Charles NORTON
Born: circa 1676, birthplace not known
Married: Elizabeth BATES, 27 June 1700, St Peter's Church, Stapenhill
Buried: 30 May 1756, St Gile's Church, Cauldwell
According to his marriage bond and allegation, dated 23 June 1700, Charles NORTON was a cordwainer aged 24 years, giving him a birth year of around 1676. Frustratingly, there is no record of his birthplace: although Stapenhill parish registers survive from 1660, there is no sign of a christening for any NORTONs. However, there had been NORTON families in the neighbouring parish of St Modwen, Burton on Trent, so it is possible that he hailed from there.
Charles signed his marriage bond and allegation in a clear, firm hand, although it is interesting to note that when he came to sign his will some 50-plus years later, he marked with a cross. The second bondsman for the marriage licence was John BATES, cordwainer of Rosliston - possibly his prospective father-in-law, and, given his trade, it is possible that Charles may have served an apprenticeship to John BATES. Charles and Elizabeth married in Stapenhill Church four days later, on 27 June.
Charles and Elizabeth had six known children: John, born and christened 30 April 1701 (and possibly named for her father, John BATES?); Joseph, born 12 October and christened November 1702; Ann, christened 24 December 1704; Mary, christened 20 February 1707/8; Elizabeth, christened 29 June 1713; and Charles, christened 23 December 1717. Given the gaps between the last three children, it is possible that there may have been other children who died as infants.
Charles was widowed around July 1722, when Elizabeth died at the age of around 41 years. He lived for a further thirty-four years. On the 20th November 1753, he made a will in which he made the following bequests: two pounds two shillings to his daughter, Mary STATHAM; a little dwelling house and garden, along with eighteen pounds to his son, Charles, whom he directed to pay six pounds to his daughter, Elizabeth DONKESON (TONKINSON?); the sum of one shilling to his son John NORTON; and "the other house, land and effects" were bequeathed to his son, Joseph, whom he named as his sole executor. James HILTON, John ARGILL (ORGILL?) and William BELL witnessed the will.
Charles was buried in St Giles Churchyard, Cauldwell, on 30 May 1756, at the ripe old age of around 80 years. No headstone survives. Probate of his will was granted at Lichfield on 15 July 1756 to his second son, Joseph.
Born: circa 1681, Rosliston, Derbyshire
Buried: circa July 1722, St Gile's Church, Cauldwell
Little is known of Elizabeth BATES, apart from the fact that at the time of her marriage in June 1700, she was a minor, aged 19 years, giving her a birth year of circa 1681. Her parish was named as the neighbouring parish of Rosliston and the second bondsman named on her marriage licence was John BATES, cordwainer, of the same parish. It is likely that he was her father.
Elizabeth gave birth to six known children: John, born and christened 30 April 1701 (and possibly named for her father, John BATES?); Joseph, born 12 October and christened November 1702; Ann, christened 24 December 1704; Mary, christened 20 February 1707/8; Elizabeth, christened 29 June 1713; and Charles, christened 23 December 1717. Given the gaps between the last three children, it is possible that there may have been other children who died as infants.
Although her burial entry does not include her name or clear date, the Stapenhill burial register shows the wife of Charles NORTON in 1722, with a possible burial date of on or about 21 July.
Blanche Charles, 18 May 2008
