England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Scotter St Peter

The Parish

The parish of Scotter is located in northwestern Lincolnshire. Scotter is about 9 miles northeast of the market town of Gainsborough, it sits astride the A159 road which links that place with Scunthorpe. Scotter is a substantial village built either side of the crossing by the A159 of the River Eau which runs through the centre. Most of Scotter, including the centre lies to the southwest of the crossing along and either side of the main road. The area is intensively used for arable agriculture and that would have dominated the occupations of the folk in this transcript, the land is relatively fertile as it lies on the edge of the vast plain containing the River Trent which forms the boundary between Lincolnshire and neighbouring Nottinghamshire. Scotter is sited at around 10 metres above sea level, the Eau flows westwards to join the Trent 3 miles west of the village from whence it flows to the Humber estuary and North Sea. Lincolnshire parishes are typically small but Scotter not so, it covered a large acreage (close to 5,000) and supported over 1,100 parishioners. In Domesday times the land was held by the Abbey of Peterborough and supported 11 ploughs as well as 2 mills and 2 fisheries.

The Church

St Peter's church is tucked away in the southeastern corner of Scotter on the banks of the River Eau. The church has its origins in Norman (12th century) times as dated by Pevsner from the southern doorway and masonry in the nave. Like many churches it was added to over the centuries, a northern arcade in the 13th century and later the Perpendicular western tower. The church was a pre-Victorian restoration piece being refreshed in 1820 when the porch was added. The church is accessed from the High Street by a short lane lined with modern housing, at its end there is ample parking, the lane continues ahead as the drive of the church, flanked by brick pillars and wall. The churchyard has quite a few mature trees and getting good angles on the building is a little tricky.