Vicar of St. Mary the Boltons, 1860–1868
This is research in progress: it may contain errors, and is not complete.
Mayow Wyndell Mayow born 8 July 1810 in Bloomsbury, London, son of Philip Wynell. The Times, 6 Feb. 1845, has a description of his father’s house:
For sale by auction on 25th by order of the executors of the late Philip Wynell Mayow: The desirable family residence, No. 54 Guildford-street, only a few doors removed from Russell-square: held for an unexpired term of 49 years from Christmas last, at a ground rent of 10 guineas per annum. The premises, which are in good repair, have a stone staircase from the basement to the second floor, and at the rear of the ground floor are offices well adapted for a professional man. Immediate possession will be given on completion of the purchase. . .
Mayow went to Christ Church, Oxford, matriculating 29 April 1829, gained his M.A. in 1833, and was ordained 22 December 1833 by Richard Bagshot at Oxford (i.e. en-route to become a minister of the Church of England). Among his fellow students at Christ Church were William Gladstone, Charles John Canning, Henry George Liddell and Robert Scott.
On 4 July 1834 Mayow was licensed Assistant Stipendiary Curate at St. George’s Bloomsbury and the ordination was by Charles James Bloomfield. His stipend was £100 and he was to reside in the parish, i.e. familiar ground to him.
In 1836 he became vicar of Market Lavington, Wiltshire, a church that was in the gift of his former college. This was a very rural area, and apart from some improvements to the church, not a lot seems to have happened until 1860.
“The chancel, which has been recently renovated, is inlaid with encaustic tiles”
Topographical Account of Market Lavington, p. 7
[pub. 1850]
Whilst at Market Lavington, in 1841 Mayow also became Rural Dean of Potterne, a position he held until 1860.
Mayow was invited to preach the St. Barnabas sermon at Oxford in 1845. An extract of the sermon is given in Second Letter to Rev. William Maskell, pp. 142–154:
No promise of salvation to the non-communicant! ... No warrant, then, to any one to think he has a share in the gospel covenant, if he despise God’s ministry, and forsake his Church
I.e. Mayow was of Ritualist views, otherwise known as Tractarian or Oxford Movement.
Whilst at Market Lavington Mayow married Caroline Kate Smith, daughter of Alfred Smith, at St. John the Baptist, Devizes, Wiltshire on 14 July 1846. Around this time, 1847, Mayow published what appears to be the first of his theological works: [1]
Dr. Hampden’s Theology Other than the Catholic Faith: A Letter to the Venerable the Archdeacon of Wilts
Again, note the Tractarian topic. The birth of Mayow’s first son was announced in The Times: [2]
On 1st Inst., at the Vicarage, Market Lavington, Wilts, the wife of the Rev. Mayow Wynell Mayow, of a son.
The next publication appears to be Some Thoughts on the Position of the Church of England as to her Dogmatic Teaching which was followed in 1850 by A Letter to the Rev. William Maskell, followed by A Second Letter to Rev. William Maskell. [3] The Maskell letters were about the Church of England’s position on infant baptism. Maskell would later become a Catholic.
In September 1850 later The Times [4] has Mayow worked with two of the leading Tractarians in Parliament:
An amendment was, however, moved by Lord Forbes, seconded by Mr. A. J. B. Hope, M.P., and supported by Dr. Pusey, the Rev. J. Keble, the Rev. M. W. Mayow, the Rev. A. Fane, the Rev. A. Watson, and Sir George Prevost. The amendment was as follows:—“That whereas the Bristol Church Union was designed to be a union of all churchmen desirous of co-operating in the promotion of certain defined objects, it cannot consent to narrow the basis of its constitution by identifying itself with an organization which is founded upon the acceptance of a declaration of faith over and above the existing formularies of the English church, which it desires to make the rule of its proceedings.”
The 1851 census has Mayow (40) living on the High Street, Market Lavington, Wiltshire, he’s the vicar. His wife Caroline is 26, and they have four servants. The children are: Elizabeth Ursula 3; Philip Stafford 2; Mayow Wynell 1.
1851 Census (Ancestry): aged 40, parish Market Lavington [Wiltshire], born Bloymsbury St. George; ED 4b, Household schedule 12, Piece 1839, Folio 248, p. 3:
Around 1853 another son, Arthur Wynell Mayow, [5] was born at Market Lavington.
