The OPC is John Pope
Contiguous Parishes (our neighbours)
Devizes – Etchilhampton – Great Cheverell – Keevil – Little Cheverell – Market Lavington – Poulshot – Rowde – Southbroom – Stert – Urchfont – West Lavington – Worton & Marston
Websites
Potterne Parish Council – Community Website.
The Parish Church of St. Mary the Virgin
The church (St. Mary) is well-placed upon rising ground dominating the village street. It is a noble cruciform building and a splendid example of early English at its simplest and best. It was probably erected contemporaneously with Salisbury Cathedral , certain similarities of detail indicating the same builder , while the founder of the cathedral, Bishop Poore, may well have been the founder of this church too. It was built upon a new site , the ‘old churchyard’ indicating where its predecessor stood. The chancel, transept , and nave are 13th century work, and exceedingly well preserved and unspoiled, ornamentation being lacking, and carving too for the most part, while the moulding is by no means conspicuous, but the fine proportion and the noble dignity of line amply atone. The south porch is somewhat later. The fine, stately , square central tower is early 14th century , the middle portion being early decorated with some fine perpendicular lattice work in the beautiful windows. The battlements are later and early perpendicular, and the whole, mellowed by age and blending harmoniously, is both majestic and impressive. The font in use was probably introduced when the perpendicular additions were made, but when the church was restored in 1872, by Mr Christian, a great, plain, round tub-shaped bowl was found buried beneath it. This is now placed against the west wall, and round its rim is inscribed in very early characters:
SICVT – CERVVS – DESIDERAT – AD – FONTES – AQVARVM – ITA – DESCERAT – ANIMA – MEA – AD – TE – DS – AMEN
The quotation is the well-known one from Psalm xlii. 1: ‘ As the hart panteth’, etc., but the Latin is not from the Vulgate but from an alternative reading, found in a version of St. Jerome and used in the Saxon baptismal offices. The characters resemble those of a copy known as St. Cuthbert’s Gospels, now in the British Museum, of probably the 8th century, and the font probably belonged to an old Saxon church that stood in the ‘old’ or lower churchyard. Note also (1) royal arms, including those of France and Hanover, of the period 1714-1801: (2) on the west wall, paintings of Moses and Aaron, dating from 1723, formerly part of a reredos;(3) original oak north door, restored to the church after a period of alienation; (4) hexagonal oak pulpit with some good 15th century carving; (5) on south wall of nave, marble monument to John Spearing (1821) by Baily, a pupil of Flaxman. In the churchyard , outside the north doorway, is a dole table. ( The Little Guide 1949, Methuen)
St. Mary’s Gallery St. Mary’s Interior Gallery St. Mary’s Interior Wall Memorials Gallery St. Mary’s Churchyard Gallery
St. Mary’s Churchwall Memorial Gallery
St. Mary’s churchyard wall with monuments at southeast angle of churchyard.
“Churchyard wall, 1872, red brick with rusticated ashlar quoins and ashlar coping. On west side are incorporated seventeen C18 plaques with inscription in centre: ‘These monuments once affixed to the wall of the church were at its restoration removed to this spot. A.D. 1872”. (Source: Historic England).
A list of those readable in 1898, Churchyard Wall Memorial Inscriptions
Churchyard Memorial Inscriptions Interior Wall Memorial Inscriptions Church News 1700-1799 Church Collection For Sunday & Daily Schools 1846 List of Vicars
Church of St. Mary Listed Monuments
| St Mary Church | Church House | Biggs Monument | Churchyard Wall with Monuments |
| Dole Stone | Ford and Unidentified Monuments | Gate Piers and Gates | Glass Monuments |
| Two Hampton Monuments | Unidentified Monuments | White and Lye Monuments |
Church Supported Charities and Funding
Parish Register Transcripts
Baptisms
1575-1599 1602-1639 1640-1681 1682-1719 1720-1759 1720-1759 1760-1789 1790-1812
Banns
Marriages
Burials
1574-1597 1603-1653 1661-1699 1700-1758 1759-1812
Between 1575 and 1599 the baptism, marriage and burial parish register pages were found to be in decay. They were rewritten by Robert Benson Esq, MA Barrister at Law, Middle Temple, London, between 1823 -1824. I have suffixed his additional actions / comments by RB Bishop Transcript entries included where necessary.
Parish Registers held at WSHC
Baptisms 1556-1999
Banns 1754-1833
Marriages 1556-1988
Burials 1556-1992
Bishops Transcripts 1622-1880 (incomplete, many missing years)
Parish History
Potterne (old English pot-aern = pot-house or pottery) is mentioned in Domesday Book, and was a manor of the Bishops of Salisbury in 1338.
