Chertsey Genealogical Records

Chertsey Birth & Baptism Records

England & Wales Birth Index (1837-2006)

An index to births registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of birth certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Botleys and Lyne Holy Trinity, Chertsey Baptisms (1903-1912)

Baptism registers are the primary source for birth documentation before 1837, though are relevant to the present. They record the date a child was baptised, their parents' names, occupations, residence and more.

Ottershaw Christ Church, Chertsey Baptism Records (1865-1912)

Baptism records from people born in and around Chertsey between 1865 and 1912. Lists the name of people's parent's and other details.

Chertsey Baptism Records (1813-1854)

Baptism registers are the primary source for birth documentation before 1837, though are relevant to the present. They record the date a child was baptised, their parents' names and more.

St Peter, Chertsey Baptism Records (1813-1900)

Baptism registers are the primary source for birth documentation before 1837, though are relevant to the present. They record the date a child was baptised, their parents' names, occupations, residence and more.

Chertsey Marriage & Divorce Records

England & Wales Marriage Index (1837-2008)

An index to marriages registered throughout England & Wales. This is the only national marriage index that allows you to search by both spouse's names. Provides a reference to order copies of marriage certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Ottershaw, Christ Church, Chertsey Marriage Records (1866-1937)

Marriage records from people who married at Ottershaw, Christ Church, Chertsey between 1866 and 1937. Lists an individual's abode, marital status and more.

Chertsey Marriage Records (1800-1843)

Marriage records from people who married at Chertsey between 1800 and 1843. Lists an individual's abode, marital status and more.

St Peter, Chertsey Marriage Records (1754-1937)

The Marriage registers of St Peter, Chertsey, document marriages 1754 to 1937. Details given on the bride and groom may include their age, father's name, marital status, residence and signature.

St Peter, Chertsey Marriage Records (1693-1754)

The Marriage registers of St Peter, Chertsey, document marriages 1693 to 1754. Details given on the bride and groom may include their age, father's name, marital status, residence and signature.

Chertsey Death & Burial Records

England & Wales Death Index (1837-2006)

An index to deaths registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of death certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Chertsey Burial Records (1813-1854)

Name index linked to original images of the burial registers of Chertsey. Records document an individual's date of death and/or burial, age and residence. Some records may contain the names of relations, cause of death and more.

St Peter, Chertsey Burial Records (1813-1900)

Records of burial for people buried at St Peter, Chertsey between 1813 and 1900. Details include the deceased's name, residence and age. Some records may contain the names of relations, cause of death and more.

St Peter, Chertsey Burial Records (1693-1812)

Burial records for people buried at St Peter, Chertsey, detail the deceased's name, residence and age from 1693 to 1812. Some records may contain the names of relations, cause of death and more.

St Peter, Chertsey Burial Records (1607-1812)

Name index linked to original images of the burial registers of St Peter, Chertsey. Records document an individual's date of death and/or burial, age and residence. Some records may contain the names of relations, cause of death and more.

Chertsey Census & Population Lists

1939 Register (1939)

An index to and digital images of records that detail 40 million civilians in England and Wales. Records list name, date of birth, address, marital status, occupation and details of trade or profession.

England, Wales, IoM & Channel Islands 1911 Census (1911)

The 1911 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.

Surrey Land Tax Records (1780-1832)

An index to almost 2 million names, connected to digital images of registers recording land ownership and occupation. They list the names of owners and occupiers, details of tax assessments and sometimes a description of the property.

Surrey Hearth Tax (1664)

A transcription of records naming those who had taxes levied against them for the privilege of owning a hearth.

Jury-Qualified Freeholders & Copyholders in Surrey (1696-1824)

Lists containing over 200,000 names of men who were eligible to serve as jurors based on land possession. Digital images of the records may provide details on residence and occupation; names can be searched by an index.

Newspapers Covering Chertsey

South London Press (1867)

A local paper including news from the London area, legal & governmental proceedings, family announcements, business notices, advertisements and more.

South Bucks Free Press, Wycombe & Maidenhead Journal (1859-1865)

A record of births, marriages, deaths, legal, political, organisation and other news from the High Wycombe area. Original pages of the newspaper can be viewed and located by a full text search.

London Standard (1827-1900)

Original images of a local newspaper, searchable via a full text index. Includes news from the London area, business notices, obituaries, family announcements and more.

Windsor and Eton Express (1812-1846)

Local news; notices of births, marriages and deaths; business notices; details on the proceedings of public institutions; adverts and a rich tapestry of other local information from the New Windsor district. Every line of text from the newspaper can be searched and images of the original pages viewed.

Surrey Mirror (1880-1950)

A regional paper including news from the Surrey area, legal & governmental proceedings, family announcements, business notices, advertisements and more.