Two books were published next: War: A few words to Soldiers and Sailors called to active service, with short prayers for their private use [1854] and A sketch of character [1857]. Mayow also probably got £300 from his father’s estate in 1857. [6] Alumni Oxonienses says that 1859–65 Mayow added “proc. diocese Saram” [i.e. some clerical position in the Salisbury diocese].
As the time to swap the Market Lavington pulpit with St. Mary West Brompton, it looks like Mayow had moved to London: 1859. The Times 29 Jun. 1859, under Oxford University Election (sub heading Mr. Galdstone’s London Committee):
The Rev. Mayow Wynell Mayow, M.A., Vicar of Market Lavington, Wilts, Rural Dean, Proctor for the Diocess of Sarum, and late Student of Christ Church
So it looks like Mayow was helping his old University friend William Gladstone in politics. That would mean in politics he was a Liberal: the British Library hold Mayow’s correspondence with Gladtsone, 1832–94.
In 1860 the Rev. Thomas Pearson of St. Mary, West Brompton, swapped with Rev. Mayow of Market Lavington, and Mayow was now perpetual curate of St. Mary’s. The first baptism by Mayow at St. Marys was 15 July 1860 and he signs himself as Incumbent.
The Post Office Suburban and Court Guide for 1861 lists: Rev. Mayow Wynell, M.A., 2 Boltons, Gilston Road, West Brompton, s.w. That might be Rev. Swale’s old house, but is certainly less than a minute’s walk from St. Mary’s. The 1863 Simpson’s Chelsea and Pimlico Directory has him still there. The 1868 Hammersmith poll also lists him still at 2 Boltons, so they stayed there for a long time.
In the 1861 Census sees Mayow (50) and Caroline (36) still living at 2 Boltons, and he’s perpetual curate of St. Marys and they have four servants. The children are: Elizabeth 13; Arthur 8; Charles[?] 4; Augustus 1.
There’s not much for the St. Mary’s period, but Mayow was involved in church politics. E.g. The Times, 14 Nov. 1866, p. 8, under The “Conscience Clause”:
Yesterday a deputation on the subject of the “Conscience Clause” waited on the Earl of Derby, at his official residence in Downing-street. Among those who formed it were, Mr. J. G. Hubbard, M.P., Mr. A. J. B. Beresford Hope, M.P., Archdeacon Denison, the Rev. Dr. Irons, of Brompton; the Rev. A. Wilson, of the National Society; the Rev. Robert Gregory, the Rev. C. W. Page, the Rev. M. W. Mayow, the Rev. T. Pelham Dale, the Rev. C. A. Stevens, the Rev. Arthur Morley, the Rev. Dr. Biber, of Roehampton, and Mr. W. Holgate, of the Church Institute [Archbishop of Canterbury could not attend]
In December of 1866 Mayow preached a series of sermons of a very tractarian nature which got him into major trouble. Fortunately for us he published them as a book, Eight Sermons on the Priesthood, Altar, and Sacrifice. The book shows how educated in church history Mayow was, but Mayow wasn’t good at presenting a logical argument. The Rev. John Gell, of St. John’s Church, Notting Hill, saw the book some months after it was published, and wrote a damning on Mayow’s views, albeit in a very friendly and jovial tone. The book was Church Ministry in Kensington. Mayow seems to have ignored Gell because on 27 November 1867 he delivered a lecture (subsequently published): Remarks upon the First Report of the Royal Commissions on Ritual, in connection with the integrity of the Book of Common Prayer at the annual meeting of the Brighton Branch of the English Church Union (F. Barchard in chair). At the time of the publication (1868_ he’s “incumbent of St. Mary’s, West Brompton.”
Things were now at a head and in 1868 Mayow resigned from St. Marys citing “problems in the parish.” He became (1868–71) Rector of S. Heighton w. Tarring-Neville, Sussex. By now Mayow was widely known as a ritualist. E.g. The Times, 10 Oct. 1868, under The Brighton Ritualists:
The octave was brought to a close on Tuesday evening by a late service, consisting of the “Litany of our Lord Jesus Christ,” a sermon on the ministry of angels by the Rev. Mr. Mayow, and another solemn procession, during which not only the banners above mentioned and a cross were carried down the centre aisle and round the church, but a magnificent crucifix also was borne aloft in the midst of a crowd of priests, deacons, choir-men, choristers, and acolytes, dressed as on the Sunday, and carrying lighted candles.
