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St Lawrence, Darlaston. Copyright 2010 - Nigel James Wright. |
John Waltham M.A. John Waltham M.A. is the most important of all the Steatham vicars in that he baptised / buried nearly all of Robert Steatham's children. The only exceptions are the last surviving son of Robert Steatham, Samuel Steatham, and Robert Steatham's first and last child James Steatham, at St Lawrence, Darlaston, Staffs. John Waltham M.A officiated the following, James Stathem (1800-1816) baptised. Thomas Statham (1803-1873) baptised. John Statham (1805-1806) baptised. John Statham (1805-1806) buried. Joseph Statham (1806-1889) baptised. Sarah Steatham (1809-1810) baptised. Elizabeth Steatham (1809-1889) baptised. Sarah Steatham (1809-1810) buried. Elizabeth Steatham (1809-1810) buried. William Steatham (1811-1811) baptised. William Steatham (1811-1811) buried. Moses Steatham (1813-1891) baptised. John Waltham (1751-1814). This research is broken down into Five sections; Quick Overview. Detailed Research (John's origins and Children). Census findings. Discussion. This includes his book, and sermons preached. Research - Additional Planned. |
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Quick Overview
John Waltham baptised on Saturday the 7th August 1751, at Kingston Upon Hull, Yorkshire. John Waltham married Mary Belton, in 1766. They possibly had at least one child. Mary then died and he then married at St Lawrence, Darlaston, on Tuesday 11th June 1811, Mary Fletcher. Detailed Research |
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John Waltham's baptism. |
John Waltham was baptised [IGI] on Saturday the 7th August 1751, at Holy Trinity, Kingston Upon Hull, Yorkshire, by the Rector William Mason. His father's name was given as John. Holy Trinity is the largest parish church in England when floor area is the measurement for comparison, and it occupies an area of not less than 20,056 square feet. The church dates back to about 1300 and contains what is widely acknowledged to be some of the finest medieval brick-work in the country, particularly in the transepts. William Wilberforce, who led the parliamentary campaign against the slave trade, was baptised in Holy Trinity Church. Note the following - December 31, 1751 was followed by January 1, 1752 (the switch from March 25 to January 1 as the first day of the year), and September 2, 1752 was followed by September 14, 1752 (drop of 11 days to conform to the Gregorian calendar). John must have blissfully unaware of these once in a lifetime events. |
John Waltham's first Marriage, to Mary Belton. |
Now as regards John's marriage we seem at first glance to have two to choose from... A John Waltham at the age of only fifteen, was married [IGI] to Mary Belton, aged thirty two by the Rev. Humphrey Hyde M.A., by Banns [April 17th, May 4th, May 11th], and then married the next doy on Monday the 12th May 1766, at the Abbey Church of St Peter and St Paul, at Bourne, Lincolnshire. I wonder why it was that important to have the wedding on the Monday and not wait until next Sunday the 18th? John Waltham was described as a labourer. Both signed with their marks [X]. Note the huge age difference, could it be that Mary was wealthy enough to fund him through University? Now, we also see another marriage on Saturday the 25th November 1780, fourteen years later, of a John Waltham, aged twenty nine, to a Mary Read, aged twenty five, at Hull, the same church where John Waltham was baptised. Notice Mary's given age, twenty five, now to be our Mary, she would have to have been aged forty six to fit. So our choices at marriages are... John, aged fifteeen, and Mary, aged thirty two. or John, aged twenty nine, and Mary, stated as twenty five, but that age is far to young she would have had to have been aged forty six to fit her stated age at death. So the first one in 1776 of John and Mary Belton, it has to be. This is also confirmed by the newspaper report of her death in 1810 aged seventy six. So she would have been born in 1734. So she was aged thirty two when she married John Waltham then aged just fifteen. It was noted by Hackwood [HAC] that John Waltham was a tall man six foot four inches in height so he may have well looked at the young age of fifteen much older than he was. |
Abbey Church of St Peter and St Paul. |
The Abbey Church of St Peter and St Paul, at Bourne, Lincolnshire. The present building was formerly the church of the Priory of Augustinian Canons founded in 1138 by Count Baldwin FitzGilbert (Strongbow). When the priory was dissolved in 1540 the church was retained for the parish. There is a brass chandelier of three tiers dated 1742, and many of the gravestones and tombs in the churchyard have well-designed and executed ornament and lettering. Robert Manning (Robert de Brunne) a Sempringham monk, born in 1270, whose "Chronicle of the History of England" is one of the earliest translations from Norman French to weld together the various English dialects, spent the last forty six years of his life as a schoolmaster in Bourne Abbey. |
John Waltham's son baptism. |
If John Waltham did marry Mary Belton in 1766 then the following person maybe his son.
