In the register for 1702 there is the first mention of a rector as a resident parson, but for very many years after this date it was customary for the incumbent to be a non-resident, and even Mr. A.Earl, who died at the beginning of the 20th century, was only ‘curate in charge’. With the exception of the year 1646 the living has been in the gift of the Earl of Pembroke from 1613 to the late 1920s, when Dr Clay made his list.
The Incumbents of the Parish – 1305 to date
The following extract is taken from Wiltshire Institutions by Sir Thomas Phillips.
| Date | Patron | Clericus. |
|---|---|---|
| 1305 | Abb. de Wylton | Robertus de Hulcote |
| 1361 | Rex pro Abb. de Wylton | Thomas Barneby |
| 1389 | Abb. de Wylton | Johannes Couper |
| 1389 | Abb. de Wylton | Johannes Couper permut cum Johannes Boum |
| 1408 | Abb. de Wylton | Walterus Kood |
| 1409 | Abb. de Wylton | Nicholaus Grave |
| 1424 | Abb. de Wylton | Wm. Elford |
| 1432 | Abb. de Wylton | Thomas House |
| 1473 | Abb. de Wylton | George Reede |
| 1504 | Abb. de Wylton | Thomas Martyn |
| 1507 | Abb. de Wylton | Thomas Hobson |
| 1527 | Abb. de Wylton | Johannes Roberts |
| 1554 | Rich. Hungerford, gen ex concessione Dominae Isabellae Baynton, de Edyngton, viduae Robertus Mody | |
| 1613 | Willm. E of Pembroke | Wm Lennarde |
| 1623 | Willm. E of Pembroke | Thos. Chaffin |
| (Deficiency of records from 6 October 1645 to 21 June 1660) | ||
| 1674 | Willm. E of Pembroke | Thomas Barford |
| 1702 | Thos. E of Pembroke | Robert Gary |
| 1723 | Thos. E of Pembroke | Thomas Eyre |
| 1754 | Henry E of Pembroke | Thomas Dampier |
| 1759 | Henry E of Pembroke | Thomas Eyre |
| This list is far from complete, and is slightly inaccurate. The following corrections are necessary : | ||
| 1762 | Henry E of Pembroke | Thomas Eyre son of Thomas Eyre |
| 1527 | John Deane | |
| 1540 | ? | John Roberts |
| 1646 | Parliament | Randolph Caldecott |
| 1646? | Parliament | John Priaux |
| 1660 | ? | John Priaux (confirmed in his office) |
| 1811 | E. of Pembroke | William Coxe |
| 1828 | E. of Pembroke | G. Dewdney |
| 1836 | E. of Pembroke | Wellesley Pole Pigott |
| E. of Pembroke | J. Elers | |
| 1890 | E. of Pembroke | Alfred Earle |
| 1898 | E. of Pembroke | Maitland A. Shorland |
| 1919 | Robert Usher | |
| 1942 | Jesse Lees | |
| 1951 | Homer Hill | |
| 1958 | John Blanchett | |
| 1974 | Kenneth Cooper | |
| 1984 | Charles Goulding | |
| 1986 | Joseph Bell | |
| 1991 | John Eade | |
| Incumbents noted in italics in the above list were added to Doctor Clay’s original list by M.A.M. in February 2004 . |
Churchwardens
The churchwardens’ books date from 1795, but it is not possible to compile an accurate list of those who held the office prior to 1823.
| 1823 | James Sheppard Rowden | William Martin |
|---|---|---|
| 1824 | J.S. Rowden | Samuel Bracher |
| 1830 | William Futcher | James Futcher |
| 1831 | James Futcher | Stephen Brown |
| 1838 | William Futcher | James Futcher |
| 1850 | James Futcher | Stephen Brown |
| 1859 | Aaron Futcher | Stephen Brown |
| 1860 | Aaron Futcher | Thomas Webb |
| 1875 | Aaron Futcher | George Hart |
| 1878 | James Futcher | George Hart |
| 1880 | James Futcher | George Futcher |
| 1910 | H. Hitchings | George Futcher |
| 1912 | T. Simper | George Futcher |
| 1913 | Thos. Simper | C.M. Green |
| 1919 | Thos. Simper | Major Dover |
| 1921 | Thos. Simper | B.C.R. Langford |
| 1923 | A.J. Cuff | T. Bracher (Sen.) |
| 1925 | R. Webb | A.J. Cuff |
| 1925 | H. Hitchings | A.J. Cuff |
| 1927 | A.J. Cuff | (October) B.C.R. Langford (pro.tem. H. Hitchings deceased) |
| 1928 | A.J. Cuff | T. Bracher |
| 1939 | A.J. Cuff | Capt. Normand |
| 1943 | A.J. Cuff | L. Combes |
| 1945 | A.J. Cuff | F.T.S. Bracher |
| 1947 | F.T.S. Bracher | H.A. Roberts |
| 1949 | F.T.S. Bracher | Mr Briggs |
| 1950 | F.T.S. Bracher | T. Coombes |
(Note: The retiring churchwardens were re-elected in those years which are not included in the above list)
R.C.C.C.