The History Of All Saints' Wickhambrook

Parish Records

The parish records dating from 1559-1851 are in the County Archives Office, Bury St Edmunds as are the roll of tithes and the very large tithe map dated 5th February 1840. This map shows the extent of the greens not subject to tithes.

Births and Baptisms

In 1538, Henry VIII ordered all parish priests to keep records, but when the Wickhambrook records began in 1559 with a baptism, the name of the mother and father was not identified. The following year, the name of the father started to be recorded and the mother's name occasionally from 1636 until 1693 when it became the rule.

The first twins were baptised in 1575, and triplets in 1733; unfortunately their burials were recorded soon afterwards. Under the Puritan Commissioner, from 1653 to 1657 no baptisms were given, although births were recorded. The Revd John Cooper resumed the recording of baptisms after the Restoration. From 1737, the occupation of the father was also given.

One interesting baptism revealing the spirit of the times has the mother's name given but the father's omitted with the cruel information that he had been transferred overseas for sheep stealing.

Marriages

It was not until 1655 that the groom's place of residence was mentioned, and not until 1702 was it standard practice for both parties' occupation to be recorded. Banns were not recorded until 1754. Ages are not mentioned for either partner in any of the early records and the term "Bachelor" was not used until 1808.

Burials

The relationship to the head of the family was first recorded in 1562, but did not become the rule until 1813. Every so often, from 1562 un-named persons were buried.

Extract from Terrier of 1813

Dated 24th May 1813, the tythe record states that all underwood in the Parish is to the Vicar and taken in kind except Easty Wood which pays ten shillings per annum; according to an ancient composition, every hen or duck pays one halfpenny - fruit, pigs, geese and honey are taken in kind and all other small tythes and duties throughout the said Parish belong to the Vicar. The tythe barn stands by the entrance to the Old Vicarage grounds.