Following on from his three part series, Oundle in the News, local historian David Parker is about to publish a new book, Oundle Wills and Headstones 1820 -1858.

He started the research for his most recent book in 2005 and spent four years collecting information from a wide variety of sources. The book examines nearly 70 local wills, is accompanied by over 75 illustrations and contains a detailed 30 page index. It promises to be a fascinating account of past lives. For those interested in the local area, it provides the most comprehensive record of the graves in the St Peter’s Churchyard. A detailed map of the churchyard accompanies the text.

When he first embarked on his study of Oundle’s wills, Mr Parker did not originally plan to study the headstones. However, as research progressed on the wills, most of which belonged to the gentry and tradesmen, he became curious to find out where the deceased had been buried. Aside from the detective work incvolved in locating the headstones, documenting the inscriptions was very difficult. Many of the headstones, dating right back to 1809, have been weathered beyond repair and therefore the dedications have been worn away. Only by waiting for the sun to fall at a certain angle on the stones, was he able to record the engravings.

Reading the wills of Oundle’s residents revealed many interesting trends. For instance, Parker found that many of the deceased were concerned about the interests of their daughters and safeguarded their future in their bequests. Of the many characters who emerged was Mary Toft, a prominent lady who had a leading role in the building of the Wesleyan Chapel in West Street. She lived with her husband in what is now the local coffee shop, Beans, which was then a saddle business.

David Parker’s book Oundle Wills and Headstones 1820-1858 is thoroughly recommended for those who are interested in Oundle’s local history or for those who are seeking information about the wills and graves of their ancestors.