Archdeacons' Visitation Records
The Borthwick holds a good collection of visitation records of the Archdeaconry of the East Riding. The collection consists of 14 subclasses, but only the ones that contain details of the parishioners will be discussed here.
Court Books [ER.V/CB] 1663-1885 (27 Volumes)
The court books are arranged by rural deanery, i.e. Buckrose, Dickering, Harthill and Holderness. Until the early 1830s the Court Books consisted of two types of 'Calls' -
Visitation Calls: which simply records the incumbent and the old and new churchwardens for every parish within every deanery. The parishes are in alphabetical order within each deanery.
Correction Calls: these are of more use to the genealogist, recording the moral 'crimes' of the parishioners, non-payment of church dues, and many other offences. A full list from Court Book 4 (1675-1679) is provided below.
After 1835 the Court Books are more in the nature of general act books of the archdeacons, since they contain induction mandates, citation mandates, inhibitions and relaxations, subscriptions, surrogation acts, convocation business, various commissions, monitions and archidiaconal charges to the clergy. They contain very little regarding the parishioners, and Correction Calls have ceased by then.
The Court Book volumes and their coverage are as follows:
1. 1663
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8. 1691
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15. 1734-1742
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22. 1827-1840
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2. 1665
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9. 1691-1704
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16. 1743-1749
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23. 1841-1849
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3. 1670-1674
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10. 1694-1706
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17. 1750-1759
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24. 1850-1855
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4. 1675-1679
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11. 1707-1713
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18. 1760-1773
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25. 1855-1861
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5. 1679-1687
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12. 1713-1719
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19. 1774-1785
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26. 1862-1873
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6. 1688
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13. 1720-1725
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20. 1786-1805
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27. 1875-1885
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7. 1689
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14. 1726-1733
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21. 1806-1826
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Note: There are placename indexes to the court Books, 1665-1848, in ER.V/CB.28a-h.
Churchwardens' Presentments [ER.V/Ch.P] 1672-1834 (15 boxes)
The boxes are arranged by parish, so when ordering do not specify a year, specify the parish. Inside a box you will find two to four bundles, each relating to a particular parish, and each bundle contains all the Presentments for the coverage period. Those for Bubwith covered the period 1706-1748. All the presentations found are summarised below.
Correction Citations [ER.V/Co.C] 1671-1827 (3 boxes)
These citations were issued by the Archdeacon's Registrar in York (Thomas Jubb, in the 1720s). They were in the nature of a form, with underneath a brief description of offences, often for several parishes at a time, and requiring the Ministers of the parishes concerned to attend the Visitation, held in St. Mary's Church, Beverley, and publish the process against the persons cited.
Excommunications [ER.V/Exc] 1669-1792 (6 boxes)
Those found guilty of most moral sins were routinely excommunicated. This was not a permanent status, and was usually lifted once the Penance had been performed.
Penances [ER.V/Pen] 1692-1803 (6 boxes)
The penances were very formulaic, and an example is provided below which demonstrates their humiliating nature.
Visitation Returns [ER.V/Ret] 1. Parochial Returns 1720-1724
Rarely an Archdeacon or his representative would Visit individual parishes, to ascertain their general state of repair, and the number and condition of books, vestments and vessels generally considered necessary to perform Divine Service. These Parochial Returns have been examined, and Bubwith was found to have been visited in July, 1723, and the return is provided in full below.
