OPC Vacancy
Contiguous Parishes (Our Neighbours)
Biddestone – Bremhill – Calne – Corsham – Hardenhuish – Lacock – Langley Burrell – Kington St. Michael – Pewsham – Tytherton Kellaways – Yatton Keynell
Websites of Interest
Chippenham Town Council – Website with images and information about Chippenham
St. Andrews (Chippenham Parish Church)
The parish of St. Andrew’s is also known as Chippenham Parish Church Like many other large town churches, St. Andrew’s has undergone many transformations. It is fortunate that the west tower, of which the upper part and spire was rebuilt in 1633, has been conscientiously designed in a style which harmonises with the rest of the building. The nave and chancel are a 19th century rebuild. The Norman chancel arch was set in the north wall of the latter to lead into its north chapel; the east window of which was formerly that of the chancel. The lower part of the tower with its arch is 14th century. The most interesting part of the church is the ornate south chapel built in 1442. There is also a superb organ case of 1730. An excavation of part of the churchyard in 2020 led to an amazing find of a medieval baptism font. Images taken by Marc Allum (BBC Antiques Roadshow) who assisted in the excavation can be found in the churchyard gallery above. Marc told the OPC administrator that he hopes the find will be saved and preserved and placed in the Lady Chapel where it is believed it once stood.
St. Andrew’s Gallery St. Andrew’s Interior Gallery St. Andrew’s Interior Wall Memorials Gallery St. Andrew’s Churchyard Gallery
Memorial to Gilbart Pryn 1627 Death of Rev. Lewis Purbrick 1860 Interior Wall Memorial Inscriptions
Parish Registers held at WSHC
Baptisms 1578-1983
Marriages 1578-1975
Baptisms 1578-1912
IGI batch numbers: C059141, C059142, M059141, M059142
Parish Registers held at Bristol Record Office
BTs 1855-1859 for Chippenham Cemetery
BTs 1837-1890 for Chippenham
Parish History
Chippenham town is made up of two parishes – St. Andrew’s and St. Paul’s – both have their own dedicated section which can be found at the bottom of this page. The town also includes the tythings of Allington, Nethermore and Stanley.
| The Blue Plaque Trail | Lecture on the Roll of the 17th Century Burgess and Bailiff 1838 | Local Board Meeting Report 1874 |
| History of Chippenham 1894 | Rates Charges 1951 |
Book Reviews
Recommended Reading
An Amazing Journey: A wondrous trek through time – by Jim Bailey. (Independently Published 2019, ISBN-13: 978-1796442472).
The Bayley/Bailey family of Chippenham and Bailey family of Massachusetts, finally solving many riddles that have plagued this family for decades.
Civil Registration
1837 – Present Chippenham Registration District
Twin Towns
Buildings and Land
Buttercross
Cemeteries
Chippenham Cemetery, London Road
London Road Memorial Inscriptions (On going project transcribed from information kindly supplied by Lynne and Paul Powell)
Wood Lane Cemetery (Non-Conformists)
Burials Ministers Others Burials 1848-1910
Hospitals
Indentures
Lease – Hodson & Mansell to Lee 1768
Maps
Ordnance Surveyor’s Drawings 1808-1811 Ordnance Surveyor’s Drawings 1813-1814
Public Houses
Public Houses Gallery Beerex Festival 1976
Railway
Great Western Railway Timetable Changes 1874 Speedy Goods Train 1910
Crime and Legal Matters
Animal Related Crime
Gelding Taken Without Payment 1789
Assaults
Apothecary Assaults Mr. Singer 1771 Charges of Assault, Drunk & Disorderly 1872
Bastardy Examinations
