75_Stevenson_Records  
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Introduction Trees  
Tracing the Stevensons  
Proofs  
The records  
   
Introduction Introduction  
The Stevenson ancestors of Frances Elizabeth Stevenson, who married Samuel Rouse in Stamford in 1782, can be traced back to her great-grandparents Thomas and Naomi Stevenson who had children in South Witham between 1692 and 1714. There seems to be no record of them in the South Witham record before that (IGI).  
They were tanners and curriers, and seem to have plied their trade at diverse locations such as Stamford, South Witham, and Lutterworth, at least. They were also involved politically in Stamford, providing aldermen and at least two mayors.  
Thomas Stevenson may be related to the Stevensons of South Croxton, Leicestershire, where there were Stevenson baptisms as far back as 1656, including some called Leonard. John and Naomi also had a son called Leonard. But there is no Thomas Stevenson baptised there around 1663.  
Naomi's family name is unknown  
   
Tracing Tracing the Stevensons  
The search for the ancestors of Frances Elizabeth Stevenson was interesting for two reasons 1) the key was 'Naomi', the unusual name she gave to one of her daughters, and 2) I could identify all her Stevenson relatives including siblings, cousins, grandparents, great-grandparents, etc. before being able to identify her mother's surname!  
As a starting point I had her marriage in Stamford in 1782 to Samuel Rouse, M_1782  
and the names of her children: John, -y (Mary?), Samuel, -beth (Elizabeth), Naomi, and Frances Elizabeth who died an infant, from the Stamford St. George parish register.  
Proving the birth of Frances Elizabeth Stevenson m. 1782  
The only birth of a Frances Elizabeth Stevenson in the IGI was for the daughter of John Stevenson in Lutterworth (40 miles west-south-west of Stamford) in 1758, which would make her 24 at the time of her marriage, so a perfect fit. But how to prove it? B_1758  
Well, thinking about how the name 'Frances Elizabeth' had been passed down during several generations in the Otter family, I wondered whether 'Naomi' might have come from the Stevenson side of the family.   
And in fact, the IGI turned up several Naomi Stephensons in or near Stamford - a Naomi Rebecca in Stamford in 1775, a Naomi in South Witham in 1730, and another Naomi Rebecca in Thrapston in 1808.   
They proved all to be related, and I could build up a tree of the family using the name Naomi as the key clue. The family had been in South Witham, a small village, since at least 1692, so tracing back that far was just a matter of consulting the parish records. Tree  
They are all descendants of John Stevenson and Elizabeth who had several children born in South Witham between 1731 and 1742. William in 1731, B_1731  
John in 1732, B_1732  
Naomi 1734, Leonard, Elizabeth, Leonard, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Tomothy, and finally Joseph in 1746.  B_1734  
John Stevenson, the second son born in 1732, would be the right age to be the father of Frances Elizabeth in 1758. B_1732  
The first son, William born in 1731, left a will in 1793, where he mentions "my nephew John Stevenson and my four nieces the son and daughters of my late brother John Stevenson deceased". W_1793  
William's younger son, Nicholas Clarke Stevenson in turn left a will in 1843 mentioning "sisters of the said Elizabeth Hackforth". W_1843  
And in 1844 his elder brother, William Clarke Stevenson in turn left a will in 1843 mentioning "Mary Otter and Naomi Phillips, sisters of Elizabeth Hackforth", which conclusively proved that John Stevenson born in 1732 was his uncle, Frances Elizabeth Rouse his cousin, and Mary Otter his cousin's daughter.. W_1844  
Finding the name of Frances Elizabeth Stevenson's mother  
The parents of Naomi Rebecca Stevenson in Stamford in 1775 were John and Mary - so her mother could be Mary, especially as a John Stevenson, currier, was still alive then, but buried in Stamford St. George in 1777 - and could be father of Frances Elizabeth as well, who we know was deceased in 1793. B_1775  
John and Mary Stevenson had another daughter, Dinah Ann, in Stamford in 1776. B_1776  
And John Stevenson had a son William baptised in Lutterworth in 1760, so this would make a total of 3 daughters and one son - Frances Elizabeth in 1758, William in 1760, Naomi Rebecca in 1775, and Dinah Ann in 1776. This is not quite the nephew John and 4 nieces mentioned in William Stevenson's will of 1793, but it is getting close.  
A third-cousin of mine, Linda Panisset, pointed out some baptisms in Branston, Leicestershire, 40 miles north of Stamford - John in 1761, Mary in 1763, and Thomas in 1766, which would fill the gap - and provide the 4th niece. B_1761  
The final piece of the puzzle was also provided by Linda Panisset after she noticed that a John Stevenson of Lutterworth married a Mary Culcheth in St. Vedast, Foster Lane, London in 1757. M_1757  
   