Chertsey Wills & Probate Records

England & Wales National Probate Calendar (1858-1966)

Searchable index and original images of over 12.5 million probates and administrations granted by civil registries. Entries usually include the testator's name, date of death, date of probate and registry. Names of relations may be given.

Archdeaconry Court of Surrey Wills & Probate (1660-1858)

A searchable index connected to images surviving wills and probate documents for the Archdeaconry Court of Surrey. These records can help trace families back to the 17th century.

Surrey+ Will Transcripts (1540-1858)

Transcripts of wills, predominately from Surrey, but also other counties in the south east. Names of 10,000s of people occurring in these wills have been indexed.

Bishop's Commissary of Winchester Wills & Probate (1507-1858)

A searchable index connected to images surviving wills and probate documents for the Commissary Court of Bishop of Winchester. These records can help trace families back to the late 15th century.

Surrey & South London Will Abstracts (1470-1856)

Summaries of names mentioned in around 29,000 wills, including relatives and witnesses.

Chertsey Immigration & Travel Records

Passenger Lists Leaving UK (1890-1960)

A name index connected to original images of passenger lists recording people travelling from Britain to destinations outside Europe. Records may detail a passenger's age or date of birth, residence, occupation, destination and more.

UK Incoming Passenger Lists (1878-1960)

A full index of passenger lists for vessels arriving in the UK linked to original images. Does not include lists from vessels sailing from European ports. Early entries can be brief, but later entries may include dates of births, occupations, home addresses and more. Useful for documenting immigration.

Victoria Assisted & Unassisted Passenger Lists (1839-1923)

An index to and images of documents recording over 1.65 million passengers who arrived in Victoria, Australia, including passengers whose voyage was paid for by others.

Alien Arrivals in England (1810-1869)

Details on over 600,000 non-British citizens arriving in England. Often includes age and professions. Useful for discerning the origin of immigrants.

17th Century British Emigrants to the U.S. (1600-1700)

Details on thousands of 17th century British immigrants to the U.S., detailing their origins and nature of their immigration.

Chertsey Military Records

Surrey Recruitment Registers (1908-1933)

Transcriptions of 85,000 attestation documents for men who signed up for military service in Surrey. Records contain details on a conscripts age, place of birth, occupation, physical description and more.

Surrey WWI Memorials (1914-1918)

A list of names found on World War One monuments in Surrey, with some service details.

Surrey WWII Memorials (1914-1918)

A list of names found on World War Two monuments in Surrey, with some service details.

Prisoners of War of British Army (1939-1945)

A searchable list of over 100,000 British Army POWs. Records contains details on the captured, their military career and where they were held prisoner.

British Prisoners of World War II (1939-1945)

Details on around 165,000 men serving in the British Army, Navy and Air Force who were held as prisoners during WWII.

Surrey Electoral Registers (1832-1945)

An index to and images of registers that list the name, address and voting qualification of those registered to vote. Contains around 14.5 million entries.

Surrey Calendar of Prisoners (1848-1902)

An index to and images of calendars of prisoners presented before Quarter Sessions and Assize. They may list name, age, occupation, name of accuser, crime accused, trial date, warrant date verdict, sentence and more.

Surrey Quarter Sessions (1780-1820)

An index to 10,000s of names linked to summaries of legal proceedings relating to crimes, licencing, local administration and more.

Jury-Qualified Freeholders & Copyholders in Surrey (1696-1824)

Lists containing over 200,000 names of men who were eligible to serve as jurors based on land possession. Digital images of the records may provide details on residence and occupation; names can be searched by an index.

Surrey Licensed Victuallers (1785-1903)

Digital images, searchable by a name index, of registers recording public houses that were licenced to operate.

Chertsey Taxation Records

Surrey Land Tax Records (1780-1832)

An index to almost 2 million names, connected to digital images of registers recording land ownership and occupation. They list the names of owners and occupiers, details of tax assessments and sometimes a description of the property.

Surrey Hearth Tax (1664)

A transcription of records naming those who had taxes levied against them for the privilege of owning a hearth.

Income Tax Payments (1799-1802)

The details of income taxes paid by several thousand individuals and institutions in Surrey and Middlesex.

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Land Tax Redemption (1798-1811)

This vital collection details almost 1.2 million properties eligible for land tax. Records include the name of the landowner, occupier, amount assessed and sometimes the name and/or description of the property. It is a useful starting point for locating relevant estate records and establishing the succession of tenancies and freehold. Most records cover 1798, but some extend up to 1811.

Chertsey Land & Property Records

Surrey Land Tax Records (1780-1832)

An index to almost 2 million names, connected to digital images of registers recording land ownership and occupation. They list the names of owners and occupiers, details of tax assessments and sometimes a description of the property.

Jury-Qualified Freeholders & Copyholders in Surrey (1696-1824)

Lists containing over 200,000 names of men who were eligible to serve as jurors based on land possession. Digital images of the records may provide details on residence and occupation; names can be searched by an index.

