I have been trying to find the parents of my n x Great-grandfather (Thomas Chester) for years now and I figure it is about time I put my hand up for help.
What I know about Thomas is:
- Married Alice Bowley on 19 May 1673 at Shepshed, Leicestershire, England. Alice was baptised at Shepshed on 13 Dec 1643, she was the daughter of Daniel Bowley (a mason) and Ann Stevenson (I have traced this branch back a bit). Alice Chester nee Bowley was buried at Belton (near Shepshed) on 8 Feb 1721.
- Thomas was a churchwarden of St Botolph’s Church, Shepshed in 1861.
- Thomas leased land around Shepshed (paying 11 pounds of rent in 1686) and owned 2 acres of land on Kirkhill in Shepshed. I gained this information from Graendon Estate rent rolls and the freehold land was referenced in the will of his son.
- Thomas and Ann had three children, all born at Shepshed.
o Bridgett (1674 - ?) married William Bywater and had child Thomas 1699.
o Thomas (1678 – 1724) a mason, who married Ann Smalley and had children; Thomas 1704, Samuel, 1706, John 1707, Daniel 1709, Joseph 1711, Ann 1713, Sarah 1715, Mary 1717, George 1719, William 1720.
o Sarah (1682 – 1739) who married Samuel Smalley and had children; Samuel 1703, Ann 1705, John 1711, Thomas 1714, Mary 1716, William 1717, Abraham 1721.
- Thomas was buried on 15 October 1720 at Belton (near Shepshed). He died intestate. The administration document stated that Thomas was from GraceDieu (near Shepshed) and the administrators were son Thomas, from Shepshed, and Thomas Morley, cordwainer of Shepshed.
Can anyone help me progress the pedigree of Thomas Chester? I live on the other side of the world (NZ).