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Waresley

Map Wedreslei (xi cent.), Weresai, Werisleg (xii/xiii cent), Werisley (xvi cent.).

The parish of Waresley is located on the south-east extremity of the county; it was well-wooded, the chief being Waresley Wood, Weaverley Wood and Sand Wood. There was also a Deer Park in Waresley Park, which is to the west of the village. The sub-soil of the area is Ampthill clay and lower green sand, and the soil is a fertile clay growing chiefly cereals. Most of the parish is now farmland.

The village lies on the main road from Bigglewade to St Ives, two and a half miles from Gamlingay. It contains many fine 17th and 18th century thatched houses. A skeleton with a small Roman jug in its hand was found in 1740 near Balls Bridge over Gransden Brook.

The parish was inclosed under a private Act of Parliament in 1808. In 1965 part of the parish was transferred to Gamlingay in Cambridgeshire.

Cemeteries

Monumental Inscriptions from the Parish Churchyard (approximately 170 entries) are available as fiche set M23 from the Huntingdonshire FHS.

Census

Census information for this parish (1841 - 1891) is held in the Huntingdon Records Office.

The full 1841 Census of Waresley Parish is available as fiche set C80.

The full 1851 Census of Waresley Parish is included as fiche set C30.

The full 1891 Census of Waresley Parish is available as fiche set C13.

A surname index of the 1881 Census of the St. Neots Registration District, in which Waresley was enumerated (RG11/1611, Folios 122a - 126b), and which took place on 3rd April 1881, is available as fiche set C5.

The above mentioned fiche are available from the Huntingdonshire FHS.

Church History

OS Grid Square TL 250546.

The ancient church which appears to have been dedicated to St Andrew, but later was generally spoken of as St James the Great, stood at the east end of the village. It was destroyed by a storm in 1724 and in 1728 was rebuilt 'in humble imitation of Pembroke College' (Cambridge). It had only one small bell without a wheel.

This church was pulled down and a new church was built on another site in 1856, but the ancient churchyard continued to be used as a burial ground.

The present church of St James consists of a chancel with vestry and organ chamber on the north, nave with north aisle and a large mortuary chapel on the south, and a tower with spire on the west end of the north aisle. The walls are of stone and the roof is covered with slate; the spire being of timber covered with oak shingles. There are three bells. The church is adorned with numerous monuments.

The church and priest of Waresley were mentioned in the Domesday survey of 1086.

Church Records

Baptisms: 1647-1781, 1782-1812, 1813-1960
Banns: 1754-1812.
Marriages: 1662-1750, 1754-1812, 1813-1835, 1837-1979, 1964-1973.
Burials: 1663/4-1781, 1782-1812.
Bishop's Transcripts: 1604-5, 1607-10, 1612, 1617-19, 1625, 1627, 1631/1681-2, 1685-6, 1688, 1690-1702, 1704-16, 1718, 1720, 1722-44, 1746-58, 1760-71, 1773-1812/1813-1824/1825-58.

These are available in the Huntingdon Records Office.

The Huntingdonshire Marriage Indexes include marriages from this parish. These are, at present, issued in alphabetical listings in series: 1601-1700, and 1701-1754, and are available from the Huntingdonshire FHS.

Civil Registration

The parish of Waresley was in the St Neots Registration District from 1st July 1837 until 31st March 1997. Since 1st April 1997, it has been in the Huntingdon Registration District.

Description and Travel

A GENWEB page for Waresley is available.

Maps

An old map of the parish of Waresley in the 19th century is available.

Military History

The war memorial with detailed information about those who fell is available on the Roll of Honour site for Huntingdonshire.

Population

Population in 1801 - 195
Population in 1851 - 295
Population in 1901 - 216
Population in 1951 - 170
Population in 1971 - 202
Population in 1991 - 272

Poorhouses, Poor Law etc

The parish of Waresley was in the St Neots Union for Poor Law administration.

Births and Deaths registered in the St Neots Union Workhouse (1913 - 1952) are available, as fiche set D11, from the Huntingdonshire FHS.

Statistics

The parish of Waresley consists of 2031 acres of land.

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[Last updated: 17 March 2003 - Martin Edwards.]