Registration District
1898-Present Swindon Registration District
Parish Council
Parish Council created 1894 Parish Council meeting 1896 Parish Council meeting 1897
Recommended Reading
An Introduction to the History of Bishopstone – by G I Parker, reprinted 2007
Just for a Lark & The Sparrow Hunters – by R H Wilson
From Farming Fields to Muddy Trenches – Bishopstone & Hinton in and around the Great War of 1914 – 1918 – by Karin Thompson & Paul Williams
This fully illustrated book commemorates the contribution of the people of Bishopstone and Hinton Parva to the Great War of 1914-18. The book provides biographical accounts of the men from the Parish who served in the First World War – 85 from Bishopstone and 35 from Hinton, including the 27 who died as a result of war – all set in the context of village life. Additional chapters cover life in the villages before and after the Great War and describes how parishioners supported those serving in the military. It also provides an overview of the military experiences of men from the villages who served in the military between the 17th century and the early 20th century. Most did so voluntarily, but in some instances they served under compulsion. The book is extensively illustrated, with many images taken during the first 30 years of the 20th century giving the reader an insight into life during those times. Published by Bishopstone and Hinton Parva Local History Group, 2014 ISBN: 978-0-9930975-0-8 – For further information visit: Hinton & Bishopstone in WWI
Buildings and Land
John Pope’s Genealogy Resource Project – 1758 “Detailed Survey”, currently based on Angers, Cue’s and Pope’s but a number of other surnames referred to
John Pope’s Genealogy Resource Project – 1760 Map by Francis Howard Willington, list of furlongs in Bishopstone Manor
John Pope’s Genealogy Resource Project – 1778 ” Survey and Rental” with Index
John Pope’s Genealogy Resource Project – 1793 “Poor rate” and “Land Tax”
Bishopstone Circular Walk
The walk is waymarked “Ridgeway Circular Route” and covers about 5 miles. Visit the National Trail website for details
Conservation Area
Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan 2006
Fire Brigade
Housing Developments
The Forty Residential Development 2019 New Town Lane Residential Development 2019 New Build in High Street 2020
Maps
Ordnance Surveyor’s Drawings 1811-1812
Property to Let
Property for Sale by Auction
Public Houses
True Heart Inn
This Inn was situated on the High Street and closed in 2009.
| Sunken Floor at True Heart Inn 1846 | Tea for sale 1867 | Norris’s Supper 1865 | Licence 1891-1894 |
| Building Tender 1897 | Derelict – News 2014 | Derelict – News 2015 |
Royal Oak Inn
Royal Oak Inn for sale by Auction 1879 Coroners Inquest, Eliza J. Tilley 1940 Royal Oak Inn, Licence Transfer 1940 Royal Oak Newspaper Review 2017
Water Mill
Water Mill to Let by Tender 1839-1853 For Sale by Auction 1882
Crime and Legal Matters
Petroleum License for Povey 1874 Crime Concerns 1887
Arson
Arson by Walston 1879 Arson by Norris 1886 Hedge Fire by Dowling and Johnson 1887 Fire on Hickmans Forty Farm 1894
Assaults
Commercial Crime
Illegal Weights used by Robert Cousins 1878 Illegal Weights used by Elizabeth Lawrence 1878
Court Cases
| Ballard v. Smith 1860 | Alder v. Ballard 1861 | Slander Case Dore vs. Corser 1879 | Tocker vs Wheeler 1880 |
| Disorder of Norrris and Belcher 1881 | Povey v. Wood 1883 | Stone v Wrigley 1886 | Austin v Durham 1889 |
Watercress Cases
Watercress Beds Case Dore v Sawyer 1879 Watercress Court Case David Sawyer 1879 Watercress Court Case, Sawyer vs Wentworth 1879
Crime Reports
Drink Related Crime
| Drunkenness of Norris and Belcher 1881 | Drunkeness of the Pearces 1884 | Drunk and disorderly by Giddings 1891 | Drunkeness by Johnston 1892 |
General Crime
Poaching
Game Trespass by William Lafford 1875 Mistaken Birds by Dance and Raisey 1878
Prisons and Prisoners
Inmates of Gloucester Gaol 1815-1879
Theft
Vandalism
Fence destroyed by Cockhead and Haines 1861
Directories
Post Office 1855 Kellys 1867 Post Office 1875 Kellys 1895 Kellys 1911 Kellys 1915 Swindon & District 1928
