Skip to main content WikiTree: Where genealogists collaborate
WikiTree: Where genealogists collaborate
Log Out
no image

The Origins of John George (Abt. 1700-1764) of Northamptonshire

no image

The Origins of John George (Abt. 1700-1764) of Northamptonshire

NOTE: Because of the numerous John Georges mentioned below, hereafter they will be referenced by the parish they are associated with first and their birth order; i.e., "West Haddon" John, "Croughton" John-1, and "Meriden" John-4, etc.

Contents

The Problem

"Meriden" John-2 George is found elsewhere as the father of "West Haddon" John George with Katherine Overton as the mother. However, a close examination of the records shows that is not possible. Family researchers often conflate two John and Katherine George couples into one which marries in Meriden, Warwickshire, England, has children there, then moves to Croughton, Northamptonshire, England, has more children, one of whom is "West Haddon" John. This scenario ignores a number of contradictory facts:

The Argument

  • Croughton is about 45 miles from Meriden and would have been a considerable distance to relocate. The Georges of Meriden were well established and comfortable. "Meriden" John-2's father, "Meriden" John-1, was apparently a yeoman, having several farms, and "Meriden" John-2 inherited half the estate.[1] There is no reason to think he would have moved away from Meriden. His younger brother, Thomas, described himself as a husbandman; i.e., a tenant farmer or small landowner.[2] The fact that "West Haddon" John moved quite a few times indicates that he did not own or lease land. He was probably an agricultural laborer moving to find work.
  • "Meriden" John-2 did have a son "Meriden" John-3 with his first wife, Mary, in 1676[3] but there is no record of him having one with Katherine Overton, whom he married in 1686.[4]
  • "Meriden" John-2 and Katherine lived out their lives in Meriden. Katherine was buried there 14 Jan 1714;[5] John was buried there 15 Jul 1725.[6] He has a monument built into the wall of the church. Another badly damaged monument nearby may be for Katherine.[7]
  • "Meriden" John-2 and Katherine had children in Meriden 1687 to Dec 1694.[8][9][10][11] "Croughton" John and Katherine had children in Croughton from 1690 to 1698.[12][13][14][15][16] They could not be in two places at the same time.
  • "Meriden" John-2 and Katherine's daughter, Rebecca, born in Meriden 1691, married in Meriden 1716 at the age of 25.[17] "Croughton" John and Katherine's daughter, Ann, married in Croughton in 1710 at the age of 18.[18] Presumably both girls would have been living with their parents until marriage.

It is clear there were two distinct John and Katherine George families living in Meriden and Croughton between 1690 and 1710, at least.

Not Katherine Overton

"Meriden" John-1 had two sons, John ("Meriden" John-2) and Thomas, and each had a son named John ("Meriden" John-3 and "Meriden" John-4). It is possible that either was the father of "West Haddon" John, but it is not posssible that Katherine Overton was the mother.

"Croughton" John and Katherine also had a son John ("Croughton" John-2), so it is possible they were the parents of "West Haddon" John. "Croughton" John-2, born 1698, is, in fact, the person some family researchers say is also "West Haddon" John. They just have his parents as the wrong people.

Actually, there is no record for "West Haddon" John that would suggest his mother's name was Katherine. None of his children were named Katherine. In fact, there is no record to suggest the names of either of "West Haddon" John's parents.

Naming Pattern

In regard to naming practices, however, "Croughton" John-1 had a son named Benjamin. "West Haddon" John also had a son Benjamin and Benjamins are found for at least three generations, thereafter, among descendants of "West Haddon" John. No Benjamin Georges have been found in Meriden 1633-1800.

English families in this era sometimes used a traditional naming pattern. If "West Haddon" John did, his wife's parents might have been named John and Elizabeth and his parents Samuel and Ann. In fact, the parents of "West Haddon" John's wife, Ann Barker, were named John and Elizabeth; so, perhaps, his parents were Samuel and Ann George.

Possible Births

There simply is no evidence to suggest who were the parents of "West Haddon" John. Among the possibilities are:

In order of distance from West Haddon and within 50 miles, showing hypothetical marriage age if actually John who married Ann Barker.