John Aubrey’s North Wilts 1659 Lewis’s Topographical Dictionary of England 1845
Civil Registration
1837 – Present Devizes Registration District
Location
St Mary the Virgin Church is one of the most attractive village churches in Wiltshire can be found at Potterne, just south of Devizes.
Worton and Marston
These two tythings are situated in the parish of Potterne and have their own parish page which can be accessed here
Recommended Reading
Memories of Old Potterne – by R Brinkworth. (Published & Printed by Printex, Melksham 1982)
Inheriting the Earth: The Long family’s 500 year reign in Wiltshire – by Cheryl Nicol. Describes the rise and fall of one of the most powerful landowning families in England from the 15th to the 20th century. The Long family’s various branches were centred in Wiltshire, and included politicians, statesmen, courtiers and traitors. This book is published by Hobnob Press 2016.
There is also an interesting American Publication dated 1929 which covers Rood Ashtn, Potterne and Wraxall Long Families
Books, Newspapers & Publications
The following list shows newspaper coverage for the parish from 1737 – Present. Copies can be viewed at The Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre, Cocklebury Road, Chippenham. Some may be available via the British Newspaper Archives online.
| Devizes & Wiltshire Gazette – 1816-Present | Devizes Advertiser – 1858-1933 | Devizes News – 1979-1985 |
| Salisbury Journal – 1738-1819 | Sherborne Mercury – 1737-1867 | Wiltshire Independent – 1836-1876 |
| Wiltshire Telegraph – 1877-1935 |
The Bath Chronicle also carried news items that were of significance.
Parish Council
Potterne Coloured Postcards
Do you hold pre 1920’s coloured postcards which you are willing to contribute?. They would be much appreciated. Thank you.
Buildings and Land
Cemetery
New Burial Ground Proposed 1915
Listed Buildings
Maps
Ordnance Surveyor’s Drawings 1808-1811
Cemeteries
Brownleaze Cemetery
Cemetery Gallery Cemetery Memorial Gallery
Cemetery Memorial Inscriptions
Property for Sale by Auction
Property Sale by Auction 1837 Property of Coleman 1839 Property of North 1848 Property of late Samuel Draper 1899
Public Houses
Annual Inn License Renewal 1874
Kings Arms
The Inn is now closed
The Bell Inn
The Inn is now closed
The George Inn (now George & Dragon)
News from The George Inn for Sale by Auction 1841 Inn for Sale by Auction 1846
Roads and Highways
Lease of Toll Gates West Lavington to Seend 1799
The Porch House
A 15th century, half-timbered house,is supposed by some to have been originally a church house and by others is identified with a former inn known as the ‘Pack Horse’. It may have been both at one time, since the church ‘Ales’ played no inconspicuous part in the ‘Veasts’ and festivals for which the district is noted. It had the good fortune to fall into the hands of the late George Richmond R.A., in 1872, and by him it was carefully restored. It has a lofty dining hall with an oriel , and a tracery lookout from the chamber of dais is reminiscent of the stone masks at Great Chalfield through which a view of the hall was gained from the upper chambers. There are some good 15th century cottages, half timbered, with projecting upper stories, that with the porch House give a very attractive appearance to the village. (The Little Guide 1949, Methuen)
The Porch House is one of the finest half-timbered buildings in the country.