John, the son of John Waltham was baptised on Sunday the 13th of June 1770, at the church of St Firmin, Thurlby near Bourne, Lincolnshire. We next see banns being issued 12th November 1797, for the marriage to a Jane Stockdale, aged 21, on Monday the 27th November 1797, at Bolton Abbey. Witnesses were John Dixon and Francis Ward. In addition we have John mentioned. [BNA] Lincolnshire Chronicle - 14th July 1848. DIED. At Thurlby, on Monday the 10th inst. aged 78, Mr John Waltham, parish clerk. I wonder if John ever visited his Father at Darlaston, or attended his funeral? It is strange that John Waltham mentioned his brother Thomas in his will, but not his son John, who was certainly alive when he made signed it. We see a Thomas Waltham being baptised on Monday the 27th March 1749, at Holy Trinity Hull, but his father's name is recorded as Joseph. |
Jesus College - Chapel Interior. |
John Waltham then aged twenty five, on Saturday the 5th October 1776 he was admitted [CED] sizar at Jesus College, Cambridge, and then matriculated [CED] Michaelmas [29th September] 1776, he then obtained [CED] a B.A. in 1781. [sizar at Cambridge was a student who received an allowance toward college expenses in exchange for acting as a servant to other students] [Matriculation is the process by which you will be formally admitted to the University] John Waltham was then ordained [CED] Deacon by John Hinchcliffe the Bishop of Peterborough, on Sunday the 28th June 1778, then ordained [CED] a Priest on Friday the 20th December 1778. John Waltham then obtained [CED] his M.A. in 1784. |
All Saints, Kilnwick. |
John Waltham now aged thirty nine, he was then made assistant curate[CED], on Friday the 6th October 1780, at All Saints, Kilnwick on the Wolds, "Beswick Chapel"! This gave him a living of 30/annum. 30 in 1780, in todays money would be the equal to 5,737 - Calculated using this Link. What an interesting fact this is. John Waltham's patron was William Jesse, who was Curate from 1765 to 1799. It was described in the early 1820s as a Church that is a perpetual curacy, dedicated to All-Saints, incumbent the Rev. Francis Lundy; curate, the Rev. Wm. Legard; patron, Charles Grimston, Esq. Population, 230. Coincidentally 35 years later Joseph Hugill was appointed Curate at Skerne, East Riding, Yorkshire, on Sunday the 17th December 1815. Skerne is only 4 miles North-East of Kilnwick. |
St Gomonda, Roche, Cornwall. |
John Waltham was then made Rector [CED] at "St Gomonda of the Rock", Roche, Cornwall - near St Austall. The Anglican parish church was dedicated to St Goemandus, Conandus, Conant or Gonnet. It was originally arcaded as most of the neighbouring churches are, but was rebuilt in 1822 and is now a plain parallelogram with a north transept, entered through a chamfered pointed arch. The church has a fine Norman font of the Bodmin pattern made from Pentewan stone. It is likely that there was a Saxon building before the Norman Church was built by the Lords of Tremodrett. In 1870-72, John Marius Wilson's Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales described Roche like this: ROCHE, a village and a parish in St. Austell district, Cornwall ... was known, at Domesday, as Treroache; and has a post-office under St. Austell; and fairs on 24 May, 18 July, and 10 Oct. The manor was anciently held by the De Rapes! Stream tin and porcelain clay are worked; and the latter is sent, by way of Liverpool, to Staffordshire [by sea I assume, then onto the potteries]. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Exeter. Value, 413.* Patrons, the Trustees of the late J. Thornton, Esq., and J. Rashleigh, Esq. The Norman Church was largely rebuilt in the 14th century and restored in 1820-2 and again in 1890. 413 in 1781, in todays money would be the equal to 75,213 - Calculated using this Link. This is a huge rise on his last living! |
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Finally in 1800, John Waltham now aged forty nine, was made Rector [CED] of St Lawrence, being presented by Henry Foster, and instituted on Friday the 21st February 1800.