  • "Staverton" John:[19] 11 miles, christened 13 October 1693, age at marriage: 25, parents: John and Ann (Burnam) George
  • "Ladbrook" [Ladbroke] John:[20] 20 miles, christened 1 November 1692, age at marriage: 26, parents: Richard and Anne
  • "Banbury" John:[21] 26 miles, christened 30 July 1680, age at marriage: 38, parents: Jonah
  • "Tingewick" John:[22] 26 miles, christened 6 February 1679, age at marriage: 39, parents: John
  • "Caldecote" John:[23] 29 miles, cristened 25 March 1680, age at marriage: 38, parents: John
  • "Croughton" John-2: 30 miles, christened 5 March 1698, age at marriage: 20, parents: John and Katherine
  • "Mixbury" John-1:[24] 30 miles, christened 18 October 1691, age at marriage: 27, parents: John George and Mary Paxton
  • "Mixbury" John-2:[25] 30 miles, christened 21 March 1694, age at marriage: 24, parents: Francis and Eleanor
  • "Desford" John:[26] 33 miles, christened 30 May 1679, age at marriage: 39, parents: John
  • "Meriden" John-3: 34 miles, christened 8 March 1676; age at marriage: 42, parents: John and Mary
  • "Meriden" John-4: 34 miles, christened 5 November 1678, age at marriage: 40, parents: Thomas and Ursala
  • "Bosworth" John:[27] 34 miles, christened 7 December 1681, age at marriage: 37, parents: Frances
  • "Kirtlington" John:[28] 39 miles, christened 19 January 1678, age at marriage: 40, parents: John
  • "Aston Cantlow" John:[29] 41 miles, christened 14 April 1678, age at marriage: 40, parents: Johannis
  • "Tempsford" John:[30] 42 miles, christened 1 February 1678, age at marriage: 40, parents: Henry
  • "Birmingham" John:[31] 46 miles, christened 7 April 1682, age at marriage: 36, parents: John
The Above Plotted on a Map