Education
School Standards 1878 National School 1882
School Admissions
Emigration and Migration
Published in tables from the Poor Law Commissioners Annual Reports for 1835, 1836 and 1847-1848 the following may be of use for tracing missing ancestors. 56 paupers emigrated to Canada between July 1838 – April 1839 under the assisted emigration programme. (These may also refer to the parish of Bishopstone (Nr. Wilton)
Strays Index (please note that the people named in this file may possibly be from Bishopstone (Wilton)
Employment and Business
Sale of Stock of Joseph Lawrence 1879 Business purchased by Stratford 1883 De Luca, local Italian Cheese Makers
Apprentices
Wiltshire Boys Apprenticed in Oxfordshire
Community Services
Police
Miscellaneous Documents
Richard Payne and Martha Jacob 1706 Order of Penance Visit of Swindon Fire Brigade 1881
Non Conformity and Other Places of Worship
Primitive Methodist Chapel
The black and white images dated 1905 and 1925 were kindly supplied by Paul Williams. The photograph of the Cheeshouse kindly supplied by Mogs Boon.
Rev. Robert Andrews 1850-1914 Methodist Chapel Census 1851 Election of Church Officers 1853-1867 New Chapel Fund 1884 New Chapel 1885 Harvest Festival 1894 Chapel For Sale 2020
Chapel History
The Chapel was part of the Faringdon Methodist Circuit. The original Chapel was opened to the south east of the village in 1833. It cost £65 6s 2 1/2d to build, the Superintendent when erected was Mr John Ride. There were 10 members in the Society, although the congregation was around 80.The building was was held by lease/lifehold of 3 lives with no ground rent with seating for 100 split into 68 for members and 32 free sitting.It was replaced by this Chapel in 1886. Now sited on the corner of Ichnield Way and High Street (south of the village). It possibly closed in 1966 (certainly by 1977) and is now a private house.Search for the original ChapelIt is thought that the original Chapel may have been located in the grounds of Eastbrook Farm. A recent search has been undertaken by Mogs Boon (local archivist) and Gwen Parker but the surviving old outhouses appear to be of the same age as the farmhouse, mid Victorian.However, there is thatched building adjacent to the road at the back entrance to the farm, seemingly of an earlier date, having chalk block walls and brick corners, a style known as clunch. It is 5.2m wide and 10.95m long but there are indications that at one time it was much longer. The building is known locally as the Cheesehouse as it was used by the Bishopstone Cheese Company for processing their products. It is now used by Bacon Wizard.If anybody has further information and/or pictures which they would like to donate to this page please contact me. Thank you
Chapel Accounts
WSHC hold some yearly Chapel reports, reference 1614/430
Census
The 1841 census shows that John Ride resided at Salem Place, St Mary’s Parish, Reading, occupation Dissenting Minister. The 1861 census (RG9/1270/f17p27) lists James Hooleday as an Ag Lab and Primitive Methodist Preacher and his wife Sophia as a Methodist Teacher in Bishopstone. Interestingly John is entered as Holiday in 1851. In 1881 his wife is named as Sarah.
People and Parish Notables
Bishopstone People
Have you any early photographs or engravings of family members who were born in Bishopstone?. These are not only of great interest to researchers in the UK and Worldwide who cannot get to the parish in person, but they really do help the Bishopstone pages ‘come alive’. If you would like to share photographs of your ancestors (copyright credited and retained by contributor) please email me via the contact list. Thank you
Accidents
Riding Accident 1855 A Burnt Child of James Miles 1878 Two Horse Accidents 1878
2 June 1815, at Bishopstone, Peter Cox died suddenly in the act of mowing grass [Source Coroner’s Accounts for Wiltshire]. Note: the PR’s show that he was born 17 September 1743, baptised 20 Nov 1743 son of John and Sarah. Buried Bishopstone 9 July 1815, aged 73 years.