When John Waltham was appointed Rector, the patrons were; John King, Rector of Bisley, Charles Simeon, Vicar of Holy Trinity, Cambridge, and William Richardson, Minister of Michael le Belfry, York. In addition we have mentioned. [BNA] Cambridge Intelligencer - 8th March 1800. The Rev. John Waltham, M.A. formerly of Jesus College, is instituted, by the Lord Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry, to the rectory of Darlaston in Staffordshire, on the presentation of the Trustees under the Will of the late John Thornton, Esq. of Clapham. Oxford Journal - Saturday 15th March 1800. The Rev. John Waltham, M.A. formerly of Jesus College, is instituted, by the Lord Bishop of Litchfield (sic) and Coventry, to the rectory of Darlaston in the county of Stafford, on the presentation of the Trustees under the Will of the late John Thornton, Esq. of Clapham. Interestingly the Will of the late John Thornton, Esq. of Clapham, mentions Kingston Upon Hull, John Waltham's birth place. Also John Waltham himself is mentioned, hard to decypher but here goes "and next the Reverand John Waltham late of Royston? in the County of Stafford? may ? to my said livings (except those at Clapham and Saint Mary's of Hull)...". This will is free to download as a .pdf at the National Archives, once one creates an account. Anyone having the time, skill and inclination to attempt at decyphing it further, it would be much appreciated. |
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Cover of John Waltham's book. |
We now see John Waltham publish a book.
Aris's Birmingham Gazette 02 March 1801. This Day is published, Price 6d. A SHORT MEMOIR of the LIFE and DYING EXPERIENCE of the Right Honourable JANE COUNTESS of BURFORD, whe departed this Life July 18, 1800. By the Rev. JOHN WALTHAM, A.M. Rector of Darlaston, Staffordshire, and late of Jesus College, Cambridge. THE SECOND EDITION. Birmingham, printed and fold by Grafton and Reddell, High-street; sold also by F. and C. Rivington, St. Paul's Church-yard, London ; T. A. Pearson, Birmingham ; and all other Booksellers. A few Copies are printed on superfine Royal Writing Paper, which may be had as above, Price 1s. Also we have... Birmingham : printed by Grafton & Reddell, No. 10, in the High-Street: sold by F. & C. Rivington, St. Paul's Church-Yard, London; T. Browne, Hull; T. Paternoster, Hitchin; and other booksellers, 1800. This has been re-printed by Gale ECCO, Print Editions (27 May 2010), 28 pages, ISBN-10:1140650548, ISBN-13:978-1140650546, Publication date 17 Apr 2018. I have obtained a copy of re-print of his book, which makes for very interesting reading. See Discussion below where I give quotes from his book, and reveal what extra it tells about his life. |
John Waltham's first wife Mary burial. |
John Waltham's first wife Mary now dies, and was buried [WHC] in the churchyard at St Lawrence, but there is some confusion about the date; in the burial records it clearly states the 16th as the date of burial, but on John Waltham's monument it says Mary died on the 18th of April 1810, that's two days after she was buried! Also we have, Staffordshire Advertiser - Saturday 21st April 1810 Died- On Tuesday last, the Rectory-House, in the 76th year of her age, Mary, the wife of the Rev. John Waltham, rector Darlaston, and one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for this county. So Tuesday last would be the 17th! So now we have three conflicting dates, I would say the burial records stating the 16th is most likely the correct one, if not the records would show that Mary was buried for she dies. But please take your pick. We now see, Worcester Journal - 25th August 1808 On Sunday next, August 28th, 1808, SERMONS will be preached and Collections made at Ribbesford Church in the morning, and at Dowles Church in the afternoon, for the benifit of the Children of the Sunday School attending those churches, by the Rev. John Waltham, M.A. Rector of Darlaston.- Service to begin at eleven o'clock in the morning, and at three in the afternoon. The church of St Leonard, Ribbesford, and the former church of St Andrew, Dowles are both near Bewdley, Worcestershire. |
Robert Steatham's newspaper entry. |
We now see...
