William Martin 1831-1890

The Reverend William Martin M.A. became Vicar of Steeple Morden on 27 May 1865, replacing Rev. Thomas Brereton, who had died in office on 6 March 1865. William Martin was relatively youthful, unmarried and energetic. The parish had long wished for a school and the new vicar wasted no time and a new church or National School was built and opened in 1867. He had already turned his attention to the fabric of the church. The tower and spire had fallen in 1625, destroying the chancel. Despite much debate over the years only partial or temporary repairs had been carried out and generally the church was in poor condition. Over the period 1866 to 1869 William Martin lead a programme of repair and restoration, including building a new chancel. His efforts rather put his predecessor to shame, as it appears Thomas Brereton had confined himself to building a new rectory house to accommodate his family.

William Martin was born 11 January 1831 at Staverton, Devon, where his father, also William, was vicar. His mother was Jane Champernowne of the important Anglo-Norman family, which settled in Devon after the Norman Conquest. From 1559 to 1925 the Champernowne family seat was Dartington Hall. William senior and Jane married at Dartington in 1828 and settled at Staverton, where they proceeded to have thirteen children – five girls and eight boys. William junior was the second child and eldest son. At least three of Williams brothers also took Holy Orders. A truly clerical family.

At the 1841 Census William junior was resident at a small private school established by Rev Frederick Wickham at Louisa Terrace, Littleham in Exmouth. Two of his brothers were also pupils. Later Wickham was Second Master at Winchester College, which suggests he had connections with New College, Oxford, where William was later a student and is recorded in the 1851 Census as an undergraduate there. He was later elected a Fellow.

By the time of the 1861 Census. William was Curate of East Buckland, Devon and lodging with a farmer at West Buckland. New College, Oxford owned the Rectory at Steeple Morden and had the right of presentment, which they exercised in William’s favour on 27 May 1865 and he became Vicar of Steeple Morden. With his household, including his widowed mother, he is recorded resident there in the rectory house in the 1871 Census.

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