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Land Tax Redemption (1798-1811)

This vital collection details almost 1.2 million properties eligible for land tax. Records include the name of the landowner, occupier, amount assessed and sometimes the name and/or description of the property. It is a useful starting point for locating relevant estate records and establishing the succession of tenancies and freehold. Most records cover 1798, but some extend up to 1811.

UK Poll Books and Electoral Rolls (1538-1893)

Poll books record the names of voters and the direction of their vote. Until 1872 only landholders could vote, so not everyone will be listed. Useful for discerning an ancestor's political leanings and landholdings. The collection is supplemented with other records relating to the vote.

Chertsey Directories & Gazetteers

Kelly's Directory of Surrey (1918)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.

Kelly's Directory of Surrey (1913)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key historical and contemporary facts. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions. Also contains a list of residents and businesses for each place.

Kelly's Directory of Surrey (1911)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key historical and contemporary facts. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions. Also contains a list of residents and businesses for each place.

Kelly's Directory of Surrey (1891)

An exhaustive gazetteer, containing details of settlement's history, governance, churches, postal services, public institutions and more. Also contains lists of residents with their occupation and address.

Post Office Directory of Surrey (1878)

Place-by-place listings of private and commercial residents, supplemented with descriptions of the settlement.

Chertsey Cemeteries

Surrey Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Surrey's most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.

Deceased Online (1629-Present)

Images of millions of pages from cemetery and crematoria registers, photographs of memorials, cemetery plans and more. Records can be search by a name index.

Billion Graves (1200-Present)

Photographs and transcriptions of millions of gravestones from cemeteries around the world.

Mausolea and Monuments (1500-Present)

Profiles of several hundred mausolea found in the British Isles.

Maritime Memorials (1588-1950)

Several thousand transcribed memorials remembering those connected with the nautical occupations.

Chertsey Obituaries

iAnnounce Obituaries (2006-Present)

The UKs largest repository of obituaries, containing millions of searchable notices.

United Kingdom and Ireland Obituary Collection (1882-Present)

A growing collection currently containing over 425,000 abstracts of obituaries with reference to the location of the full obituary.

Quakers Annual Monitor (1847-1848)

A collection of 364 obituaries of Quakers from the British Isles. The volume was published in 1849 and includes obituaries of those who died in late 1847 through 1848.

Musgrave's Obituaries (1421-1800)

This transcribed and searchable work by Sir William Musgrave contains 10,000s of brief obituaries. The work is a reference point for other works containing information on an individual.

British Medical Journal (1849-Present)

A text index and digital images of all editions of a journal containing medical articles and obituaries of medical practitioners.

Chertsey Histories & Books

ThamesPilot (0-2000)

A number of historical articles detailing life on the River Thames through the ages. Also includes 1,000s of original documents.

Surrey Archaeological Collections (1858-2011)

A journal containing several thousand articles on all manner of structures and antiquities in the county.

Victoria County History: Surrey (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

A Topographical History of Surrey (0-1850)

A sprawling historical work, describing the county and its settlements. It contains around 1.2 million words across five volumes.

The County Churches of Surrey (1910)

A dictionary of churches in the county, with particular attention paid to architecture.

Chertsey School & Education Records

St Saviour's Grammar School Admissions (1690-1895)

Details of 3,600 students of a grammar school in Southwark, Surrey; now part of London. Entries include name, year of birth, birth order, date of admission, parents' names, address and a reference to original records.

National School Admission & Log Books (1870-1914)

A name index connected to digital images of registers recording millions of children educated in schools operated by the National Society for Promoting Religious Education. Records contain a variety of information including genealogical details, education history, illnesses, exam result, fathers occupation and more.

Teacher's Registration Council Registers (1870-1948)

A name index linked to original images of registers recording the education and careers of teachers in England & Wales.

Oxford University Alumni (1500-1886)

A name index linked to original images of short biographies for over 120,000 Oxford University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.

Cambridge University Alumni (1261-1900)

A transcript of a vast scholarly work briefly chronicling the heritage, education and careers of over 150,000 Cambridge University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.

Chertsey Occupation & Business Records

Surrey Licensed Victuallers (1785-1903)

Digital images, searchable by a name index, of registers recording public houses that were licenced to operate.

Surrey & London Livery Company Oath Rolls (1695-1696)

A list containing the names of almost 33,000 tradesmen who swore an oath to King William, of Orange.

South England Mines Index (1896)

Profiles of coal and metal mines in the south of England.

Lost Pubs of Surrey (1750-Present)

Short histories of former public houses, with photographs and lists of owners or operators.

British Trade Union Membership Registers (1870-1999)

An index to and images of registers recording over 3.7 million trade union members.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Chertsey

Victoria County History: Surrey (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

Pedigrees of Surrey Families (1066-1837)

Hand-draw genealogical charts covering Surrey's gentry. Includes descriptions of coats of arms.