The definition of a bastard for the period when examinations were carried out by parish overseers and local justices is as follows:- any child born out of wedlock including those where the mother and father later marry, children of a second marriage whilst the first wife is still living; the issue of divorced couples; children born where the husband is known to have been abroad for some years; A child born after the father has died. The definition has evolved since the Act of 1732/33 where a “single mother” was by law obliged to declare her pregnancy and state the name of the reputed father. Some parish registers may record the words base-born against a baptism record and some may even name the reputed father. Below are some of the surviving bastardy examination reports transcribed from various sources such as court books and overseers accounts. It is interesting to note that only the mother’s and witnesses’ oaths seem to be recorded even though the defendant would have been summoned to the hearing. Perhaps their evidence was pre-delivered for the examiners to peruse before the mother was required to prove her case. It is also interesting to read the language used to describe the situation the mother found herself in and the circumstances in which the child was conceived. It would appear that the examination itself would not have been a pleasant experience for plaintiff or defendant no matter what the outcome. Bastardy Examinations
Commercial Court Cases
Court Cases
Committed to the County Gaol 26 May 1874 Court Claim of Washbourne v Broome 1895
Debtors
Prisoners in Fisherton Gaol 1761
Forgery
Fake Notes in Circulation 2014
Fraud
Con Men 1832 Horses, Drink & Embezzlement 1860 Passing Worthless Cheque 1922
General Items
Crime Reports 1700-1799 Crime Reports 1800-1849 Appointment to Chancery 1845 Crime Reports 1850-1899 Concealing a Birth 1866 Crime Reports 1900-1949
Motoring Offences
Murder
Aftermath of Kington Langley Revel 1822
Prisons and Prisoners
Inmates of Gloucester Gaol 1815-1879 Convicts sent to Prison Hulks 1823-1842
Quarter Sessions
Court Appearances
Albert Adam 1912 Kate Amor 1876 William Bartlett 1911
Victims of Crime
Sir George Coope Helme 1912 John Smith 1876
Theft
Horse Theft 1825 Theft of Lead 1859 Guilty of Stealing 1870
Directories
| Baileys 1783 | Universal British 1792-1793 | Pigots 1822 | Pigots 1830 | Pigots 1842 | Slaters 1852-1853 |
| Post Office 1855 | Post Office 1875 | Swindon & District 1928 | Swindon & District 1928 (Without) |
Items in the above table referred to as “without” include entries for outlying parishes and tithings especially for business entries.
Telephone Connections
Education
Church of England School
Ministry of Education Notice 1954
St. Andrews
Funds Sought for New Infant School 1847 (St. Andrews)
Emigration and Migration
Strays Index Emigration Home Contact Requested 1800 – Present
Overseas Travel
License to Travel Overseas – Gabriel Barnes 1621
Employment and Business
Disastrous Fire at Waterford Mills 1915
Agriculture and Land
Gamekeepers Certificates 1807 Gamekeeper Licenses 1834 Agricultural Report 1886 Letter to the Editor – Grain for Beer 1941
Apprentices
Apprentice records published here may not necessarily mean that the apprentice was from the parish but was apprenticed to a master within the parish
Wiltshire Society Apprentices
Aviation
Aviators Certificates
Lionel Mills 1929 Michael William Norman 1951 Cecil James Packer 1934 Frank William Pearce 1935
Communications
British Postal Service Appointments 1737-1969
Community Services
Fire Service
New Fire Engine Christened 1922
Police
Energy Industry
Energy Firm Back Schools Green Energy Initiative 2014
Engineering
UK Mechanical Engineer – Frank Stenson Adams 1918
Entertainment
Goldiggers Nigh Club 1980s – 2004
General Items
Hair Powder Tax Stamp Distributors 1801 Employment News 1800-1849 Employment News 1850-1899
Inventors & Patents
Markets
Markets 1800-1849 Christmas Fare at Devizes 1870
Medical
General Medical Council Registrations 1859-1959 William Pinniger the Chemist 1871
Newspapers
North Wilts Herald
Trades Unions
Members
Frederick William Abrahams 1917
Miscellaneous Documents
World’s Oldest Xmas Tree Facts and Figures About Wiltshire 1874
Non Conformity and Other Places of Worship
| Brethren’s Meeting Room, Hill Corner Road | Causeway Primitive Methodist Church | Cepen Park Methodist Church |
| Christian Science Society Church | Ebenezer Chapel | Elim Pentecostal Church |
| Ladyfield Evangelical Church | Lowden & Sheldon Road Primitive Methodists (See Lowden Page) | Lowden Community Church (See Lowden page) |
