EMBERTON
Ambretone (xi cent.); Embirtone (xiv cent.).
The parish of Emberton is well watered by the
Ouse and its tributaries. The river divides it from
Olney, but connexion with that town is secured by
a very low bridge. The compact little village lies
about 2 miles south of Olney station on the Bedford
and Northampton branch of the Midland railway.
There are remains of an abandoned railway near the
western boundary. At the south end of the village is
the church, to the north of which is the rectory, in
its present state mainly of the 18th century, and the
school.
Along the road to Olney which forms the village
street are some old houses of stone. On the east
side is a square house with a slate roof bearing on a
plaster panel on the chimney shaft the initials P TS
and date 1699. Next to it is a 17th-century house
with a thatched roof. Further north is Manor Farm,
originally Emberton Manor, an Elizabethan house with
a tiled roof, containing some original fittings. In
the centre of the village is a clock tower erected in
1845 to the memory of Margaret wife of the Rev.
Thomas Fry, rector. About a quarter of a mile east
of the church, off the Newport road, is Emberton
House, occupied by Mrs. Savory.
In the east of the parish is Petsoe Manor (Pettesho,
Petrosho, xii cent.; Petisho, Pottesho, xiii cent.),
the property of Lincoln College, Oxford, and formerly
a separate parish, but now annexed to Emberton for
ecclesiastical purposes. The hamlet, called Petsoe
End at its western extremity, contains Grange Farm,
and the manor-house at the northern end is occupied
by Messrs. M. A. Inns & Sons. A free chapel
formerly existed at Petsoe and another at Ekeney,
the adjoining manor, coupled in the 15th and 16th
centuries with Petsoe as the manor or manors of
Petsoe and Ekeney. Now no trace remains of Ekeney
or of the churches.
Browne Willis wrote in 1733 of Petsoe and Ekeney
as 'two small depopulated vills now reduced to one
single House . . . left standing at Petsoe . . . there
was some Tradition of 17 Tenements having been at
Ekeney heretofore, tho' I could see no footsteps of any:
. . . the Contents of the two vills did not comprise
above 500 acres.' (fn. 1) He was unable to ascertain the
date of destruction of the chapels, though the site of
Ekeney was still very discernible, there being traces
of the churchyard bounds in St. Martin's field, about
a quarter of a mile south-east of Petsoe manor-house.
In the centre of the site of about half an acre was a
toft, on which the church had stood, 'a small Fabrick of
one single Isle of about 18 Paces in Length and 7 in
Bredth.' Some stones were said to have been moved
and re-used in a barn at Petsoe manor-house. The
tenants frequented Clifton Church for service and
burials, though they were nearer to Emberton, in which
parish was a small hamlet of about eight or ten cottages
called Petsoe End, besides two houses in the grounds
belonging to the college, all known as Petsoe. (fn. 2) Between
Petsoe Manor and the eastern boundary of Emberton
is Church Farm.
Emberton has an area of 1,880 acres of land and
7 acres of water, and Petsoe Manor covers 411 acres.
The whole area contains 685 acres of arable land,
1,387 acres of permanent grass, and 121 acres of woods
and plantations. (fn. 3) The principal woods are Crossalbans
Wood, Parrages Wood, Mulducks, and Hollington
Wood, the last of which, is mentioned in the 17th century. (fn. 4) The soil is gravel and clay, and the chief crops
grown are wheat, barley, beans and roots. The land
falls from a height of 341 ft. above the ordnance
datum in the south-east to 161 ft. on the banks of
the Ouse, where it is marshy and liable to floods.
The open fields were inclosed in 1798. (fn. 5)
Among the place names occur Gore Acre, Culvers
Pightell, Maggotts Furlong, Little Dusse, (fn. 6) Cresable
Field, and Fluxland (fn. 7) (xvii cent.).
