Thomas Wootton was born 1776 in Wymeswold. He is my 4th Great Grandfather on the Wootton side of the family and was a bricklayer by trade, which would become the Wootton tradition. The American Revolution is taking place in 1776 with hard fought battles taking place throughout the year. In March British control over the Province of Georgia is lost and the 11 month siege of Boston, Massachusetts ends when British forces evacuate Boston after George Washington commands the placement of artillery over looking the city at Dorchester Heights. On the 4th July the Second Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia ratifies the declaration by the United States of its independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain, the Declaration of Independence becomes the founding document of the United States. On the 12th July Captain James Cook sets off from Plymouth on HMS Resolution, his third and fatal voyage. He heads to the Pacific Ocean and Arctic.
Thomas Wootton married Sarah Cooper on Christmas day, 25th December 1798 in Wymeswold, one of the few days off they would enjoy in the year, beside the sabbath. Sarah was the Daughter of William Cooper and Hannah Grundy, she was born in 1772 in Wymeswold. In the year 1772, on the 28th May the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal opens for traffic, running from the Trent and Mersey Canal to the River Severn at Stourport, overseen by Engineer James Brindley and in September the Birmingham Canal Navigations main line opens for boats, linking Birmingham to the River Severn via the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. On the 3rd July navigator James Cook sets out from Plymouth on HMS Resolution for a second Pacific voyage, he was commissioned to lead the scientific expedition on behalf of the Royal Society to search for the hypothetical Terra Australis.
Thomas and Sarah had six children altogether, all Sons born in Wymeswold. Their first Son was called John, born in 1798, he would later marry a lady called Annie Hardy and emigrate to Canada. The 2nd Son was called William, born in 1802 and the 3rd Son was called Thomas, born in 1805 in Wymeswold. The 4th Son is my 3rd Great Grandfather, Samuel Wootton, born in 1808, he married Sarah Warner. Next child was called Charles, born in 1812, he passed away at Portsea Island, Hampshire, where some of my Father's ancestors were from. Then came the last son James, born 1818, he passed away in London.
In the Census of 1841 Thomas was aged 65 and noted as a Bricklayer. He is living with his Wife Sarah, also noted as 65 and their Son Thomas Wootton, aged 35, also a Bricklayer like his Father. They are living at Clay Street, Wymeswold, the other children have already left home. People's ages can fluctuate quite wildly in Census records such as the example here with Thomas and Sarah incorrectly recorded as being the same age. The family are still in Clay Street in 1851 but they have been joined by their Niece Sarah Wootton, aged 20, who is working as a Domestic Servant.
Thomas's Wife Sarah passed away on the 21st December 1857 in Wymeswold at a good age of 85. Thomas and his Son Thomas and Niece Sarah moved to Swifts Lane, Wymeswold at this time. In fact Thomas and Sarah both lived to good ages, Thomas passed away on the 6th July 1862 in Wymeswold at the grand old age of 86.
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Thomas Wootton (1776-1862)
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Born c 1776 in Wymeswold, Leicestershire
Marriage 25 Dec 1798 Thos.Wootton to Sarah Cooper
Leicestershire: - Register of Marriages, 1560-1837
Marriages at Wymeswold, 1560 to 1837 Volume 2.
Census 1841. Thomas Wootton - Age 65. Profession - Bricklayer
Address - Clay Street, Wymeswold.
Living with Wife Sarah (65)
Thomas Wootton (35). Profession - Bricklayer.
Census 1851. Thomas Wootton - Age 75. Profession - Bricklayer
Address - The Clays, Wymeswold.
Living with Wife Sarah (78).
Son Thomas Wootton (45) - Head of Household. Profession - Bricklayer.
& his Niece Sarah Wootton (20). Profession - Domestic Servant.
All born Wymeswold.
Census 1861. Thomas Wootton - Age 86. Profession - Bricklayer
Address - Swifts Lane, Wymeswold.
Living with Son Thomas Wootton (55) - Head of Household. Profession - Bricklayer.
& his Niece Sarah Wootton (30). Profession - Housekeeper.
All born Wymeswold.
