John Shaw (c1772-1854), as Vicar of Bengeworth, officiated at five services at Badsey and Wickhamford over a period of 36 years. The first was a marriage at Badsey on 9th May 1810, as the new Curate, Robert Ffarmerie, had been licensed just two days before. The second was a marriage at Wickhamford in 1820, shortly after the arrival of Curate Charles Bloxham. Other services were in 1837, 1842 and 1846.
John Shaw was born about 1772 in Lancaster. He does not appear to have been a student at Oxford or Cambridge and it is not known when he was ordained as he does not feature on the Clergy of the Church of England database. However, it seems that he was living in Bengeworth by the early years of the 19th century as his daughter, Mary Lucy, was born there in about 1804. John was married to Elizabeth. Reverend Shaw was initiated as a Freemason at the Lodge of Mercy and Truth, Evesham, on 26th May 1819, when he was described as Vicar.
Reverend Shaw remained as Vicar of Bengeworth until his death on 8th December 1854. The following report of his death appeared in The Worcestershire Chronicle of 13th December 1854:
DEATH OF THE VICAR OF BENGEWORTH – The Rev John Shaw, Vicar of Bengeworth, died on Friday morning at the advanced age of 82. He had enjoyed the respect and esteem of all sects and parties for a long term of years, and though from his infirmities unable to preach, his curates have uniformly been chosen for their purity of life and sound orthodox opinions. In him the poor have lost a friend, and the Bible Society, the annual reports of which have invariably been the production of his pen, has lost a staunch advocate. The congregation will the more regret his demise from the fact that it will cause the removal of Mr Knapp, whose services are so highly appreciated that a proposition has been made to raise by subscription a sum to purchase the living for presentation, in order to retain his services.
Reverend Joseph Greenwaye Knapp, the Curate mentioned in the newspaper report, remained in touch with the Shaw family after the death of Reverend John Shaw, as in 1888 he was executor of the will of Reverend Shaw’s daughter, Mary Lucy Shaw.