Aris's Birmingham Gazette 11 May 1812 Price Sixpence Halfpenny. John Waltham was the chairman / President of the Darlaston Bible Society, and at the Public Office at Darlaston, on Saturday the 27th April 1811, a meeting was held. Resolutions were adopted and a copy of the donations and annual subscriptions listed. We see listed there John Waltham, exclusive of a Donation of 50l. ( 50), and an annual subscription of two Guineas to the Parent Scociety. 50 in 1811, in today's money would be the equal to 4,489 - Calculated using this Link. Two Guineas in 1811, in today's money would be the equal to 180 - Calculated using this Link. We also see listed there a Mr. Robert Statham (sic) with an annual subscription of 10s. 6d. 10s. 6d. in 1811, in today's money would be the equal to 47 - Calculated using this Link. Half a Guinea, a guinea being one shilling (21 shillings), or upwards, was stated to the annual subscription to the society. We can see why more than one subscriber choose the amount of 10s. 6d, including our Robert. This is the only know record of Robert Steatham being mentioned in a newspaper. Note, this is after the first use of the Steatham name being used for the baptism of Sarah & Elizabeth Steatham on Sunday the 11th of June 1809. Then we see his next child William Statham was baptised on Sunday the 28th of April 1811. Note the date of William's baptism - interestingly it is the day after the Bible meeting above! It is also reasonable to assume that Robert attended the above meeting, so we now know the only two consecutive days where Robert was. Moving on, the Steatham name now becomes firmly established on the baptism of his next child Moses Steatham on Sunday the 21st February 1813. |
John Waltham's second marriage. |
John Waltham then married [WHC] at St Lawrence , Darlaston, on Tuesday 11th June 1811, Mary Fletcher, baptised [IGI] on Thursday the 8th February 1776 at St Lawrence, daughter of William Fletcher & Alice Blakemore. Interestingly Mary's sister, Catherine, married the Rev. Theodosiuos Theodosiuos (1774-1853), of Lower Gornal fame. Aria's Birmingham Gazette 17th June 1811 On Tuesday at Darlaston, by the Rev. Mr. Lloyd, the Rev. John Waltham, Rector of the said parish, and one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the county of Stafford, to Miss Fletcher, of the same place. Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette 20th June 1811 MARRIED. Rev. John Waltham, rector of Darlaston, Staffordshire, to Miss Fletcher. |
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John Waltham M.A was the Rector at St Lawrence from 1800 to 1814.
The following is taken from a book [HAC] about Darlaston [A history of Darlaston - Frederick Hackwood, 1887][HAC]. [quote] The Rev'd John Waltham is said to have been a fine stalwart man, 6 feet 4 inches in height. He was a magistrate and occupied the bench when the court used to sit in the room at the back of The White Lion Inn. It is related of him, that in his attempts to suppress bull-baiting in his parish, he often displayed indomitable courage. On one occasion, hearing of a baiting that was going on at the Bull Stake, he stalked down upon his erring flock, walked straight up to the bull, unfastened the brute, and led it away to his tithe-barn; remarking to the astonished awe-struck rabble that "he would like to see the man who would fetch it away !" Whether it was consciousness of the parson's great physical strength or a dread of incurring his magisterial wroth, or both, it is certain that the bull was not claimed: and that next day the beast was slaughtered and its flesh distributed amongst the poor. [end quote] A Communion Plate was gifted to the church by the Rector, John Waltham. [quote] It is inscribed "The Gift of the Rev'd John Waltham A.M. Rector to the Parish of Darlaston June 1805". [end quote] [Page 105] The Tenor bell has the following inscription, [quote] The Rev. John Waltham M.A. Rector. [end quote] [Page 86] The church has a Silver chalice 9oz avoirdupois, inscribed, [quote] |The gift|of|The Revd. John Waltham, A.M. Rector|to the|Parish of Darlaston|June 1805|. [end quote] Just over 13 years later, the Church Records record on the 11th September 1816, a 12 year old boy being buried, who it is recorded as "drowned while stealing turnips on the Sabbath!". In addition we have mentioned. [BNA] Staffordshire Advertiser - Saturday 26th July 1806. STAFFORDSIHRE. At the General Quarter Sessions the Peace of our. Lord the King, holden Stafford, in and