This entry begins with burials in 1744 which includes that of Rev Joseph Forby and the announcement that his successor is Rev. William Harvey M.A. Rector of West Winch. In 1745 there is the burial of Rev Joseph Forby’s son John who died aged 9. In 1746 Rev. Harvey has added a note at the bottom of the page. It says ‘Mem: all those with this mark (x) dyed of smallpox when upwards of 90 had it in this town.’ Some of the smallpox victims are children. Francis and Elizabeth Chapman lost a son and a daughter within a month. Mildred Wilson is ‘a poor woman sent from Downham’ who ‘died of the dropsy.’
****************************************************************************************
It’s 1821 and Fincham is required by an Act of Parliament to record its population. Rev Robert Forby is the rector and John Hebgin and John Flood the Overseers.
************************************************************************************
These entries are from this book which is about charities in Fincham. Once again Rev Blyth’s attention to detail stands out.
This page tells how the Carter charity was started. It was for the ‘sick and aged poor’ so includes men and women, not just ‘widowers’, and the ‘sick’.
Some examples of payments made in 1885
This is a note about the custom in the parish to make a collection on St. Thomas’ Day for the poor widows resident therein. There is a note written in the twentieth century to say that this collection ceased in 1928. It says ‘The passing of a widows pension Act resulted in a feeling that it was no longer necessary to have a collection.’
This entry mentions the ‘Widows Dole. There is also a ‘memorandum’ from 1873 about Mrs Elizabeth Barsham leaving to the church, in 1863 £,10 to keep in repair the windows she had paid for and other church repairs. The fact that after her death the bequest was declared ‘null and void’ is lamented upon.
***************************************************************************************
First edition of the school magazine 1954
***************************************************************************************
Extract from notes in church register detailing happenings in the church in the 1860’s -70’s.
The last item has details of the stove that was used to heat the church.It reads – ‘Mem Nov 26 1870. To cleanse the flues of the Church Stove, enter the Vault & draw the stove carefully forward-take out the horizontal chimney- then remove the flag stone in the Tower at the base of the Chimney & open the flue. The same may also be opened where the damper is inserted.
The hot water from the boiler ran along pipes under the gratings which still exist in the flooring. The step from no heating to this must have given a physical if not spiritual uplift to the Victorian congregations!
****************************************************************************************
From 1791/2
A list of items paid for for repairs to the church. You can see:- Mr Hipkins Bill for Bricks 8s 8d -Younges Bill Glazier £1 -19s -Thomas Bland Bill 14s 3 and a half pence -Mr Hewson’s Bill for Rope 5s -Laurence (?) Harper Bricklayer 14s -Beer for Bricklayer and Glazier 6s 3d (!|)
On the right are minutes of a Vestry meeting held after an Archdeacon’s Visitation. Nothing changes -churches are always being asked to be kept in good repair!
June 14 at a vestry held this day after due notice given in pursuance on Sunday ? Instant in confirming the Archdeacon’s Directions to Repair the Church Windows and to Whitewash the Church and to put up part of the North aisle which most wants into good and proper repair and for new lead for part of it which is most needful and to do such other necessary Repairs as where pointed out by the Archdeacon at his last Visitation. D. Buckenham William Doe Edmd Barsham Nicholas Sands
*************************************************************************************
The Fire Engine
From a Vestry meeting:-
April 20 1767
It is this Day agreed not to let the Engine to any Parish or Person unless such Parish or Person requiring it agrees to pay to the Churchwardens the sum of One Guinea for the use of it and to pay for any damage it may receive by their use.
Joseph Forby Edmund Barsham John Finch Robert Weatherill
The borrowing of the Fire Engine which was kept in the church must have led to a cost to the Churchwardens which prompted this decision. When your haystack was on fire you would probably quickly agree to the charge. However, how it got to another Parish in time to be of any use is quite difficult to imagine.
Fincham Local History Society 