A rare collection of archive material dating back to the 17th Century has been entrusted to Bath Record Office.
The churchwardens of St Mary’s Church, Charlcombe have placed on loan their collection of historic papers relating to the charters of Charlcombe parish, circa 1915, and documents on the patronage of Charlcombe church from 1690-1853.
Colin Johnston, Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Principal Archivist, said: “As well as the parchment deeds, there is also a substantial collection of antiquarian notes made by Thomas Southwood Bush – a 19th Century Bath archaeologist – who owned land in Charlcombe.
“We are able to give these items the best storage conditions to ensure their future longevity while they are on long-term loan at Bath Record Office. Most importantly we will carry out Charlcombe parish’s wishes by making them available for research by local historians, students, writers, lecturers or indeed anyone interested in the history of this part of Bath and North East Somerset.”
The archives include notes which Thomas Bush made for lectures given to the Bath Literary and Scientific Institution in 1916 on the “Early records of Charlcombe and its people”. There is also a number of documents found in Charlcombe Rectory recording the advowson (or right to nominate the priest) and the connection between the rector and the mastership of King Edward’s School from 1690-1853.
Bath Record Office, in the Guildhall, collects and preserves historical records relating to Bath and makes them available for research to anyone who wishes to use them.
Councillor Cherry Beath (Lib-Dem, Combe Down), Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development, said: “This latest acquisition supports Bath & North East Somerset Council in building an important record of the area’s heritage. We encourage anyone who is keen to explore the history of their house or their community to check out the Bath Record Office – you may be surprised at what you can find.”
The Bath Record Office is open for research from Tuesday to Friday each week, except the third full week of the month.
Opening times:
- Tuesday to Thursday – 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm
- Friday – 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 4.30pm
For more information, contact Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Bath Record Office, Guildhall, High Street, Bath BA1 5AW, telephone 01225 477421 or email [email protected].