for the County of Stafford, upon Thursday in the first week after the Translation of St. Thomas the Martyr, To wit: the 17th day of July, in the 46th Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Third, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, and in the vear our Lord one Thousand eight Hudred and Six,, before John Sparrow, Esq. the Hon. Charles Chetwynd Earl Talbotr, the Right Hon. Thomas Viscount Anson, the Right Hon. Dudley Lord Harrowby, Sir John Chetwode, Sir Thomac Fletcher, Barts. Richard Whitworth, Walter Sneyd, John Lane, Charles Wolseley, Waiter Hil! Coyney, Nath. Gooding Clarke, Geo. Chetwynd, John Fenton Bouchey Fletcher, John Heyliger Burt, Esqrs. Thos. Whitey, Geo. Talbot, Sam?. Higgins, Jos. Cartwright, Edw. Powys, Wm. Michael Laley, John Waltham, and Wm. Smith, Clerks, Justices of our said Lord the King, assigned to keep the peace in the County aforesaid, and also hear and determine divers Felonies, Trespasses, and other misdemeanours committed in the same County. WM. PHILLIPS INGE, Esq. Sheriff. It having been represented the magistates now assembled, that two MILCH COWS, the property of The Rev. JOHN WALTHAM, Rector, Darlaston, were on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning, the 22nd day of May last, unlawfully and maliciously maimed and wounded in their pasture, in the parish of Darlaston aforesaid; one of which cows is since dead; and there appearing reasonable ground for suspicion, that such felony was committed in consequence of the exertions of the said John Waltham, the execution of his Duty as a Justice of the Peace of this County; It is Ordered, that a reward of FIFTY POUNDS, be offered as an encouragement for the apprehension of any the persons concerned in the above felony, (in addition to the rewards of ONE HUNDRED POUNDS, offered several Gentlemen reading in and near Darlaston aforesaid, and of FIFTY POUNDS the said John Waltham, the sub-joined advertisement) to be paid by the Treasurer of this County, on conviction of my one or more of the offenders. By the Court, HINCKLEY. Whereas it hath been humbly represented to the King, that on Wednesday night the 21st or early on Thursday morning the 22nd day of May last, some evil disposed person or persons, did unlawfully and maliciously maim and wound two Milch Cows, the property of the Rev. John Waltham, Rector, of Darlaston, in the County of Stafford, in their pasture, in the Parish of Darlaston aforesaid; one of which Cows is since dead, in consequence of the wounds she received; His Majesty for the better apprehending and bringing to justice the persons concerned the above felony, is pleased to promise his most gracious pardon to any one them (except the person who actually maimed and wounded the said Cows) who shall discover his or their accomplice or accomplices therein, that he, she or they may be apprehended and convicted thereof. Spencer. And as further encouragement, a Reward of One Hundred Pounds is hereby offered by several Gentlemen residing and near Darlaston aforesaid, (for which the said John Waltham will be responsible) and a further Fifty Pounds is hereby offered by the said John Waltham, to any person making such discovery at aforesaid (except as is before excepted) to paid on conviction of any one or more the offenders. J. Waltham. 150 in 1806, in todays money would be the equal to 14,343 - Calculated using this Link. This seems to me a enormous amount to give as a reward. |
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John Waltham's slab in the church yard. |
John Waltham was involved in the restoration of the church in 1806.
In the church yard there is a slab inscribed as below. Where this slab was originally located before the headstones were cleared, is unknown. /IN THE HIGHEST/ /THIS CHURCH WAS REBUILT/ /BY VOLUNTARY/ /CONTRIBUTIONS/ /A.D. MDCCCVI/ /THE REVd I. WALTHAM M.A./ From the wording of the first line it looks like this may be just the bottom of a larger inscription. Also, why the I. instead of J., possibly the I does not represent his first name, any ideas? We now see John Waltham mentioned in a newspaper. London Moderator and National Advisor 8th June 1814 DISTRESS IN GERMANY - Subscriptions which we see John Waltham giving 35 18s. 0d. 35 18s. 0d. in 1814, in today's money would be the equal to 3,169 - Calculated using this Link. |
John Waltham burial. |
John Waltham died on Monday the 11th July 1814, and was buried [WHC] in the Rectory Vault at St Lawrence, on Friday the 15th July 1814.