Manors
Three hides in EMBERTON were
assessed in 1086 among the possessions
of the Bishop of Coutances, (fn. 8) and, like
his estate in Oving (q.v.), afterwards became part of
the honour of Dudley. (fn. 9) This belonged in the 12th
century to the Paynels, (fn. 10) to whose manor of Newport
Pagnell, Emberton became attached, (fn. 11) the last mention
of the overlordship occurring in 1638. (fn. 12)
The under-tenants in 1086 were two thegns who
had held the land in the time of King Edward, one
of these, Godric, holding 2 hides, and the other,
Ulric, 1 hide, as one manor. About 1219 the lord
of the manor appears to have been William son of
Payn, who then presented to the church, (fn. 13) and
who seems to have been succeeded by Nicholas son of
William, or Nicholas de Emberton, who held in the
middle of the 13th century. (fn. 14) In 1252 he complained
of trespass in his free fishery, (fn. 15) and in the following year
was awarded damages for having been disseised of his
common pasture in Middlecroft 'cultura.' (fn. 16) Nicholas
de Emberton was probably the brother of Eleanor
wife of Thomas Furneys, and of Isabel, who claimed
the estate as daughters and co-heirs of William le
Lord. (fn. 17) Roger Furneys held in 1284. Eleanor's part
of Emberton, (fn. 18) afterwards called HALL ORCHARD
MANOR. He was dead in 1291, (fn. 19) and his heir,
doubtless a minor, in whose stead Robert Lathbury
is returned as lord of Emberton in 1302, (fn. 20) is probably identical with the Thomas Furneys who held
the manor in 1316. (fn. 21) He was in possession in
1322, (fn. 22) but appears to have transferred his rights to
the Tolthorp family, (fn. 23) as Alice widow of Sir John
Tolthorp held Emberton in 1346. (fn. 24) Robert Tolthorp,
who was later in possession, (fn. 25) left a widow Alice (fn. 26) and
a son John, (fn. 27) known as John Olney of Weston Underwood. (fn. 28) His daughter and heir Katherine married
John Chamberlain, (fn. 29) and in 1373 they made a settlement of the manor by which the third then held in
dower by Alice widow of Robert Tolthorp was to
revert to John Olney of Weston. (fn. 30) John Chamberlain was dead by 1379, in which year Katherine was
the wife of Wakelin Brewes. (fn. 31) In 1392 she conveyed
Emberton to Thomas, her son by John Chamberlain,
and his wife Sarah, (fn. 32) who were still in possession in
1413. (fn. 33) After this date there is no trace of the
manor, which was probably obtained by the Tyringhams, lords of the other moiety, since they acquired
sole rights in the advowson at this date, the Chamberlains who held Petsoe Manor in this parish having no
connexion, as far as is known, with the Hall Orchard
family. The Tyringhams' property, moreover, began
to be differentiated about the middle of the 17th
century as the manors of Tyringham Higham and
Willsheires in Emberton, (fn. 34) and this distinction was
maintained at least as late as 1720. (fn. 35)
The other moiety of Emberton belonging to
Isabel, second daughter of William le Lord, (fn. 36) was
acquired in the 13th century by Roger Tyringham, (fn. 37)
from whose family it took the name of TYRINGHAMS MANOR, and descended with their manor
of Tyringham (q.v.) until the beginning of the 16th
century. (fn. 38) In 1509 it was held by Richard Higham
in right of his wife Anne, (fn. 39) probably a Tyringham,
and they conveyed it to Henry Edon, merchant of
the staple of Calais, and others, evidently trustees. (fn. 40)