Proofs Proofs  
PP_75 That Frances Elizabeth Stevenson (75) was the mother of Mary Rouse (37)  
   
PP_150 That John Stevenson (150) was the father of Frances Elizabeth Stevenson (75)  
   
PP_300 That John Stevenson (300) was the father of John Stevenson (150)  
   
PP_600 That Thomas Stevenson (600) was the father of John Stevenson (300)  
   
Records The Records  
B_1663 1663c Birth (Lincs to the Past) D_1745 Thomas (600)  
Thomas Stevenson  
   
M_1690c 1690c Marriage () Thomas (600)  
Thomas Stevenson and Naomi ? Naomi (601)  
   
1692-09-28 Baptism in South Witham, Lincoln (IGI, 2009; FMP, PR, 2023) Thomas (600) 1692
Thomas the son of Thomas Stevenson & Naomi his wife baptized September 28 Naomi (601)  
   
1695-09-28 Burial in South Witham, Lincoln ( FMP, PR) Thomas (600) 1695
William the son of Thomas Stevenson & Naomi his wife was buried September 28 Naomi (601)  
   
1696-09-14 Baptism in South Witham, Lincoln (IGI, 2009; FMP, PR, 2023) Thomas (600) 1696
Leonard Stevenson son of Thomas Stevenson & Naomi September 14 Naomi (601)  
   
B_1703 1703-02-18 Baptism in South Witham, Lincoln (IGI, 2009; FMP, PR, 2023) Thomas (600) 1703
John the son of Thomas & Naomi Stevenson was baptized Feb 18 1702 Naomi (601)  
  John (300)  
   
B_1714 1714-09-10 Baptism in South Witham, Lincoln (IGI, 2009, FMP, PR, 2023) Thomas (600) 1714
Ruth the daughter of Tho: Stephenson & Naomi his wife was baptized Sept 10 Naomi (601)  
   
M_1727 1727-05-25 Marriage in Stamford All Saints, Lincoln (IGI, 2009) Elizabeth (301)  
Robert Lambert of South Witham & Elizabeth Moysey of Exton married  
   
W_1729 1729 Will in South Witham, Lincoln (Lincolnshire Archives 1729/ii/251, 2011) Elizabeth (301)  
Testator: Robert Lambert, South Witham, Lincolnshire  
Executrix: wife Elizabeth  
Trustees: John Moysey of Exton, Rutland yeoman & brother John Lambert of ?st Witham, Lincoln yeoman   
Date: 20 May 1729, proved ?1729  
Witnesses: Thers Wimberley, Willm Bonidge, Mary Baily her mark  
Will: - £100 to trustees if wife with child  
 - rest to dear wife Elizabeth  
   
M_1730 1730-02-02 Marriage in South Witham, Lincoln (Lincs to the Past) John (300) 1730
John Stevenson Tanner & Elizabeth Lambert widow were marryed Feb 2 Elizabeth (301)  
   