In addition we have mentioned. [BNA] Worcester Journal - Thursday 21st July 1814. In the 63rd year of his age, the Rev. John Waltham, M. A. Rector Darlaslon, and one of his Majesty s Justices of the Peace for the county of Stafford. Oxford University and City Herald - Saturday 23 July 1814. Clergymen Deceased. On Monday last, aged 64, the Rev. John Waltham, M.A. rector of Darlaston, and one of his Majesty's justices the peace for the county of Stafford. Oxford University and City Herald - Saturday 23rd July 1814. On Monday last, aged 64, the Rev. John Waltham, M.A. Rector of Darlaston, and one of his Majesties Justices the Peace for the county of Stafford. Star (London) - Monday 25th July 1814. Monday, aged 64, the Rev. John Waltham, M.A. Rector of Darlaston, and one of his Majesties Justices of the Peace for the County of Stafford. His surviving wife Mary, now marries the Rev. John Howells, on Thursday the 3rd October 1816 at Handsworth, Staffs. Oxford University and City Herald - Saturday 26th October 1816. CLERGYMEN MARRIED. Rev. John Howells, Tipton, to Mary, relict of the Rev. John Waltham, rector of Darlaston, Staftordshire. Mary [Nee Fletcher] died on Wednesday the 23rd December 1846, and was buried on Wednesday the 30th December 1846, at Holy Trinity, Coventry. Note - Mary Fletcher's ancestory can be traced back to about 1564 at Shareshill, Staffs. |
John Waltham's Monument, St Lawrence, Darlaston. Copyright 2010 - Nigel James Wright. 
John Waltham's Monument - detail. Copyright 2010 - Nigel James Wright. |
John Waltham M.A. has a monument to him, in the north side of the Chancel.
The wording is quite moving. To quote "For several years he discharged with exemplary diligence the labourers duties of a magistrate, when in the midst of his usefulness and worn down by the pressure of his work, he finished his course with joy on the 11th July 1814, in his 63rd year". To quote again "This monument is erected by his deeply afflicted widow, as a memorial of her perpetual affection and veneration, for one of the kindest of husbands and the best of men". His first Mary died on the 10th April, 1810, aged 76. The above is inscribed on the monument, although the monument was erected by his second wife, also named Mary! To be frank, it's all a bit confusing! To read about the church, see Steatham Churches - St Lawrence, Darlaston, Staffs. To view the church in GoogleEarth, open GoogleEarth and click the following link:- GoogleEarth - St Lawrence, Darlaston, Staffs. |
 John Waltham's will. |
John Waltham's will [with one Codicil] was signed on Saturday the 16th April 1814, and was proved at London on the 15th of October 1814 before
a judge for Mary Waltham widow and executors.
The witnesses for the Will were, George Green of Darlaston, Victualler [The publican of the White Lion] and Charles Thornhill, of Darlaston, Draper, and Charles Adams, of Darlaston, Attorney. To read the Will Click here. Census findings I have searched the 1841-1911 Census's, and here are the results. The Census was always conducted on a Sunday, [1841 - June 6th] See Research - Additional Planned, below. Other dates will be added in once / if children found. Discussion. John Waltham is the first of our Steatham vicars at St Lawrence, he appears to have had at least one son, who disappears without trace, and no children are mentioned in his Will, but it is possible that all this will [excuse the pun] be cleared up in time. |
John Waltham's Venn entry. 