| Monkton Hill, Causeway & Studley Wesleyan Methodist Church (see Monkton page) | Oasis Church, Hardenhuish School, Hardenhuish Lane | Primitive Methodist Chapel |
| The Salvation Army Citadel, Foghamshire | Sheldon Manor Chapel | Sheldon Road Methodist Church |
| Society of Friends, Causeway | Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church | St. Paul’s, Allington – (See Allington page) |
| St. Peter’s, Lords Mead, Frogwell | St. Peter’s, Lowden (see Lowden tab below) | Station Hill Baptist Church |
| Strict and Particular Baptist Chapel, Chapel Lane (Old Baptist Chapel) | Tabernacle United Reform Church |
Baptist Church (Station Hill)
The church was built on Station Hill in 1855. It is possible that the congregation originally met in a member’s home on River Street (originally called Back Lane) after obtaining a Dissenters Licence some years earlier. No transcriptions available at present. Station Hill Baptist Gallery
Transcripts
Primitive Methodist Church (Causeway)
The Primitive Methodist church in the Causeway opened in 1832 in the old Quaker building which the Methodists purchased from the Quakers. The church closed for public worship in the latter part of the 20th century. The congregation, combined with that of the church in Monkton Hill, became the Central Methodist Church. Primitive Methodist Church (Causeway) Gallery
Church Documents
Church Ministers 1832-1932 Primitive Methodist Circuit Plan 1885 Primitive Methodist Circuit Plan 1890
Church Register Transcripts
People and Parish Notables
Salvation Army
No information or transcriptions available at present. Salvation Army Gallery
St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church
The old St. Mary’s Church opened on 22nd August 1855 in St. Mary’s Place. Only 10 Catholics were recorded as residing in Chippenham during 1855; the town council allocated £10 towards the building of the church. There is a possibility that the Kings of Portugal & Spain attended Mass in the church between 1904 and 1905 when staying at Bowood House , St. Mary’s being the nearest Roman Catholic church at that time. The present St. Mary’s, also on Station Hill, opened on 29th February 1936. St. Mary’s Gallery
Church Register Transcripts
Baptisms
Confirmations
Marriages
Burials
Strict and Particular Baptist Chapel (Chapel Lane)
Commissioned as a chapel in 1810. No further historical information available at present. The IGI batch number is C093121. Strict & Particular Baptist Chapel Gallery
Chapel Register Transcripts
Adult Baptisms
Births
Membership Roll
Tabernacle United Reform Church
No historical information available at present. Tabernacle United Reform church Gallery
Church Register Transcriptions
Baptisms
Marriages
Burials
Admission Rolls
People and Parish Notables
People and Parish Notables
Accidents
Swindon Tram Disaster 1906 Storm Fatality 2014
Associations, Clubs, Organisations & Societies
Agricultural Societies
Wiltshire Agricultural Society Annual Meeting 1848 Wiltshire Agricultural Show Prize Winners 1904
Books & Libraries
Friendly Societies
Trowbridge Provident Society Success 1789
Wiltshire Friendly Society
Membership 1837-1871 General Meeting 1846 Promotion 1912
General Information
Scouts
St. John Ambulance
St. John Ambulance Fete & Prize Giving 1950
Bankruptcy
Celebrations
Golden Wedding Celebrated 1937 Carnival Night at Chippenham 1939
Census Returns Transcripts
Coroner 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 or 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
Deaths
Alfred Charles Dann 1940 Edward Lawes 1818 Mary Blanche Potter 1940
Elections and Polls
Entertainment
Farmers’ Hunt Ball & Supper 1846 Hunt Ball 1929
Family Notices
1750-1799 1800-1849 1850-1899 1900-1949 1950-1999 2000 – Present
General People Items
People News Items 1850-1899 Secrets of Farming Book Subscribers 1863 Parishioners Mentioned in Kilvert’s Diary 1870-1879 People News Items 1900-1949
Inquest Reports
Mary Morrell 1846 Mary Ann Salter 1883
Train Driver Witnessed Suicide 1928 Box Schoolteacher Takes Own Life by Poison 1939
Obituaries