B_1731 1731-12-08 Baptism in South Witham, Lincoln (IGI, 2009) John (300)  
William Stevenson son of John Stevenson & Elizabeth Elizabeth (301)  
   
B_1732 1732-01-12 Baptism in South Witham, Lincoln (Lincs to the Past) John (300) 1732
John the son of John & Elizabeth Stevenson was baptized Jany 2 Elizabeth (301)  
  John (150)  
   
D_1734 1734-04-09 Burial in South Witham, Lincoln (Lincs to the Past) Naomi (601) 1734
Naomi the wife of Tho; Stevenson senior of Gunby was buryed Aprl 9th  
   
B_1734 1734-04-17 Baptism in South Witham, Lincoln (IGI, 2009) John (300)  
Naomi Stevenson  Elizabeth (301)  
   
Other children:  
1735-10-19 son  
1736-09-13 Elizabeth  
1738-01-11 Rebecca  
1739-01-06 Elizabeth  
1741-06-29 Timothy  
1746-11-19 Joseph  
   
D_1745 1745-01-07 Burial in South Witham, Lincoln (Lincs to the Past) Thomas (600) 1745
Thomas Stevenson aged 81 was buried Janry 7th  
CRW: meaning that he should have been born in 1663, or thereabouts.  
   
M_1757 1757-12-21 Marriage in London (Linda Panisset; Register of St. Vedast, Foster Lane, Vol. 2, p. 64, 2015) John (150) 1757
John Stevenson of the parish of Lutterworth in the County of Leicester, Bachelor, and Mary Culcheth of this parish, Spinster; by Licence. Rd Wynne, A.M., Curate. Witnesses: Samp. Dunckley, Frans Poole Mary (151)  
   
1758-20-22 to 1759-10-21 Repair of Church in Lutterworth, Leicester (Lutterworth – The Story of John Wycliffe’s Town, 1913, A. H. Dyson, p. 188) John (150)  
Thomas Stevenson & John Stevenson, gentlemen  
   
B_1758 1758-12-29 Baptism in Lutterworth, Leicester (IGI, 2009) John (150)  
Frances Eliz. Stevenson dau. John Stevenson Frances (75)  
   
1760-04-23 Baptism in Lutterworth, Leicester (FamilySearch, 2016) John (150)  
William Stevenson s. John Stevenson  
   
D_1761 1761-07-21 Burial in South Witham, Lincoln (Lincs to the Past) John (150) 1761
John Stevenson Mary (151)  
   
B_1761 1761-10-04 Baptism in Branston, Leicester (L. Panisset; FamilySearch, 2017) John (300)  
John Stevenson s. John Stevenson & Mary  
   
1763-12-29 Baptism in Branston, Leicester (L. Panisset; FamilySearch, 2017) John (150)  
Mary Stevenson d. John Stevenson & Mary Mary (151)  
   
1766-10-05 Baptism in Branston, Leicester (L. Panisset; FamilySearch, 2017) John (150)  
Thomas Stevenson s. John Stevenson & Mary Mary (151)  
   
W_1772 1772-09-05 Will (TNA, PROB 11/980/308) Mary (151)  
Testator: John Culcheth the Elder, Daventry, County of Northampton, Innholder  
Executors: son James, friend Robert Andrew  
Date: 13 March 1771, proved 5 September 1772  
Witnesses: Thomas Freeman, Richard Freeman, Andrew Meeres  
Will: - house in Daventry to wife Elizabeth, then to grandson James, son of eldest son James  
 - all other property to be sold to pay bequests#NAME?  
 - £100 to eldest son James the elder  
 - £100 to wife Elizabeth  
 - £10 to youngest son John  
 - £5 each to brother Peter, sisters Judith Dawson & Ruth Hebbert  
 - £20 to niece Ruth Major  
 - yearly interest on £220 to daughter Mary Stevens, after her death £220 to the benefit of her children  
 - resz equally to all children of sons James and John  
   