John Waltham's book cover. |
The main reference work for researching Cambridge Alumni, is Alumni Cantabrigienses: A Biographical List of All Known Students, Graduates ... edited by John Venn. This is John Waltham's entry. Note there is no mention of John's first wife in his Venn entry, but his Venn entry does mention his time as Rector at Roche, which is suprisingly missing from his [CED] record. John Waltham's book. The following are quotes from his book... [quote] The following Memoir would have appeared much earlier, had not the writer's engagements, in consequence of his removal to a distant part of the country [Darlaston?], neccessarily prevented. [end-quote] [quote] She was moulded into the image of her Saviour, and the graces of his spirit shone conspicuous in her. If in one grace more than another she resembled him, it was in the most amiable part of his character, in meekness and humility. Here she shone a pattern to all, especially to those of her rank and station. She was the most amiably condescending to all her inferiors, even to the poorest, and especially to the pious poor, and would enter the meanest cottage with pleasure, to converse, and join in religious exercises, with the people of God. She has attended the writer of this memoir to the sick beds of the poor disciples of Christ, and with sympathising tears heard them relate, their supports and consolations. ...in a letter written to her only child, The Right honourable Lady Mary Beauclerk, and left with the writer of this memoir to be given to her after her mother's death. [letter] Dear Child, When you receive these lines, I shall be gone to that dear Jesus whom I used to talk and read to you about. Pray now take some of my best advice, hear my faith, and pray to the Lord Jesus Christ to give you the same. He was pleased to shew me at twenty-five years of age, soon after you were born, that all my my strict attendance at public worship, my many prayers, alms, and reading good books, would not make me good. I saw I sinned in whatever I did. I read that precious book, Mr. Hervey's Theron and Aspasio, (which I particularly recommend to you,) I there saw that I was to apply to Jesus for every thing, I did so, he gave me to trust that I was pardoned through his blood, justified, completely justicfied, through his rightuouness. He has guided me hitherto by his good spirit, and I am assured he will stand by me in the last and trying hour of death. "Yes, this God is our God for ever and ever. he will be our guide even unto death". [end of letter] A very faint sketch is here given of her amiable life and manners. She was indeed a burning light. And the write of the memoir will ever consider it, as one of the happy periods of his life, while he was honoured with her acquaintance, benefited by her prayers, instrumental in confirming her faith and promoting her comfort. And he would devoutly wish for himself, that his last end may be like hers. That the same Jesus- the precious faith-the same confirmed hope, may be his in the dying moment, that he, like her, may die in the Lord, believing, rejoicing, triumphing. She was interred in the family vault of the Duke of St Albans, at Hanworth, in Middlesex, on Saturday the 26th July the funeral service being read, at her particular desire, by the Rev. John Waltham, A.M. Rector of Darlaston, Staffordshire, and then Curate of Ickleford and Pirton, Hertfordshire, and on Sunday the 3rd of August, two funeral sermons were preached to crowded congregations, by the same person, at Ickleford and Pirton, the churches she frequented to constantly during the last years of her life. [end-quote] This is the only place where John Waltham is mentioned as being the Curate of Ickleford and Pirton, Hertfordshire. John Waltham's Sermons. We now see John Waltham mentioned as preaching in local churches, Aris's Birmingham Gazette 8th September 1800 On Sunday next the 14th Instant, Charity Sermons will be preached at Willenhall, for the Benefit of the Sunday School, by the Rev. John Waltham A.M. Rector of Darlaston, and late of Jesus College, Cambridge. During Divine Service, proper Anthems will be sung by the Children educated there. Aris's Birmingham Gazette 3th August 1801 On Sunday next, August 9, Sermons will be preached in Sedgley Church, by the Rev. John Waltham A.M. Rector of Darlaston, for the Benefit of the Sunday Schools.