In the 1760s and 1770s, William Ward was a nailer residing at the Linthurst, Bromsgrove, according to the parish registers. He was possibly occupying the Bird in Hand public house in High Street, Bromsgrove, in 1784. (Worcester County Council 14463/1/1) In 1802 he is described as an innholder.
Events
Date of Birth: about 1743.
William’s burial record gives his age at death as 64.
Date of Baptism: 2 October 1743.
Place of Baptism: Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, England (St John the Baptist).
The parish register gives the baptism.
Date of Burial: 19 December 1807.
Place of Burial: Bromsgrove (St John the Baptist).
The parish register gives the burial.
Relationships
Father: Samuel Ward (1717 - 1769)
Mother: Hannah Insley.
See the Commentary section.
Spouse: Sarah Nott. Married 10 August 1769 in Bromsgrove.
See the Commentary Section.
Children:
(Complete source citations for facts about the children on this page are currently outside of the scope of this project.)
William Ward (baptized 7 July 1766 in Bromsgrove - buried 30 May 1768 in Bromsgrove).
Joseph Ward (born 2 June 1770, baptized 9 June 1770 in Bromsgrove - buried 3 May 1822 in Kidderminster) married (1) Susannah Harris 22 January 1793 in Birmingham; married (2) Ann Brookes 12 February 1811 in Kidderminster.
William Ward (born 23 August 1773, baptized 10 September 1773 in Bromsgrove - buried 5 January 1842 in Bromsgrove) married (1) Hannah Penn 11 August 1796 in Bromsgrove; married (2) Ann Akrill 30 May 1833 in Bromsgrove.
Mary Ward (born 24 August 1775, baptized 27 December 1775 in Bromsgrove - died 29 December 1778).
James Ward (born 23 October 1789 at 2:03 a.m. , baptized 1 January 1790 in Bromsgrove - buried 19 September 1864 in Coleshill, Warwickshire) married Frances Moore 25 December 1812 in Wolverley, Worcestershire.
Evidence
from the Bromsgrove (St John the Baptist) registers:
Christenings:
July 1766
7 William Son of William & Sarah Ward Linthurst Nailer
June 1770
9 Joseph Son of William & Sarah Ward Bromsgrove Nailer.
September 1773
10 Willim Son of Willim & Sarah Ward Brome Nailer
December 1775
27 Mary D of William & Sarah Ward Bromsg
January 1790
1 James Son of William & Sarah Ward
Burials:
May 1768
30 William Son of William & Sarah Ward of the Linhurst Nailer
December 1778
29 Mary Daug.r of William & Sarah Ward
December 1807
19 Willm Ward Aged 64 Years
from the Bishop’s Transcripts for Bromsgrove:
August [1769]
10 Mar William Ward & Sarah Nott B
A 1784 conveyance (Worcestershire County Council 899:1486 BA14463):
Bromsgrove, High Street, Conveyance
Indenture between Edward Addenbrooke of Over Sapey [Upper Sapey], Herefordshire, esquire (mortgagee), Mary Burden of Bromsgrove, widow of Thomas Burden late of Bromsgrove, linen cloth maker, deceased, and Edward Perks the younger of Alvechurch, flax dresser, being a conveyance from Mary Burden to Edward Perks of a messuage or tenement formerly in the occupation of Benjamin Hope and then known as the Bulls Head, but now occupied by William Ward and known as the Bird in Hand in High Street, Bromsgrove, together with the brewhouse, cellar, yard and other appurtenances.
Date: 25 March 1784
from the UK Land Tax Redemption (1798, Bromsgrove):
Proprietor: Wm Perkes Alvech.
Occupier: Wm Ward
Sum Assessed: [1 pound 5 shillings]
Proprietor: Jno Derington
Occupier: Wm Ward
Sum Assessed: [1 pound 12 shillings]
Apprentice records
Bromsgrove
Apprentice: Benjamin Stanton (for good husbandry)
Master: William Ward (grocer)
From a 1829 description of "Chandler's Charity":
…One Garden, situated and joining to Chandler’s Close and the Alcester-road, and let on lease to Mr. William Ward, 29th September 1805, for sixteen years, at the yearly rent of one pound four shillings per annum….
From the UK Poll Books and Electoral Registers (1806, Worcestershire, Upper Division of the Halfshire Hundred):
Name of Freeholder: William Ward Senr
Place of Residence: Bromsgrove
Place of Freehold: Bromsgrove
Occupiers Names: his own & Humphrey Bowen
Land Tax: L.R.
[William voted for the Hon. W. B. Lygon, a Whig candidate.]
