William Stokes (1817 - 1865)

Born 1817 in Branston, Leicestershire, England

Ancestors

Husband of Sarah (Ward) Stokes — married 13 Apr 1835 in Croxton Kerrial, Leicestershire, England

Husband of Mary (Brewster) Stokes — married 22 May 1859 in New Zealand

Descendants

Died 22 Feb 1865 at about age 48 in Papanui, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand

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Biography

Birth William was born in 1817 at Branston, Leicestershire, England. ^{[1] [2]}

Christening William was christened on 24 August 1817 at Branston, Leicestershire, England. ^[3]

Marriage William and Sara Ward had a religious marriage at Croxton Kerrial, Leicestershire, England on 13 April 1835 Note: Marriage Records: Croxton Kerrial, Leicestershire, England. William Stokes of Bassingthorpe cum Westby. in the county of Lincolnshire. Sarah Ward of Croxton Kerrial. Banns 13 April 1835 (Both made their mark X X)). Witnesses: John Ward Elizabeth Mount. Marriage Records: Croxton Kerrial, Leicestershire, England William Stokes of Bassingthorpe cum Westby in the county of Lincolnshire ^[4][5]

After Sara his first wife died aged 39 on 15 September 1854 giving birth to twins after having 12 Children William married Mary Ward on 22 May 1859 She was his sister-in-law by marriage, the widow of his first wife's brother.

UK 1841 Census: Stokes family 1841 census entry. (Note the spelling of the name in the census documents)

Branston Census 1841, Branston
William Stoker 20 ag lab
Sarah Stoker 25
Mary Stoker 6
Elizabeth Stoker 4
Thomas Stoker 3
John Stoker 1
James Stoker 2 Mo

On the same page is also this entry but at another address
Thomas Stokes 45
Elizabeth Stokes 50
Thomas Stokes 10
Robert Stokes 5
^[6]

Immigration William Stokes , his wife Sarah (Ward) Stokes and family set out on 7 September 1850 on the ship Randolph and arrived in Lyttelton, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand on 16 December 1850. On 17 Nov 1850 a girl (Fanny) was born to William & Sarah Stokes

You can see an account of the journey on the Randolph by clicking here

William Stokes migrated from England to New Zealand.

Randolph Steerage passengers who were Stokes

William Stokes 32 Agricultural Labourer

Sarah 35

Elizabeth 13

Thomas 12

John 10

James 9

Sara 6

William Ward 3

Charles 1

Mary 15 Domestic Servant

Life William went into Riccarton Bush as a sawyer and after six months was able to buy half an acre on the corner of Durham and Chester streets for £26. When Riccarton Bush was logged out he took up 50 acres on Harewood Road and continued felling trees in Papanui Bush. The land was soon freehold and he leased another 70 acres. It was a mixed farm: some grain, potatoes, cows, pigs and clydesdales. He worked in Deans Bush for some time and then started farming on 100 acres on the Harewood Road. The farm and stock were advertised for sale -500 sheep and 20 cattle: There was a good sale which realised 1030 pounds.This was 6 years after his death.He won prizes for pigs at the Christchurch show of 64. 130 descendants met in the Botanical Gardens in Centenery Year. In 1953 80 gathered.^[7]

Died William passed away in 1865 in Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand. ^[8] and was buried in St Pauls Churchyard in Papanui, Canterbury, New Zealand on 24 February 1865. ^[9][10]

Just a few weeks before William's death (on the 4th February) he completed a will. ^[11]

Research

Mary Ward is shown as having died in 1830.

Sources

1. ↑ England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975, Family search : 11 February 2018, William Stokes, Christened 24 Aug 1817 parents Thomas and Sarah; citing , index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 590,851, 811,942.
2. ↑ Norman Groocock/Graham Hutchinson/Samantha Hoy
3. ↑ Margaret Copland. Margaret Copeland has provided a rich source of information and sources
4. ↑ Pallots marriage index 1780-1837
5. ↑ England Marriages, 1538–1973 ", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N2XC-K61 : 13 March 2020), Sarah Ward in entry for William Stokes, 1835
6. ↑ UK 1841 Census Class: HO107; Piece: 587; Book: 7; Civil Parish: Branston; County: Leicestershire; Enumeration District: 10; Folio: 8; Page: 11; Line: 18; GSU roll: 438740
7. ↑ McDonalds Biographical Index Canterbury Museum S 796
8. ↑ BDM New Zealand 1865 March Quarter 1865/392 No 1127 When died and Where Feb. 22 1865 Harewood Rd Name and Surname: William Stokes Sex: Male Age: 48 Rank or Profession Farmer Cause of Death disease of liver Signature, Description and J W C Ward Surgeon Residence of Informant Christchurch When registered Feb 22 1865 Signature of Registrar A C Barker Registered at Christchurch, folio 1865/392,Ref No 1181199-82
9. ↑ Noeline Boyce, Annette & Nancy Mclaughlin Publication: Tombstone/Headstone transcripts Vol 7 (transcribed August 1980) 19. William Stokes d. 22 Feb 1865 a 47 Also Mary, wife of above d.30 Jan 1871 a 54.
10. ↑ St Pauls Anglican Church Burial Register 1853-91 79. Stokes William Buried 24 Feb 1865 a 47 Farmer River Styx.
11. ↑ Will - "New Zealand, Archives New Zealand, Probate Records, 1843-1998," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK9V-KHVJ : 28 May 2019), William Stokes, 1865; citing , Christchurch Probate Files, 1855-2003, record number CHA457/1865, Archives New Zealand, Auckland Regional Office; FamilySearch digital folder 100214195.