#1731, Charles BOUTELL

Was living at The Vicarage, Sandridge, St. Albans, Hertfordshire (1841)

Charles was ordained in 1839 and held curacies at Hemsby, Norfolk; Sandridge, Hertfordshire (1837-1846); Hampton, Middlesex and Litcham, Norfolk. He was subsequently rector of Downham Market (1847-1850) and vicar of Wiggenhall St. Nary Magdalen, Norfolk (1847-1855). He moved to London in 1855 and held various positions including reader at St. Luke's, Lower Norwood, Surrey (1860-1867)

He was secretary of the St. Albans Archotectural Society, founded in 1845 and was one of the founders in 1855 of the London & Middlesex Archaeological Society. During the first forty years of the Surrey Archaeological Society Boutell appeared regularly as lecturer at the Society's annual excursions. He wrote a large number of books, some of which have been combined and updated into Boutell's Heraldry, of which the Trust's leather bound copy is dated 1958. His work has been revised a further six times since 1958. He served as Honorary Secretary of the London and Middlesex Archaeological Society from 23rd July to 17th November 1857 but was dismissed for what was termed 'improper' bookkeeping, involving the amount of £56 15s received in subscription fees. According to Charles Roach Smith, he subsequently suffered from a 'similar lapse' in relation to the Surrey Archaeological Society. In 1986 he was imprisoned for debt and in December of that year was declared bankrupt. Boutell died of a ruptured heart on 31st July 1877, following two years of declining health. He is buried at Paddington Old Cemetery, Kilburn, London.