The Porch House, Eastwell Road
Crime and Legal Matters
| Feet of Fines 1541 – 1573 | Bastardy Examinations 1835-1877 | Inmates of Gloucester Gaol 1815-1879 | |
| Summoned for Non-Payment of Poor Rates 1853 | Exhibiting disgusting effigies 1857 |
Animal Crime
Cruelty to a Pony 1847 Cruelty to Sheep 1933
Arson
Courts
Petty Sessions
Devizes District 13 April 1846
Crime Reports
Riots
Theft
Directories
Trade directories provide information about the parish and the people that live and trade in that parish. They are not a complete list since they were in many cases subscribed to
Education
The History of Potterne School
Emigration and Migration
Strays Index Potterne People in Australian Newspapers Emigration Home Contact Requested 1800 – Present
Employment and Business
Agriculture and Land
Game Licences 1834 Employment of Farm Labourers 1843 Gaming Notices 1846
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
Aviation
Aviator Certificates – Stephen Medlicott 1915
Community Services
Police
Wiltshire Constabulary 1858 Metropolitan Police Pensions Record – George Thomas Banks 1868-1893
Medicine
General Medical Council Registrations 1859-1959
Miscellaneous Documents
Non Conformity and Other Places of Worship
Independents
In 1775 a house owned by Thomas Hill was licensed for Independent worship while in 1799 another house was licensed. [source: Wiltshire Community History]
Open Brethren
The group began early in the 20th century with the few members of the Reformed Methodists that remained after their decline. They held meetings in the former chapel, that became a mission room, and attracted some converts. Meetings were held by Mr Opie Rodway and the mission room was still open in 1939. [source: Wiltshire Community History]
Reformed Methodist Chapel
By 1852 a group had amicably seceded from the Wesleyan Methodists and set up a separate chapel. They first met in a disused and dilapidated malthouse and in 1852 a license was issued to hold meetings in a building in the possession and occupation of Samuel Marshman, the Devizes photographer. The group became strong enough to build a chapel on ‘Lower Churchyard’ and prospered for some time. They used the United Sunday School with the Wesleyans and Methodists. They decined in the early 20th century and the chapel closed during the First World War. The residue of the congregation became the nucleus of the Open Brethren and the chapel was re-opened as a mission room. [source: Wiltshire Community History]
Strict Baptist Chapel
In 1813 the chapel and dwelling house of Jacob Gale was licensed for Baptist meetings. This seems to have been in Lower Street, Potterne but by 1863 the congregation had declined as the Chapel book below narratesIt would appear that by 1907 the capital bequeathed by Mr John Cooper and the accumulated interest was transferred to Maryport Street Baptist Chapel,Devizes Chapel Book [selected entries] Mr John Cooper by his Will [dated 7 Mar 1805, proved 25 May 1842] bequeathed £200 to the Chapel at Potterne. After paying legacy duty and other expenses there remained £170.00, This was invested in consolidated annuities in the joint names of Thomas Carter, George Randell, Richard Mullings, Trustees, on 14 Mar 1843.Henry Holloway (chosen preacher) in 1843 and for several years past.
Persons preaching at the Meeting House in 1852
04 Jan – John Gieles
11 Jan – John Gills
18 Jan – Samuel Slade
15 Feb – Samuel Slade
14 Mar – Samuel Slade
21 Mar – William Dark
9 May – Samuel Slade
30 May – Samuel Slade
06 Jun – Samuel Slade
03 Oct – John Gieles
17 Oct – William Dark
28 Nov – William Dark
From the year 1863 there has not been any religious services held in this place of worship, the congregation that usually attended the worship of God here having dwindled away. There being no preacher to receive the dividends, the Trustees invested the same in the Devizes Savings Bank in the names of Thomas Carter, George Randell and Richard Mullings. 26 Oct 1865 invested in Devizes Savings Bank £10 7s 5d [source: WSHC, ref 1215/42]
Indenture dated 15 Apr 1843 Declaration of the trust of a Legacy given by the will of Mr John Cooper deceased Thomas Carter, Gentleman, George Randell, Baker, both of Devizes in the County of Wilts Richard Mullings of Cirencester in the County of Gloucester,Gentleman, and Henry Holloway of Devizes aforesaid Minister of the Gospel severally send greetings. Whereas John Cooper late White Hart Row Kennington Lane, Lambeth Surrey by his Will bearing date the 27 March 1805 after curtain bequests gave as follows “after the death of my wife Mary Cooper I bequeath to Jacob Gale a Gospel preacher of Potterne Parish the sum of two hundred pounds that he may have the use of it as long as he liveth and after his death it shall remain for ever that the Gospel may be preached to the poor for ever by some man that they shall chuse to hear for there teacher and there guide it shall be in a Meeting House that is appointed for the Gospel to be preached in for the poor and the poor in spiritin preyer to (God) that he will bless the Gospel that is Christ to all the souls that they may know what the love of (God) can dow then will you all know what was the cause of this being left to the poor the love of (God)”
And Whereas the said John Cooper soon afterwards departed this life and his said Will was duly proved by his Widow the said Mary Cooper the executrix in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury on the fifteenth of June 1808; And Whereas the said Mary Cooper departed this life on the twentieth day of December 1840 having by her will dated twenty first day of March 1838 appointed William Pool of Andover in the County of Southampton Coal Merchant her sole executor who proved the same in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury on the sixth day of March 1841 And whereas the said Jacob Gale died in the year 1826 and the said Henry Holloway is now the Minister at the duly licensed Meeting House or Chapel at Potterne.