Henry Edon leased Tyringhams at a yearly rent of
11 marks to John Some of Emberton, and Thomas
Ellis of Weston Favell (Northamptonshire), from
whom Henry's son Thomas Edon, after his father's
death, attempted to recover possession. (fn. 41) Thomas
Edon, jun., with others, obtained in 1524 a renunciation of rights from Edward Bardewell on behalf of
his wife Mary, (fn. 42) and in 1527 conveyed the manor to
Sir Robert Brudenell, (fn. 43) uncle and trustee of Thomas
Tyringham, who had died in 1526. (fn. 44) Emberton
remained in the Tyringham family until after the
death of Sir Thomas Tyringham in January 1637–8. (fn. 45)
In 1640 his son and heir John Tyringham and Anne
his wife conveyed Tyringhams Manor to Thomas
Coppin, (fn. 46) who presented to the church in 1661. (fn. 47)
He died between 8 December 1662 and 19 February
following, (fn. 48) his son John, who succeeded, (fn. 49) dying in
1684, leaving a widow Mary and a son John. (fn. 50) He and
his wife Anne obtained in 1719 a renunciation of all
rights in the manor from Francis Coppin, (fn. 51) probably
a brother, (fn. 52) and conveyed it in the following year to
John Gore. (fn. 53) At the same time he acquired Helsthorpe Manor in Drayton Beauchamp (q.v.), with
which Tyringhams Manor descended until c. 1797,
when it was bought by William Praed. (fn. 54) By his
marriage with Elizabeth Tyringham Backwell, heiress
of the Backwells and Tyringhams, William Praed had
acquired Tyringham Manor (q.v.), and the two
manors, thus reunited, have since descended together, (fn. 55)
and are now the property of Mr. F. A. König
Three hides in Emberton held as a manor in the
time of King Edward by Alric, a man of Bishop
Wulfwing, were surveyed in 1086 among the lands of
the Countess Judith, (fn. 56) and afterwards, as PETSOE
MANOR, formed part of the honour of Huntingdon, (fn. 57)
passing from the Hastings (fn. 58) to the Greys of Ruthyn, (fn. 59)
the last mention of the overlordship occurring in
1520. (fn. 60)
Roger, the under-tenant in 1086, had been succeeded before the middle of the 12th century by
Osbert the steward (dapifer) and Michael his son,
called lords of the estate in a charter of 1151–4,
confirming grants made by them. (fn. 61) The next name
connected with Persoe is that of Niel, son of Reynold,
who in 1197 subinfeudated half a virgate here to Ralf
son of Arnulf. (fn. 62) This estate afterwards passed to Philip
Lengleys (le Angleys, Anglicus), but was forfeited by
him as a rebel, and conceded by King John in 1216
to Roger de Gaugy. (fn. 63) Philip Lengleys returned to his
allegiance the following year, (fn. 64) but appears to have
again fallen into disfavour, as Petsoe was held about
1235 by Ralph de Kameis (Kameys), (fn. 65) who had also
revolted against John and returned to his allegiance
under Henry. (fn. 66) Philip Lengleys, however, was
reinstated before 1241, (fn. 67) and John Lengleys, the heir
of the family, carried the manor in marriage to John
Lindsey. (fn. 68) He conveyed it before 1274 (fn. 69) in exchange
for other lands to William Chamberlain of North
Reston, Lincolnshire, (fn. 70) whose widow Joan held alone
in 1284. (fn. 71) In 1286 she proved her right to a view
of frankpledge once a year, waif, gallows, tumbril,
and quittance of suit of county and hundred. (fn. 72) She is
still called Joan Chamberlain in 1302 (fn. 73) and 1304, (fn. 74)
but before 1310 had married Saer de Raundes, (fn. 75) with
whom she was defendant in an action brought by
