Wistowpedia

The History of Wistow

Was There A Viking Battle Here ?

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The Atlas of Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire History, edited by Tony Kirby and Susan Oosthuizen, says that there was a battle in Wistow in 917 when the Saxons decisively beat the Vikings. Yet there is no mention of this battle in other sources.

According to the book Edward the Elder, King of Wessex, and his sister Aethelflaed, Lady of the Mercians (children of Alfred the Great), defeated the Danish Army commanded by Earl Toglos at Huntingdon, Wistow and finally Tempsford, thus bringing to an abrupt end the thirty seven years of Viking rule in this area.

Are the writers of the historical atlas right – we like to think so!

If you were the Viking leader Earl Toglos where would you have deployed your troops?

Would it have been on the road to Kings Ripton with the woods and Bury Brook guarding your rear?

Or perhaps up on Wistow Toll with the Brook and the fens for protection?

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Debbie Booth, Jenny Head, Althea Walker

Heritage Day 2009

Extracts from Wistow School Log Book 1939 to 1945

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September 1939 – Start of WW2 and Evacuees

School started early and evacuee children came from London

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Having a “double shift” timetable did not work and an alternative had to be found.

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Gas masks

With the outbreak of war everyone including children had to carry a gas mask at all times. Gas masks were regularly inspected at the school and repairs made. The entries below appear in the school log book.

May 23 1942

The Rector examined gas masks, took names of children needing larger sizes. We now take gas mask drill each Friday.

February 9 1944

Gas mask inspection Mr Harrison, 5 too small. 1 lost, 1 repair

Health Issues

Mrs Bullock was the school nurse and made regular visits to check on the children’s health.

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It was not uncommon for there to be outbreaks of infectious diseases and other medical conditions within the school. There would be visits from the school doctor, dentist, psychologist and a physical training instructor.

April 12 1940

Diphtheria

One case reported taken to isolation hospital. Mrs Bullock school nurse came April 15 with cod liver oil and malt.

Inspected all throats against prevention of diphtheria.

Dr Lillian Phillips immunised all children on April 22 1940.

2 children still suffering from it.

May 6 1940 second immunisations.

March 24 1941

School Diphtheria and Scabies

June 27 1941

Mrs Bullock visited and inspected the children’s heads. Two boys are to be excluded for verminous heads

Jan 5 1942

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Jan 27 1942

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May 15 1942

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June 28 1942

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Savings

Children were asked to buy National Saving Stamps to support the war effort.

March 24 1941

War Weapons week, children bought National savings Stamps.

What was ‘War Weapons Week’?

War Weapons Weeks were different from other war charities, as people did not pay money to a named cause. They were encouraged to save their money in various Government accounts, such as War Bonds, Savings Bonds, Defence Bonds and Savings Certificates. It would coincide with a week of parades, exhibitions and other war paraphernalia.

1944 Salute the Soldier Week

“Salute the Soldier” Week was another fund raising scheme themed around raising funds to equip an army that would be good enough to take on the Germans. A target was set for each District Council. The following pictures depict some of the advertising material.
April 28 1944

Salute the Soldiers Week target £40 result £83.7s.6p

Source Documents from Huntingdonshire Archives, Reference 184/145 Wistow School Log Book

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Debbie Booth, Jenny Head, Althea Walker

Heritage Day 2009

Probate Inventory 1675

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SOME PROBATE INVENTORY ITEMS FROM A LOCAL

RESIDENT OF EAST ANGLIA DATED 3RD DECEMBER 1675

In the hall, 1 table, 1 livery cupboard, 1 other cupboard, 1 clock, a jack(a type of tunic),a spit (for roasting meat),6 joined stools, 6 chairs, hob irons (a poker), fire pan and tongs £4 0s 0d
1 feather bed and bedstead £5 0s 0d
1 trundle bed – a low bed on wheels that can be pushed under another i.e. for servants £1 0s 0d
A press and table, a coffer (strong box for valuables), a form (a bench with no back),3 stools and a chair £2 1s 0d
A silver cup and 2 silver spoons £2 10s 0d
In the buttery (where provisions were kept) – 2 brass pots, 2 kettles and 2 skillets (frying pans) £1 10s 0d
30 pieces of pewter (alloy of tin with lead or another metal) £2 0s 0d
In the other buttery, a table, and a boulting hutch (for sifting ingredients) £1 0s 0d
12 pairs of sheets, napkins and other materials £10 0s 0d
In the roof – 10 waye (1 waye was 256 lbs) of cheese £4 0s 0d
10 firkins (1 firkin was 9 gallons) of butter £10 0s 0d
In the back house – a copper (for washing clothes),   2 kettles and other items £1 0s 0d
In the dairy – 2 churns, 3 tubs, and 12 bowls £2 15s 0d
Bacon in the salt £1 0s 0d
A saddle and other such items £1 0s 0d
Hay in the barn £3 0s 0d
Wood in the yard £1 0s 0d
6 cows £18 0s 0d

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David Titmarsh

Heritage Day 2009

Wistow School

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A National School was built in 1845 for 55 children, supported by voluntary subscription. The school was later a Church of England School.

