From Chicklade And Pertwood, A Short Parish History by E.R. Barty, M.A., Chicklade, Old Rectory, first published December 1955
THE STILLS OF CLOWDES
The family rose to eminence in the Church of England before it was established in Wiltshire.
John Still, Bishop of Bath and Wells (1593-1608) was the son of William Still of Grantham, Lincs., where he was born about 1543.
A great grandson, Nathaniel Still, established his family at East Knoyle. Colt Hoare (c.1820) mentions the family of Still residing at Clowdes.
The Rev. John Still, LL.B., Wadham College, was a great grandson of Nathaniel Still. He became Rector of Fonthill Gifford and Vicar of Chicklade. He was born at Clowdes House 13 January, 1761. He succeeded Benjamin Blatch (d.1786) being inducted on February 23, 1786. The Chicklade Records mention that he lived at Fonthill Gifford (1814-15 and 1827) owing to the unsuitability of Chicklade Parsonage. Other authorities state he lived at Berwick House. He married Ann Tippets of Darley, Glos., in 1800 and died in 1839.
Excerpt from the Diocesan Register 1839:-
“Chicklade. On 25th day of May in the year aforesaid at Sarum, the Right Rev. Father did admit and canonically institute John Cooke Faber, Clerk B.A., in and to the Rectory and Parish Church of Chicklade void by the death of John Still, Clerk, the last incumbent thereof.”
John Still II., son of the Rector of Chicklade and Fonthill Gifford was born 10th April, 1801. He was inducted to the parish of Inglesham on 11th September, 1825. He died umarried on 13th May, 1833. Signatures of John Still, Junior Clerk in 1829 and 1832 in Chicklade Registers appear to be those of John Still II., Vicar of Inglesham.
The ancient Church at Inglesham (N. Wilts) is of Norman and Early English Architecture and contains a very valuable Chalice and Patten (1542). In East Knoyle Church there is a memorial tablet inscribed with names of the Still family (1701-1832).
Much information regarding the history of the Still family is contained in an interesting article “Families of East Knoyle” in the Wiltshire Archaeological Magazine No. CLXXXV. By Lt. Colonel Benett-Stanford.
Obscure points in careers of the two John Stills have been elucidated for us by Mr. Charles Still, of Ansty, who also kindly provided a genealogical tree.