Simon Lindsey to recover the manor. He claimed
as son and heir of John and Joan Lindsey, his elder
brother Adam having died without issue, (fn. 76) but Joan,
again a widow, having produced a charter, he renounced all rights in 1313. (fn. 77) In the same year she
settled Petsoe on herself for
life, with reversion to Robert
son of her first husband William
Chamberlain and his heirs. (fn. 78)
She was returned as lady of
the manor in 1316, (fn. 79) and in
1323 she and Robert Chamberlain obtained licence to
make, with Richard Chamberlain, a fresh settlement of
Petsoe, (fn. 80) which took place in
the following year, whereby
contingent remainder was
assigned to Richard, infant
son of John Chamberlain, and
Margaret his wife. (fn. 81) Robert Chamberlain was in
possession in 1331, (fn. 82) in 1346, (fn. 83) and in 1348, (fn. 84) but
apparently died without issue, since Richard, son of John
Chamberlain, known as Sir Richard Chamberlain of
Coton (Northamptonshire), upon whom the contingent
remainder had been settled in 1324, held in 1375. (fn. 85)
In 1379 he settled some Bedfordshire estates on his
son Richard and the latter's wife Margaret, (fn. 86) and
died in 1391. (fn. 87) Richard the son died in 1396,
leaving a son Richard, a minor. (fn. 88) His widow
Margaret was the wife of Philip St. Clair two years
later. (fn. 89) She died in 1408, her son Richard Chamberlain being then sixteen. (fn. 90) He held Petsoe until
his death in 1439, (fn. 91) and Richard, his son and heir
by his first wife Elizabeth, dying in the same year, (fn. 92)
Petsoe passed to William, his son by a second wife
Margaret. (fn. 93) Margaret afterwards married William
Gedney, and in 1451 sued the trustees of her first
husband for her dower in Petsoe. (fn. 94) At her death in
1458 William Chamberlain, then aged twenty-two,
entered the manor, (fn. 95) but was dead before 1471, (fn. 96)
leaving a widow Joan, (fn. 97) and a son and heir Richard. (fn. 98)
He and his wife Sibyl Fowler obtained livery of
the manor from the trustees in 1471, (fn. 99) and at his
death in 1496 he was succeeded by his son and heir
Edward, (fn. 100) Sibyl, his wife, surviving until 1525. (fn. 101)
In 1520, however, Sir John Mordaunt and others,
apparently feoffees of Edward Chamberlain, received
a licence in mortmain to grant the manor to Lincoln
College, Oxford, (fn. 102) money for the purchase having
been contributed by Edmund Audley, Bishop of
Salisbury, in 1518. (fn. 103) In 1600 Robert Chamberlain,
probably as descendant of the former owners, renounced all rights in Petsoe to Lincoln College, (fn. 104) and
in spite of a claim to part of the demesne land by Sir
Thomas Tyringham, lord of
Emberton Manor, in 1619, (fn. 105)
Lincoln College has retained
Petsoe until the present day. (fn. 106)

Chamberlain. Gules a cheveron between three scallops or.
The manor of EKENEY is
not mentioned in 1086, but
may have been included in
the estate of the Bishop of
Countances in Emberton, since
it was afterwards held of the
honour of Newport, (fn. 107) the last
reference to the overlordship
occurring in 1497. (fn. 108)

Lincoln College, Oxford. Party palewise in three parts: the middle Argent charged with a scutcheon of the see of Lincoln ensigned with a mitre: between on the dexter side the arms of Bishop Fleming, Barry argent and azure with three lozenges gules in the chief, and on the sinister side the arms of Archbishop Scott, Vert three harts tripping or.
