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This is a putative family group sheet, only, based on Stapenhill parish register entries and the 1688 will of Ellenor BAXTER, widow, of Caldwell. We do know that these were her children, but whether or not her husband was Thomas and her son, John, was the same person who married Elizabeth CLARE, are facts yet to be confirmed.
Ellenor's will identifies her children as John BAXTER (whom she named as her sole Executor), and daughters Elenor and Elizabeth. The parish register for Stapenhill shows a marriage for both a John and an Ellenor BAXTER within ten years of this will, with no other contemporary BAXTER entries. The register also shows a Cauldwell burial, on 16 April 1683, for a Thomas BAXTER.
Unfortunately, there does not appear to be a probate file for him, but my theory, given the proximity to Ellenor's own death, is that he was her husband and that their son, John, was in fact the John BAXTER who married Elizabeth CLARE in 1689/90. A further clue to support this theory is that John and Elizabeth gave the name Thomas to their second son, (the first having been named John, for his father).
Lichfield Probates also provide a 1646 probate file for an earlier John BAXTER, who identifies his wife Elizabeth, son Thomas, and "my two Dawters" - both, at the time, under the age of 22. His son, Thomas, was old enough to be named as an Executor - along with Elizabeth, wife of the Testator - but I'm not sure of the likelihood of his being this Thomas BAXTER, who died in 1683.
Another conundrum! The Parish Register for All Saints' Church, Alrewas, holds further information, with these baptisms:
William BAXTER son of Thomas of Cawdwel baptised 10 Feb: 1659/60; and
Joane BAXTER daughter of Thomas BAXTER of Cawdwel baptised 23 April 1662
The question is: is the father the same Thomas BAXTER?!
I continue my search for proof (or otherwise!) for these theories and welcome any evidence from fellow researchers - particularly a marriage for Thomas & Elenor.
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