Shakespeare family

[grahamd15]

Hi everyone,
I'm trying to find out more about the Shakespeares in my tree.
I've traced them back to one John Shakespeare who had children in Baddesley-Clinton:
      - Ann b. 1795
      - William b. 1797
      - Joseph b. 1802
      - James b. 1804

According to Ann's baptism entry from "England, Select Births and Baptisms" her mother was Sarah Hostolon Shakespeare, however she does not appear on the other children's records.

I am trying to find more on John and Sarah if possible and any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[..claire..]

Hi

Think John and Sarah married in Aston Cantlow on 25 Oct. 1787 after Banns

John Shakespear of the parish and Sarah Hastalow of the same and both single.
They both left their mark (X) in the register
Wedding witnesses: Joseph May and Thomas James.

The baptism you mentioned of daughter Ann was in a Roman Catholic Church.

Claire

[..claire..]

There is a possible baptism for a Sarah HASTELOW in Great Alne which is a mile from Aston Cantlow

Sarah bapt. 19 October 1766 daughter of Roger and Sarah Hastelow.

But there are numerous Hastelow families in the area.

Claire

After enlarging that picture of the baptism, I'm wondering if the Godfather is actually her father or possible brother - the name looks quite similar - Roger Hester - light ?

[Maiden Stone]

Hi

Think John and Sarah married in Aston Cantlow on 25 Oct. 1787 after Banns

John Shakespear of the parish and Sarah Hastalow of the same and both single.
They both left their mark (X) in the register
Wedding witnesses: Joseph May and Thomas James.

The baptism you mentioned of daughter Ann was in a Roman Catholic Church.

Claire

Ann's godfather's surname might be another version of Hastalow. Try saying the surnames with a Warwickshire accent. 

[..claire..]

Snap - that's what I thought after looking at it 

[grahamd15]

Wow! That's great! I think that Sarah as a child of Roger makes sense. I had a search for him and came up with a burial record saying he was buried on 21 July 1822 in Coughton Court after dying at the age of 86. His residence place was listed as Aston Cantlow!

[Maiden Stone]

I read it as Hester-light as well. Then I enlarged it and decided I was right. I thought a local pronunciation of light may be "loit". How is "low" pronounced?
Godfather more likely to have been brother than father imo, but not necessarily. (A modern R.C. diocese in U.S. suggested having grandparents as sponsors if child's parents couldn't find any other suitable Catholic godparents. It was pointed out that with increased life expectancy, grandparents were likely to be around to see the children grow up. Grandparents surviving their grandchildren's childhood wouldn't have been assumed 200 years ago so they wouldn't have been obvious choice for sponsors.) Roger may have been a cousin. Choice may have depended on who was available.

[..claire..]

Think this is the parents marriage in Aston Cantlow

Roger HASTERLY of the parish labourer and Sarah MORRELL of the parish spinster married by Licence
9th July 1759

He signed the register she left her mark

Witnesses: John Priest and Edward Late ( looks to be an official witness, signed other marriages on the page)

Claire

[..claire..]

The only other children that I can spot to the couple (Roger and Sarah)

Ann bpt. 13 May 1764 in Great Alne  (Anglican baptism)

Thomas bpt  9 March 1769 in Wooten Wawen ( Anglican )

Winifrid bpt 21 March 1771 in Coughton ( Roman Catholic baptism)

Claire