Steventon · Article

Rectors of Steventon

A list based upon research at the Hampshire Record Office by Gerry Dutton.

By Gerry Dutton · Posted November 2025 · © Gerry Dutton 2025

The table records the date of accession, the incumbent and the patron, from the first recorded institution in 1238 to 1901. Members of the Austen family were rectors from 1759 to 1873.

Rectors of Steventon, 1238–1901
Date of accession	Incumbent	Patron
1238	A clerk	Hugh de Wengham
before 1349	Thomas de Insula
10th Jan 1349	Geoffrey (Walter?) de Brockhampton — by resignation of Thomas de Insula	Joan, Widow of John de Roches, knight
1366	Thomas de Insula
3rd Dec 1538	John Bennette — by death of John Waser	Richard Peckesall Esq.
?	John Orpwood Snr
20 May (5 June) 1661	John Orpwood — by death of John Orpwood Snr	Jas. Chamberlaine and John Harwood
16 (18) July 1695	Richard Deane M.A. — by death of John Orpwood	John Lewkenor Esq.
30 March (5 Apr) 1697	Thomas Church M.A. — by death	John Lewkenor Esq. of West Dean, Sussex
23 Jan (3 Feb) 1720/21	Richard Wright B.A.	Not given
1 (29) Apr 1727	John Church M.A. — by death of Richard Wright	Bulstrode Knight Esq. of West Dean, Sussex & Elizabeth his wife
10 (29) Nov 1733	David Stratton M.A. — by death of John Church	Bulstrode Knight Esq. of West Dean, Sussex & Elizabeth his wife
18 (20) Oct 1737	Henry Haddon B.A.	Elizabeth Knight, widow
26 (29) Sept 1743	William Payne M.A. — by death of Henry Haddon	Thomas Knight I Esq.
27 Feb 1744/45	William Payne B.D. — by resignation of William Payne M.A.	Thomas Knight I Esq.
25 (27) Jan 1752	Stephen Apthorp D.D. — by resignation of William Payne	Thomas Knight I Esq.
9 (12) Nov 1759	Henry Austen M.A. — by cession of Stephen Apthorpe	Thomas Knight I Esq.
11 Nov 1761	George Austen — by cession of Henry Austen	Thomas Knight I Esq.
14 (26) Feb 1805	James Austen — by death of George Austen	Wm Deeds Esq., as sole surviving trustee of Thomas Knight II Esq., deceased
15 (18) Jan 1820	Henry Thomas Austen — by death of James Austen	Edward Knight Esq. of Godmersham Park, Kent
21 June 1823	William Knight — by resignation of Henry Thomas Austen	Edward Knight Esq. of Chawton House, Hants
28 Apr (1 May) 1874	Herbert Alder B.A. — by death of William Knight	Herbert Alder B.A.
4 Jun (2 Jul) 1886	Henry Christian David Chandler M.A. — by resignation of Herbert Alder	Herbert Alder B.A.
14 (16) May 1889	Edward Alder M.A. — by death of Henry Christian David Chandler	Edward Alder M.A.
18 (21) May 1901	Herbert Edward Watson Steadman M.A. — by death of Edward Alder	Naomi Sabina Alder of Steventon Rectory, widow