There are a few documents available at the Huntingdon Records Office, which comprise of a Log Book running from June 1 1915 to October 24 1945.

A 1946 plan and survey of the school by Pocock & Glover, National School Survey, give details of the school and its position.

The school was 36 ft long, 17 ft wide; the walls were 9 ft high with an extra 2 ft at the gable end. There was accommodation for 61children but reduced to 50 in 1934. The school was lit by oil lamps and heated by one open fire and a stove. The toilets were outside with 1 pail for the boys and 2 for the girls. The playground was 5,200 square feet of tarmac or 0.15 of an acre.

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Wistow School 1946

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Wistow Church of England School Plan June 1946

Source Documents from Huntingdonshire Archives, Reference 1133/27 Wistow School Plan

Reference 3469/87 Wistow School National Survey Plan and Photo

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Debbie Booth, Jenny Head, Althea Walker

Heritage Day 2009

The Undertaker’s Book

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Extracts from the Undertaker’s Book from the 1920s

Below are some extracts from the accounts book belonging to Ted Clarke, who was the publican of the Fleur de Lis in the early part of the 20th Century. He was also a carpenter and cabinet-maker and the village undertaker. Harry Allen, a blacksmith, would come from Broughton each week to carry out any ironwork that was needed.

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Expenses for John Dickerson’s funeral in 1926

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A day’s work on 9th November 1923 for the De la Pryme family, of Wistow Lodge

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The client list with some familiar names from the village

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No job too small

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Ted Clarke in his wood yard at the Fleur de Lis (now spelt Fleur de Lys)

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Althea Walker 

Heritage Day 2009

Monks Flee Floods 1178

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Wistow Warbler       Winter 1178

 

MONKS FLEE FLOODS

The increasing frequency of flooding has finally
forced the monks to move from Wistow to Bury

 After 200 years the last Benedictine monk has left Wistow to take up residence in the new church at Bury, which has wisely been built on high ground.

The Abbot said that the distance of Wistow from Ramsey coupled with the winter flooding of Bury Brook has at times made it difficult for the monks to remain in contact with their mother church at Ramsey Abbey. He regrets that the monks have to leave Wistow but promises that there will still be regular services available for the villagers.

Bury will assume the role of importance in Kingstune and Wistow will take on a subordinate position as a berewick and chapelry of Bury. The revenues from the manor of Wistow are still assigned to the support of the office of cellarer of Ramsey monastery and the manor will continue to be let to farm by the Clairvaux family of Upwood. The abbot maintains the right to gallows, tumbrel, and view of frankpledge.

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Floods at Wistow  Bridge Winter 2009

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Althea Walker

Heritage Day 2009

Crime – Quarter Sessions 1850 to 1856

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Wistow Warbler     1850 to 1856

SNIPPETS FROM THE COUNTY OF HUNTINGDON COURTS
MIDSUMMER SESSION MON 1 JULY 1850 JAMES RUST ESQ CHAIRMAN

Thomas Dickerson 21 Labourer

John Pickard 22 Labourer

Committed 25 April 1850 by G Rust Esq. charged on the oaths of William Warren and others with having stolen one copper powder flask and one leather shot bag, the property of the said William Warren at Wistow.

9 Calendar months hard labour each

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GAOL CALENDER FOR MICHAELMAS SESSION MONDAY THE 18 OCTOBER 1852

William Dickerson 27 Labourer

Committed 13 October 1852 by Rev W Finch & R H Hussey Esq. Charged on the oaths of John Saunders and others with having stolen a scythe blade, the property of Isaac & Henry Saunders at Wistow.

Sentence 6 weeks hard labour

George Smith gaoler

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QUARTER SESSION 4 APRIL 1853 JAMES RUST ESQ CHAIRMAN

William Atkins 22 Labourer

Committed the same day by T S Fryer Esq. and the Rev. E Baines charged on the oaths of William Battle and others with having broken and entered the dwelling house of the said William Battle at Wistow, and stolen some pork, cheese and pudding, his property.

1 year’s hard labour

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QUARTER SESSION 2nd JULY 1855

Eliza Smith 35 wife of Matthew

Committing magistrate Gilbert Ansley Esq. of Houghton Hill St Ives

A warrant was issued on 2nd July 1855 when she was also taken into custody, for Stealing one pair of child’s boots value 2shillings, the property of Sarah Butler of Wistow, on the 30th day of June 1855

Guilty 3 weeks hard labour

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HUNTS MICHAELMAS SESSION 16TH OCTOBER 1855

A CALENDAR OF PRISONERS FOR TRIAL AT THE GENERAL QUARTER SESSIONS OF THE PEACE

TO BE HOLDEN AT HUNTINGDON ON MONDAY 15TH OCTOBER 1855

JAMES RUST ESQUIRE CHAIRMAN

SIR WILLIAM BOOTH, BARONET, HIGH SHERRIFF

GEORGE DE VINS WADE GENTLEMAN – UNDER SHERRIFF

GEORGE FREDERICK MAUTE – UNDER SHERRIFF

BENJAMIN AISLABIE GREENE , GENTLEMAN, CLERK OF THE PEACE

In the gaol at Gt Stukeley Nr Huntingdon

William Roast 46 Pig Jobber

Surrendered in court, charged with stealing eight sheaves of oats, the property of Mary Murfin value 1 shilling at Wistow on the 20th day of September 1855