British & Irish Royal & Noble Genealogies (491-1603)

Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Debrett's Peerage (1923)

A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.

Chertsey Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

Victoria County History: Surrey (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

Pedigrees of Surrey Families (1066-1837)

Hand-draw genealogical charts covering Surrey's gentry. Includes descriptions of coats of arms.

The Visitation of Surrey: 1662-68 (1000-1668)

Pedigrees compiled from a mid 17th century heraldic visitation of Surrey. This work records the lineage, descendants and marriages of families who had a right to bear a coat of arms.

Surrey Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Surrey's most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.

British & Irish Royal & Noble Genealogies (491-1603)

Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.

Chertsey Church Records

Chertsey Parish Registers (1693-1812)

Documentation for those baptised, married and buried at Chertsey. Parish registers can assist tracing a family back numerous generations.

Chertsey Parish Registers (1607-1812)

The parish registers of Chertsey are the primary source for birth, marriage and death details before civil registration (1837). A full index to names with original images of the registers are available between 1607 and 1812.

Surrey Parish Register Index with Images (1538-1812)

An index connected to original images of over 100 early Surrey parish registers. Also includes over 100 registers from Middlesex, Essex and Kent.

Surrey Parish Registers (1533-1812)

The parish registers of Surrey are the primary source for birth, marriage and death details before civil registration (1837). A full index to names with original images of the registers are available between 1533 and 1812. Parish registers can assist tracing a family as far back as 1533.

The County Churches of Surrey (1910)

A dictionary of churches in the county, with particular attention paid to architecture.

Biographical Directories Covering Chertsey

Debrett's Peerage (1923)

A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1902)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1885)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Crockford's Clerical Directories (1868-1914)

Brief biographies of Anglican clergy in the UK.

The Concise Dictionary of National Biography (1654-1930)

A directory containing lengthy biographies of noted British figures. The work took over two decades to compile. Biographies can be searched by name and are linked to images of the original publication.

Chertsey Maps

James Wyld's Map of London and Environs (1872)

A map charting London and 25 miles round.

Surrey Ordnance Survey Maps (2011-Present)

Extremely detailed maps, charting features from roads to drains. Includes property boundaries.

Trigonometrical Map of Surrey (1874)

A map plotting settlements, roads, railways and parks.

Surrey Parish Map (1837)

A map delineating the boundaries of the counties parishes, areas designated by the church of England.

Roque's Map of Surrey (1768)

A very detailed map of the county, which charts features down to individual fields.

Chertsey Reference Works

England Research Guide (1538-Present)

A beginner’s guide to researching ancestry in England.

Parish Register Abstract (1538-1812)

Compiled in 1831, this book details the coverage and condition of parish registers in England & Wales.

Building History Research Guide (1066-Present)

A comprehensive guide to researching the history of buildings in the British Isles.

Surname Origins (1790-1911)

A service that provides advanced and custom surname maps for the British Isles and the US.

British Family Mottoes (1189-Present)

A dictionary of around 9,000 mottoes for British families who had right to bear arms.

Historical Description

Chertsey is situated upon the Thames, something above the confluence of the Wye. It has been written: Cirolesege, Scrolesege, Certessege, and in Latin Cerotis Insula. This was a sort of peninsula, lying between two small streams on two sides, and the Thames on a third. There was anciently a mitred abbey here, "which had a seat in parliament, being one of the 29 abbots and priors, who held of the king per Baroniam. It is said to have been founded in 666. In the Monasticon we find "Chertesey fundato a Frithwald et Eckenwaldo Patre Anno 666 regnante Egberto. Loca, Sirstcsge, Torpei Egeham, Chileham, Getunges, Mulesco Wodcham, hunc Waldesham." Mr. Salmon says, "The abbot was a kind of little prince hereabouts, whose lands, and parcels of land, were as endless to enumerate as it would be the possessors who have held them since the Dissolution." This abbey was dedicated to St. Peter, valued, upon the Suppression, at 6591. per annum.

Nothing more than a part of the walls of the abbey are now remaining. By its ruins the streets of Chertsey are somewhat raised, which, were it not also for the hank from Egham to Staines Bridge, would, by reason of its low situation, be often liable to be overflowed by the Thames. On the site of the abbey is a very handsome building of brick, known by the name of the Abbey-house. It was built out of the ruins of the abbey, by Sir Henry Carew, master of the buck-hounds to King Charles the Second.

Chertsey is a place of considerable antiquity, and noted as the burial-place of the unfortunate Henry VI. (who was cut off by the house of York, ) till Henry VII. removed his corpse to Windsor.

The hundred to which it gives name, has the special privilege of exemption from the jurisdiction of the high-sheriff, who must direct his writ to its bailiff, an officer appointed by letters patent from the Exchequer for life.

