List of Rectors and Vicars for Dunton

Advowson

The first mention that has been found of the church of St. Mary, Dunton, is in 1189, when Richard I confirmed its possession to the priory of Holywell; a subsequent confirmation was obtained from Henry III in 1235. The advowson, which came to the crown at the Dissolution, was granted to John Burgoyne in 1582, and by him alienated to Robert Spencer in 1599. It has followed the same history as that of Dunton Goyes manor (q.v.) till Earl Brownlow alienated his estates in Dunton to Mr. Richardson. He retained the advowson till 1892, between which date and 1898 it was transferred to Mrs. Sandall, and is at present the property of Mrs. J. W. Adams.

List of Rectors and Vicars 

• Helyas - 1220 [capellanus, Patron Priory & Convent of St John The Baptist, Haliwell, London]
• John de Dunton - 1235 [capellanus, Patron as above]
• John de Barton - 12 Jun 1237
• William
• William de Sutton - 9 Oct 1266 [priest, on death of William. Power of augmenting vicarage reserved to the Bishop]
• Robert Baud - 14 May 1276 [priest, on death of William]
• Richard de Stratton - 12 Feb 1287 [capellanus, on death of Robert de Stanstede, last Rector]
• Thomas de Dertforde - 18 Dec 1317 [capellanus, on death of Richard]
• Hugh de Hanvill - 10 Aug 1318 [priest, on resignation of Thomas de Dertford]
• Hamo de Gildenmorden - 1 Oct 1329 [priest, on resignation of Hugh de Hanvill]
• John - 21 Jun 1333 [of Hokyton, priest, on death of D. Hamo]
• John atte Kyrk - 8 Jun 1349 [of Crouland, priest, on death of John]
• John de Scanhell - 9 Oct 1349 [priest, on death of John]
• Nicholas de Wasseburn - 11 Dec 1351 [deacon, on resignation of D. John de Stanhull]
• Robert Baker - 9 Nov 1359 [of Pightesle, priest, on resignation of Nicholas de Dunton]
• John Balle - 3 Aug 1363 [priest, on the death of D. Robert]
• Robert Boys - 15 Oct 1405 [priest, on death of John Balle]
• Abraham Wells
• Thomas Wake - 18 Aug 1440 [priest, on resignation of D. Abraham Well]
• Richard Betts - 29 Nov 1472 [on death of D. Thomas Wake, last vicar]
• Thomas Hunden - 13 Sep 1500 [M.A., priest, on death of D, Richard Betts]
• William White - 10 Sep 1508 [capellanus, on resignation of M. Thomas Hunden]
• Robert Davye - 28 Feb 1538 [B.A., on the death of the last incumbent]
• Thomas Cumberbache - 3 Jul 1556 [clerk, on death of last incumbent]
• Andrew Cole - 30 Jul 1561 [clerk, on death of last Vicar]
• John Horseman - 25 Apr 1563 [clerk, presentment on petition of Mr Sawle]
• Thomas Smythe Hooper - 6 Apr 1565 [clerk, presentment on the petition of parishioners]
• Humphrey Ascol - 23 May 1572 [clerk on presentment of Mr Garthe]
• George Caye - 8 Sep 1572 [clerk, on the death of last incumbent on petition of the Archbishop of York]
• Robert Smyth - 19 Jan 1578 [clerk, on the death of last incumbent on petition of Robert Snagge]
• Jeremiah Darnell - 5 Aug 1580 [clerk, vacated by death of Sir Humphrey Astall,Patron the Lady Anne Catelin]
• Edmund Batchiler - 12 Dec 1591
• Christopher Haigh - 13 Jul 1593 [M.A. Incumbent. Patron John Burgoine, gentleman]
• Paul Chishull - 1635 [buried 21 Mar 1652]
• George Smith - [died 22 Mar 1658]
• Henry Hill - 24 Jun 1662 [clerk, A.M. Patron King Charles II by lapse]
• John Pawlett - 1664
• Paul Chishull - 1670
• Robert Bamford - 23 Apr 1707 [to Dunton Vicarage with Melo Chapel , vacancy, by lapse]
• Thomas Ollytte - 16 Jun 1712 [A.M., on cessation of last. Patron Charles of Sunderland]
• Thomas Ollytte - 28 Apr 1713
• William Woodhouse - 14 Jun 1742 [A.B., on cessation of Thomas Olytte. Patron the Honourable John Spencer Esq.]
• William Singleton - 8 Aug 1804 [clerk, on death of William Woodhouse. Patron George John, Earl Spencer]
• Robert Walker - 13 May 1806 [M.A., on cessation of William Singleton]
• John Taddy - 30 Mar 1852 [junior, M.A., on death of Robert Walker. Patron Trustees of the Will of John, Earl of Bridgewater]
• J Adams - Nov 1897
• Francis Edmind Addenbrook Mullett - Feb 1916
• Arthur Walker - May 1936
• David Thomas Evans - Feb 1948
• Frederick John Archer - 1953
• George Ernest Adams - 1959
• Frederick George Brenchley - 1967
• William James Berry - 1972
• Gordon M Briscoe - 1984
• Dori Dawes - 1996

Ecclesiastical Census 

On Sunday 30th March 1851 a census of all churches, chapels and preaching-houses of every denomination was undertaken in England and Wales. The local results were published by Bedfordshire Historical Records Society in 1975 as Volume 54, edited by D. W. Bushby. The return for Dunton church noted the following pieces of information:

• Sittings: 120 free, 60 other 
• General congregation: morning in the 80 and in the afternoon 160 
• Sunday scholars: 59 in the morning and 57 in the afternoon