Ekeney appears to have
been held in the early 13th
century by John Fitz Nicholas,
whose widow Felise in 1248
claimed lands in Emberton
against Emma daughter of
Parnel, who was first wife of
John, and against Adam Fitz
Nicholas, (fn. 109) who had presented
to Ekeney Church in 1246. (fn. 110)
Robert Fitz Adam, who held
in 1278, (fn. 111) was probably not
only the son of Adam Fitz Nicholas, but also identical
with the Robert de Ekeney who presented to Ekeney
in 1274, (fn. 112) and held in Ekeney in 1291. (fn. 113) He, or a
successor of the same name, was returned as lord of
Ekeney in 1302 (fn. 114) and 1322, (fn. 115) but in 1346 John
Talworth held this property. (fn. 116) In 1396 it figured
among the estates held by Richard Chamberlain at
his death, (fn. 117) and henceforward descended with Petsoe
Manor, with which it was alienated to Lincoln
College in 1520. (fn. 118) It is not mentioned by name
after 1619, (fn. 119) and all trace of the hamlet and chapel
has likewise disappeared. (fn. 120)
In the 13th and early 14th centuries there were
three separate estates in Emberton held of different
overlords, which united about 1350 to form EMBERTON or GREENS MANOR, the threefold
overlordship continuing till the 15th century. One
of these estates appertained to the Hastings' honour
of Huntingdon, (fn. 121) passing to the Beauchamps of Bergavenny, to whom suit of court once a year at
Emberton was owed. (fn. 122) The last mention of this
interest in Emberton is dated 1476. (fn. 123) The second
estate was part of the fee of Arundel, (fn. 124) and was later
attached to Olney Manor, (fn. 125) held by Ralf Basset in
the 14th century, when suit was due from Emberton
every three weeks. (fn. 126) There is no reference to this
overlordship after 1417, when appearance at the Earl
of Warwick's court at Olney once a year was demanded. (fn. 127) The third estate was attached to the
Chamberlains' manor of Petsoe, and was held in the
14th century for one-thirtieth of half a fee and suit
every month at Petsoe court. (fn. 128) This overlordship
was existing as late as 1417. (fn. 129)
The under-tenant of the Hastings fee in 1313 was
Edmund de Shakelee, (fn. 130) who had been succeeded in
1375 by Henry Green. (fn. 131) The Arundel fee was
held in the earlier 13th century by Robert Bataille, (fn. 132)
and a successor, Nicholas Bataille, was living, with
Emma and Isabel, his sisters, in 1273. (fn. 133) This estate
appears to have been held by John de Haversham in
1284, (fn. 134) and to have passed by 1302 to Robert Lathbury, (fn. 135) who had common pasture here in 1308, (fn. 136) and
died about 1311, his brother John succeeding. (fn. 137) At
this date the Lathburys were also tenants of the
estate held of the Chamberlains, of which this is the
first mention, and which descended with the Arundel
fee. In 1314 John Lathbury alienated the property
to John Pabenham, jun., and Jane his wife. (fn. 138) This
transaction was probably a mortgage, which was
renewed in 1327 by John Lathbury to the said
John Pabenham, (fn. 139) who died seised of the estate about
1330. (fn. 140) By 1343 these two holdings had come into
the possession of Henry Green, (fn. 141) afterwards chief
justice of the king's bench, (fn. 142) and united with the
Hastings fee, held by his son Henry Green, (fn. 143) in 1375 (fn. 144)
to form Greens Manor. It descended in the Green
family with their manor of Wavendon (q.v.), with
which it was divided into thirds in the 16th century.
The third alienated by George Browne to John Lord
Mordaunt in 1557 with the third of Wavendon was
claimed by his son Wistan Browne in 1568, (fn. 145) but
evidently unsuccessfully, as in 1590 Lewis Lord Mordaunt made a settlement of his two-thirds of Emberton
Manor. Both parts were to be held by George
Woodward for six days after Lewis's death with reversion to Thomas Tyringham, lord of Tyringhams
Manor, and Anthony his son and heir. (fn. 146) As no later
deeds for Greens Manor can be found, it was probably merged in Tyringhams Manor in this parish.
In 1276 land, wood, and one-third of two mills
in Emberton, held by Thomas de Marleberg and
Isabel his wife in her right, were granted to Master
Roger de Turkelby. (fn. 147)
A free fishery was held with the manor of Emberton in 1719. (fn. 148)
Church
The church of ALL SAINTS consists
of a chancel measuring internally 35 ft.
by 17 ft., south vestry, nave 56 ft. by
17 ft., north aisle 9 ft. wide, south aisle 8 ft. 6 in.
wide, north and south porches, and west tower
11 ft. by 10 ft. 6 in. It is built of stone and the
roofs are covered with tiles and slate.
The church was built during the first half of the
14th century, and consisted originally of the chancel,
nave and aisles. The tower was added about 1400,
and the vestry and porches are modern. In 1869 the
fabric was considerably restored.
The chancel has a rich traceried east window of
the early 14th century, having five trefoiled lights
with internal jamb shafts and a moulded rear-arch.
