Page:A transcript of the first volume, 1538-1636, of the parish register of Chesham in the county of Buckingham.djvu/16

 case of Barnes, Wright, Puddephatt, Pearce, How, Mead, Webb, Hearn, Palmer and Brown; while Reading, Smith, Batchelor and Hawkes are of frequent occurrence.

On looking through the Index, a few names will be found that are somewhat remarkable in form. Some are very primitive, as Raakestrawe, Watercaryer, and Roughbeard,— of which last it may be noted that its evolution can be traced far enough to suggest a double derivation for Roberts. Sarvegood, Sweetsur, and perhaps Horsnaile, appear to have advanced one stage in development. The curious name Puddephatt, which is now common in the district, first presents itself, as Padifatt, in 1617. Of the other unusual forms, Silfew or Silfo occurs at the beginning of the period, and Lochremas from 1572 to 1601.

Few families of any note are mentioned. That of Cavendish, which is now represented by Lord Chesham, and to which have belonged since 1615 the manor of Latimer, and three adjoining manors, comprising most of the original parish of Chesham, makes its appearance in 1617, when Sir John Cavendish, "soonne of the R. H. the Lord & La. Cavendish," was buried, January 20th. He was a Knight of the Bath, though not quite eleven years of age when he died. In the south transept of Chesham church there is a monument to his memory, with a laudatory inscription, which describes him as son of the Earl of Devonshire. His father, however, did not receive this title until 1618.

Three members are named of the family of Sandys, or Sandes, from whom the Cavendishes acquired the estates above-mentioned. Myles Sandys was one of the knights of the shire in 1535, and he is said to have been a "Master" of the King's Bench. He was a younger brother of Edwin Sandys, Archbishop of York. Sir Edwin Sandys, whose name occurs next, was the son of Myles, and his successor at Latimer. Hester Sandys, daughter of Myles, was baptized January 21st, 1569. She married Sir Thomas Temple, of Stowe, and is celebrated by Fuller, in his "History of the Worthies of England," as having lived to see 700 of her descendants.

The name of Chenney, or Chenye, occurs from 1538 to 1576, and probably represents the notable Buckinghamshire family who owned, with other manors in that county, those of Chenies, Chesham Bois, and the Grove, Chesham; and from whom by marriage the Russells acquired their Buckinghamshire estates. John Cheney, of Chesham Bois, by deed dated November 21st, 1577, founded a charity for the benefit of the poor of the "townes" of Chesham, Amersham and Drayton Beauchamp. A copy of the deed, and a memorandum recording the appointment of new trustees of the charity in 1618, are entered at the end of this volume of the Chesham Register; and they are here transcribed (Appendix I.). Six members of the Cheney family are therein named. In the same deed and memorandum occur the names of Myles Sandys, already mentioned; Doctor Robert C(h)aloner, Rector of Amersham, and the founder of the Grammar School in that town; Wm. Dracke, probably also of Amersham, and afterwards head of the well-known family which has held a predominant position there for about 300 years; and Thomas Ash(e)feild, who represents the chief family resident in Chesham