Samuel Steward Boughton

[MaryMc]

I am trying to find any other record in relation to a Bastdy order going back through the Kings Lynn Court 11 October 1785 between Samuel Steward Singleman Boughton and Mary Steward Boughton-this record asks that they write to Samuel at Boughton was Stoke Ferry. At the Kings Lynn Court 17 Jan 1786, the only comment for both of them is Dischd- (presume discharged) with a line through the names. Does this mean, he paid a lump sum for the maintenance of the child or he married the mother??? I am not sure if further records even exist for Boughton, Barton Bendish or Stoke Ferry. Both the mother-Mary, father-Samuel and child were alive at the time of discharge. Samuel Steward born 1856 at Boughton was the only child and heir to his father William Steward who died in 1784. However, Samuel married Frances Brock in June 1786 which does not make sense and I am wondering if the child who was baptized in Boughton Sept 1785 (only showing the mother as Mary Steward-no father's name, no bastard, illegitimate or base born mentioned, could he have been baptized by his grandmother (Mary Steward) or Frances Brock used an alias- Mary Steward, so the child would retain the family name. There is also a baptism of a Simeon Steward much later, which shows the parents as Samuel Steward and the name Mary Steward was added later. Simeon Steward was the child of Samuel and Frances Steward which is also confusing. There was another Mary Steward in the same area/time but she was the single daughter of a William Steward which we are presuming may have been the mother. I desperately need help to solve this riddle and any help or ideas would be appreciated. Mary Mc

 

[Andromeda]

Without anything more definitive you are simply guessing as to why it was discharged I'm afraid.

Do you have the wills of Thomas Steward (1784) and Samuel Steward (1848), both of Boughton?. Copies are held at Norfolk Records Office. You say Samuel's father was William Steward, who also died 1784, did he leave a will at all?

I'm a little confused by your birth information for Samuel: ("Samuel Steward born 1856 at Boughton was the only child and heir to his father William Steward who died in 1784"). The only baptism I can see is this one, at Barton Bendish:
26 Feb 1758 Samuel son of William Steward & Mary.

Also baptised at Barton Bendish:
20 Jan 1766 Mary d/o William Steward & Anne

A William Steward, bachelor, married Mary Flatt at Barton Bendish on 8 Feb 1757. A witness was Thomas Steward*. Both he and William signed X.
A William Steward, bachelor, married Ann Adkens at Beechamwell on 16 Aug 1763

* Could this be the same Thomas Steward whose will (1784) is at the Norfolk Records Office as mentioned earlier?

I think this is all a long-winded way of me wondering whether Mary & Samuel were related. It would be interesting to know where the William Steward who married Ann Adkens fits into the family tree - any idea?

 

[MaryMc]

Sorry, the Samuel Steward l have born 1856, should have been 1758-must have been tired. I have the will of Samuel who died 1847/48 but left most to his son William and Simeon. The William who died 1784 (can't find record for his death or a will) but is mentioned in the land record by his only son and heir. I haven't purchased Thomas Steward's will, as l don't know where he fits in with the Samuel 1758 (his parents William Steward and Mary Flatt). The William and Ann Steward (nee Adkins) who married at Beechamwell was supposedly the son of Richard and Frances Steward who lived at Barton Bendish. The William and Ann had a daughter named Mary born 1766, who may have been the mother of Samuel 1785. Too many Williams! I have another will for a William Steward who was buried as a Stewart in 1808 Barton Bendish and left everything to his grandson Samuel, despite having other children. Guess Samuel Steward 1756 may have paid the church 30 pounds for child maintenance for it to be discharged.

 

[Andromeda]

The William who died 1784 (can't find record for his death or a will) but is mentioned in the land record by his only son and heir.

What land record? What exactly does it say? If you cant find his death or a will, how do you know he died in 1784? There is a burial at Barton Bendish on 26 Jan 1786 for a William Steward of Boughton, aged 71 (born c1715)

I haven't purchased Thomas Steward's will, as l don't know where he fits in with the Samuel 1758 (his parents William Steward and Mary Flatt).

Thomas was buried in 1784 in Barton Bendish, aged 69 (so also born c1715) and was of the parish of Boughton, so he's very likely connected. His will may explain exactly how, but he may well have been William's brother and therefore Samuel's uncle:

> Baptism 15 Apr 1714 at Shouldham Thorpe, William s/o Richard Steward & Ann, his wife
> Baptism 19 Nov 1716 at Barton Bendish, Thomas s/o Richard Steward & Ann, his wife

The William and Ann Steward (nee Adkins) who married at Beechamwell was supposedly the son of Richard and Frances Steward who lived at Barton Bendish.

According to who/what? William and Ann named their first son Thomas as far as I can see, so I wonder if they followed the traditional naming pattern? They don't seem to have called any of their children Richard or Frances, unless I'm missing something?

William and Ann had a daughter named Mary born 1766, who may have been the mother of Samuel 1785 (...). I have another will for a William Steward who was buried as a Stewart in 1808 Barton Bendish and left everything to his grandson Samuel, despite having other children.

The William who was buried in Barton Bendish in 1808 was aged 70, so born c1738. This fits nicely with the 1763 marriage to Ann Adkins, which would make Mary (who was buried in Barton Bendish in 1789, aged 23) his daughter, and therefore Samuel b1785 his grandson, per the will. As Mary had died when Samuel Jr was just 3, then William & Ann will likely have raised him.

As the Overseers accounts for Boughton don't appear to have survived, I still don't think you can say with any certainty that the 1785 bastardy case was discharged because Samuel Sr paid a sum of money. If Mary returned to her 'home' parish of Barton Bendish then Boughton would no longer have any responsibility for her or the child and the case would be discharged. I'm not saying that this is what did happen, but its another possibility.