~ ST. PETER'S CHURCH ~

ST. PETER'S STREET, CANTERBURY

The Booke of Regester of the Parish of St. Peter in Canterbury for Christninges Weddinges and Buryalls, 1560-1800, 106 copies privately printed, 1888

The IGI has marriages and christenings for St. Peter's 1560-1800

An old photograph from my collection. I love the trees that used to be in the front garden path.

There are also Monumental Inscriptions of St. Peter's Church, Canterbury on the Kent Archaeology website

Detail from Austen's map in my collection

Restored in 1882 and again in 1906, at one time used by the French Refugees

A view of St. Peter's Church now, the tower is of the 1100's and contains 4 bells

Made of flint, some Decorated and Perpendicular features, and has a tower containing 3 bells; the church has been thoroughly repaired since 1882

"The handwriting of our old friend John Swetinge, is seen in the marriage register from 1560 to June 5, 1599; in the Baptismal Register it is continued until June 15, 1605; and in the Register of Burials till August 29, 1603. These are the dates at the foot of the leaves he last filled up. I imagine he kept the Registers until 1605, when according to Hasted, Nicholas Patyfere, the Rector, resigned and was succeeded by Rufus Rogers. John Sweeting was curate of S. Peter's during the incumbency of Nicholas Patyfere, and he always signed the Registers as such."

 

1716 - The building of a vault for Elizabeth ROBERTS

1905 - Removal of tombs and tombstones and the erection of a memorial window

 

 

1806, Married at Icham, the Rev. J. P. FRANCIS, vicar of Holy Cross, Westgate, and rector of St. Peter's, both in the city of Canterbury, to Miss PECHEY, only daughter of John PECHEY, esq. MM vol 22

 

1838

Patrons, The Archbishop and The Dean and Chapter of Canterbury, alternately

Incumbent & Rector - John Peechy FRANCIS, St. Peter's Lane

Churchwardens:

G. GRIST, St. Peter's Street

W. WELBY, St. Peter's Street

Parish Clerk, J. HALSEY, Grove's Lane

Sexton, Richard SELLIN, Grove's Lane

 

 

St. Peter's Church, at the corner of St. Peter's Lane, has very thick walls, curious square columns, and an old square font. 1870-72

In St. Peter's Lane, near the church, was found at eight feet deep a moratorium nearly entire, an amphora, and other Roman pottery. 1877

 

 

"Proceeding toward the gate, we pass by St. Peter's Lane and church on our right hand, not far from which, on the same side, was a grated door, which formerly led to our wells, or springs of mineral water,* but the passage, to which this formed an entrance, is now attached to an adjoining dwelling house, and the principal entrance is in Pound lane, a little farther below on the right. These springs rise on premises occupied by Mr. W. Masters, as a nursery ground." William Gostling

*discovered in 1693, and described by Doctor Scipio des Moulins, in the Philosophical Transactions, No. 312

"If Holy Cross has been unfortunate in the partial destruction of its parish books, St. Peter's has been infinitely more unfortunate. Of its Overseers' Accounts I cannot find a single leaf; of the Churchwardens' Accounts there are three volumes in existence, extending from the year 1725 to the year 1811. These should be carefully preserved, as they are sure to contain many items which will prove valuable at some future date in elucidating the history of the parish and its inhabitants. Besides these three volumes there are sundry receipts, leases, indentures, certificates and such like; many are amusing, some may be of value; but I do not intend to enter again upon how much was consumed at Visitations, though the items do include rum punch, brandy punch, tobacco, "cabbage and carrots, colleflowers and Sallett," and other "Eattlobles Dressing and sass." Buried under these odds and ends I found two "Registers for Briefs," the earlier volume dating from 1707. These briefs, or appeals to charitably disposed churchmen, came from all parts of the United Kingdom and some from the Continent.....Altogether over one hundred churches were assisted by contributions from this parish between 1707 and 1735. It is not improbable that this small book of briefs contains the sole memorial of many a calamity which brought sorrow and ruin upon individuals or, in some cases, upon whole communities.

 

1946 - The organ was removed and given to Holy Cross Church

Two other documents from St. Peter's Church chest supply information which I failed to obtain from the records of Holy Cross; and as they give details of no small interest respecting the medicines supplied to the poor by the parish doctor, I copy them in full:

1726: For Matthew COCK & his wife.

