annabel
Puts the Heart into Hertfordshire
In my quest for info about John Smith, I have found that he was described as Mr at his child's baptism, the only one so described, so I think a man of note. But I am struggling to find him or his wife in wills or births or deaths with any certainty. I have two things I am trying to find out about which I hope might be looked at with fresh eyes.
1. On Family search is a will of Elizabeth Lankford of St Albans proved 1740 which leaves her estate to her kinswoman niece Sarah Robirds. This included Old Parkbury, St Stephens in the manor of Park which I know because she is in the overseers book 1738 as Mrs Langford as the owner (her husband Thomas died 1738). Sarah Roberts of St Stephens married John Smith in 1743 and they lived at Old Parkbury afterwards.
I cannot find how Elizabeth was related to Sarah Roberts or what her maiden name was. A previous owner was Ralph Hill 1712 who got it from his father and grandfather . But I can't find anything on him either or who he left it to. I'm not sure of Sarah's parents as the ones I found, Sarah and John, has a second Sarah in 1738 so the first probably died.
2. John Smith was of St Peters, St Albans when he married. I think he died after 1767 as that is the last time he is mentioned at Old Parkbury on overseers books. His only children were Samuel who lived there afterwards, and Mary who married William Hill. I can't work out anything else with him in
These people were landowners so I find it strange I can't find mention of them, perhaps I have missed it in all the wills on familysearch for the time in St Albans area. Is anyone able to find a clue I missed? Thank you
1. On Family search is a will of Elizabeth Lankford of St Albans proved 1740 which leaves her estate to her kinswoman niece Sarah Robirds. This included Old Parkbury, St Stephens in the manor of Park which I know because she is in the overseers book 1738 as Mrs Langford as the owner (her husband Thomas died 1738). Sarah Roberts of St Stephens married John Smith in 1743 and they lived at Old Parkbury afterwards.
I cannot find how Elizabeth was related to Sarah Roberts or what her maiden name was. A previous owner was Ralph Hill 1712 who got it from his father and grandfather . But I can't find anything on him either or who he left it to. I'm not sure of Sarah's parents as the ones I found, Sarah and John, has a second Sarah in 1738 so the first probably died.
2. John Smith was of St Peters, St Albans when he married. I think he died after 1767 as that is the last time he is mentioned at Old Parkbury on overseers books. His only children were Samuel who lived there afterwards, and Mary who married William Hill. I can't work out anything else with him in
These people were landowners so I find it strange I can't find mention of them, perhaps I have missed it in all the wills on familysearch for the time in St Albans area. Is anyone able to find a clue I missed? Thank you