Sources

  1. ↑ "Staffordshire, Dioceses Of Lichfield And Coventry Wills And Probate 1521-1860," Calendar of wills and admons, 21 Oct 1681. FindMyPast.co.uk (pay site).
  2. ↑ "Staffordshire, Dioceses Of Lichfield And Coventry Wills And Probate 1521-1860," Meriden, Warwickshire, England. FindMyPast.co.uk (pay site). 1723 April 27, Thomas George, Meriden.
  3. ↑ "England, Warwickshire, Parish Registers, 1535-1963," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VHXK-9DN : 13 March 2019), John George, 08 Mar 1676; from parish registers of the Church of England, database and images, citing Christening, Meriden, Warwickshire, England, Warwick County Record Office, England.
  4. ↑ "England, Warwickshire, Parish Registers, 1535-1963," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VHXK-DRR : 13 March 2019), John George and Katherine Overton, 23 Nov 1686; from parish registers of the Church of England, database and images, citing Marriage, Meriden, Warwickshire, England, Warwick County Record Office, England.
  5. ↑ Warwickshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1535-1812 [database on-line], citing Warwickshire County Record Office; Warwick, England; Warwickshire Anglican Registers; Roll: Engl/2/1066; Document Reference: DR 182/1. Meriden, Warwickshire, England. Ancestry.com. Ancestry Record 2416 #4737745. Catherine the wife of John George buried Jan 14 17[14].
  6. ↑ "England, Warwickshire, Parish Registers, 1535-1963," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VHXK-D2N : 13 March 2019), John George, 15 Jul 1725; from parish registers of the Church of England, database and images, citing Burial, Meriden, Warwickshire, England, Warwick County Record Office, England. John George buried July 15 1725. Afidavit by Joyis Sparks.
  7. ↑ Agutter, D.M.K. and L.R., "The Monumental Inscriptions in the Church and Churchyard of St Laurence Meriden in the Diocese of Coventry West Midlands," Birmingham and Midland Society for Genealogy and Heraldry, copyright BMSGH 2012 but published well before. Between 2 windows: To ye memory JOHN GEORGE of this ..arish who died ye .... day 1725 ....
  8. ↑ "England, Warwickshire, Parish Registers, 1535-1963," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VHXK-822 : 13 March 2019), Thomas George, 22 Sep 1687; from parish registers of the Church of England, database and images, citing Christening, Meriden, Warwickshire, England, Warwick County Record Office, England.
  9. ↑ "England, Warwickshire, Parish Registers, 1535-1963," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VHXV-1Y7 : 13 March 2019), Solomon George, 30 Nov 1689; from parish registers of the Church of England, database and images, citing Christening, Meriden, Warwickshire, England, Warwick County Record Office, England.
  10. ↑ "England, Warwickshire, Parish Registers, 1535-1963," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VHXK-84H : 13 March 2019), Rebecca George, 05 May 1691; from parish registers of the Church of England, database and images, citing Christening, Meriden, Warwickshire, England, Warwick County Record Office, England.
  11. ↑ "England, Warwickshire, Parish Registers, 1535-1963," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VHXK-8YZ : 13 March 2019), Francis George, 22 Dec 1694; from parish registers of the Church of England, database and images, citing Christening, Meriden, Warwickshire, England, Warwick County Record Office, England.
  12. ↑ Ancestry.com. "Northamptonshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1532-1812," [database on-line], citing Northamptonshire Record Office; Northampton, England; Register Type: Parish Register, Baptisms; Reference Numbers: 93P/1. Ancestry Record 9198 #9048983. Croughton, Northamptonshire, England; 1 Mar 1690, Benjamin George.
  13. ↑ Ancestry.com. "Northamptonshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1532-1812," [database on-line], citing Northamptonshire Record Office; Northampton, England; Register Type: Parish Register, Baptisms; Reference Numbers: 93P/1. Ancestry Record 9198 #9048995. Croughton, Northamptonshire, England; 12 Mar 1692, Ann George.
  14. ↑ Ancestry.com. "Northamptonshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1532-1812," [database on-line], citing Northamptonshire Record Office; Northampton, England; Register Type: Parish Register, Baptisms; Reference Numbers: 93P/1. Ancestry Record 9198 #9049005. Croughton, Northamptonshire, England; 20 Jan 1694, Katherine George.
  15. ↑ Ancestry.com. "Northamptonshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1532-1812," [database on-line], citing Northamptonshire Record Office; Northampton, England; Register Type: Parish Register, Baptisms; Reference Numbers: 93P/1. Ancestry Record 9198 #9049014. Croughton, Northamptonshire, England; 27 Dec 1696, Mary George.
  16. ↑ Ancestry.com. "Northamptonshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1532-1812," [database on-line], citing Northamptonshire Record Office; Northampton, England; Register Type: Parish Register, Baptisms; Reference Numbers: 93P/1. Ancestry Record 9198 #9049023. Croughton, Northamptonshire, England; 5 Mar 1698, John George.
  17. ↑ "England, Warwickshire, Parish Registers, 1535-1963," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VHXK-F6D : 13 March 2019), Thomas Allen and Rebecca George, 22 Jan 1716; from parish registers of the Church of England, database and images, citing Marriage, Meriden, Warwickshire, England, Warwick County Record Office, England.
  18. ↑ Ancestry.com. "Northamptonshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1532-1812," [database on-line], citing Northamptonshire Record Office; Northampton, England; Register Type: Parish Register, Marriages; Reference Numbers: 93P/1. Ancestry Record 9198 #909049375. Croughton, Northamptonshire, England; 6 Nov 1710, Ann George and George Simmons.
  19. ↑ " Parish Register, St Mary the Virgin, Staverton, Northamptonshire". FreeREG Parish Register database https://www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/63f4d3a4f493fdd79034ce86. Free UK Genealogy (accessed 26 Feb 2025).
  20. ↑ "England, Warwickshire, Parish Registers, 1535-1963," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VHXZ-R2N : 13 March 2019), John George, 01 Nov 1692; from parish registers of the Church of England, database and images, citing Christening, Ladbrooke, Warwickshire, England, Warwick County Record Office, England.
  21. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V5G3-PX3 : 11 February 2018, John George, 30 Jul 1680); citing Banbury, Oxfordshire, England, index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 942.57 B2 B4B V. 9.
  22. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NKXR-R6X : 11 February 2018, John Georg, 06 Feb 1679); citing Tingewick, Buckinghamshire, England, index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 1,042,441.
  23. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J3SK-KQK : 11 February 2018, John George, 25 Mar 1680); citing Caldecote, Warwickshire, England, index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 428,984.
  24. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J9WW-FDS : 11 February 2018, John George, 18 Oct 1691); citing Mixbury, Oxfordshire, England, index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 993,081, 506,452, 95,052.
  25. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NBX4-YJL : 11 February 2018, John George, 21 Mar 1694); citing Mixbury, Oxfordshire, England, index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 993,081, 506,452, 95,052.
  26. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NYRY-JMB : 11 February 2018, John George, 30 May 1679); citing Desford, Leicestershire, England, index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 588,454.
  27. ↑ "England, Leicestershire Parish Registers, 1533-1991," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPW1-XD3Y : 6 June 2018), John George, 7 Dec 1681; records extracted by findmypast, images digitized by FamilySearch; citing Baptism, Market Bosworth, Leicestershire, England, United Kingdom, page 41, Citing the Record Office of Leicestershire, Leicester, and Rutland, Wigston, UK.
  28. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JWFY-FMN : 11 February 2018, John George, 19 Jan 1678); citing Kirtlington, Oxfordshire, England, index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 887,483.
  29. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JQG5-HQ9 : 11 February 2018, Johannis Georg, 14 Apr 1678); citing Aston Cantlow, Warwickshire, England, index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 246,639.
  30. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JMVR-3Q7 : 11 February 2018, John George, 01 Feb 1678); citing Tempsford, Bedfordshire, England, index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 599,351.
  31. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NR9C-362 : 11 February 2018, John George, 07 Apr 1682); citing Birmingham, Warwickshire, England, index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 0097316, BOOK.

Collaboration on The Origins of John George (Abt. 1700-1764) of Northamptonshire

Memories of The Origins of John George (Abt. 1700-1764) of Northamptonshire



Comments

There are no comments yet.