Archdeacons' Visitation Court Books
ER.V/CB.4, fol 15v 1675
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Officio con
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Anna Hallam
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Marm. Starke
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Issabella Story
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Mary Grisdale
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John Story
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John Grisdale
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George Story
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Catherine ux Thomas Smith
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Francis Story
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Lucid Poolle
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Wm Young et Anna ejus ux et Peter ejus filio
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Eliza Hallam
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Anna ux William Dodsworth
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Elizabeth Parkinson
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Thomas Bargham et Juliana ejus ux
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Andrew Barker
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Edward Jillison et Anna ejus ux
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Anna Thorpe
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Wm Preston et Anna Preston
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Maria Plaxton
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for not coming to church nor receiving the Sacrament at Easter last
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Elizabeth Boyes
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Radum Smith
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con
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Margaret Beilby
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John Browne
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John Custance et Maria ejus ux
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Henry Browning
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John Bargham
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Lucid Watson
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Thomas Allen et Elizabeth ejus ux
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Anna Rheame
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John Rabbee
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Catherine Smith
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Margaret Lutton
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Francis Cuniworth
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John Vavasour et Julianna ejus ux et Juliana ejus filia
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Barbara Goodlad
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Thomas Sharpe et Ellona Grayburne ejus pusa ux
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for not receiving the Sacrament at Easter last
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Index to Correction Offences
1675-1679
ER.V/CB.4
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Accounts
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vid. Church Wardens
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Ale Houses
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vid. Tippling
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Assessment
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making a pretended 148; none payment of 1 &c.
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Adultery
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18, 204, 217, 225; Suspicion of 30
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Baptism
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neglect of or preventing 2 &c.; presuming to baptise 116
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Bells
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rung wrongfully 130; broken &c. 59, 61, 67, 101
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Burial
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out of the parish 66; still born child 63
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Cards
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playing at on Christmas day 5
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Catechising
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neglect of attending 18 &c
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Chancel out of repair
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5, 60, 64, 75, 85, 98, 101, 106, 150, 184, 206, 214, 222, 227
not replacing gravestones in 106
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Churchwardens
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non election of 65
refusing office 7
not appearing at Visitations 8
not making presentment 3, 14, 73
not paying court fees 19
not exhibiting accounts 13, 27, 34, 74 &c.
neglect of duty 4, 129, 130, 148
refusing oath
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Church
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disturbance in 147, 148, 203
keeping hats on in
going out of, when Homily read 5
during sermon 5
before the blessing 63, 203
not standing up when Creed read
out of repair 61, 19, 26, 77, 81, 82 &c.
not resorting to the parish 1, 5 &c.
yard, swine kept in
fence, out of repair 68
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Child still born
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vid. burial
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Curate
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non exhibition of Letters of Order
non exhibition of Licence 59, 66
insufficient salary
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Churching
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neglect of 16, 67
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Conventicle
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keeping and resorting to 63, 66
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Cowlam
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rectory house out of repair 32
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Common Prayer
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depreciation of
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Dilapidations
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32, 9
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Excommunicate
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the standing 16
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Flaggon
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the, not providing
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Fornication
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simple 2 &c.
antenuptial 9 &c.
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Holidays
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working on
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Impropriator
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not paying curate
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Incest
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9, 68, 139, 156, 160, 162, 206
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Legacy
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witholding, left to parish 71
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Lord's Day
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profanation of
grinding corn on 7
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Marriage
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clandestine 5, 9, &c.
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Midwifery
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practising without licence 3, 34, 178
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Parish Clerk
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acting without licence 65
neglect of duty 32
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Perambulation
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not attending minister on
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Preaching
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without lawful call
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Quarreling
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with neighbours 32
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Quakers
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Service Book
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Sexton
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for neglect of duty
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School
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teaching without licence
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Style
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in churchyard
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Sacrament
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neglecting to receive 2, 3, &c.
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Tippling
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5, 77, 87, 90
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Visitations
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vid. Churchwardens
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Windmill
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grinding corn on Sundays 7
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Winns
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cutton do. belonging to Ulrome chapel
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Churchwardens' Presentations
ER.V/Ch.P
(arranged by Parish)
For most years the Churchwardens had nothing to report, and their return to the Archdeacon's Visitation was a signed form. Here is an example, from 1788.
