Widford: Parish Registers

Essex Review

Extract from No. 121. Volume XXXI (January 1922)

The Parish Registers of Widford

G W Saunders says that the number of marriages during the seventeenth century in the small parish of Widford is “startling”.  The Rector between 1637 and 1678 was George Guy, a “gentleman [who] had a pliable conscience and would probably not trouble to ask awkward questions, so that under his gentle rule Widford became a veritable Gretna Green for couples wishing to be speedily joined in the bonds of holy matrimony”.  He adds: “The position of the church, quite close to the Great Road, and not far from Chelmsford, would be an additional advantage”.

“The following instances are typical:

1657.  William Earing p. Writtle and Elizabeth p. Ingatestone

1664.  William Bickner p. Hatfield Peverel and Jane Devenish p. Brentwood

1667.  John Bigg p. East Hanningfield and Joyce Reynolds p. Blackmore

1671.  Henry Eering p. Pritewell and Pricilla Cutchy p. Springfield

1674.  Samuel Tyler p. Rumford and Elizabeth Packman p. Woodham Ferris

1675.  Thomas Malden p. Rochford. Clerk and Collector and Mary Spurgeon of Much Baddow

1677.  William Burton p. Theydon Bois and Elizabeth Burr p. Hornchurch

1681.  John Davenish p. Kelvedon and Elizabeth Lingard p. Writtle

1688.  William Gladwin p. Purleigh and Sarah Bridges p. Burnham

1689.  Christopher Fowler p. Hackney gent. And Mrs Frances Mildmay from Little Baddow

1696.  Andrew Hubbard of Great Burstead and Elizabeth Lemon p. West Hanningfield

1703.  George Hewitt p. Rayleigh and Sarah Bridges p. Burnham

1716.  Robert Foster of Chignal St James and Elizabeth Norris of Brick Chignal

1723.  Thomas Myhill p. Finchingfield and Frances Marter p. Downham

1724.  Thomas Adams p. Chipping Ongar and Elizabeth Corney p. Bobbingworth

1732.  Edward Wallis p. Barmish Roding and Ann Emberson p. Chignal Smealey”.