In each lateral wall are two windows of three lights
with reticulated tracery, and on the north is an
original moulded doorway. A four-centred doorway
on the south, now opening into the vestry, and a
low-side transomed window of one cinquefoiled light
at the west end of the south wall, were both inserted
in the 15th century. Traces of a squint from the
south aisle can be seen in the west jamb of the lowside window. At the south-east are three considerably
restored sedilia in range with a piscina with an octofoil
bowl; the recesses are divided from each other by
attached shafts with moulded capitals and bases. In
the north wall is a plain locker. An original stringcourse is carried round the walls internally and continued across the transom of the low-side window.
Externally the side walls are crowned by a moulded
cornice enriched with flowers and grotesques, and
there is a string-course at the level of the window
sills. In the east wall, below the east window, is a
square recess, and in each of the east buttresses is a
trefoiled niche. The chancel arch, which is of two
moulded orders dying into the wall on each side,
probably dates from the early 15th century.
The nave arcades are each of five bays with pointed
arches supported by clustered pillars and responds
with moulded capitals and bases. Opening to the
tower on the west is a sharply pointed arch of about
1400 springing from clustered responds with bell
capitals and moulded bases. The clearstory windows
are modern. There are three traceried windows,
each of three lights, in the north wall of the north
aisle, the external stonework of which has been
renewed, but the internal jambs and rear-arches are
original. Internally, on the north wall, there is an
original moulded string-course at the level of the
window sills. The moulded north doorway, and a
small trefoiled light above it, now opening to the
parvise of the modern north porch, are also of the
14th century. West of the doorway is a staircase with
a modern doorway to the parvise. The windows and
doorway of the south aisle are practically all modern,
and of the original piscina only the pointed head
remains.
The tower, which retains its original details, is of
three stages with a projecting turret at the northeast, and is supported by diagonal buttresses and surmounted by an embattled parapet. The ground
stage has a pointed west doorway of three orders with
a traceried west window of two trefoiled lights above
it. In the south wall of the second stage is a small
trefoiled light, and the bell-chamber is lighted from
each side by a deeply recessed window of two trefoiled
lights with tracery in a pointed head.
The font, which dates from about 1400, has an
octagonal bowl with traceried panels, a panelled stem
and a moulded base.
On the north wall of the chancel is the brass figure
of a priest in mass vestments, with the following inscription: 'Orate pro anima magistri Johannis Mordon
alias Andrew quondam Rectoris istius ecclesie qui
dedit isti ecclesie portos missale ordinale pars oculi in
craticula ferrea manuale processionale et ecclesie de
Olney catholicon legendam auream et portos in craticula ferrea et ecclesie de Hullemorton portos in
craticula ferrea et alia ornamenta qui obiit die . . .
mensis . . . anno domini M°CCCC°X . . . cuius
anime propicietur deus amen.' Issuing from the
mouth of the figure is a scroll inscribed, 'Jon preyth
the sey for hym a pater noster & an ave.' John
Mordon probably died in 1413, his successor being
instituted in November of that year. (fn. 149) Below the
north-east window of the chancel are three cinquefoiled heads of a 15th-century screen with sub-cusping
and carved spandrels. There are also in the chancel
two elaborately carved chairs of the late 17th century.
The tower contains a ring of five bells, all by
W. & J. Taylor of Oxford, 1839, and a small bell,
probably of the 18th century, but uninscribed. A
former ring of four bells (fn. 150) was inscribed (i) 'Ave
Maria,' (ii) (modern), (iii) 'In multis annis resonat
campana Johannis,' (iv) 'Joñes Andrewe Rector de
Emberton me fieri fecit.'
The communion plate consists of a 17th-century
cup and cover paten without hall-marks; a large salver
of 1671 presented in 1694; and a modern chalice
and flagon.
The registers begin in 1659.
