Astley - Baptism by Certificate - George RIDLEY, 1815

[Sylvia Murphy]

George, base born son of Mary Ridley of Astley was baptised January 10th, 1815 "by certificate from the Revd Allen Wheeler". I am curious about this both because of the "by certificate" and also the name of the minister. The curate of the parish at this time was a T Harward (if I read his signature correctly) who seems to have done most or all of the baptisms and burials. The rector from 1764 was Harry Thomas Foley and he was succeeded in 1812 by James J Cookes. So who was Revd Allen Wheeler?
Incidentally, Mary Ridley (nee Higgs) was a widow - she had married in 1796, had several children then husband John Ridley died December 1811.

[Lottie]

Sylvia

Revd Allen Wheeler, may have been the Curate - or alternatively Mary had given birth out of the Parish, and Rev Wheeler, may have been the Rector there , and had given her the certificate to take to her own Parish, assuring that the child was indeed child of Mary.

Lottie

New Zealand

[Peter Goodey]

I would have guessed this was something to do with settlement. But if I'm reading that biog correctly, how did a cathedral official come into the picture?

[Sylvia Murphy]

Thank you - the footnote is helpful in telling us who he was. I have also checked the 'Clergy Database' which is fantastic and growing, but they don't appear to have done diocese of Worcester yet. It still doesn't explain why he would issue a certificate for a 'base-born' infant in 1815. As Peter and Lottie suggest, I wonder if she had the child in another parish (?maybe Worcester) and was re-settled in her own parish. Maybe the Worcester Cathedral Register for 1814/15 needs checking.

[Geoffers]

George, base born son of Mary Ridley of Astley was baptised January 10th, 1815
If this is an entry from a parish register, it would seem to indicate that the above was baptised - but not by the cleric who completed the register. He appears to have received some confirmation of the baptism:

"by certificate from the Revd Allen Wheeler".

Mary Ridley was 'of Astley' - is this entry from Astley parish register - or another register?

Could Mary have given birth in a workhouse? Perhaps Revd. Wheeler was on the board of that workhouse?

Geoffers

[ukfamilyhistory]

George, base born son of Mary Ridley of Astley was baptised January 10th, 1815 "by certificate from the Revd Allen Wheeler". I am curious about this both because of the "by certificate" and also the name of the minister. The curate of the parish at this time was a T Harward (if I read his signature correctly) who seems to have done most or all of the baptisms and burials. The rector from 1764 was Harry Thomas Foley and he was succeeded in 1812 by James J Cookes. So who was Revd Allen Wheeler?
Incidentally, Mary Ridley (nee Higgs) was a widow - she had married in 1796, had several children then husband John Ridley died December 1811.

Hope this helps
1806, Feb. 22. Thomas Littleton, s. of Allen Wheeler (a minor Canon of this Cathedral), and Sarah his wife was born and baptized. Footnote: Allen Wheeler was son of Allen Wheeler, of Great Witley, he was at Wadham College, Oxford, B.A., 1798; B.D., 1810. He was Head Master of the College School (resigned, Jan., 1832); Rector of Broadwas, 1821; Vicar of Old Sodbury, Gloucestershire 1851. Appointed Minor Canon, 19th Nov., 1799. At the East end of the South Aisle of the Cathedral is a 3-light window with this inscription: “To the Glory of God and in memory of Allen Wheeler, B.D., born Nov. 20, 1775, and died Dec. 25th, 1855. Minor Canon 1799 to 1851. Precentor 1820 – 1851. And of Thomas Littleton Wheeler, M.A., born Feb. 22, 1806, died April 8th, 1892. Minor Canon 1833 – 1877. Precentor 1854 – 1887.
Rachel