The parish Church, dedicated to St. Ann, is a spacious structure.

Here is a very good Charity School, founded by Sir William Perkins, Knt. in the year 1725, for clothing and educating 25 poor boys, and the same number of poor girls, and instructing them in reading, writing, arithmetic, &c. &c.

The Workhouse is a commodious building for the aged and infirm. The young persons are employed in winding and spinning wool.

There are five Almshouses in the town, endowed and founded by different persons, which are under the management and care of the parish-officers.

Sunday schools were established in this parish in the year 1787, under the patronage of the neighbouring gentry and clergy.

The market day is on Wednesday, which is well supplied with corn, poultry, butcher’s meat, &c.

The principal articles manufactured at Chertsey are, malt, flour, iron hoops, thread, brooms, &c.

In the Porch House at Chertsey, Cowley, the poet, ended his days in retirement.

Topography of Great Britain (1829) by George Alexander Cooke

CHERTSEY, written by Bede, “Cerotocsci,” i.e., Ceroti Insula, is a market town and parish, head of a petty sessional division, union and county court district, with a station on the Chertsey branch of the London and South Western railway, 9 miles south-east from Windsor, 9 ¼ west from Kingston, 21 ¼ from London by rail, and 20 from Hyde Park comer, in the North Western division of the county, Godley hundred, Emly rural deanery, Surrey archdeaconry and Winchester diocese. The town is seated near the banks of the Thames, here crossed by a stone bridge of seven arches, erected in 1780—5, at a cost of about £13,000 and connecting the county with Middlesex. Here is a lock on the Thames.

The town is lighted with gas from works situated at the railway station, the property of a company formed in 1861, and is supplied with water from wells and works situated at St. George’s Hill, the property of the West Surrey Water Company.

The church of St. Peter, situated in the centre of the town, is a building of stone in the Later English style, consisting of chancel, nave, south porch, organ chamber, and an embattled western tower with pinnacles containing a clock and 8 bells, one of which formerly belonged to the abbey and is inscribed “Sancta Maria, ora pro nobis:” there are several monuments; one of these, in the chancel, is by Flaxman, and in the nave is a tablet to Charles James Fox, the distinguished statesman, who died 13th September, 1806: the Perpendicular east window was the gift of C. J. Worthington esq. of Cowley House and his co-trustees, in memory of the late Rev. J. C. Clarke, a great benefactor to the town: the church was rebuilt, with the exception of the chancel and tower, in 1808; in 1859 it was restored, and in 1878 the chancel was repaired by the Haberdashers’ Company and a new organ placed on the north side of the chancel, at a cost of £600, raised by voluntary subscriptions: there are 700 sittings. The register dates from the year 1660. The living is a vicarage, average tithe rent-charge £87; net yearly value £320, including 37 acres of glebe in the alternate gift of the Haberdashers’ Company, and the Governors of Christ’s Hospital, and held since 1887 by the Rev. George Edwin Pattenden LL.D, of St. Peter’s College, Cambridge, and prebendary of Lincoln, who resides at the vicarage house, an Elizabethan building of red brick.

St. Ann’s Mission Hall has been recently purchased and enlarged mainly by the liberality of John Augustus Tulk esq. the present owner of Cowley House; it will hold 100 persons.

Here is a Catholic chapel dedicated to St. Ann.

The Wesleyan chapel, erected in 1863, will seat 350 persons; the Congregational chapel, erected in 1876, has 450 sittings; the Baptist chapel has 80 sittings, and the Primitive Methodist chapel, erected in 1877, will seat 250.

The Cemetery in Eastworth road contains one acre, with a mortuary chapel, the gift of J. Clark esq. and is under the control of the vicar, as an additional burying ground belonging to the parish church.

There are fourteen almshouses in Guildford Street and Gogmore Lane under the management of the vicar and churchwardens; and two almshouses in Chapel lane, erected and endowed by the late Mr. Thomas Willats of this town in 1837: the charities for distribution in bread, clothing and fuel, amount to £111 12s. 3d. and include a benefaction by Miss Mary Giles, of Chertsey, who, in the year 1839, left £800 to the minister and churchwardens, directing that £21 should be distributed amongst the poor in bread annually on St. Thomas’s day; and also by a codicil to her will bequeathed £3,000 to be invested in the £3 per Cents, the dividends to be distributed amongst the poor, as her three executors should think fit; the Court of Chancery directed that that portion of the estate not divisible among the legatees should be appropriated towards building two almhouses and endowing them; these were accordingly built in the year 1856, at a cost of £400, for two widows, each of whom receives 4s. per week; and a sum of £800, in £3 per Cent. Consols is invested in the names of the Charity Commissioners for endowing the same, according to a scheme settled by the Court of Chancery.

The Town Hall is a building of red brick, completed 1851.

There is an Agricultural Society for rewarding deserving agricultural labourers and their families, established in 1833, and supported by voluntary subscription; there is also a reading room and two breweries.