Tried on 16 Oct 1855

Acquitted of larceny

Allowed by clerk of the peace, magistrates certificate costs £12 13s 8p

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17 MARCH 1856 ASSIZES

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE SIR JOHN JERVIS, KNIGHT CHIEF JUSTICE OF OUR LADY THE QUEEN OF HER COURT OF COMMON PLEAS

THE HONOURABLE SIR WILLIAM WIGHTMAN, KNIGHT, ONE OF THE JUSTICES OF OUR SAID LADY THE QUEEN, ASSIGNED TO HOLD PLEAS BEFORE THE QUEEN HERSELF.

JAMES GAY ESQ HIGH SHERIFF

CLEMENT FRANCIS GENTLEMAN UNDER SHERIFF

BENJAMIN AISLABIE GREENE CLERK

William How 25 Labourer

County Magistrate Thomas Skeels Fryer Esq.

Chatteris Isle of Ely

David Veasey Esq.

Castle House Huntingdon

Warrant 28 Jan 1856 Received 29 Jan 1856

Feloniously ravishing Mary Ann Hammond at Warboys and Wistow on the 30th day of March in 1854.

18 March 1856 Tried before Chief Justice

Guilty of Rape Transported for Life

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Debbie Booth, Jenny Head, Althea Walker

Heritage Day 2009

James Dickerson’s Crime 1855

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Wistow Warbler      1st January 1855

WISTOW SHEEP SLAUGHTERER GETS FOUR YEARS

Unemployment drives local man to crime

James Dickerson aged 25, labourer from Wistow, was today given a sentence of four years penal servitude for killing a ewe with intent to steal part of the carcass. The ewe belonged to George Pryme Esquire, also from Wistow, and was stolen in April 1854.

Joseph Phillips, shepherd to Mr Pryme, was alerted to the slaughter of the sheep by Police Constable Joseph Yates. They went together to Raveley Hole where they found the carcass. In his deposition Joseph Phillips said, “I found one of the ewes had been slaughtered and a piece of the carcass taken away, it was taken from the left front leg and one of the ears was also cut off. Joseph Yates showed me that morning a piece of meat and a sheep’s ear, which I have no doubt had been taken from the ewe belonging to my master”.

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That Sunday morning between one and two o’clock James Dickerson had turned up at the station house in Huntingdon. He sat on the steps of the station house saying he was tired and couldn’t go any further because he had “been to Wistow and killed a sheep”. It was clear to the constable that Mr Dickerson was telling the truth because his hands were covered in blood and he had a bloody knife on him. He also produced a piece of meat and an ear!

When asked James Dickerson said, “he could get no work and wanted to be sent out of the country”. The evening before Mr Dickerson had approached Mr Woodruff for work, but was given a four penny piece and told to go to Mr Saunders to try and get a job. Mr Saunders turned Mr Dickerson away and in desperation he had tried to catch one of Mr Saunders’ sheep but failed. Constable Yates felt the prisoner was “quite sober” when he was at the station. The Constable went on to say that Joseph Phillips, shepherd, had showed him the ewe’s carcass and his comment was “I patterned the ear myself and it exactly fitted”.

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Having heard the evidence against him James Dickerson’s comment was “ I was not quite sober when I did it. I have nothing more to say”.

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James Dickerson’s grave can be found in the churchyard

 

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Source Documents from Huntingdonshire Archives, Reference HCP/1/37 Quarter Sessions 1854

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Debbie Booth, Jenny Head, Althea Walker

Heritage Day 2009

Origins of the Name Wistow

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What’s in a Name?

Wistow, like the majority of place-names in England today, is an Anglo Saxon place-name and means ‘the dwelling place’ in Old English (the language spoken by the Anglo Saxons).

It would seem from that simple description that Wistow was not a very important or notable place, but it is the very simplicity of the description that indicates how important Wistow was. The Anglo Saxons were very specific in their descriptions of places and the fact that Wistow was simply called the place meant it was very significant indeed in the local area. It did not need to be explicitly defined as the ‘woodland clearing frequented by ravens’ (Raveley) or the ‘farmstead by a strip of land’ (Ripton). It was just ‘the dwelling place’ and everyone around would know exactly where that place was.

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Extract from Samuel Lewis’ Topographical Gazeetter – 1831

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WISTOW, a parish in the hundred of HURSTINGSTONE, county of HUNTINGDON, 3¾ miles (S.S.W.) from Ramsey, containing 352 inhabitants. The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry of Huntingdon, and diocese of Lincoln, rated in the king’s books at £10, 17.8½ and in the patronage of J. Torkington, Esq. The church is dedicated to St. John the Baptist.