Hi, Kath,
You are sneaking posts onto this board under my nose!! Have just spotted this Little Waltham posting.
There was an eccentric vicar at Great Waltham in the final years of the 18th and early years of the 19th century. He was very anti-drink, and would refuse to marry anyone who had been drinking or christen anyone whose parents had been drinking. He had running feuds with various people and often refused to unlock the church.
When I finish my present project, I am planning to write an article on him for the newsletter / magazine of the Essex Family History Society (unless anyone beats me to it). This will probably not be until New Year 2009 now, at the rate I am going.
I was wondering if this would explain why some people from Great Waltham might have been Bap-d, Mar-d or Bur-d in Little Waltham. At the vicar's trial it was said that parishioners often had to go to neighbouring churches, because he was so awkward.
Am looking out for your list of available surnames.
Best wishes,
Edwina
www.edwina.org.uk