A Conservative Club was opened herein August, 1890, and there is also a Liberal Club.

Chertsey carries on a considerable traffic in the agricultural produce of the surrounding districts; a fair is held on the first Monday in Lent, for cattle, and a sheep fair of considerable importance on the 14th May, besides other fairs on August 6th. and September 25th for general purposes: Henry VI. made a grant to St. Anne’s of the privilege of holding a fair called “Black Cherry Fair,” on the 26th July; this fair is now held in Chertsey, on August 6th, and the tolls are still taken by the owners of the site of the Abbey House: Queen Elizabeth granted a charter for the market in 1559, on the condition of the tolls and profits, both at the market and Lent fair, being applied to the benefit of the poor.

The Benedictine abbey of St. Peter was founded in 666, in the reign of King Egbert, by Frithwald, viceroy of Surrey, and St. Erkenwald, and was rebuilt by Ethelwald, bishop of Winchester in 1010. In the original charter of the abbey appears the following: “I beseech those whose names are annexed to subscribe themselves witness, that I, Frithwald, who am the giver, together with the abbot Erkenwald, on account of my ignorance of letters, have expressed with the sign of the holy cross.” The abbey was rated, in 1241, at £135 19s. 8d. and the revenues at its dissolution in the time of Henry VIII. amounted to £774 13s. 6d.; but the buildings have long since been destroyed; excavations were made on its site in 1855, under the auspices of the Surrey Archseological Society, when several ancient coffins, foundations of walls, and fragments of carved stone were discovered, together with some ornamental tiles: in 1861 a more extended research was undertaken, by which the foundation walls of the abbey church and chapter house were traced: the east end of the church had three apsidal terminations and its extreme length within the walls was 257 feet; the width, exclusive of the transepts, was 63 feet and inclusive of the transepts, 112 feet; many more floor tiles were found, the decorative designs on which, as well as those previously found, prove to be illustrations of the Romance of Sir Tristram, and other Arthurian legends; these are still to be seen at the Royal Architectural Museum, Tufton street, Westminster; the floor of the south aisle of the abbey church, above the intersection of the transept, with its apsidal termination, as well as the chapter house, remains open to view; in a recess of the chapter house wall is a floor, probably of a shrine, paved with encaustic tiles, and on the west side of the recess is a seat of Oxfordshire stone, admirably constructed, the back of which was formerly arcaded with Purbeck marble columns, whose bases still remain in situ: near the wooden bridge which crosses the Abbey river on the road to Laleham is a wall, no doubt also once forming part of some outbuilding of the abbey.

Hardoicke, or Hardwick Court, it is supposed, was the residence of Henry VI. in his infancy; this unfortunate monarch was buried in the abbey, a circumstance alluded to in Shakespeare’s “Richard III.” Act I. scene i.:

“Come now towards Chertsey with your holy load,

Taken from Paul’s to be interred there;

And, still as you are weary of the weight,

Rest you, whiles I lament King Henry’s corse.”

The body was said to have been exhumed by Richard III. or Henry VII. and removed to Windsor. At Chertsey expired the poet Cowley, 28th July, 1667, in the 49th year of his age, and was buried in Westminster Abbey; at the Porch House, where he died, is the following inscription: —

“Here the last accents flowed from Cowley’s tongue.”

Botley’s Park is the residence of William Cunliffe Gosling esq. and Silverlands of Frederick Alers Hankey esq. M.P., M.A., J.P. Henry E. Paine and Richard Brettall esqrs. are lords of the manor. The principal landowners are the Earl of Lucan, W. C. Gosling esq. Laurence J, Baker esq. & F. A. Hankey, esq. M.P.: the area is 10,593 acres of land and 184 of water; rateable value, £54,147; the population in 1881 was 9,215.

St. Anne’s Hill, about one mile west-by-north from the town, is a conical formation of 240 feet in height, well wooded, and commanding on the east, a prospect of the river and valley of the Thames as far as Richmond, and at every point of view presenting varied scenes of exquisite beauty: on the southern slope of this hill is a mansion, distinguished as a former residence of the Right Hon. Charles James Fox M.P. but now occupied by the Baroness Bolsover; on St. Anne’s Hill is the fragment of a wall of an ancient chapel dedicated to St. Anne. At Monk’s Grove, half a mile west, is a mineral spring.

Coway Stakes are near Chertsey.

Chelsea Green is half a mile west. Sandgates a quarter of a mile south-west.

Petty Sessions held at the Town hall twice a month or oftener if necessary, at 11 a.m. The following places are included in the petty sessional division: Bisley, Byfleet, Chertsey, Chobham, Egham, Horsell, Pyrford, Thorpe, Weybridge & Windlesham.