August 19, Carduss & a composing draught 00 00 07

20. a Sweating bolus 4d. Olys and Syrup

10d. ...........................................00 01 02

21. 3. cordial pouders & a Large Julep .....00 01 09

For Letting blood.........................................00 00 06

etc......

1727. For HUTTON ye Shoemaker

Octr. 12. Three fever pouders and a julep.... 00 01 09

etc.......

For Matthew COX's wife

Novr. 13. a Sweatting bolus & a Cordial.......0012

etc..........

For Thomas COLE

1727(8) Janry. 15. a large pectoral jel

 

Some excerpts from the Registers (J. M. Cowper)

1563 Was buryed James THOMAS who was by the lawe condemned to dy and was hanged the same day.

1577 was buryed Elizabeth BRETT, widdowe, which was by the lawe condemned to dye.

1578 was buryed Roberte FLACTON the blinde man.

1579 On Symond and Judes daye was buryed from St. Pawles Church the wife of one Roberte HARRYSON.

1582 was buryed William the sonne of Peter LEVETT which childe was drowned on the backside of his house.

1614 Anne HUNT the daughter of John HUNT buryed, she was drowned.

There are numerous references to the Wallons burried in St. Peter's Churchyard, some of which I quote:

1575 The 2 of August was buryed Agnes the wife of Elyas a frenchman out of Father BELLINGERS howse.

The 5 of August was buryed Eue the daughter of Elias above written.

1580 Was buryed a wallonars wife called Jane URBATT.

1581 Was buryed Ezechell a walloners child from Mr. STRANSOMES howse.

1582 Elizabeth a Wallonnes childe of John BRIGHTS tenemente.

Out of Mr. BAWDENS howse a wollone called John.

1585 the 7 of August was buryed a wallan.

1589 Was buryed Danyell ye sonne of Daniell VERONE wallonne.

The year 1582 seems to have been a fatal year for the French Colony. I have already quoted two of these nameless ones; here are others:

1582 The 5 of August was buryed an other maide from Mr. Bawdeus tenement called Martha

The 7 of August was buryed from Mr. Bawdens tenement an old woman called Margery.

The 8 of August were buryed from the same howse two young Damsells the one namyd Christian and the other Jone.

The 11 of August were buryed an other mayde from Mr. Bawdens howse called Katheryne And one Margarett the daughter of John Landersdowne.

The plague or sickness, I have only noticed as being mentioned three times.

1604 John (blank) the sonne of (blank) buryed from Abraham Davyes howse of the plague the xxviij day of Marche. Margery Woodrofe widdowe buryed out of Abraham Davies howse of the sicknes the xiijth of Aprill.

Abraham Davyes buryed of the sicknes the vj day of May.

Another fatal year was 1609, when among others, four Osborns were buried between the 5th and the 23rd of June, and three Hovendens between July 9th and July 23rd. The next very fatal years were 1665 and 1666. In 1665 John King, his wife and five of their children were buried between November 13 and December 22. In the next year Godfrey Hadlo, his wife and six children were buried. In the same year six of the family of Vocate, five of the family of Beda, five of the family of Sack and four of the family of Lushare were carried to the grave.

 

 

"Whether the church of St. Peter the Apostle, Canterbury, ever possessed a parish register before the year 1559 or 1560, we shall I suppose never know. All we do know is that no scrap of paper or parchment of an earlier date is at this day to be found within the walls of the quaint edifice which claims to be one of the oldest of our existing city churches. From 1500 to 1800 is a long period extending over 241 years, and are now placed within reach of the small, but ever increasing history of a parish, and these registers of Christenings, Weddings and Burials, are now placed within the reach of the small, but every increasing number of persons who are genuinely interested in the preservation of all memorials of the dead."