And another from The Times 13 Jan. 1869, under Meeting of Ritualists:
Yesterday afternoon a great meeting of Ritualists, clergy, and laity was held at Freemasons’-hall for the purpose of considering what steps should be taken in reference to the recent judgment of the Judicial Committee of Privy Council in the case of “Martin v. Mackonochie.” ... The Archdeacon of Taunton presided, and there were present the Earl of Limerick, ... the Rev. Mr. Mayow, and other gentlemen.
Possibly Mayow wanted to get a few more regular theology items under his belt and in 1869 he published Marriage with Deceased Wife’s Sister, an Examination of Leviticus xviii. 18; A Few words on the Sense of Article XXIX.. There’s still the fixation on church history (the articles) but it’s not a ritualist work.
In the 1871 Census Mayow (60) and Caroline (46) are living at Highton[?] Grange, Brighton with two servants. The children are: Philip 22, now a sub-lieutenant in the Royal Navy; Arthur 18, Charles 14, Augutus 11, the latter all scholars.
His clerical appointments continued to supplemented: 1871–8 Rector of Southam, 1872–78 Rural Dean of Southam. Shortly after this, 23 Mar. 1872. Mayow’s son P. S. W. Mayow died on board H.M.S. Briton at Bombay, aged 23.
Mayow caused a major trouble at Southam Church with his ritualistic practises. Whilst published slightly later, he published extracts from his early sermons on ritualism at Southam, and notes the death of his son:
Remarks upon certain principles of Ritual [1872, completed 6 Sep. 1872]
And, in the growing trouble on ritualism he publishes:
A few words on the sense of Article XXIX . . . revised edition [1872, completed 5 Apr. 1872]
A Reply to a Memorial [of H. L. Chamberlayne and others] on the Subject of Ritual. [1872, completed 14 Dec. 1872]
The last is very important as the parishioners had sent a formal letter to the Bishop, in November 1872, explaining the trouble (“a most serious source of discord and offence has been created”) and specifying many of Mayow’s practises that they insisted must stop:
... That no Crosses or Banners be used in any processional entry of or exit from the Church; that the presence of Acolytes during the time of Service ... be dispensed with; that constant and open acts of adoration towards the Communion Table be disallowed; that the services be not intoned beyond the ordinary responses of the Choir, ... Gregorian Music may be discontinued; that no picture or image whatsoever be placed upon the Communion Table ...
And around the same time, and in many ways related, Mayow published:
Some Considerations as to the Supremacy and Infallibility on Morals and Doctrines of the Pope ... a letter [1872]
And having been warned by his bishop, he eventually writes to the bishop (Remarks is dedicated, without permission or consultation, to the Bishop):
A Letter to the ... Bishop of Worcester [1873, completed 4 Mar. 1873]
The Bishop questioned the legality of Mayow’s actions and suggested “if [Mayow] were disposed to make any concessions, [he] had better do so without waiting to hear from the Memorialists.” The letter is Mayow defending his practises and making a few concessions.
All then goes quiet until in 1877 he publishes A Revision of the Church Lectionary; undertaken by five Clergymen in Warwickshire, etc. M. W. Mayow, W. R. Verney etc. I.e. Coker Adams, Samuel Adcock Ellis and Henry Adeney Redpath. The Times, 22 March 1878, noted his appointment as rector as Halstead:
... Rev. Mayow Wynell Mayow, M.A., late rector of Sotham, Warwickshire, rector of Halstead, Kent.—patron, the Archbishop of Canterbury
Crockford claims he was Rector of Halstead, 1878–81.
The 1881 Census has Mayow (60) and Caroline (56) living at the Rectory, Church Lane, Sevenoaks, Halstead, with Mayow being Rector of Halstead, and having at least one servant. With them is his son, Charles 24, now in the 39th Middlesex Volunteers.
Mayow was a member of Sarum [Sailsbury] Diocessan Synod 1882–91, (possibly a ritualist group?). After a bit of a rest, 1882 sees another book: Law-Breakers (falsely so called), a Letter to Right Hon. J. G. Hubbard, M.P.
The Times, 15 July 1890, p. 1 (under Deaths), has possibly the death of his brother, who was also a clergyman:
On the 9th July, at Shortwood, near Wells, Somerset, the REV. PHILIP WYNELL-MAYOW, aged 77, late Vicar of Easton, near Wells, and youngest son of the late Philip Wynell-Mayow, Esq., of Hanworth Hall, Norfolk, and Bray Cornwall.
The 1891 census see Mayow (80), clerk in Holy Orders (i.e. no longer a parish minister) living 7 College Terrace, Southampton. He appears to be living alone, no servants etc.