Chertsey Union

Board day every alternate Tuesday, at the Union Workhouse, Chertsey lane end, at 11.30 The union comprises nine parishes, viz.-Bisley, Byfleet, Chertsey, Chobham, Horsell, Pyrford, Walton-on-Thames, Weybridge & Windlesham. The population in 1881 was 27,137; rateable value, £187,597.

Workhouse, Chertsey Lane end, Addlestone, a building of brick & slate, built in 1838, to hold 360 inmates.

Places of Worship, with times of Services

St. Peter’s Church, Rev. George Edwin Pattenden LL.D, vicar; Rev. Charles William Lowe, curate; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Wed. & Fri. 10 a.m.

Baptist, 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.

Congregational, Guildford street. Rev. J. de Bruen Brewin, minister; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Wed. 8.15 p.m.

Primitive Methodist, Eastworth, 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.

Wesleyan, Rev. James Walter, minister; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Wed. 7 p.m.

Schools

Sir William Perkins’ Endowed, Guildford road, founded in 1725 for 25 poor boys & 25 poor girls; in 1810, the funds having greatly increased, the Court of Chancery sanctioned a scheme providing for the education of 225 additional boys & 100 additional girls, if so many children could be found in Chertsey, or, if not, that selections should be made from the neighbouring parishes of Thorpe, Egham & Staines; the scheme also provided that the children should be educated upon the National system by a clergyman of the Church of England; a new scheme was issued about 1880 by the Charity Commissioners & approved by the Education Department, for the future management of the school; the endowment now amounts to £540 a year & is controlled by a body of trustees.

Infants’ (boys & girls), Windsor street, erected in 1846 & rebuilt in 1889, for 260 children; average attendance, 146.

Kelly's Directory of Surrey (1891)

