Thomas Shakespear (abt. 1717 - abt. 1790)

Born about 1717 in Keresley, Warwickshire, England

Husband of Elizabeth (Smith) Shakespear — married 27 Feb 1738 in Corley, Warwickshire, England

Husband of Martha (Unknown) Lines — married 19 Sep 1764 in Allesley, Warwickshire, England

Descendants

Died about 1790 at about age 73 in Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Martin Shakespeare [send private message]

Biography

Origins

Thomas was born about 1717 probably in Keresley, Warwickshire. There are many references to him being "of Keresley", and no evidence of him being born there, but there is reference to a "Thomas Senior" being around at the time in Keresley which indicates that there was a family established there. He had sisters Anne baptised in 1716 and Sarah baptised in 1720, both in Corley (see Parish Registers in Research Notes) and described as daughters to Thomas Shakespear of Keresley. It is likely thus that his father's name was Thomas.

First Marriage and Children

Thomas married Elizabeth Smith on 27 February 1738 in Corley, Warwickshire, both of Kerseley (Keresley), by License.^[1][2]

His first son John was born in 1739. John was baptized on 27 November 1739 in Corley.^[3] Thomas' second son Christopher was born in 1740, and baptized also in Corley.^[4] His first daughter Sarah was born in 1742 followed by Ann in 1745, Ellianor in 1747, and Mary about 1748. His son Simon was born in 1752. His daughter Millicent was born in 1854, and the last child of his marriage to Elizabeth, Charles was born in 1759 and baptised in Coventry St Michael.

Elizabeth his first wife died in 1763 and was buried in Corley on 2 Feb 1763. The Corley Parish Register describes her as Wife of Thomas Shakespear of Kerseley.^[5] There is no record of anything unusual taking place in the early months of 1763 in Keresley or even a larger than usual number of deaths in the parish, but something obviously struck the Shakespear household, as the Parish Register shows that two of their children died shortly after her death. Daughter Mary was buried six days later on the 8th February and son Christopher two days after that on the 10th.^[6]

Second Marriage and Children

Thomas married Martha Lines on 29 September 1764 in Allesley, Warwickshire, England.^[7]

All of the children of this marriage were born in Keresley and baptized in nearby Corley. The first child of the marriage was William, born in 1765 and baptized on 3 Jul 1765, followed by Martha born in 1768 and baptized on 10 October 1768. Son Thomas was born in 1771 and was baptized on 7 February of that year. Daughter Susannah was born in 1774 and was baptized on 17 October, and Lydia in 1778 and baptized on 19 October.

She passed away in 1782 and was buried on 5 March 1782 in Corley, Warwickshire, England.^[8]

Property

Thomas was a tenant farmer on the Lifford Estate. He inherited land or rights to land from his wife Elizabeth, and bought land himself.

Counterpart Lease 3 Mar 1760 By James [I] Hewitt (of Alveston, Warwickshire, serjeant-at-law) to Thomas Shakespear (of Keresley, Coventry, gentleman) of a dwelling with lands in Keresley which the tenant occupies ..... plus holding of manorial courts and fishing but without charcoal provision, to be held from 25 Mar [1759] for fourteen years at £63 per annum plus £10 per acre of Home Close, The Croft or the two Ash Crofts tilled at any time, or of any land cultivated for a fourth year in succession, or above 25a. tilled during the final triennium..... ^[9]

The land transactions also confirm many family members details and relationships:

Abstract of the Title of Thomas Shakespeare [sic] 1766, ItemIV 12 Feb1741 Lease and Release, for £106, by Robert Cheney (of Fillongley, Warwickshire, farmer) with his wife Elianor (nee Smith), and Thomas Shakespear junior (of Keresley, yeoman) with his wife Elizabeth (nee Smith), to Edward Deane (of Braydon, Wiltshire, yeoman).... Note: In addition to the transaction history, the document shows the relationship between some of the participants - Robert Smith's three daughters: Sarah who married Edward Dean of Braydon, Wiltshire (yeoman); Elianor who married Robert Cheney of Fillongley (farmer) and Elizabeth who married Thomas Shakespear of Keresley (yeoman). ^[10]