Joseph Meadows Cowper, 1888

 

 

"St. Peter's Church. This parish church was founded in the Saxon period; when, it must be remembered, it was outside the walls, which did not then extend by the East Bridge. All the city where we now are was not enclosed until the Norman period (or the closing days of the Saxon Harold, at the earliest). The church still has a tower, in the main, of early Norman building (though altered), with Roman tiles built into it: there is an interior Norman arch facing as one enters the door; and the square font is probably Norman also. This church was in the patronage of the priory of Christ Church. At the east side of the entrance gate is a charming Tudor or earlier domestic dwelling, with gables, and figure-brackets supporting the overhanging top storey." The Story of Canterbury, Itinerary of Canterbury

 

In the late 1800's and early 1900's the church was used by the students and staff of St. Augustine's Missionary College

 

Christening of Mary TERREE on June 26, 1712

Christening of Mary TERRY, daughter of Edward TERRY, March 15, 1714 *death of Mary July 7, 1716

Christening of Thomas TERRY, son of Edward and Jane TERRY, June 23, 1717

Christening of Edward TERREE, son of Edward and Jane TERREE, June 17, 1719 *he passed away June 17, 1719

Christening of Jane TERREE, daughter of Edward and Jane TERREE, June 17, 1719 *she passed away June 21, 1719

Christening of Jane TERREE, daughter of Edward and Jane TERREE, January 22, 1721

Christening of Elizabeth TERREE, daughter of Edward and Jane TERREE, October 13, 1723

 

Marriage of William TERRYE and Alice CROFTE on February 2, 1571 at Saint Peter, Canterbury *1571 William TERRYE was maryed to Alce CROFITE by a License

Marriage of Abell TERRE and Jane COXE on December 11, 1651 at Saint Peter, Canterbury

Marriage of Rebecca TERRY and Cosby Pierce at St. Peter's, Canterbury 1791

"P. 626. l. 2. "The seat of Robert Mead Wilmot, Esq." This Gentleman married the eldest daughter, and one of the coheiresses of - Roberts, Esq. of Harbledown, who died possessed of his family seat above fifty years ago, and is buried in the family vault of St. Peter's Church in Canterbury. Yours, &c. A.I.E."

The Gentlemen's Magazine 1785

 

Ralph Battel, Preb. of Worcester, 1680

Was born April 11, 1649, and was rector of St. Peter's Church, Canterbury, &c. He died of a nervous fever, March 20, 1712, and was buried in the cemetery of All Saints' Hereford. He published, in 1684 and 1691, "Sermons," and "Vulgar Errors of Divinity removed," Lond. 1683 - See more of him in Noble's Continuation of Granger.

Biographical Illustrations of Worcestershire; Including the lives of persons, natives or residents,... by John Chambers 1820

*Dr. Battell, born April 11, 1649, was rector of St. Peter's Church, Canterbury, and Edworth, in Bedfordshire; sub-dean of the chapel royal, subalmoner to queen Ann, and prebendary of the second stall in Worchester cathedral, 1685. A man who performed the public duties of his offices with peculiar honour to himself, and in his private life was no less deserving of praise, being a most dutiful son, tender husband, and indulgent parent. Dying of a nervous fever March 20, 1712, he was buried in the cemetery of All Saints in Hertford; but he appears to have resided chiefly in Canterbury, where he was greatly beloved by his parishioners. His lady His lady Elizabeth, daughter of Nathaniel Dod, S.T.B. rector of Bennington, Herts, by whom he left Nathaniel, Elizabeth, Affable, and Bridget; three others died before him, the eldest by an accident. Dr. Battell loved music, and was himself a skillful performer; he published "Sermons" in 1684 and in 1694.A Biographical History of England, Mark Noble 1806

"Death, December 15, at Canterbury, Mrs. Bunce, relict of the Rev. William Bunce, late Rector of St. Peter's, and V of St. Clement's in Sandwich." The Gentlemen's Magazine 1783

Near this place lies Interr'd the Body of

JOSEPH SAWKINS late of this City Gentleman,

He was second son of John Sawkins of the same

City Genlteman & Elizabeth his wife, & Married

Hester Daughter of the late Revd Mr. John Cooke,

by whom he had Issue Eight Children, Viz: Joseph

Hester, Elizabeth, John, William, Charles, James &

Jane, of whom 5 are now surviving. Hester, John

& Charles lie buried in this Isle. Having lived

many Years in the strictest Tye of Conjugal

Affection. He was suddenly taken away on the

21 day of November 1752 in the 55 Year

of his Age.

His Sorrowful Widow out of a due Regard

to his Memory hath Caused this Monument

to be Erected

Near this Place also lies interr'd the Body of

the abovenamed Jane Sawkins who died the

12th day of March 1755 Aged 19 years.

