Wendover (St. Mary)
Wendover was a borough by prescription. It returned members to parliament from the 28th of Edward I. to the 2nd of Edward II., from which period the right was unexercised till, after a lapse of more than 400 years, it was restored through the exertions of Mr. Hakeville, a barrister, who, on examining the parliamentary writs in the Tower, in the 21st of James I., discovered that Amersham, Wendover, and Great Marlow, had all sent representatives. Hampden, the patriot, was member fur the borough in five successive parliaments. Petty-sessions are held once a fortnight, and courts leet and baron occasionally. The parish comprises 5640a. 31p., of which 3787 acres are arable, 1262 meadow and pasture, and 590 woodland. The living is a discharged vicarage, valued in the king's books at £12. 6. 1., and in the patronage of the Crown, with a net income of £271; impropriator, Abel Smith, Esq. The great tithes have been commuted for £184, and those of the vicar for £46. The church stands about a quarter of a mile from the town: a beautiful font was presented by Robert Fox, Esq., of The Lodge, in 1840. An ancient chapel, dedicated to St. John, was taken down some years since, to afford a site for an infants' school. There are places of worship for Baptists and Independents. Joan Bradshaw, in 1578, left property now producing a rental of £31. 10., half of which is distributed, with £32. 13., arising from other benefactions, among the poor; and William Hill, in 1723, bequeathed an estate now let for £145 per annum, for the support of national schools in the parishes of Bierton and Wendover, and for the distribution of coal to poor men in the above and four other parishes. Roger de Wendover, historiographer to Henry II.; and Richard, Bishop of Rochester in the reign of Henry III., were natives of the place.
Transcribed from A Topographical Dictionary of England, by Samuel Lewis, seventh edition, published 1858.