William's will:
In the name of God Amen I William Ward of Bromsgrove in the County of Worcester Innholder being of sensible and disposing mind and memory (thanks be to Almighty God) do make this my last Will and Testament in manner following (that is to say) I give and bequeath to my dear Wife Sarah the choice of any part of my household furniture to the value of thirty pounds. I give to my Son James Ward the sum of fifty pounds to be by my Executors hereinafter named paid applied and disposed of for putting him out Apprentice or in such other manner for his benefit during his Minority as they shall see fit, I will and direct that my stock in Trade, my household goods personal estate and effects and also the good will of my present Dwellinghouse be sold and disposed of by my Executors as soon as conveniently may be after my Decease, and subject to the payment of all my just debts my funeral Expences, the aforesaid legacy my Son James, the Costs of my Executors in the execution of this my Will, I give and bequeath one half part of the residue of such my personal estate (the same into two equal parts to be divided) unto my two Sons Joseph Ward and William Ward to be paid to them respectively within twelve months next after my Decease, and the remaining one half part of the residue of my said Personal Estate I give and bequeath unto my respected Friends Mr Thomas Sanders and Mr John Parkes whom I appoint Executors of this my will and Guardian to my Son James during his Minority, and to the Survivor of them and to the Executors and Administrators of such Survivor to be by them placed replaced and continued out at Interest on real security in their names Upon trust to pay and apply one half of the Interest arising therefrom unto my said my for and during her natural life free from the debts or controul of any Husband with whom she may happen to intermarry and her receipt alone to be a sufficient discharge for the same, and the other or remaining half of the Interest arising therefrom unto and for the use and benefit of my said Son James during his minority and in case any part thereof shall remain unapplied the same to accumulate for his benefit And from and after the Decease of my said Wife, I give and bequeath one half of the said Principal money equally unto and between my said three Sons Joseph William and James share and share alike, And on my said Son James attaining his age of twenty one years I give and bequeath the other half of the said Principal money with the Interest thereof unto my said Son James (in case my said Trustees and the survivor of them shall consider it prudent, otherwise they to have power to postpone the payment thereof until my said James shall attain his age of twenty four years) I give and devise All that my Messuage or Dwellinghouse called or known by the name of the Roe Buck Inn together with the Malthouse Grainery Stables and other outbuildings and yard thereunto belonging now in my own occupation. Also all those three Tenements or Dwellinghouses adjoining to the said Messuage and premises with the outbuildings and yard thereunto belonging with their appurtenances in my own occupation and of my Tenant [blank] Bate situate and being in Bromsgrove aforesaid, and all other my real Estate whatsoever and wheresoever with their Appurtenances unto the said Thomas Sanders and John Parkes and to the survivor of them and to the Heirs and Assigns of such Survivor during the natural life of my said Wife and until my said Son James shall have attained his said age of twenty one years Upon trust that they my Trustees do and shall receive the rents and profits of the said Premises as the same can be received, and pay and apply the same in four equal parts, one fourth part whereof to my said Wife into her own hands (and not to be subject to the debts or controul of any after taken Husband, and her receipt alone to be a sufficient Discharge for the same notwithstanding her Coverture) and the remaining three fourth parts thereof unto and to be equally divided between my said three Sons Joseph William and James And from and after the decease of my said Wife and on my said Son James attaining his said age of twenty one years, I give and devise All the said Messuage Tenements buildings and premises with their Appurtenances unto my said three Sons Joseph William and James and their Heirs To hold to them their Heirs and Assigns for ever equally to be divided between them as Tenants in Common and not as joint tenants And in case of the death of any or either of my said Sons before they respectively shall become entitled to their shares of my real Estate as aforesaid leaving Issue lawfully begotten, I give and devise the share or part of him so dying unto and amongst such Issue whether Child or Children (such Issue taking only his or her parents part or share) equally to be divided between them and to take as Tenants in Common and not as Joint tenants, And in case of the death of my said Son James under age and without Issue, or of the death of my said Sons Joseph and William or either of them without Issue I give and devise the share and Interest so devised to him and them as aforesaid equally unto and between the Survivors or Survivor and their Heirs To hold to them and their Heirs as Tenants in Common and not as Joint Tenants, It is my Will that the Provision hereinbefore made for my said wife shall be received and taken by her in full of all dower or other customary Estate which she might be entitled to as my widow And it is my will that my said Trustees and Executors shall out of the said Trust monies or any part thereof be first fully paid and reimbursed all his and their Costs and expences in the execution of the trusts of this my will and that they or either of them shall not be answerable for any loss or losses which may happen to the said trust monies or any part thereof unless the same shall happen through his or their wilful default or neglect nor shall the one of them be answerable or accountable for the act deed or miscarriage of the other of them but each for his own acts deeds or miscarriages only and hereby revoking all former Will and Wills by me made I publish and declare this to be my only true last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I have to this my Will contained in two sheets of Paper to the first sheet set my Hand and to this second and last my Hand and seal and published the same the fourth day of March In the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and two.