We, the churchwardens of Bubwith having diligently perused the Book of Articles given us in charge at the VISITATION of the Right Worshipful Robert Darley Waddilove, Clerk, Master of Arts, Archdeacon of the East Riding, held in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Eight do declare we have nothing to present.
Thomas Musgrave Churchwardens
William Hawkins
Often the churchwardens were illiterate, and in 1781 both churchwardens were illiterate, so it begs the question how they could both declare that they had 'diligently perused the Book of Articles' then both sign with their mark!
The presentations that they did make are given below:
1706
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Thomas Blanshard and Maria Stephenson of Spaldington
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Fornication
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1709
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Mary Lyon of Spaldington
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For not paying her (torn away) nor frequenting her church
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1709
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Alexander Bond of Brighton
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For not frequenting his church
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1709
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Hugh Ibbeson, John Smart, both of Brighton
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Their Easter dues and for not frequenting their church
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1712
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Elizabeth Hudle of Brighton
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Fornication
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1712
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Ann Smith of Bubwith
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Fornication
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c1712
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Alexander Bond of Brayton
(this is from an undated fragment, however a similar fragment bears the date 1712)
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Adultery with Elizabeth Studley
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1713
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William Lister; Thomas Granger of Breeton; Alexander Scott of Gribthorpe; Jane Skipwith, widow; Alexander Bond; Thomas Smith
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Not paying their assessment
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1721
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William Atkinson
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Non-payment of assessment
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1721
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Hannah Bond and William Dixon
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Fornication
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1721
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Andrew Cowlam and Abigail Coperthwaite, both of this parish
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Antenuptial fornication
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1725
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George Blanshard of Spaldington and Mary Johnson of the same
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Fornication
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1727
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Edward Ward and Mary his wife
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Antenuptial fornication
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1727
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Mariam Blackburne, widow of our parish
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Fornication with William Johnson who is broke and run away
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1732
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Alexander Scott
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For not frequenting the church
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1732
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Martha Herbert of Brighton
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Fornication, having bore a bastard child
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1733
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John Day, John Robinson, Thomas Clarke, William Leng, all of Spaldington
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Not paying their church Sess
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1733
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Richard Lister of Bubwith
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Neglect his Easter dues
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1733
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Andrew Cowlam
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Seldom or never coming to his parish church
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1733
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Thomas Brigglen, servant to Robert Johnson of Spaldington
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Seldom or never coming to his parish church
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1733
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Thomas Newsom, servant of Foggathorpe
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Not receiving the sacrament at Easter or other times.
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1733
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Henry Scholey, John Elron, William Baccas, of Willitoft
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Neglect of paying the Sess
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1733
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George Smith of Bubwith
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Seldom or never frequenting any place of worship
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1733
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Rebecca Wood of Gribthorpe, Charles Grey of Market Weighton reputed father
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Whoredom
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1733
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Eliz Johnson of Spaldington, John Hall reputed father
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Fornication
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1734
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John Mason and Elizabeth Mascall
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Fornication
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1735
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John Smith and Sarah Ashton
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Fornication before marriage
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1735
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Ann Erratt of Spaldington
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Fornication
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1735
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William Johnson and Mary Laverack, both of Willitoft
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Fornication
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1735
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Richard Dudd and Ellen Blawe of Spaldington
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Fornication before wedlock
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1735
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Thomas Taylor jun, and Mary Parker, both of Spaldington
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Fornication
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1735
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Esther Norton of Foggathorpe and Robert Glazeby of Market Weighton, but now generally at Foggathorpe
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Strong suspicion of fornication
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1735
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Mary Smith of Cliffe in the parish of Hemingborough, but now resident in Bubwith
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Fornication with William Andrew of Cliffe
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1735
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Ann Smith of ?-thorpe, but generally resident at Bubwith
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Fornication with Edward Bayley of Aughton
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1736
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Luke Blanshard and Mary his wife
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Antenuptial fornication
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1736
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Sarah Collins and John Bird of Spaldington
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Fornication
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1736
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Rebecca Wood of Gribthorpe
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Fornication with Charles Grey, now deceased
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1736
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Timothy Smith and his wife
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Antenuptial fornication
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1736
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George Sellar and Margaret his wifeNote: May 27 1736, Sellar appeared before Mr Hooke in my persona and confessed the said crime, wherefore a doctor returned in June.