 

1812 - Rev. John Pechey Francis, Petn. to take down St. Peter's Rectory house

"St. Peter's Church stands in St. Peter's street, at the corner of St. Peter's lane, and consists of nave, chancel, side aisles, and square tower at the west end. There is a decorated window over the altar, and old square font, and formerly were a number of brasses, of which only the indentations remain. The living is a rectory, which anciently belonged to the priory of Christ Church. At the dissolution it was granted to the Dean and Chapter. In 1681 it was united with Holy Cross, and the patronage is at present enjoyed by the Archbishop and Dean and Chapter alternatively."

Directory 1847*

This connection with Holy Cross was dissolved in 1959. In 1974 the parish of St. Peter, and St. Alphage with St. Margaret, and St. Mildred with St. Mary de Castro was created.

 

St. Peter's Church

A few paces out of St. Peter's Street, on the north side, at the corner of St. Peter's Lane, is a little church, in the patronage of the Cathedral Chapter, dedicated to St. Peter. It has a nave and two aisles, supported by square columns, a decorated window over the altar, an old square font, and once a few brasses, of which only the indentations remain. Here were interred some of the Ickhams, one of whom surveyed the city at the time of Henry IV. [Also Sir Wm. Sepvans, and Elizabeth his wife, and John Bigg, Alderman of Canterbury, who died A.D. 1473]. The walls of the church are several feet in thickness; they are coated with whitewash and plaster, and the church rejoices in the exclusive arrangement of high pews.

Canterbury in the Olden Time, John Brent, 1860

 

Sacred to the memory of JAMES JEUDWINE

Sacred to the memory of
JAMES JEUDWINE
Who died March 23rd 1784. Aged 43.
Also Harriot Holt his wife
Who died August 24th, 1824, Aged 88
Harriot Alexander Gradidge. Their Daughter
Died at Folkstone July 12th 1808. Aged 44.
William James their son died April 10th 1804. Aged 38.
John their youngest son died Oct 22nd 1835. Aged 64. And was buried at St. Mary's Church, Shrewsbury.

This tablet is erected by the two surviving
Daughters of James & Harriot Holt Jeudwine

Their daughter, Margaretta, died January 1st 1852, Aged 84

Ann Elizabeth the last surviving daughter and relict of Peter CRAIG died March 22nd 1861, aged 84 years.

 

"This interesting little church, at the corner of St. Peter's Lane, contains a few traces of the 13th century work and in the small square tower may be seen fragments of Roman tiles and wrought stones, similar to those found at St. Mildred."

Handbook for Canterbury British Association Dover 1899

 

This Tablet

Is Inscribed to the Memory of

WILLIAM -ARTHUR

Eldest son of Alderman MASTERS and CATHERINE his Wife

of this Parish.

His early and Zealous devotion to the

study of the various branches of Natural History

and to his being appointed

Curator

of the Museums of Anatomy and Natural History

King's College London

A Situation he for some time filled

With equal credit to himself

and advantage to that noble institution

He died 20th July 1847

In the 28th year of his age.

Beloved and Regretted.

 

"On the left hand side of St. Peter's Street, as we pass through the city, is the church of St. Peter, so long neglected and disused, but restored to use and service by members of St. Augustine's College. The architectural history of the fabric has been somewhat obscured by the bad treatment it has received. The small square tower at the west end of the south aisle contains a large number of Roman tiles used up in it's construction; it is of early Norman date, though subsequently altered. There is other obviously Norman work of a plain description at the west end. The font is a massive square (2ft. 3 in.) of Bethersden marble, and is probably of the same period; a seventeenth-century font-cover is in a kind of vestry at the west end of the wide south aisle, and the elaborate ironwork and pulleys for its support could be restored. Over a covered shelter to the south doorway rests the elaborate late Renaissance tester of a once handsome pulpit of its kind. The pulpit itself is in the keeping of a gentleman in the county, who rescued it from a builders yard, and would gladly restore it for re-use. The modern prentence as a pulpit is a naked thing of thin metal rods, surmounted by a wooden rail. At the east end of the south aisle, on the north side, is a curious little rectangular niche formed of pieces of timber. On the north side of the altar is a handsome Easter Sepulchre recess, which goes through into the north aisle. Lack of space prevents any attempt at clearing up the architectural development of this somewhat interesting church, which so ingeniously adapted itself to a most confined and irregular site."

