ATHERSTONE

Atherstone, not to be confused with Atherstone-on-Stour (see next parish) was a Chapelry of Mancetter until 1825 when it became a separate parish. Hats were made here from mediaeval times and there were many small hat factories in the eighteenth century, and some thirty in 1890. Felt hats were its speciality. There are the ruins of Merevale Abbey nearby, and Merevale Hall, a nineteenth century mansion was built round a William and Mary mansion, home of the descendants of Warwickshire's famous historian, Sir William Dugdale who, in fact, lived at Blyth Hall some seven miles distant. Ratcliffe is within the parish.

DIOCESE: Lichfield HUNDRED: Hemlingford UNION: Atherstone.

ADJOINING PARISHES: Ratcliffe Culey and Witherley in Leicestershire. Mancetter, Bentley, Merevale and Grendon.

Parish Registers: Christenings: 1825-1976 Marriages: 1851-1972 Burials: 1870-1970 (see Mancetter for earlier entries).

Bishop's Transcripts : 1825-1846 LIC Begin c1833 WOR

IGI: Christenings: 1825-1876 Marriages: 1851-1876 Independent Christenings: 1796-1837,Old Meeting Presbyterian Christenings: 1765-1794. Widely available; BMSGH(PS)

NONCONFORMIST: Roman Catholic: see Source Material and C,M&R Vol.2
Congregational: Z 1795-1900 Marriages: 1942-1974 Burials: 1794-1925 M Christenings: 1794-1953 WAR
Independent: Z 1796-1837 Burials: 1827-1837 PRO COV
Presbyterian: Z 1765-1794 PRO WAR COV

MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS: St Scholastica's Priory 1847-1966 PRO .
Methodist Chapel. United Reformed Church Wood End,St.Michaelís Church. BMSGH.m/fiche , WAR , SoG , BIR

PROBATE RECORDS: LIC

CENSUS RETURNS: All WAR
1851 81 BIR
1881 BCP BMSGH(PS)

INDEXES See Appendix II
Burial 1813-1837 Poor Law c1690-1860

MANORIAL RECORDS: Court Book:of Manor of Atherstone: Dugdale of Merevale Collection. Court Rolls 1334-1601, 1589-1878.
Court papers 1595-1804, 1699-1743; Admissions and surrenders 1847, 1848,1865.
Copies of Court Rolls 1774-1842, 1847-1865.
1575-1716, 1822, 1800 (Assize of Bread) STR

DEEDS: Deeds 1622-1777.
Deeds relating to White Hart Inn, 1705-1896.
Auction Catalogue, Purley Chase Estate, 1914.

OTHER SOURCES: Ward family, deeds etc. 1566-1900.
Bracebridge, Ledger 1767-1790 (includes family details) and 1775-1798.
Ledger of Job and John Toon, millwrights, 1871-1905.
Compton-Bracebridge papers, 1564-1921, includes deeds, leases and wills. Holte family records are in this collection.
Moore family documents, 18th-19th century.
Mediaeval Boroughs in Warwickshire, Atherstone. War.Hist. Vol I No.3.
Warwickshire's Cinderella Town (Atherstone) WWM Feb 1969. See book by Bartlett under Mancetter.V J.N.Roper, Printer, Atherstone TMA Vol.7 No.12 June 1986 (numerous names from Atherstone and surrounding areas)

[ Last updated: 18th March 2013 ]