Move to Dublin, Ireland

After Martha's death, Thomas sold any land he had, and transferred his tenancies to his son Simon. Thomas had many earlier dealings with James [I] Hewitt, Viscount Lifford, Lord Chancellor of Ireland, who was born in Coventry and had his Irish home in Stillorgan Park, County Dublin, and to whom he sold his land. Evidence of Thomas's move comes from Hewitt's correspondence lodged in Coventry Archives:

9 Jan 1783: From Articles of Agreement for land sale in Keresley: "James [I] Hewitt, Viscount Lifford, Lord Chancellor of Ireland, has agreed to purchase lands as below for 300 guineas ..... [from] Thomas Shakespear (late of Keresley)..... now of Dublin (Ireland), husbandman"^[11]

18 Apr 1783: Year Lease: "By Thomas Shakespear (late of Keresley, Coventry county; now of Dublin, Ireland, husbandman) and Robert Cheney (of "Lea", Warwickshire, yeoman) to Right Honourable James [I] Viscount Lifford, Lord Chancellor of Ireland ....to Brooks Close and ....Brooks Meadow ....all in Keresley" ^[12]

19 Apr 1783: Release ".....showing the land (occupied by Simon Shakespear and -) as purchased by Thomas Shakespear from Edward Deane (of Purton, Wiltshire, gentleman) and his widow Sarah, now conveyed to Viscount Lifford for £15 but subject to the £20 annuity; covenant for further assurance within twenty miles."^[13]

The following letter also perhaps indicates some aspects of Thomas's character-

25 May 1783: Copy Letter: From Viscount Lifford (Stillorgan Park [,County Dublin]) to [Humphrey] Lyttleton informing him that he has got the draft conveyance engrossed and signed because "Old Shakespeare" is impatient for the money which would enable him to set out on a new adventure; Simon Shakespeare must pay £10 of the annuity money which is due, but rent to Langford will come out of Lifford's own account.^[14]

Death

Some researchers believe that Thomas died in Sowe, near Coventry. That Thomas is described as poor. This Thomas was not, although he steadily lost some status. It is doubtful that his large family would have abandoned him, especially Sarah (Barnacle Hall) if he had returned. There is no evidence that Thomas did return from Ireland, but there is no evidence of his death there either. Interestingly, a family named Shakespear is recorded in the early 1800's in the parish next to Stillorgan, Dublin with no obvious origins. Who knows?

Research Notes

The Warwickshire parishes: Thomas's life before the move to Dublin centred around Keresley, a hamlet about four miles north of Coventry. The parish of Keresley with Coundon did not have its own church until the 19th Century and was part of Coventry-St. Michael parish.^[15] Thus births, deaths and marriages were recorded in Allesley, Coventry or Corley, which was a little further to the north-west, and it is possible that other missing sources for events were recorded in different bordering parishes.

There is a useful summary of Thomas, his life and his descendants on the now archived Shakespeare Family History Site: https://sites.rootsweb.com/~shakespeare/pedigrees/warks/keresley/thomas_1717.htm Regrettably there are few links to sources, and further research would be needed to verify some.

As Thomas is my 5th Great Grandfather on the main paternal line it would be appreciated if anyone planning to add a parent contacted me first. I have researched most theories out there over the last 20 years and have not yet found sufficient evidence to go beyond the hypothetical. I am still researching including from the top down and looking at DNA links. I would welcome collaboration. Martin Shakespeare

