Reverend Burgess

The Reverend William Johnson Burgess was the vicar of St. John the Evangelist, Lacey Green Church from 1848 to 1880

The Reverend William and Mary Ann Burgess had 8 children as follows :-

Mary E Burgess born 1843 in Great Missenden

William Ralph Burgess born 1846 in Aston Clinton

Catherine Jane Burgess born 1847 in Aston Clinton

John Francis C Burgess born 1849 in Loosley Row

Annie Maria Burgess born 1850 in Loosley Row

Arthur H Burgess born 1853 in Loosley Row/Lacey Green

George F Burgess born 1856 in Lacey Green

Cecil J Burgess born 1863 in Lacey Green

In 1851 the family were living at Loosley House, while the Vicarage was being built.

In 1861 living in the Vicarage was Cuthbert Wikinson 38 and family - officiating minister of Lacey Green Church. While William and Mary Ann Burgess with 7 children are at Bathwick, Somerset. William is Head of the household, listed as perpetual curate of Lacey Green Church. They have 3 servants from Lacey Green/ Loosley Row with them. (James Horwood is their footman, for more about James click James Horwood born 1808)

In 1871 William and Mary Ann are at Lacey Green with Catherine Jane, Annie Maria and Cecil J. William is listed as Vicar of St John's Lacey Green and land owner. They have 2 domestic servants, Eliza Hawes 43, and Bethsheba West 55.

By the Census in 1881 William was the Rector of Stretton Sugwas in Herefordshire.

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1905. Church Window Dedication.   From the Parish Magazine. research by Joan West

Letter from the Vicar the Reverend William Robson, to

My Dear Parishioners and Friends,

Wednesday October 11^th. 1905, will live long in the memories of all Lacey Green people who were present at the touching and interesting service, at which I had the great privilege of dedicating the beautiful east window to the memory of your much beloved former Vicar, Reverend William Johnston Burgess, the first vicar of Lacy Green, and his saintly wife, Mary Ann Burgess.   The service was choral evensong together with special collects, psalms, lessons and hymns.  The second lesson was read by their youngest son, the Rev’d Cecil Foster Burgess.   The large congregation also included two sons of your old friends Mr. William and Mr. George Burgess and one daughter Miss Burgess.

SUBJECT

The subject of the window, the "Charge of our Lord to St. Peter (S. John xxi, 15)", has been most appropriately treated, and the colouring is rich and effective.   It is by Messrs. Heaton, Butler and Bayne.

Editor's note.   The cost of the work was defrayed by the Family of the said deceased.

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In 1862 the Reverend Burgess became one of the first Trustees of the Emma Grace Foundation, endowment of Loosley Row and Speen schools.

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John and Eveline Forrest, Boys' Education.At least two of the boys were boarding at a small prep school at Upland House, Epson, Surrey. It was run by George Frederick Burgess, born 1856 at Lacey Green, one of the sons of the Reverend William Burgess, vicar of Lacey Green from 1848 to 1888. It was opened in 1884. In 1891 there were 14 pupils aged 9-13. It offered a wide range of sporting activities including football, golf, cricket, swimming, diving, fives, gymnastics, boxing and shooting. The boys were not judged on what they achieved but on how they had done their best.