B_1775 1775-03-02 Baptism in St. George Stamford, Lincolnshire (FamilySearch, 2009) John (150)  
Naomi Rebecca Stevenson d. John & Mary Mary (151)  
   
B_1776 1776-07-23 Baptism in St. George Stamford, Lincolnshire (FamilySearch, 2009) John (150)  
Dinah Ann Stevenson d. John & Mary Mary (151)  
   
D_1777 1777 Burial in St. George Stamford, Lincolnshire (Lincs to the Past) John (150) 1777
John Stevenson currier  
   
1777 Militia List Men aged 18 to 45 (Northamptonshire Militia Lists)  
Daventry, Fawsey Hundred (16 miles south of Lutterworth)  
John Culcheth, currier  
James Culcheth, tanner  
   
M_1782L 1782-11-16 Marriage Licence in St. George's, Stamford, Lincoln (LincRO, Copy, 2011) Samuel (74) 1782-1
On the 16th day of November in the year of our Lord 1782 Frances (75) 1782-1
Appeared personally Samuel Rouse of the parish of St. Georges Stamford in the county of Lincoln aged twenty five years and alledged that he intendeth to marry with Elizabeth Frances Stevenson of the parish of St. Georges aforesaid aged twenty four years  
And that he knoweth of no lawful Let or Impediment by reason of precontract, consanguinity, affinity, or any other lawful means whatsoever, but that they may be lawfully married together; and prayed Licence to solemnize such marriage in the parish church of Stamford St. George aforesaid, which parish of Stamford St. George hath been the place of abode of the said parties for the space of four weeks last past, of the truth of which he made oath.  
Samuel Rouse  
Sworn before me Rd N Knowles Surrogate  
    
M_1782 1782-11-16 Marriage in St. George's, Stamford, Lincoln (Mar. Index of Lincolnshire Vol 17A, Stamford Churches 1754-1812 LI/R71, 2001, Lincs to the Past) Samuel (74) 1782
Samuel Rouse of this parish Tanner and Elizabeth Frances Stevenson of this parish Spinster were married in this church by Licence this sixteenth day of November in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty two by me, Rd A Knowles Rect Frances (75)  
   This marriage was solemnized between us             Samuel Rouse  
                                                                                    Frances Eliz Stevenson  
   In the presence of       John ?her  
                                       Basil Jen?  
CRW: The bride was named Frances Elizabeth at her birth and on her death, and named Frances on her children's baptisms. She also signed as Frances Elizabeth, so 'Elizabeth Frances' here and on the marriage licence is no doubt a clerical error.  
   
D_1792 1792-02 Burial in St. George Stamford, Lincolnshire (PR) Frances (75)  
Frances Elizabeth wife of Samuel Rouse Samuel (74)  
   
W_1793 1793 Will (PRO PROB, Copy, 2009) John (150) 1793
Testator: William Stevenson, tanner Family (75)  
signed 21 March 1792  
wife Ann  
friends James Bellaers of Uffington, Lincs. esq., Able Walford Bellaers of Stamford, Banker, Patrick Hepburn of Chesham, Berks, gent.  
Property in ?, South Witham, Gidney, Dyke and ? Lincs  
Sons William and Nicholas Clarke Stevenson  
brother Joseph Stevenson  
John Thorpe, currier, illegitimate son of Catherine Thorpe late of – Somerby Leics spinster deceased  
the remaining fifth part of residue of personal estate I give and direct the same to be paid to and amongst my nephew John Stevenson and my four nieces the son and daughters of my late brother John Stevenson deceased  
   
1800 Will (LCC 1800/167, 2002) Family (600)  
Testator: John Stevenson, currier  
son of Leonard Stevenson d. 1800  
   
1800 Will (PRO PROB, Copy, 2009) Family (600) 1800-1
Testator: Leonard Stevenson 1800-2
  1800-3
   
1808-10 Burial in St. George Stamford, Lincolnshire (Lincs to the Past) Family (150)  
Mary Stevenson spinster aged 45  
   