Advowson
The church is mentioned in or
before 1219, when the advowson was
held by William son of Payn. (fn. 151) The
advowson descended with the manor, the presentation
being made alternately by the lords of each moiety. (fn. 152)
In 1390 an action was brought against Sir John
Tyringham by the Bishop of Salisbury and others,
who claimed the right of presentation, (fn. 153) and in 1400
Thomas Chamberlain enfeoffed John Olney of Holt
in his interest, losing his case when he sought to
recover his right in 1413. (fn. 154) After this date the
Tyringhams secured sole right in the advowson,
which descended with their manor of Tyringhams (fn. 155)
until 1720, when it was not included in the sale
to John Gore. (fn. 156) In 1741 the patron was Benjamin
Pomfret, (fn. 157) whose successor Robert Pomfret was rector
in 1798. (fn. 158) The advowson changed hands many
times in the 19th century, (fn. 159) and is now vested in
Mr. Campbell A. G. Hutton of Birkdale, Southport.
There was a free or independent chapel of St.
James at Petsoe (fn. 160) which was bestowed in the 12th
century by the lords of Petsoe on Tickford Priory,
the gift being confirmed in 1151–4 by Robert,
Bishop of Lincoln. (fn. 161) The right of presentation had,
however, been recovered in 1274 by the lords of
Petsoe Manor, (fn. 162) with which it descended, the chapel
being united to the chapel of Ekeney sometime in
the 15th century. (fn. 163) The united chapel, the presentation to which was still vested in the lords of Petsoe
in the middle of the 16th century, (fn. 164) was assessed at
57s. 6d. in 1535. (fn. 165) In 1561 a return was made
that there was neither church nor congregation, and
no more entries of institutions occur. But a stipend
of £10 was paid by Lincoln College to persons
nominated to the benefice of Ekeney and Petsoe,
Samuel Pepys, M.A., rector of Clifton Reynes, becoming minister of the free chapels of Ekeney cum
Petsoe on 21 October 1664. (fn. 166)
In 1650 Petsoe was accounted a chapelry to Emberton, (fn. 167) and it has since been annexed to Emberton
for ecclesiastical purposes.
The church or free chapel of St. Martin at Ekeney
is mentioned in 1246, when Adam Fitz Nicholas
held the advowson, (fn. 168) which descended with Ekeney
Manor, being united to Petsoe chapel in the 15th
century. (fn. 169)
Land in Emberton worth 8s. 4d. yearly was given
for the keeping of a light, lands and rents for the
keeping of obits being worth 9s. 4d.; a rent of 8d.
from 2 acres of land was paid for 'keeping of a
drinking at Swannes Nest on Rogacion Tuesday.' (fn. 170)
Charities
The parochial charities have, by a
scheme of the Charity Commissioners
of 17 January 1911, been consolidated. They comprise the following charities, namely:
(1) The Feoffee estate, comprised in an indenture
of 28 January 1805, the property of which consists
of a building formerly used as a schoolroom, with
the master's house adjoining, 6 a. 1 r. 32 p. and six
cottages at Petsoe End, and three cottages near the
schoolroom, producing an aggregate income of about
£40 a year.
(2) Mary Hughes, founded by a codicil to will
proved at London 19 October 1861, trust fund,
£48 2s. 3d. consols, producing £1 4s. yearly.
(3) Mrs. Knight Millar, will proved at London
10 December 1852, trust fund, £46 18s. 9d. consols,
producing £1 3s. 4d. yearly.
The scheme directs that the school-house be used
for a Sunday school, and that the master's house be
occupied rent free by a caretaker for the schoolroom;
that the income of Mrs. Millar's charity be divided
at Christmas among ten poor aged widows, and that
the income from the Feoffee estate and Mary Hughes's
charity be applied for the benefit of the poor generally.
The sums of stock are held by the official trustees,
who also hold £50 17s. 10d. consols, known as
'Hill's Gift to the School,' the annual dividends of
which, amounting to £1 5s. 4d., are made applicable,
by a scheme of 2 January 1883, towards the support
of any efficiently conducted Sunday school in the
parish.