Sources

1. ↑ Marriage to Elizabeth Smith (for Record): "England Marriages, 1538–1973"
   Warwickshire County Record Office; Warwick, England; Warwickshire Anglican Registers; Roll: Engl/2/1140; Document Reference: DR 250 61 citing Digital film/folder number: 004290870; FHL microfilm: 554750
   FamilySearch Record: NVW5-482 (accessed 25 February 2024)
   Thomas Shakespear marriage to Elizabeth Smith on 27 Feb 1738 in Corley, Warwickshire. (Citation Note: at the viewing date FamilySearch indicates that the image is not available)
2. ↑ Marriage to Elizabeth Smith (for Image): "Warwickshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1535-1812"
   Warwickshire County Record Office; Warwick, England; Warwickshire Anglican Registers; Roll: Engl/2/1140; Document Reference: DR 250
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry uk Record 2416 #4108699 (accessed 25 February 2024)
   Thoms Shakespear marriage to Eliz Smith on 27 Feb 1738 in Corley, Warwickshire, England.
3. ↑ Baptism of son John: "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975"
   citing Digital film/folder number: 004290870; FHL microfilm: 554750
   FamilySearch Record: JWZS-6SS (accessed 26 February 2024)
   Jno Shakespear baptism on 27 Nov 1739, son of Thomas Shakespear & Eliz., in Corley, Warwickshire, England.
4. ↑ Baptism of son Xttopher Shakespear: "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975"
   citing Digital film/folder number: 004290870; FHL microfilm: 554750
   FamilySearch Record: JWZS-6M5 (accessed 27 February 2024)
   Thomas Shakespear's son, Wife's name Eliz. , Xttopher Shakespear baptism on 26 Jan 1740 in Corley, Warwickshire, England.
5. ↑ Burial of wife Elizabeth (for Record): "Warwickshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1535-1812"
   Warwickshire County Record Office; Warwick, England; Warwickshire Anglican Registers; Roll: Engl/2/1140; Document Reference: DR 250
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry uk Record 2416 #4112717 (accessed 26 February 2024)
   Elizabeth burial on 2 Feb 1763 in Corley, Warwickshire, England.
6. ↑ Burial of wife Elizabeth(for Register Image): "Warwickshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1535-1812"
   Warwickshire County Record Office; Warwick, England; Warwickshire Anglican Registers; Roll: Engl/2/1140; Document Reference: DR 250
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry uk Record 2416 #4112717 (accessed 1 March 2024)
   Elizabeth burial on 2 Feb 1763 in Corley, Warwickshire, England.
7. ↑ Marriage to Martha Lines: "England, Warwickshire, Parish Registers, 1535-1963"
   citing Digital film/folder number: 004290803; FHL microfilm: 548382; Image number: 138; Packet letter: A; Indexing batch: V01414-4
   FamilySearch Record: VH6G-8CS (accessed 25 February 2024)
   FamilySearch Image: S3HT-XXXS-RXJ
   Thomas Shakespear marriage to Martha Loyns on 29 Sep 1764 in Allesley, Warwickshire, England.
8. ↑ Burial of wife Martha: "Warwickshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1535-1812"
   Warwickshire County Record Office; Warwick, England; Warwickshire Anglican Registers; Roll: Engl/2/1140; Document Reference: DR 250
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry uk Record 2416 #4113214 (accessed 4 March 2024)
   Martha wife of Thos Shakespear of Keresley burial on 5 Mar 1782 in Corley, Warwickshire, England.
9. ↑ Coventry Archives: Counterpart Lease Ref PA1484/36/2: See Web Address for full content. http://coventrycollections.org/search/details/archive/110058310
10. ↑ Abstract of the Title of Thomas Shakespeare [sic] Ref PA1484/36/3: See Web Address for full content. https://www.coventrycollections.org/search/details/archive/110249644
11. ↑ Coventry Archives: Articles of Agreement 9 Jan 1783 Ref PA1484/36/5. See Web Address below for full content. N.B. Coventry Archives text is a description of scope and content of a document and not necessarily a word for word transcription. http://coventrycollections.org/search/details/archive/110203901
12. ↑ Coventry Archives: Year Lease 18 Apr 1883 Ref PA 1484/36/7 314 See Web Address for full content. http://coventrycollections.org/search/details/archive/110226855
13. ↑ Coventry Archives: Articles of Agreement [19 Apr 1783] Ref PA1484/36/9. See Web Address for full content. N.B. Coventry Archives text is a description of scope and content of a document and not necessarily a word for word transcription. https://www.coventrycollections.org/search/details/archive/110058304
14. ↑ Coventry Archives: Copy Letter 25 May 1783 Ref PA1484/36/10 See Web Address for full content. http://coventrycollections.org/search/details/archive/110057235
15. ↑ Keresley with Coundon Parish https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Keresley_with_Coundon,_Warwickshire_Genealogy