The Staffords in Ashley

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Great (6) Great (12) Great (24) Grand (48) Sons (96) of Francis Stafford (192) - His parents (384)

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From his age at his death it would appear that Francis Stafford was born in 1693. The IGI for Northamptonshire and Leicestershire is fairly complete and the only possible entry on the IGI for the baptism of Francis was to Zachariah and Hannah Stafford in Shearsby. It is therefore assumed that these are the parents of Francis. The incidental details, such as family names, seem to support this.

Early years
It is possible that Zachariah was born in Shearsby or in Laughton which is about two miles South East of Shearsby. Unfortunately the early registers for Laughton (now part of Mowsley parish) have not survived. However, there are bishops transcripts which cover most of the early 1700s but not much before that.

Family
I have found no evidence for the marriage of Zachariah and Hannah. However, there are four baptisms for their children in the registers of Shearsby church. (There is an index for the baptisms, marriages and burials at Shearsby but these are the only Staffords of that era.)
 

Children	Baptized	Place	Notes	Code
Hannah	28 Jul 1689	Shearsby		384-A
John	10 May 1691	Shearsby		384-B
Francis	20 Oct 1693	Shearsby		192
Thomas	26 Jul 1696	Shearsby		384-C

Second marriage
It seems likely that Hannah died and then Zachariah married again to Elizabeth Bosworth a widow on 7 May 1704 in Laughton.

There was an Elizabeth Bosworth baptized to an Edward and Elizabeth Bosworth in Laughton 1687. In this case it would seem that this couple also had a son Edward. Husband, Edward, died and was buried in Laughton on 24 Sep 1690.
There is an Elizabeth Stafford who died and was buried 1 Nov 1729.

Death and will
Zachariah made his will on 29th July 1723. He described himself as a Grazier of Laughton in the County of Leicester and makes mention of his house at Westerby. Although there is a village a few miles to the north called Smeeton Westerby it seems more likely that Westerby was more local, perhaps the name of a farm.

He was buried on 5 Aug 1723 in Laughton. There are gravestones from the early 1700s in Laughton graveyard but not for any Staffords (though there are Staffords in the 1800s and 1900s)

In his will all four children, Hannah, John, Francis and Thomas are named. Unfortunately, although she is mentioned his wife's name is not given.
He left his wife, presumably Elizabeth, a cow (she was to 'chuse' which), eight pounds in money (enough to buy 4 more cows),  a pot or kettle, a couple of chairs and the bed and bedding which she apparently brought with her when they married.

He left money to his 'son in law' Edward Bosworth and to 'my Daughter Knight's three children'.
The term 'son in law' was often used to mean stepson, in which case this would appear to be Elizabeth's son. Othersise it might suggest that his daughter Hannah married Edward Bosworth, but she is actually called Hannah Stafford in the will.
The reference to 'my Daughter Knight' is peculiar. I would seem to suggest a second daughter called Knight with three children. There is evidence of a Knight family in Laughton much later, and in the mid 1700s in Ashley.

His house at Westerby was left to Thomas and Francis. By this time Francis was living in Ashley.

He left a large number of sheep, cows and pigs (109 animals altogether) when an inventory of his goods was taken 13 August 1723.
Zachariah's daughter Hannah and Son John were to be the joint executors, they inherited the rest of the animals.

In the text of this the property is described as follows:

Situate standing and being in Sheasby aforesaid late in the ottuxiation (?) of Zachariah Stafford weaver assigne or assigned together with all and singular houses outhouses edifices buildings barns stables ….

It is possible that this refers to Zachariah (384) the father of Francis Stafford who had 4 children baptized in Shearsby between 1689 and 1696. Another possibility is that it was perhaps his father who was called Zachariah.
The implication is that the property in question had been bought by Edward Spring.

Staffords in Laughton
There were other Staffords living in Laughton at this time as can be seen from the Bishop's Transcripts of the registers.
The incompleteness of these makes deductions difficult.

Joseph and Mary Stafford had four children baptized between 1701 and 1707. This could possibly be a younger brother to Zachariah.
In 1727 and 1729 John Stafford had two sons and a daughter baptized (the sons appear to have been sons who died at birth). John could be the son of Zachariah Stafford.
From 1726 to 1740 there are also children baptized to Benjamin and Sarah Stafford. It is possible he was the Son of Joseph above, but there is no baptism record for him.

Although the Staffords in Laughton are interesting, since they appear to have been living there at least the early 1990s, the main concern here is with the family of Francis Stafford the son of Zachariah.

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