An inquisition, held in Newark in 1503 recorded the following mention of Barnby:
An inquisition at Newerk, the 10th December, 1503, found that John Boteler, chaplain, was seized of 1 messuage, 10 acres of land, 1 acre of meadow, and 1 acre of pasture in Barnby, and so seized, did by his charter of May 1st, 1476, grant the same to John Wyllyngham, chaplain, and other, to have and to hold to them and their heirs for ever to the use of the chaplains of the chantries of Newark. The messuage and land were worth yearly without reprises 13s.4d.
The name Barnesbe in Willowes first appears in 1575 during the reign of Elizabeth I with the further development of Barnebie in le Willowes in 1589. It has been stated that the village was known as Barneby in the Willowes for distinction from Barneby in the More. The willows (osiers) growing along the riverbank and in wet areas of the churchyard were used to make baskets, beehives, and other domestic and agricultural equipment. The last time osiers were grown as a crop in Barnby was in 1900.
The parish register, held at Nottinghamshire Archives, dates from 1593 and is written on calf skin or vellum. The Elizabethan handwriting is extremely difficult to read and the vellum is quite stained; however, the first entry in the parish register states something along the following lines:
'The names of all the sons and daughters baptised since the 15th day of September 1593'
I have attempted to transcribe the first 2 baptism entries in the parish register along with the first marriage and burial. I have used a question mark for names that I couldn't read and a question mark in brackets when I am unsure of the translation.
'Isabel Walton, the daughter of Godfrey Walton was baptised the eighth(?) day of November 1593'
'Edmon Berrye, the son of Thomas Berrye was baptised the sixth(?) day of December 1593'
'William ? son was buried fifteenth(?) day of September 1593'
'? Harrison and Elizabeth ? was married twenty fourth(?) day of November 1593'
Below are some examples of entries for marriages dated 1600.
The parish register pages were loose leaf and bound together. On the front of the register is a copy of a letter from Robert Jay, Parson of Melton to his 'most loving friends of Barnbye' referring to an annual payment of 2 shillings given to the poor of Barnby by his father. He offers to pay 20 shillings for the discharge of the same, to be sent to John Twentiman of Newark at 'Sturbridge Fayre'. There was uncertainty over previous payments. The original letter had been dated 10th June 1595 and had been copied on 25th March 1606 or 1607. Below this copy is a further memo by William Charnler(?), Vicar of Barnby referring to irregularities of payments since 1595 and was dated 1607.
A Page from the first Parish Register with entries dated 1599 to 1600
Last updated: 15 June 2002