-In the Course of Divine Service some select Pieces of Sacred Music will be performed. Aris's Birmingham Gazette 17th August 1801 On Sunday next, August 23, two Sermons will be preached for the benefit of the Sunday Schools in the Parish of Darlaston, by the Rev. John Waltham A.M. Rector. Aris's Birmingham Gazette 5th July 1802 On Sunday next, Sermons will be preached at the Churches in Dudley, for the Benefit of the Sunday Schools, by the Rev. John Waltham M.A. and late of Jesus College, Cambridge, and now Rector of Darlaston; when the Dudley Band will perform some suitable select Pieces. Aris's Birmingham Gazette 6th August 1802 On Sunday the 12th Inst. Charity Sermons will be preached at Willenhall, for the Benefit of the Sunday Schools in that place, by the Rev. John Waltham A.M. Rector of Darlaston, and late of Jesus College, Cambridge. Aris's Birmingham Gazette 6th September 1802 On Sunday the 12th Inst. Charity Sermons will be preached at Willenhall, for the Benefit of the Sunday Schools in that place, by the Rev. John Waltham A.M. Rector of Darlaston, and late of Jesus College, Cambridge. Aris's Birmingham Gazette 18th July 1803 On Sunday next, July 14, 1803, Sermons will be preached in the Parsh Church of Tipton, for the Benefit of the Sunday Schools attending that Place, by the Rev. John Waltham M.A. Rector of Darlaston, and late of Jesus College, Cambridge.- In the course of the Service, a Selection of Sacred Music, from eminent Authors will be introduced. N.B Divine Service will be at Eleven in the Morning, and Half past Three in the Afternoon. Aris's Birmingham Gazette 15th August 1803 On Sunday next, August 21, two Sermons will be preached at Darlaston, for the Benefit of the Sunday Schools, by the Rev. John Waltham M.A. Rector. Aris's Birmingham Gazette 29th August 1803 On Sunday next, September 4, Sermons will be preached in Wednesbury Church for the Benefit of the Sunday School, by the Rev. John Waltham M.A. Rector of Darlaston, and formerly of Jesus College, Cambridge. In the Course of Divine Service, several Pieces of Sacred Music will be performed. Aris's Birmingham Gazette 12th September 1803 Sermons will be preached in Parish Church of Walsall, both Morning and Evening, on Sunday the, 25th Day of September, 1803, for the Benefit of the Charity School, by the Rev. John Waltham A.M. Rector of Darlaston, and formerly of Jesus College, Cambridge.- In the course of the Services, Handel's Coronation Anthem, with several other select pieces. Aris's Birmingham Gazette 19th September 1803 BIRMINGHAM, September 19, 1803. Sermons will be preached in Parish Church of Walsall, both Morning and Evening, on Sunday the, 25th Day of September, 1803, for the Benefit of the Charity School, by the Rev. John Waltham A.M. Rector of Darlaston, and formerly of Jesus College, Cambridge.- In the course of the Services, Handel's Coronation Anthem, with several other select pieces. Aris's Birmingham Gazette 1st July 1805 On Sunday next, two Charity Sermons will be preached in Cradley Chapel, for the Benefit of the Day and Sunday Schools, by the Rev. John Waltham A.M. late of Jesus College, Cambridge, and Rector of Darlaston. A Divine Service will begin at a Quarter before Eleven o'Clock in the Morning and at Half past Three in the Afternoon. Aris's Birmingham Gazette 1st September 1806 On Sunday next, September 7, Charity Sermons will be preached in the Parish Church of Wednesbury, for the Benefit of the Sunday Schools, by the Rev. John Waltham M.A. Rector of Darlaston.-Service will begin in the Morning at Half past Ten o'Clock and in the Afternoon at Half past Three. Aris's Birmingham Gazette 18th September 1809 On Sunday the 24th of September instant, Sermons will be preached, both Morning and Evening, in the Parish Church of Walsall, by the Rev. John Waltham A.M. Rector of Darlaston, late of Jesus College, Cambridge, for the Benefit of the Blue Coat Charity School. In the Course of the Service, a Selection of Music will be introduced from the Works of Handel and other Authors, The Organ by Mrs. SMITH. John Waltham's last mention in a newspaper is in 1969. Walsall Observer 24th January 1969. Rector rues passing of Flourishing Darlaston John Waltham, a 19th century rector of Darlaston, solved the problem of bull baiting in his parish in a very effective Fashion. The 6ft 4ins tall rector one day strode down to the Bull Stake, walked straight up to the bull, unfastened it, and led it away to his tithe barn, defying any man to come and collect it... Research - Additional Planned. In Progress. We only have the son to work with so, [1841 - June 6th] We now see possibly John. John Waltham, aged 70, born 1771, in Lincolnshire, England. Elizabeth Waltham, aged 55, born 1786, in Lincolnshire, England. Sarah Waltham, aged 8, in 1833, in Lincolnshire, England Just what the relationship of Elizabeth, Sarah, are to John is unknown. Locate in 1851 Census. Locate in 1861 Census. Locate in 1871 Census. Locate in 1881 Census. Locate in 1891 Census. Locate in 1901 Census. Locate in 1911 Census. Planned. None. Steatham.com All Rights Reserved. |