Wesleyan Methodist Reform Chapel
A Methodist society existed in Potterne in 1782 and was part of the Bradford Circuit although by 1811 it had moved to the Melksham Circuit. In 1832 it became Wesleyan Methodist.By 1852 a group, seceded from the Wesleyan Methodists, set up a separate chapel. They first met in a disused and dilapidated malthouse. The same year a license was issued to hold meetings in a building in the possession and occupation of Samuel Marshman, a Devizes photographer.
The chapel, in Mill Road Potterne, was erected in 1859 and is now a private house. [Source: Wiltshire Community website]
Wesleyan Methodist – Census 1851
Quakers
People and Parish Notables
Associations, Clubs, Organisations and Societies
Friendly Societies
Wiltshire Friendly Society
Bankruptcy
Bankrupts and Debtors 1722-1769
Census Returns Transcripts
The Census for 1841 and 1871 links to my website North Wiltshire Online Census Project
Bishop Compton’s census 1676
Aged over 16 years – 994 conformists, 6 non-conformists.
Elections and Polls
Poll of Freeholders 1772 Voters List 1832 Voters Lists Revisions 1843 County Council Election Notice 1925 MP Nominations 2015
Family Notices
Family Notices 1700-1799 Family Notices 1850-1899 Family Notices 1900-1949
Parish Notables
Ruth Pierce
The inscription on the Market Cross in Devizes records the sudden death of Ruth Pierce of Potterne on Thursday 25th January 1753. From a rare leaflet, which is shown in the photo gallery, it can be seen that as early as 1760, the narrative of the event (copied from a monumental stone in the market place and verified by the signature of Ralph Good, Mayor of the Borough) was circulated as a warning to deter all persons from calling down the vengeance of God or taking His Holy name in vain. [Source: W. N & Q Journal June 1909]
Devizes Market Place Cross – Purpose Remembered 1909
Mary Ford
The source states that she is buried at Potterne but at this time I can find no evidence of a burial. Her Epitaph reads Here lies Mary, the wife of John Ford.
We hope her soul has gone to the Lord.
But if for Hell she has changed this life
She had better be there than be John Ford’s wife
[source: from Verse and Worst – A Private Collection by Arnold Silcock]
People News
People News 1700-1799 People News 1800-1849
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.
Richard & Sarah Long Lineage 1662-1663
Your Help Required
In the people photo gallery are 5 images also shared with the Worton people gallery. These images are of members of the Cooksey family and branches of that family. Margaret the donor of these images would love to hear from anyone who can help identify the people in the images and confirm where the image may have been taken and its date. To contact Margaret please contact the Teresa Lewis (Administrator) via the Contact Us Tab at the top of the page
Do you have early photographs or engravings of family members who were born Potterne? 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 Potterne pages ‘come alive’. If you would like to share photographs of your ancestors (copyright credited and retained by contributor) please email me via he Contact Us Tab at the top of this page under Administrators. Thank you
Poor Law, Charity and The Workhouse
Poor Commission Election 1837 Poor Law Union Bread & Flour Contracts 1838
Probate
Probate Notices
Inquisitions Post Mortem of Lands Held
John Flower 1624 Giles Tooker 1627
Inquests
Inquests at New Sarum 1563 Coroners Bills 1752-1796
Inquest Reports
Obituaries
Obituary & Funeral of Canon Kewley 1950
Parishioners Wills
War, Conflict and Military Matters
War Memorials & Military Gallery
Boer War
Imperial Yeomanry Casualties 1899-1902
War Memorial
The War Memorial stands on the west side of St. Mary’s Churchyard, overlooking the The Butts road (A360). It was dedicated in 1921.
War Memorial Erection 1920 War Memorial Dedication 1921 War Memorial Inscriptions
Royal Navy
Naval Attestations
| William Fielden 1860 | Joseph Glass 1847 | Edwin Hampton 1869 | William Hancock 1851 | Henry Hawkins 1851 | John Hobbs 1804 |
| John William H. Hobbs 1842 | James Perry 1843 | John Underwood 1859 | Fred Watts 1883 |
WWI
WWI Casualty Biographies Diocese of Salisbury Memorial Book 1914-1918
Mrs Sabina Miles Family Service Record 1914 WWI Serving Military Personnel 1914 Mark Few, WWI Employer’s Neglect of Duty 1916 WWI Tribunal Exemption Appeals 1916
British Red Cross/VAD Service
V.A.D. & Red Cross Hospitals 1914-1918
