AN AMERICAN clergyman with ancestral connections to a prominent 16th-century Droitwich family has penned a book about their legacy in the town which is still visible today.
Author Daniel McEver, who lives in Sparta, New Jersey, USA is the 13th great-grandchild of John and Isabell Wythe, who lived in Droitwich in the 1500s.
Monuments to them still stand in St. Peter’s Church and their connection to the town’s salt industry provides inspiration for some content in the book – Droitwich: The Wythe Family Monuments and the Salt Industry.
Daniel has been a keen genealogist for over 40 years, always focusing his research on the historical context and culture in which his ancestors lived.
His inspiration for this book came from one of the biggest highlights in his genealogical exploits – visiting his ancestor’s monument in Droitwich back in 2022.
Whilst visiting England to attend the International Mendenhall Reunion in Swindon, he made the trip to St Peter’s Church in Droitwich alongside his cousin Allen Singleton to see them.
They were shown around the church by local historian Philip Bowen.
Daniel said: “This pilgrimage was a truly remarkable experience, as I had been looking forward to seeing John and Isabell (Moore) Wythe’s monument in particular for over 20 years.
“We had a great visit with Mr. Bowen, and this experience at the church is what inspired me to write my book.”
After his visit, Daniel became highly motivated to learn all he could about the monuments, how they came to be damaged and what he could understand about the family’s coat of arms.
He also wanted to know the historical context of the period, before and after the monuments were created. He says his book is about more than just the monuments and his ancestors.
He provides 80 images and illustrations and discusses relevant events from Henry VIII to Charles II with the growing strife between Parliament and the Monarchy. He also delves into how reform theology rooted in the Protestant Reformation led to the rampant destruction of monuments, particularly during the English Civil War.
The book also provides a broad and updated history of salt manufacturing in Droitwich, in a nod to the Wythe family’s connection to the industry.
Daniel added: “After doing all my research and writing this book, I have gained great pride in my ancestral connection to Droitwich.
A copy of the book is currently housed in Bodleian Old Library in Oxford and has recently been accepted at The Hive in Worcester and Droitwich Spa Library.
Hardback, paperback and e-book versions are available on Amazon. Visit https://tinyurl.com/droitwichwythefamilymonuments for more information.
