During the 1700’s there were two families living in Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire and a family in Burslem who spelt their surname Woolsencroft and Wostencroft. I think they may be all connected and descendants of Joseph Woolsencroft who had passed away by 1756 when his unnamed wife died. She is referred to as ‘Widow Woolsencroft” in the parish records.
In 1735 Joseph’s son William was christened at the parish church. William was a glover. He married twice, firstly to Elizabeth Aspinall in 1759 and secondly to Mary Bennison in 1772. Molly his daughter from his first marriage married Josiah Mayer in 1789 at Norton in the Moors, Staffordshire.
William’s brother James Woolstencroft was a hatter. In his will proved at the PCC on 18 April 1788 he left two thirds of his estate to his niece Molly Woolstencroft, daughter of William Woolstencroft his brother. The remaining third was to go to his wife. James also mentions his uncle James and his children.
The other family living in the Newcastle area was Joseph Wolstencroft or Wollenscroft and his wife Ann Rowley who lived in Snyed Green, Staffordshire. I had thought it possible that Joseph was the brother or cousin of James and William mentioned above. In this branch the surname became Woolliscroft.