The Meese Family

Nicholas Meese was Rector of Oxhill (and Idlicote) for forty-six years from 1669-1715. He was the son of Richard of Over Worton in Oxfordshire. He matriculated at the age of fifteen years from St. John's College, Oxford (1645): he was a scholar of Trinity College 1648-49 (B.A. ), Fellow 1650 (M. A. ) March 1652, Cambridge 1655, B. D. 1662-63. Proctor in 1661. Vicar of Stokenham in Devon 1663. Rector of Oxhill in 1669.

The Meese family owned the manor of Over Worton for some years but lost it following the Civil War. An effigy of Edmund Meese, Barrister at Law, in his court robes can be seen in the Church at Over Worton.

Nicholas Meese married Jane Clarke of Oxhill at Oxhill Church in 1665. Jane (Bapt. 1646) was the daughter of Walwyn Clarke, who was Rector of Oxhill and owned the manor at this time. Nicholas Meese followed his -father-in-law as Rector being presented to the living by Richard Holloway of Inner Temple, London. (Perhaps a connection with Edmund?) Nicholas and Jane had a large family, some of whom died in infancy.

He was followed as Rector by his son Walwyn Meese whom Christopher Ward described as a “good friend and worthy gentleman”. Walwyn Meese matriculated at Trinity College at the age of fifteen years (1686). He obtained his B.A. in 1690, and his M.A. in 1693. He was Rector of Darlaston in Staffordshire in 1699, Vicar of Stratford-super-Avon in 1709, and Rector of Oxhill in 1715. He too married, and he and his wife Mary had a large family.

This site is maintained by villagers of Oxhill for the benefit of the community and those interested in the history, news and activities that make the village such a pleasant place to live.

Send mail to historian@oxhill.org.uk with questions or comments about this web site.

Last modified: January 27, 2003