OPC Vacancy
Contiguous Parishes (our neighbours)
Calne – Cherhill – Highway – Hilmarton – Yatesbury
Websites of Interest
The Parish Church of St. Swithin
Compton Bassett (farm in the combe or valley) was held by the Bassetts as early as 1242. The church (St. Swithin) is beautifully situated upon a wooded slope and is Perpendicular with a fine panelled barrel roof to the nave, supported upon good stone corbels. The unique feature of the church is, however, the remarkable double stone screen and loft with niches, in which modern figures of the apostles have been placed. The Jacobean pulpit retains its hour-glass. Adjoining the church is Compton House, built in 1930, replacing a fine stone mansion built in 1674 by Sir John Weld (source: Wiltshire Little Guides, published by Methuen 1949).
St. Swithin’s Galley St. Swithin’s Interior Gallery St. Swithin’s Churchyard Gallery
Church Backed Charities and Funding
Parish Register Transcripts
Baptisms
Marriages
Burials
Parish Registers held at WSHC
Baptisms 1563-1882
Marriages 1558-1982
Burials 1558-1962
Notes from the parish registers
1807 – Memorandum – Within this year no burials occurred which is here noticed for there being no entries
Records available from Other Sources
Parish History
Compton Bassett lies between Calne and Cherhill on the southern fringe of the Vale of Dauntsey and within sight of the Downland. The outstanding feature of the St. Swithin’s church lies between its nave and chancel where a fine 15th century chancel arch frames a stone rood screen of considerable elaboration and unique in this part of the country.
Civil Registration
1837- April 1936 Calne Registration District
April 1836 – Present Chippenham Registration District
Buildings and Land
Land Surveys
Maps
Ordnance Surveyor’s Drawing North Wilts 1826
Public Houses
White Horse Inn
Crime and Legal Matters
Bastardy
Courts
Police Court
Prisons
Inmates of Gloucester Gaol 1815-1879
Directories
Post Office 1855 Post Office 1875 Kellys 1915 Swindon & Distrct 1928 Kellys 1931
Education
Emigration and Migration
Employment and Business
Apprentices
Markets and Fairs
Christmas Fare at Devizes 1870
Miscellaneous Documents
Non Conformity and Other Places of Worship
People and Parish Notables
Associations, Clubs, Organisations and Societies
Agricultural Societies
Wiltshire Agricultural Show Prize Winners 1904 Flower Show 1932
Friendly Societies
Wiltshire Friendly Society Membership 1827-1871
Census Return 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
Elections
Poll of Freeholders 1772 Poll Book 1818 Voters List 1832 Voters Lists Revisions 1843 MP Nominations 2015 MP Nominations 2017
Family Notices
Parish Notables
Norman Robert Foster (Baron Foster of Thames Bank), is an English Architect. He was born on the 1st June 1935 in Reddish, Stockport, Cheshire. He was resident of Compton Bassett House from 1975 to 1992 during which time he made many architectural changes.
Clement Walker Heneage, VC. Born 6th March 1831. Died 9th December 1901. Served in the Crimean War and Indian Mutiny. He is buried in the parish churchyard
Michael Hazen James McIntyre (Michael McIntyre). Comedian, Writer & TV Presenter was born in London on the 21st February 1976. He lived in the village for a few years from 2013
Robbie Williams, singer songwriter was born Robert Peter Williams on 13th February 1974 in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. Sometime owner of Compton Bassett House.
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
Sport
Hunting
Horse & Hounds Meets 1800-1899
Poor Law, Charity and the Workhouse
Probate
Parishioners Wills
Robert Ponting Proved 1601 David Jenner Proved 1692/93 William Vivash Proved 1620
War, Conflict and Military Matters
War Memorials & Military Gallery
Crimean War
Victoria Cross Recipient Clement Walker Heneage 1858-1859
Wiltshire Regiment
Servicemen & Families with the 1st Wilts. Regt. in South Africa 1911
WWI
Memorials & Books of Remembrance
Diocese of Salisbury Memorial Book 1914-1918 Calne & District Casualty Lists WWI St. Swithin Roll of Honour WWI
Service Exemption
WWII
Entertainment
Dartboards for Servicemen 1940
Home Guard
Home Guards 1940-1944 Home Guard Awards 1944
