Abbot John Whethamstede’s Chronicle of the Abbey of St Albans
Abbot John Whethamstede's Register aka Chronicle of his second term at the Abbey of St Albans, 1451-1461, is a remarkable text that describes his first-hand experience of the beginning of the Wars of the Roses including the First and Second Battles of St Albans, 1455 and 1461, respectively, their cause, and their consequences, not least on the Abbey itself. His text also includes Loveday, Blore Heath, Northampton, the Act of Accord, Wakefield, and Towton, and ends with the Coronation of King Edward IV. In addition to the events of the Wars of the Roses, Abbot John, or his scribes who wrote the Chronicle, include details in the life of the Abbey such as charters, letters, land exchanges, visits by legates, and disputes, which provide a rich insight into the day-to-day life of the Abbey, and the challenges faced by its Abbot.
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In 1662 Captain John Smith was born at Purton.
On 17th February 1680 Captain John Smith [aged 18] and Mary Warner [aged 17] were married at Purton. She the daughter of Augustine Warner [aged 38].
Around 20th February 1681 [his daughter] Mildred Smith was born to Captain John Smith [aged 19] and [his wife] Mary Warner [aged 18] at Purton. She married 17th August 1700 Robert Porteus Senior and had issue.
On 14th April 1698 Captain John Smith [aged 36] died at Purton.
On 12th November 1700 [his former wife] Mary Warner [aged 37] died at Warner Hall.