Mayow died in 1895, again, from The Times, 28 Feb. 1895, under Deaths:
WYNELL-MAYOW.—On the 26 Feb., at 7, College-terrace, Southampton, aged 84, the Rev. Mayow Wynell-Mayow, of Bray, Cornwall, and Braeside, Devizes. R. I. P.
Tom Gibbs, who wrote the excellent book The History St. Mary The Boltons, published the following in The Clarion, St. Mary’s magazine in June 1965:
St. Mary Boltons, 1860–1868
In a recent issue of the Church Times there appeared a short quotation from my History of St. Mary Boltons, in which mention was made of the Reverend M. W. Mayow, who was Vicar from 1860 to 1868. This elicited a letter from Mr. Mayow’s grand-daughter, Miss Betty Wynell-Mayow, who lives with her sister, Miss Ursula Wynell-Mayow, at Ottery St. Mary, Devon. From the correspondence which has passed between us I have learned that Mr. Mayow was educated for the priesthood at Christ Church, Oxford, where he came under the influence of the great Tractarian and leader of the Oxford Movement, Dr. Pusey, with whom he formed a lasting friendship.
Mr. Mayow resigned the living of St. Mary’s “due to difficulties which he encountered in the parish”—to quote the words of his successor, the Reverend W. T. DuBoulay. At the time of writing my book I was not able to discover what these difficulties were, but it would seem almost certain that they were connected with Mr. Mayow’s High Church principles, which were not generally popular at that time.
Mr. Mayow delivered a series of eight sermons on “The Priesthood, Altar and Sacrifice” while at St. Mary’s, and these were later published in book form. They show clearly the type of churchman he was. The Misses Mayow have generously given us a copy of this book, which makes a most interesting and valuable addition to the parish records.
One further piece of interesting information which the Misses Mayow have passed on to me is that the Reverend F. M. Gregory, who was Curate of St. Mary’s in 1866, married Mr. Mayow’s eldest daughter, Ursula, and was afterwards Vicar of St. Michael’s, Southampton, where he did great work and is still remembered.
Mr. Mayow came to St. Mary’s from Market Lavington, in Wiltshire, in an exchange of livings with his predecessor here, the Reverend Thomas Pearson.
Apart from the census and other official forms, Oxford Men and Their Colleges, 1880-1892 has an entry giving various biographical details. Similarly Alumni Oxonienses has some details for him. Some aspects of his clerical career are covered in Crockford’s Directory, 1893.
[1] The Oxford Movement and its Leaders, 2009[?]
[2] The Times, 3 Oct. 1848, p. 7 (under Births).
[3] The Times, 6 Sept. 1850, p. 7 (under Just Published):
Just published, 8vo., 2s. 6d., A Second Letter to the Rev. William Maskell, M.A. By the Rev. MAYOW WYNELL MAYOW, M.A., Vicar of Market Lavington, Wilts., Rural Dean, and late Student of Christ Church, Oxford.—Some Thoughts on the Position of the Church of England as to her Dogmatic Teaching. Also, recently, by the same Author,—A First Letter to the Rev. Wm. Maskell, A.M.—How far the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council Commits the Church of England by its Decision, even allowing it to have Jurisdiction in Points of Doctrine. 8vo., 6d. W. Pickering, 177, Piccadilly.
[4] The Times, 1850, 14 Oct. p. 5 (under Church Question).
[5] Alumni Oxonienses says Arthur Wynell Mayow went on to be a R.N. chaplain and vicar of Frocester, Gloucestershire.
[6] The Times, 1857, 28 March, p. 1, under Bank of England.—Unclaimed Stock.
Application having been made to the Governors of the Bank of England to direct the re-transfer from the Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt of the sum of £965 16s. 6d. £3 per Cent. Annuities, heretofore standing in the name of Philip Wynell Mayow, deceased, of the Excise Office, Esq., and which was transferred to the said Commissioners in consequence of the dividends thereon not having been received since the 10th October, 1841: notice is hereby given that, on the expiration of three months from this date, the said STOCK will be TRANSFERRED, and the Dividens thereon Paid, to GEORGE WYNELL MAYOW, Rev. MAYOW WYNELL MAYOW, and Rev. PHILIP WYNNELL MAYOW, surviving executors of the said Philip Wynell Mayow, deceased, who have claimed the same, unless some other claimant shall sooner appear and make out his claim thereto.