Most Common Surnames in Chertsey

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Godley Hundred
1Smith1131:820.55%1
2Taylor951:971.22%4
3White811:1141.22%5
4Turner791:1171.76%19
5Field701:1324.33%99
6Underwood671:13810.74%327
7Matthews661:1404.28%104
8Cooper651:1421.39%14
9Gray581:1593.29%92
10Howard511:1812.41%70
11Chapman491:1881.74%42
12Russell481:1922.06%61
13Stevens471:1961.44%31
13Chandler471:1962.95%102
15Hunt441:2101.64%46
16Knight431:2151.25%25
17Brown411:2250.47%2
17Curtis411:2253.58%151
19Vincent401:2315.08%246
20Garland381:24311.18%623
21Wells371:2501.63%64
22Smithers361:2575.47%299
23Harris351:2640.75%14
23Butler351:2641.98%90
23West351:2641.41%55
23Roake351:26425.18%1,505
27Godfrey341:2724.79%275
28Bolton331:2804.26%254
28Shanks331:28032.67%2,050
30Ward321:2890.98%30
31Bailey311:2981.26%57
32Jones301:3080.35%3
32Williams301:3080.53%6
34Fisher291:3181.51%80
34Saunders291:3181.18%56
34Harding291:3181.51%81
37Roberts281:3300.94%38
37Green281:3300.62%18
37Scott281:3301.05%48
37Shorter281:33013.46%1,017
41Barker271:3421.85%111
41Thatcher271:3426.60%526
43Martin261:3550.55%12
43Carter261:3550.80%32
43Watts261:3551.53%94
43Wheeler261:3551.41%87
43Tucker261:3552.34%156
48Searle251:3693.17%244
48Mant251:36932.05%2,557
50Edwards241:3850.52%17
50Baker241:3850.46%9
50Church241:3853.81%325
50Cheeseman241:3856.11%547
50Baigent241:38512.57%1,104
55Hall231:4020.56%20
55Hill231:4020.60%21
57Allen221:4200.71%35
57Rose221:4201.37%101
57Hopkins221:4202.06%166
57Horton221:4204.19%399
57Stacey221:4203.07%273
57Collyer221:4203.63%336
57Beauchamp221:42011.22%1,083
57Gunner221:4206.49%624
65Davis211:4400.43%10
65George211:4402.09%182
65Potter211:4401.53%120
65Alexander211:4402.26%200
65Collier211:4403.83%376
65Humphrey211:4402.56%230
65Snelling211:4403.41%330
65Poulter211:4405.22%538
73Clark201:4620.37%7
73King201:4620.38%8
73Cook201:4620.59%27
73Welch201:4622.44%231
77Johnson191:4860.41%16
77Wood191:4860.40%11
77Beach191:4867.39%826
77Ayling191:4865.19%583
77Gosden191:4868.60%956
82Walker181:5130.57%34
82Hughes181:5131.00%89
82Phillips181:5130.69%51
82Collins181:5130.49%23
82Fletcher181:5131.63%158
82Harvey181:5131.12%100
82Bates181:5132.19%229
82Cannon181:5133.37%393
82Hone181:5137.53%888
82Hames181:51332.73%3,475
82Smethers181:51372.00%6,646
93Thomas171:5430.59%40
93Mitchell171:5430.60%41
93Clarke171:5430.64%47
93Howe171:5432.69%323
93Tickner171:5432.99%360
93Hatt171:54316.04%1,970
93Attfield171:5438.50%1,056
93Chipping171:54315.32%1,870
93Fagence171:54340.48%4,371
102Moore161:5770.46%24
102Payne161:5770.73%65
102Butcher161:5771.43%154
102Head161:5772.11%260
102Sewell161:5773.25%427
102Wicks161:5772.93%378
102Trigg161:5778.99%1,183
102Chitty161:5773.45%454
110Evans151:6160.44%26
110Thompson151:6160.45%29
110Webb151:6160.50%37
110May151:6160.80%85
110Baxter151:6162.35%314
110Hancock151:6162.33%310
110Goddard151:6161.41%167
110Wade151:6162.67%363
110Mathews151:6162.16%279
110Hyde151:6162.81%393
110Croft151:6164.81%680
110Arthur151:6164.35%610
110Groom151:6165.43%779
110Beasley151:6167.25%1,021
110Etherington151:6164.48%633
110Keene151:6164.82%684
110Mepham151:61614.15%1,970
110Haslett151:61620.00%2,654
128Young141:6600.44%33
128Parker141:6600.53%50
128Miller141:6600.50%44
128Lee141:6600.50%43
128Mills141:6600.54%53
128Parsons141:6600.73%82
128Francis141:6601.16%143
128Simmonds141:6601.29%161
128Harwood141:6602.13%299
128Pain141:6603.99%604
128Daws141:6605.74%872
128Pyle141:66019.44%2,739
128Deadman141:6605.05%775
128Waterer141:66012.84%1,904
142Lewis131:7100.49%49
142Anderson131:7100.91%114
142Pearce131:7100.64%75
142Hawkins131:7100.90%112
142Heath131:7101.19%160
142Warner131:7101.17%155
142Lemon131:7104.58%749
142Dunford131:71018.06%2,739
142Hockley131:7104.69%775
142Fulker131:71016.46%2,533
142Moorcock131:71039.39%5,345
142Ridger131:71072.22%8,554
142Diddle131:710100.00%10,856
155Cox121:7700.39%36
155Mason121:7700.63%83
155Foster121:7700.68%91
155Berry121:7701.02%145
155Chambers121:7701.55%252
155Haynes121:7701.46%227
155North121:7701.75%284
155Irving121:77012.63%2,145
155Harman121:7701.63%269
155Farr121:7703.54%624
155Moir121:77020.34%3,254
155Steer121:7701.94%329
155Hazell121:7704.48%797
155Longhurst121:7701.63%267
155Elston121:7708.89%1,548
155Handford121:77013.48%2,259
155Puttock121:7705.13%905
155Wort121:77031.58%4,735
155Pantling121:77030.77%4,646
174Brooks111:8400.75%108
174Cole111:8400.50%66
174Gill111:8401.49%266
174Wallace111:8401.71%311
174Hardy111:8401.40%249
174Higgins111:8402.18%414
174Kent111:8401.08%178
174Cartwright111:8403.75%723
174Fry111:8401.06%174
174Goodman111:8401.87%349
174Driver111:8403.96%771
174Howes111:8402.62%507
174Bragg111:8406.83%1,305
174Baily111:8406.01%1,156
174Tidy111:8402.55%490
174Anscombe111:8409.91%1,870
174Cobbett111:8404.26%823
174Todman111:84011.46%2,129
174Geen111:84040.74%6,290
174Forsey111:84042.31%6,449
174Tillier111:84037.93%5,954
174Randale111:84091.67%11,502
174Sizmur111:84052.38%7,592
197Harrison101:9240.49%76
197Richardson101:9240.47%72
197Rogers101:9240.42%58
197Sharp101:9241.04%192
197Reed101:9240.75%122
197Beckett101:9243.79%807
197Sparks101:9242.75%589
197Strong101:9242.99%633
197Spooner101:9241.96%410
197Holman101:9242.48%535
197Warwick101:9244.15%882
197Hussey101:9244.78%1,015
197Ledger101:9243.46%736
197Berryman101:9246.99%1,464
197Rowles101:92412.20%2,450
197Gilham101:9249.71%2,012
197Norfolk101:92420.83%3,866
197Briant101:9247.87%1,613
197Start101:92420.00%3,744
197Steptoe101:9249.90%2,050
197Emberson101:92416.95%3,254
197Percey101:92443.48%7,073
197Ridgers101:92416.13%3,118
197Gaiger101:92443.48%7,073
197Cosson101:92435.71%6,112
197Ballen101:92452.63%8,212
197Hoade101:924100.00%13,208
197Horrsh101:924100.00%13,208
197Kaske101:924100.00%13,208