Thomas Wootton died 6th July 1862 Wymeswold. Aged 86 years.
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Sarah Cooper (1772-1857)
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Born 1772 in Wymeswold, Leicestershire
Baptism. Sarah Cooper 9 Jun 1772
Wimeswold, Leicestershire
Father William Cooper
Mother Hannah
Marriage 25 Dec 1798 Thos.Wootton to Sarah Cooper
Leicestershire: - Register of Marriages, 1560-1837
Marriages at Wymeswold, 1560 to 1837 Volume 2.
Census 1841. Sarah Wootton Age 65.
Address - Clay Street, Wymeswold.
Living with Thomas Wootton (65). Profession - Bricklayer
Thomas Wootton (35). Profession - Bricklayer.
Census 1851. Sarah Wootton Age 78.
Address - The Clays, Wymeswold.
Living with Husband Thomas Wootton (75) Profession - Bricklayer
Son Thomas Wootton (45) - Head of Household. Profession - Bricklayer.
and his Niece Sarah Wootton (20). Profession - Domestic Servant.
All born Wymeswold.
Sarah Wootton died 21st December 1857 in Wymeswold. Aged 85 years.
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Notes on Children :
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John Wootton (1798-1870)
b. 27 Mar 1798, Wymeswold, Leicestershire.
m. 4 Mar 1822 to Annie Hardy. Wimeswold, Leicestershire.
Children. Sarah(1824), Thomas W(1826), Ann T(1833), Mary(1838)
d. 8 Jan 1870, Highgate, Kent, Ontario, Canada.
Burial. Wife Ann Wootton
Maiden Name. Hardy
Birth Date. 1798
Birth Place. Leicestershire, England
Death Date. 8 Jan 1878
Death Place. Ontario, Canada
Cemetery. Ogletree Cemetery
Burial or Cremation Place. Selton, Chatham-Kent Municipality, Ontario, Canada.
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William Wootton (1802-1883)
b. 1802, Wymeswold, Leicestershire.
m1. 19 Oct 1824 to Mary Moore. Long Clawson, Leicestershire.
Children. Mary(1827), William (1830), Rosa( 1833), Sarah(1835)
m2. 25 Jan 1838 to Elizabeth Beadsmore. Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire.
Children. William(1838), Elizabeth A(1841), Thomas(1843)
d. 06 Mar 1883, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire.
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Thomas Wootton (1805-1883)
b. 1805, Wymeswold, Leicestershire.
Bap. 29 Sep 1805 Wimeswold. Father Thomas Wootton, Mother Sarah
d. 26 Aug 1883, Wymeswold, Leicestershire.
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b. 1808, Wymeswold, Leicestershire.
m. 08 Nov 1830 to Sarah Warner. Edgbaston, St Bartholomew, Warwickshire.
d. 18 Jul 1849, Wymeswold, Leicestershire.
*See main descendent page
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Charles Wootton (1812-1887)
b. Bet. Oct - Dec 1812, Wymeswold, Leicestershire.
m. 16 Jan 1837 to Sarah Hodgkin. St Marys, Wymeswold, Leicestershire.
Children. Emma(1838), Thomas(1839), William(1840), Elizabeth(1842)
d. 04 May 1887, Portsea Island, Hampshire.
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James Wootton (1818-1864)
b. 1818, Wymeswold, Leicestershire.
m. 1841 to Carey Brown. Leicester.
Children. Elizabeth(1843), Anna Maria(1845), Thomas Cooper(1847), John Brown(1849)
d. James Wootton 31st Dec 1863 16 Raglan Road, Plumstead (London)
83 years - Pensioner Royal Artillery
Cause - Chronic Bronchitis
Informant - John Bell Present at death 16 Raglan Road, Plumstead.
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The marriage record of Thomas Wootton to Sarah Cooper.
Married 25th December 1798 at St Mary's parish church Wymeswold.
Married by Banns. In the presence of John Shephard.
The Census record of Wymeswold in 1851, The Clays. The Son Thomas Wootton is now head of the house, aged 45.
Living with his Father Thomas, aged 75 and Mother Sarah, aged 78. Also in the property is the Niece Sarah, working as a Domestic Servant.