Charles Howse 1896 Alfred Waller 1896
Parish Notables
Marc Allum, Antiques & Antiquary expert and valuer, often seen on the Antiques Roadshow is resident of Chippenham. – No personal information is available at present
Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Civil & Mechanical Engineer. was born in Portsmouth, Hampshire on 9th April 1806. He died in Westminster, London on 15th September 1859 and is buried at Kensal Green Cemetery, London. He engineered the ingenious Box Tunnel and was greatly involved with railway works and innovations at Chippenham & Swindon with the Great Western Railway
Florence May Hancock – Trade Unionist was born in Chippenham on 25th February 1893. She died in Chippenham on the 14th April 1974. She been residing in Bristol at the time of her death and died whilst on a visit to her sister. Florence married late in life to John Donovan on 3rd September 1964. Florence was the President of the TUC in 1947/4948. She had campaigned for women’s rights in the workforce for many years. She herself joined the union whilst working at the Nestle Factory in Chippenham
Sir Robert Peel – British Prime Minister and MP for Chippenham 1812-1817. He was born in Bury, Lancashire on 5th February 1788. He died in Westminster, Middlesex on 2nd July 1850
Eddie Cochran, American Born Rock & Roll Singer. He was born Ray Edward Cochran on 3rd October 1938 at Alert Lea, Minnesota, USA. He died on 17th April 1960 in St. Martin’s Hospital, Bath, Somerset of injuries received in a road traffic accident at Rowden Hill, Chippenham. He is buried at Forest Law Memorial Park Cemetery, Cypress, California. A memorial stone at the Crash site was erected. Its is a clever design with a plaque set upon a plinth of three steps, on each step is carved each of the three steps to heaven from Cochran’s song of the same name. Cochran influenced many famous musicians leaving a legacy for future generations. Death and legacy 1960
People of the Parish
Awdry Family
Miss West Awdry of Monkton 1930
Personal Research Items
Tuck Family Research Burial Extracts – This item was donated by Ken Tuck and contains entries that may or may not relate to the Tuck family however they have been published as such. Many refer to Quaker burials found across the county
Ruth Ranger was formerly OPC for Chippenham and several other parishes around the Chippenham area. Sadly for us Ruth had some health issues and was unable to continue as OPC for several parishes around Chippenham. Her efforts are sorely missed but happily her work continues by other submitters. To learn more about Ruth and her family connections please read the article, Snapshot of Life in Chippenham
Sport
Cricket Match – Chippenham v Corsham 1870 Cricket Match – Chippenham C.C. v Waterford Cloth Mills C.C. 1874 Pigeon Racing Annual Awards 1956
Taxes
Tax Lists 1332 (Borough) Knights Compositions 1628
Poor Law, Charity and The Workhouse
Workhouse Crime 1835-1850 Poor Law, Charity & Workhouse News 1850-1899 Adult Paupers in Union Workhouse 1861
Probate
Probate Index (WSHC) Probate Notices 1800-1849 National Probate Index 1858-1966
Inquisitions Post Mortem of Lands Held
Thomas Hawkins 1640 William Melsham 1640 Richard Westfield 1625
Parishioners Wills
Jemima Allner Proved 1853 Ambrose Awdry Proved 1749 William Farr 1743 Charles Russ Proved 1737
War, Conflict and Military Matters
War Memorials & Military Gallery Visit the various War Memorials (Gallery) around the town
Awards, Medals and Presentations
Victoria Cross Recipient George Strong 1857 Presentation of a Watch to Sergeant Samuel Cox 1860 DCM Awarded to CQMS J. Dyke 1914-1918
Crimean War
John Ballinger Crimean Soldier 1831-1854
Military News
Muster Rolls
Muster Roll 1539 (Borough) Muster Roll 1539 (Foghamshire) Muster Roll 1539 (Liberty of the Earl of Hertford)
Royal Navy
Deserters in Australian Newspapers 1866-1874
Servicemen & Women
Wiltshire Regiments
Wiltshire Regiment
Servicemen & Families with the 1st Wilts. Regt. in South Africa 1911 Territorials at Delhi 1914-1918 Wiltshire Regiment Wounded List July 1917
