Watton-at-Stome
Adjacent Parishes: Aston, Benington, Bramfield, Datchworth, Little Munden, Sacombe, Stapleford, Tewin
It is in Broadwater Hundred and the Hertford Union
The Bull, in the High Street, is listed and pictured (above) in Hertfordshire Inns.
The Church at Watton stands on an eminence on the left-hand side of the high road, and is a handsome and imposing structure, dedicated to St Mary and St Andrew; it was entirely rebuilt, except the tower, a few years since, by the late Abel Smith, Esq., at a cost of about £7,000, and contains many memorials of the Boteler, Rumbold, and Smith families, and other former occupants of Woodhall and residents of the parish. An interesting brass is mentioned by Boutell, in his work on monumental brasses, as existing in this church; it is 4ft. 10in. high, in the pavement of the chancel; the figure is habited in a cope, and is of the date of about 1365. Weever records an inscription in Watton Church to the memory of Si Philip Boteler, which is not now to be seen; but on the wall there is a handsome monument to Philip Boteler, Esq., and Elizabeth his wife. There are also brasses to the memory of Edward Bardolf, knight, and his son and wife, who formerly resided in a Mansion pulled down long ago, but the name of which is perpetuated in that of a large Farm-house near the village. The interior of Watton Church is kept in excellent order, and under the floor are extensive family vaults. In the tower is a ring of six bells. The living is of the value of £700 per annum, with a handsome residence, in the patronage of Abel Smith, Esq. M.P. The Register dates from 1620.
Watton Church
A "Vulcan Series"
card published by C. E. Hide, The Post Office, Watton. Kelly's
Directory lists Charles Edward Hide as grocer and post office in 1922
but in 1926 Albert George Inman was listed as sub-postmaster and there is no
Hide entry. This suggests the card is earlier than 1926
The High Street - The Bull Inn can be seen in the distance
See also Vital Records
If you know of other books, websites, etc, relating to this place, please tell me.
Page updated September 2005