Historic documents saved

They successfully bid at auction for four St Mary’s Church ledgers from the 19th Century.

The ledgers, which went for an undisclosed sum, provide a fascinating window into Rye’s past.

They were kept by the Dengate family including James, his widow Frances, and their son James Samuel, who were Sextons at Rye during the period 1829-54.

The 30th November 1854 burial entry for John Tate is followed by the words – “The last Burial in Rye Churchyard.” After this burials took place in Rye Cemetery on Rye Hill.

The Ledgers provide a remarkable primary source of information on the people of Rye and of the practices of a Sexton during the mid period of the 19th Century.

There are a considerable number of entries of burials in Rye Churchyard each dated with the names of the deceased and how the burial was conducted - with many names familiar to us who live in the town today. They include James Dengate’s own burial on October 31st 1833.

It is clear who was a high status person from the trappings of the burial – some with knells and tolling bells others much simpler. Each entry carries the fees for the burial. There are copious burials of infants but, of the adult population, there are also many for people who lived into their late 80s and even into their 90s, challenging the often held belief that life expectancy in the 19th Century was short. These ledgers will provide genealogists with considerable information about the population of Rye – as well as provide information on tragedies in the area, as there are entries for sailors and fishermen who perished at sea.

Another interesting aspect of the ledgers are the entries for the deaths and burials of major national figures – which clearly required local activity to mark them. There are, for example, entries for the deaths of George IV and William IV and also for the burial of the Duke of Wellington.

There is also considerable genealogical information about the Dengate family of Rye but the involvement of Dengate’s wife has not been fully established. It is clear however from these Ledgers that she continued in the role of Sexton to the Parish after her husband’s death, providing an unbroken family tradition for almost 30 years.

The ledgers will eventually be scanned and put onto a CD which members of the public will be able to purchase.

If anyone wishes to contribute to the costs of this acquisition, or to the Museum’s Acquisition Fund, so that purchases of similar documents or artifacts vital to the history of our Town can be made when the museum is aware of them, please contact Rye Castle Museum at 3 East Street, Rye or email them on [email protected].