Associations, Clubs, Organisations and Societies
Benefits Club
Bishopstone Brass Band
British Legion
Wiltshire Friendly Society Membership 1837-1871
Loyal True Heart Lodge of Oddfellows
Third anniversary advertisement 1880 Anniversary Dinner 1884 Hospital Sunday 1887
Bankruptcies
1800-1899 Walter Cue 1852 Arthur P. Penny 1892
Census Returns Transcripts
Further Census Transcriptions
1841: North Wilts Online Census Project
1861: North Wilts Online Census Project
1871: North Wilts Online Census Project
Coroners Bills
County coroners were introduced in England in around 1194 once established other boroughs and liberties sought the right to have their own coroner. Often in Medieval times the coroner also assumed the role of the sheriff and his duties weren’t limited to holding inquests on dead bodies although almost a full time post they were unpaid for the duties apart from those that were deemed murder of manslaughter when they would receive 13s. 4d. From the 24th June 1752 a law was passed allowing the coroner to claim £1 for every inquest they attended not held in a gaol and also to claim 9d per mile travel allowance from the place of residence. Inquests held in any gaol were performed at a rate totalling no more than £1. These costs were to be paid from the county rates. In cases of homicide the coroner also received the former fee of 13s. 4d. The coroners submitted their bills at the quarter session sittings for approval. Coroners Bills 1752-1796
Elections and Polls
Poll Book 1818 Voters List 1832 Voters Lists Revisions 1843 John Husband election candidature 1892 Electoral Lists Revision Court 1902
Family Notices
General
| Narrow Escape of Povey 1881 | Newman’s Marionette Exhibition 1884 | Timely discovery of Randell 1886 | Overcrowding at Fowlers 1889 |
| Honey for Sale by Stone 1894 | Thomas Turtle, Blind from Birth 1933 |
Inquests
Obituaries
| Richard Cousins 1887 | William Dore 1889 | James Holliday 1887 | Samuel Tasker 1893 | |
| Stephen Wentworth 1880 | George Westell 1893 | Frank Povey 1941 |
Sport
Cricket
Horse Racing
Thornaby Wins Epsom Derby 1860
Hunting
Earl Kintore Hounds 1829 Old Berks Hounds 1895
Shooting
Weddings
| Williams to Williams 1878 | Gardiner to Murley 1894 | Povey to Saunders 1894 | Gardner to Bates 1895 |
| Rasey to Redford 1897 |
Personal Family Research
Anger Family parish records covering Ashbury and Shrivenham (Berks)
Cue Family Covering Bishopstone and Shrivenham in the 18th and 19th century
Redford Family covering the children from Redford/Pope marriage
Poor Law, Charity and The Workhouse
Bishopstone Charities Medical Relief 1837 Poor Law Union Supplies 1847 Public Assistance Administration 1948 Charities 1861
Probate
Estate of John Smith 1881 Estate of Sarah Norris 1882 Partial Details Taken from Various Probates
Administration Bonds
William Blagrove (Extract) 1790 Sarah Coles (Extract) 1799
Parishioners Wills
| Charles Purton Proved 1794 | William Pope Proved 1811 | James Puzey Proved 1816 | Rebecca Pope Dated 1849 |
| William Pope Proved 1851 | Elizabeth Archer Proved 1855 |
Parishioners Wills (Extracts)
Pre 1699
1700 – 1799
1800 – 1899
John Belcher Proved 1807 Sibyl Taylor Proved 1816
War, Conflict and Military Matters
War Memorials and Military Gallery
John Cue – British Army Record 1870
WWI
Those who Served 1914 Thosed who Served 1915
WWI Casualties
Edward R. Hawkins 1916 Frederick Thomas (Tom) Hawkins 1916
War Memorial
WWI & WWII Remembrance Plaque WWI Individual Remembrance Plaques