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Antenuptial fornication
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1748
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Ann Frankland of Foggathorpe
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Fornication, having bore a bastard child, father unknown
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Penance
Penance enjoined to be done by James Grundy of Spaldington in ye parish of Bubwith and jurisdiction of ye Archdeaconry of the East Riding.
20 February 1730
Tho: Hooke, surrogate
The said James Grundy shall be present in the parish Church of Bubwith aforesaid upon Sunday being the 21 or 28 of Feb or 7th March next in the Time of Divine Service, between the hours of IX and XI of the clock in the forenoon of the same day, in the Presence of the whole Congregation then Assembled, being bare-head, bare-foot, and bare-legged, having a white sheet wrapped about him from the shoulders to the feet, and a white wand in his hand, and immediately after the reading the Gospel he shall be placed upon some form or Seat before the Pulpit or place where the Minister readeth Prayers, and say after him as followeth
Whereas, I good People forgetting my duty to Almighty God, have committed the Detestable Sin of Fornication with Mary Blackburn and thereby have justly provoked the heavy wrath of God against me, to the great Danger of my own Soul, and evil Example of others I do earnestly repent, and am heartily sorry for the same, desiring Almighty God for the Merits of Jesus Christ, to forgive me both this and all other my offences, and also ever hereafter, so to assist me with his Holy Spirit, that I never fall into the like offence again, and for that End and Purpose, I desire you all here present to pray with me, and for me, saying, Our Father, which art in Heaven etc.
And of the due Performance hereof he is Certifie under the hands of the Minister and Churchwardens at the Register Office in York, upon or before ye Eleventh day of March next, together with these presents
Thomas Jubb
We whose names are Subscribed do Certify that James Grundy of Spaldington, did duly perform Penance in the Parish Church of Bubwith the 21st day of Feb Instant in the presence of the whole Congregation Assembled.
John Turton, Vicar
William Gealty, Thomas Weddall, Churchwardens
Note: By 1730 the white sheet had been dispensed with, and the form then says 'being in their accustomed Apparrel'.
Parochial Visitation Returns
1723, ER.V/Ret
fol 98
These are to Certify that the trees and weeds that grew in and about the Church walls are stubb'd up and removed; A table of the degrees of Marriage is provided; the churchfloor is laid plain and even and now paved where it was wanting; A new Common Prayer book is provided and the Cancella, betwixt the Chancel and the Body of the Church is taken down; According to the Decree of the Right Worshipful the Archdeacon made at his Parochial Visitation held in the Parish Church of Bubwith upon the 1st of July 1723.
Witness our hands, Robt Taylor, Vicar
Edward Barret, Wm. Massey, Churchwardens
Bubwith Nov 11th 1723
John Maynard, Tho. Barker
fol 112
A Schedule of the Books, Vestments and Vessells that belong to the Parish Church of Bubwith delivered in the Parochial Visitation of the Right Worshipful Heneage Dering, Doctor of Laws, Archdeacon of the Archdeaconry of the East Riding which was held in the Parish Church of Bubwith within the Deanery of Harthill upon Monday the 1st day of July, 1723. One great Bible, Two Common Prayer Books, a Register of Parchment, a Surplice, Carpet for the Communion Table, Linen Cloath to cover the Elements, a Cushion for the Pulpit and a Pulpit Cloath, Two Pewter Flaggons, one Sylver Chalice, one Sylver Paten, two Pewter Dishes, two Pewter Plates.
Witness our hands, Robt Taylor, Vicar
Tho. Grasby X, Tho. Fletcher, Churchwardens