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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Wiltshire => Topic started by: debbiedaffodil on Thursday 28 October 10 21:36 BST (UK)

Title: SHEARS Lydia (Witch)
Post by: debbiedaffodil on Thursday 28 October 10 21:36 BST (UK)
Does anyone have information about Lydia Shears born in Winterslow.  Not sure when she was born 17**.  I think she dies in 1810 reportedly shot by a silver bullet.
Title: Re: Shears Lydia (Witch)
Post by: groom on Thursday 28 October 10 21:42 BST (UK)
Hi

Have you tried Googling? There are quite a few sites mentioning her eg this one


http://www.rootschat.com/links/0a7f/


Jan

Title: Re: Shears Lydia (Witch)
Post by: debbiedaffodil on Thursday 28 October 10 21:46 BST (UK)
Yes Jan did try but with not much success but will try you link.  Thanks
Title: Re: Shears Lydia (Witch)
Post by: debbiedaffodil on Thursday 28 October 10 21:47 BST (UK)
Had found that one but did not give much about her.  It could just be folklore after all.
Title: Re: Shears Lydia (Witch)
Post by: nigelp on Thursday 28 October 10 21:59 BST (UK)
Where do you obtain the place of birth as Winterslow?

The name Shears / Sheers / Sheeres etc is common in Winterslow but there is no baptism of a Lydia in the parish register in the 18th century.

Nigel
Title: Re: SHEARS Lydia (Witch)
Post by: debbiedaffodil on Friday 29 October 10 18:22 BST (UK)
She was reportly a witch and my daughter and her boyfriend (he lives in Winterslow) heard about her living in Winterslow and wanted to find out more.  I did see a reference to a Mary Lydia Shears



Title: Re: SHEARS Lydia (Witch)
Post by: middyoil on Sunday 05 April 15 19:08 BST (UK)
Just found this thread while searching Lydia (found info on this a while ago, but just come back to this line of my tree).  Although according to information the story is a myth, I wonder if it is based on fact as my 5x great grandfather Robert Shears, who was born in Winterslow married a Lydia (born around 1776). Not sure if she actually came from Winterslow - by 1806 they were possibly in Nether Wallop as their daughter was born there, and they were definitely there by the 1841 census (no places of birth on the 1841 census and Lydia wasn't listed on the 1851 census which gives his birthplace as Winterslow).