William Ward
Signed sealed published and declared by the Testator above named as and for his last will and Testament in the presence of us, who in his presence, at his request, and in the Presence of each other have subscribed our Names as Witnesses --
Ann Whiteford John Wardel Ben Witheford
12th May 1808 The exors above named appeared and was sworn in common form of Law and also that the personal Estate of the deced does not amount in Value to Two thousand Pounds
before me, Tho: Evans
from the Bromsgrove Land Tax 1800:
Owner: William Ward sen
Annual Tax: 3 0
from the Bromsgrove Land Tax 1810:
Owner: William Ward sen Execs
Occupier: Mrs Ward
Exonerated: 3 0
from the Bromsgrove Land Tax 1820:
Owner: Wm Jos & Jas Ward
Occupier: Mrs Ward & Mrs Bourn
Annual Tax: 3 0
Commentary
Parentage
William’s 19 December 1807 burial record states that he was “Aged 64 Years”. This implies a birth date between 19 December 1742 and 19 December 1743. The only baptism in the Bromsgrove area which is even roughly consistent with this is that of William Ward to Samuel and Hannah Ward 2 October 1743, which exactly matches. Moreover, William was described in several baptism and burial records of his children from the 1760s and 1770s as being a nailor living at the Linthurst. Samuel was described in several records in the Bromsgrove register from the 1750s to 1769 as being a nailor living in the Linthurst.
The evidence that the 1743 baptism is William’s is clearly sufficient. Hannah’s surname is recorded in the Bromsgrove register entry for her 1739 marriage to Samuel.
William’s wife:
The name Sarah is recorded in the Bromsgrove parish register or the bishop’s transcripts to the parish register in several places:
the baptism records of children in 1766, 1770, 1773, 1775, and 1790.
the burial records of children in 1768 and 1778.
the marriage of William Ward and Sarah Nott in 1769.
the burial of Sarah Ward, abode Strand, age 68, in 1820.
In the 1810 Bromsgrove Land Tax returns, “Mrs Ward” is living in a house owned by “Wm Ward sen Execs”.
In the 1820 Bromsgrove Land Tax returns, “Mrs Ward & Mrs Bourn” were living in a house owned by “Wm Jos & Jas Ward”.
In the 1811 census, Sarah Ward is living on the south side of High Street in Bromsgrove.
In the 1821 census, Wm Ward is living in the Strand.
The Worcester Journal of 12 October 1820 (p. 3) records this death: "Lately, in the 68th year of her age, Mrs. Sarah Ward, of Bromsgrove."
It seems likely that that there are two or three Sarahs recorded here, given these facts:
The 1769 Bromsgrove marriage of William Ward and Sarah Nott comes after the 1766 baptism and 1768 burial of a son William whose parents are recorded as William and Sarah. I have not located any burial of a Sarah Ward in 1768 or 1769, but there also does not seem to be more than one couple named William and Sarah Ward appearing in the Bromsgrove registers after 1769. The evidence is fairly clear that Joseph (baptized in 1770), William (baptized in 1773), and James (baptized in 1790) were all sons of the same William Ward.
There is a gap of 15 years between the baptisms of William’s children Mary Ward in 1775 and James Ward in 1790.
The age at death recorded in the 1820 burial record of Sarah Ward is 68, implying a birth date of about 1752. This would her about 14 years old when William and Sarah had a son William baptized in 1766, which is probably unrealistically young.
Overall, the evidence suggests that William probably had more than one wife named Sarah, but it is difficult to be certain of the details. One possibility seems to be that William was married to a wife Sarah who died in about 1768 and who was the mother of William (1766-1768); to Sarah Nott in 1769, who was the mother of Joseph (1770-1822), William (1773-1842), and Mary (1775-1778), and to a third Sarah, who was born about 1752 and died in 1820 and was the mother of James (1789-1864). However, there is an additional piece of evidence which suggests that the mother of Joseph, William, and James was the same woman: a Sarah Nott was baptized in Bromsgrove in 1752, which agrees with the age at death of the Sarah Ward buried in 1820. It seems that the William baptized in 1766 must either have been the son of a previous wife, also named Sarah, of the elder William, or the son of a different couple also named William and Sarah.
References
Accounts and Papers relating to Charities and Charitable Donations, for the Benefit of the Poor and Other Persons in England and Wales, Session 5 February - 24 June 1829. Vol. XX.
Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, St John the Baptist parish registers, FHL films 321124-6, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Land Tax Redemption Office: Quotas and Assessments. IR23. Records of the Boards of Stamps, Taxes, Excise, Stamps and Taxes, and Inland Revenue. The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, England . Digital image on Ancestry.com.
London, England, UK and London Poll Books. London, England: London Metropolitan Archives and Guildhall Library. Digital image on Ancestry.com.
Will of William Ward of Bromsgrove. Worcester Consistory Court. Digital images on FamilySearch accessed 11 March 2018.