"Canterbury; A history of the ancient city" J. Charles Cox 1905

 

There are apparently, Royal Arms in the church dated 1704

 

Grant by John WILLIS late of Canterbury to Thomas Buyssh' of the same of a tenement with garden in the parish of St. Peter, Canterbury, in a place called 'Seyntpetrislane*,' which he had by gift of Ellis Curteys, deceased. Witnesses:—William Byllyngton and William atte Wode, bailiffs of Canterbury, and others (named). 25 January, 17 Henry VI. - (C. 4625)
From: 'Deeds: C.4601 - C.4700', A Descriptive Catalogue of Ancient Deeds: Volume 6 (1915), pp. 105-119, British History Online

*likely is St. Peter's Lane

 

Monuments in the North Aisle

Elizabeth Lineall (nee Smith)

Near this place lieth

interr'd ye Body of

Eliz. Wife of Tho Lineall

junr of this Parish Daughr

of Will: Smith, of this

Citty, by whom he had

Issue 6 Child: of whom 3 are

here interr'd, the 3 surviving

are Thos, Dorothy & William

She departed this life Novr.

14th. 1714

in ye 44th

Year of

her Age

 

In Memory

of Elizabeth the only Daughter of

Ald. Lineall, by Mary his

First Wife who died May 18th 1708 in the 14th Year

of her Age.

Also, of Elizabeth the first

Wife of Tho Lineall Senr.

who lye buried

near this Place

died 17?3 Aged 65.

 

Near this place are deposited the remains of

MR. JOHN PILCHER

late of the Parish of

Holy-Cross-Westgate,

who departed this life February 2, 1775.

aged 45 Years

Also of Mrs. JANE

widow of the above mentioned

who died December 18th, 1793.

aged 67 Years

Likewise three of their Children viz.

JOHN

who died January 3rd 1753, aged 1 Month

CATHERINE

who died May 4th: 1754, aged 4 Months

And WILLIAM

who died an Infant

_____

The Rectors Roll caligraphy was done by Ray Woods


Some insignificant looking bits of paper, like leaves torn from a memorandum book, with astring round them, turn out to be "Saint Peters Poppolation Paper 1801." It contains the names of all the householders in the parish in that year; but as it lies beyond my limits I content myself by giving the summary of this first census ever taken here.

"Inhabited houses - 133

Number of families - 203

Uninhabited houses - 1

Males - 272

Females - 422

Total - 694

Employed in agriculture - 10

Employed in trade - 112

Persons not classed with the others - 150

Total - 694*

*.....should probably read 272, which is the total number of males (my notes)


Rector of St. Peters - Ralph BATTEL, Preb. of Worcester, 1680 (b. April 11, 1649, died of a nervous fever, March 20, 1712, and was buried in the cemetry of All Saints', Hereford.)

1843 - Marriage, November 4th, at Canterbury, T.H. Fraser, esq. only son of the late Lieut. Fraser, R.N., to Emma, youngest daughter of the Rev. J. P. Francis, Rector of St. Peter's, Canterbury, and niece of the Bishop of Australia

1847 - Rev. John Pechy Francis is the rector

1858 - Rev. F.A. Smith

1882 - Rev. Francis Angel Angel-Smith M.A., L.L.D. (surrogate) Hours of Service; 3:30 pm.

1889 - Rev. Phillip Wood Loosemore, M.A., Rector

WT&HBH - Saturday, July 2, 1898 - The Rev. H. A. Fuller, who has just been received into the Roman Catholic communion, was formerly associated with St. Peter's Church, Canterbury.

1903 - Rev. Thomas Gibson Hill M.A. Hours of Service: 8 & 10:30 am & 6:30 pm; daily 7 & 7:45 am. 5:30 pm.

1913 - held since 1910 by the Rev. Charles Herbert Malden M.S. of Trinity College, Cambridge

1917 - Rector, Rev. C. d'E. Image (St. Peter's Rectory), 31 St. Dunstan's street; Curate, Rev. R. Wyllie, 47 Hanover Place; Churchwardens, Mr. W. Fowler and Mr. P.J.


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