Wiltshire Yeomanry
Competitions 1794-1967 Death of Lieutenant Lewis Bradford 1870
WWI
Soccer Ball Request for the Front 1914-1918 WWI Volunteers of Chippenham Parish 1914 St. Andrew’s WWI Roll of Honour
British Red Cross/Voluntary Aid Detachment
V.A.D. & Red Cross Hospitals 1914-1918 Local Nurses and War Work 1919
Volunteers
Casualty Biographies
Albert Edward Thomas Rose (Rusher) 1918
War Memorials and Remembrance Books
Calne & District Casualty Lists WWI
Casualties of WWI, WWII & Other Conflicts – John Belcher Project
This project is a collaboration of the efforts of John Belcher, Ruth Ranger and Teresa Lewis. Much of the credit has to go to John whose research and expertise has been invaluable. The lists below give short biographies of the men and women from the Chippenham area who made the ultimate sacrifice during both world wars. John actively campaigns to ensure that those who gave their lives are not forgotten and he has petitioned the Commonwealth War Graves Commission on several occasions in an attempt to get those that have not yet been acknowledged as victims of war accepted as such and that their graves be adopted by the Commission for upkeep and maintenance and in some cases to have a stone erected at their resting place. John has kindly allowed us access to his own website along with supplying us with his notes containing his very in depth research. Many images of the fallen are also available on his web site. Additional information for casualties of WWII has been kindly added by Nick Selby via his website Chippenham 1939-1945. We are very grateful to all contributors.
Contributing Further to the Project
Do you know the location of war memorial plaques in the Chippenham area? Do you have a photograph of someone listed in the Roll of Honour that you would share with us? If you would like to contribute information or photographs,please email Ruth Ranger via the contact us link on the home page or contact Teresa Lewis (Administrator). Thank you.
The Fallen
WWII
Casualties
Civilians
WWII Civilian Deaths 1939-1945
Home Front Crime
Home Guard
Home Guards 1940-1944 Home Guards 1940-1944 (Without) Home Guard Awards 1944
Newspaper Reports
Death of Captain Reginald Theodore Arthur Couzens 1943
Allington
Buildings and Land
Taxes
People and Parish Notables
Poll of Freeholders 1772 Family Notices 1800-1849 Wiltshire Friendly Society Membership 1827-1871 Family Notices 1850-1899
Census Returns Transcripts
Parish Notables
Queen Camilla, was born Camilla Rosemary Shand-Kydd on 17th July 1947 in Kings College Hospital, London. In 1973 she married Andrew Parker-Bowles and the couple made their home at Bolehyde Manor, Allington, Chippenham. Later they moved to Middlewick House, Corsham. After her divorce she took up residence at Ray Mill House in Lacock. She married Prince Charles, heir to the British throne on 9th April 2005. After the death of Queen Elizabeth II on the 8th September 2022 she became Queen Consort to King Charles. She was crowned Queen Camilla on 6th May 2023 in a joint Coronation Ceremony alongside her Husband King Charles III
Personal Research Items
Tuck Family Research Burial Extracts – This item was donated by Ken Tuck and contains entries that may or may not relate to the Tuck family however they have been published as such. Many refer to Quaker burials found across the county
Probate
War, Conflict and Military Matters
Muster Roll 1539 Soldiers Who Died in WWI Named in Calne & District Casualty Lists
Cocklebury
People and parish Notables
Taxes
Lackham
People and Parish Notables
Family Notices
Lowden & Sheldon
St. Peter’s Church
The church opened on Lowden on 19th November 1886 as a Chapel of Ease for St. Andrew’s parish. A new modern style church was then built on the corner of Lord’s Mead and Frogwell on the western side of Chippenham. This new building was opened on 7th December 1968 as a place of worship for St. Peter’s own parish. The old building on Lowden is now used by the New Testament Church. No transcriptions available at present.
Buildings and Land
Non Conformity and Other Places of Worship
Primitive Methodist Chapel
The church opened on the corner of Sheldon Road Audley Road in 1901; it was a church plant from the old chapel on Lowden that had opened as a Sunday School in the mid 1800s. The Sunday School members grew up and had families of their own so the congregation outgrew their premises on Lowden. The new building was opened in Sheldon Road in 1901 and then enlarged and renovated in 1989. Primitive Methodist Chapel Gallery
Chapel Register Transcripts
Baptisms
1842-1863 1863-1889 (Circuit) 1890-1910
Marriages
People and Parish Notables
Family Notices
Lowden
Personal Research Items
Tuck Family Research Burial Extracts – This item was donated by Ken Tuck and contains entries that may or may not relate to the Tuck family however they have been published as such. Many refer to Quaker burials found across the county
Probate
War, Conflict & Military
Muster Roll 1539 (with Sheldon)
Marshfield
Probate
National Probate Index 1858-1966
Monkton
Non Conformity and Other Places of Worship
Wesleyan Methodist Church Monkton Hill, (Causeway and Studley)
The original church opened in Spring 1909 (the land had been obtained in about 1900). This was a new building for the Wesleyan Methodists who, since the mid 1800s, had worshipped at a building further up The Causeway. This Wesleyan Methodist church building no longer exists. In 1932 all Methodist churches joined together (including the Wesleyans and Primitives), providing Chippenham with 3 Methodist churches. Causeway Methodist church closed in the late 1990s. After the closure, the congregations combined and the building at Monkton Hill was renamed The Central Methodist church. Monkton Hill & Causeway Wesleyan Methodist Gallery
Wesleyan Methodist Ministers 1853-1931 Studley Sunday School Librarians Register 1899-1910
Church Register Transcriptions
Baptisms
Baptisms (Chippenham & Melksham Circuit)
Marriages
People and Parish Notables
Personal Research Items
Tuck Family Research Burial Extracts – This item was donated by Ken Tuck and contains entries that may or may not relate to the Tuck family however they have been published as such. Many refer to Quaker burials found across the county
St. Paul
Church of St. Paul
St. Paul’s parish church was built in 1855 and incorporated parts of Langley Burrell, St. Andrew’s and Hardenhuish parishes
St. Paul’s Gallery St. Paul’s Building Plans & Subscribers 1851
Parish Registers held at WSHC
Baptisms 1855-1982
Marriages 1855-1987
Burials 1855-1978
Parish Register Transcripts
Baptisms
| 1865-1869 | 1870-1874 | 1875-1879 | 1880-1884 | 1885-1889 | 1890-1894 | 1895-1899 | 1900-1905 | 1905-1910 |
Marriages
| 1855-1865 | 1866-1875 | 1876-1885 | 1886-1895 | 1896-1905 | 1905-1910 |
Burials
| 1855-1859 | 1860-1864 | 1865-1869 | 1870-1874 | 1875-1879 | 1880-1884 | 1885-1889 | 1890-1894 | 1895-1899 | 1900-1905 | 1905-1909 |
Probate
War, Conflict and Military Matters
War Memorials & Military Gallery
WWI
Casualties
Stanley
Buildings and Land
Indenture for Sale, Mortgage etc. Stonyford Mill, Stanton St. Bernard 1764
Crime and Legal Matters
Proceedings in Chancery Elizabeth I Era (1558-1603)
Baynton v Amstee Godwyn v Godwyn & Harrys
People and Parish Notables
Census Returns Transcripts
Coroners Bills
Elections, Polls and Voters Lists
Family Notices
Personal Research Items
Tuck Family Research Burial Extracts – These items were donated by Ken Tuck and contains entries that may or may not relate to the Tuck family however they have been published as such. Many references to Quaker entries may be found from across the county.