1812 Will (PRO PROB, Copy, 2011) Family (600) 1812
Testator: Thomas Stevenson  
CRW: no reference to our branch  
   
D_1813 1813-12-24 Burial in St. George Stamford, Lincolnshire (Lincs to the Past) Mary (151) 1813
Mary Stevenson widow from Thrapston aged 77  
CRW: born c. 1736  
   
1814 Will (PRO PROB, Copy, 2011) Family (600) 1814
Testatrix: Ann Stevenson  
CRW:  
   
W_1821 1821 Will (PRO PROB, Copy, 2009) Family (600) 1821
Testatrix: Ann Stevenson  
sons-in-law Nicholas Clarke Stevenson and William Stevenson  
niece Elizabeth Ann Fenwick  
niece Sarah Walker  
niece Mary Walker   
friend Reverend Robert Boon Clerk Rector of Ufford Northants  
friend William Boon of Gretton Northants Farmer, son of Robert Boon of the same place gentleman deceased  
CRW: She is the sister of Robert Walker of Stockerston Hall, and daughter of Ann Boon b. 1712 of Gretton and Thomas Walker. Her marriage to William Stevenson may have led to Charles Edward Otter and Mary Ann Boon meeting…  
   
1829 Will (PRO PROB, Copy, 2009) Family (300) 1829
Testator: John Joseph Stevenson  
   
W_1843 1843 Will (PRO PROB, Copy, 2009) Family (600) 1843
Testator: Nicholas Stevenson  
the like other sum of five hundred pounds the yearly interest whereof is in like manner to be applied for the sisters of the said Elizabeth Hackforth for their life  
with respect to the said trust sums of five hundred pounds respectively bequeathed for the benefit of the said Mary Groom Naomi Clifton Susan Sturges and Elizabeth Hackforth  
   
W_1844 1844 Will (PRO PROB, Copy, 2009) Family (600) 1844-1
Testator: William Stevenson 1844-2
George Bellairs of Leicester esq. (second son of Abel Walford Bellairs deceased)  
Reverend Henry Bellairs Rector of Bed?worth Warwickshire  
James Bellairs of Haverfordwest (Hwiffordd) in Pembrokeshire esq. the eldest son of relation Abel Walford Bellairs deceased  
use the surname of Stevenson and bear the Arms of Stevenson  
late brother Nicholas Clarke Stevenson  
Henry Bellairs third son of Abel Walford Bellairs deceased  
William Bellairs fourth son of Abel Walford Bellairs deceased  
Reverend Plumpton Wilson & Margaretta his wife  
Benjamin Wilson & John Wilson brothers of Plumpton Wilson  
four daughters of Abel Waldord Bellairs  
Emily Susanna wife of Reverend John Wood of Swanwick Derbyshire  
Frances wife of James Higgon esq.  
Catherine wife of Reverend George Marlow and relict of Rev. James Young deceased late Vicar of Cockerham  
Anna Maria wife of  - Harries  
Captain John Bellairs brother of Abel Walford Bellairs deceased, his 2 daughters  
3 children of relation Mrs Ann Coleman (née Davie) lately deceased viz Dr. Coleman now in India etc.  
Elizabeth Stevenson widow of late cousin John Joseph Stevenson  
William Stevenson son of late cousin John Joseph Stevenson  
children of Maurice Tugle? (07.10.10: Ingle) of Colsterworth  
cousin Burbidge late of Buckingham  
Mary Groom  
Naomi the wife of John Clifton of Somersham  
Susan Sturges  
Elizabeth Hackforth wife of - Hackforth  
Mary Otter and Naomi Phillips, sisters of Elizabeth Hackforth  
foremen William Wilson & Thomas Scotney  
Sir John Trollope Baronet  
CRW: leaves money to Mary Otter, Naomi Phillips, and Elizabeth Hackforth - daughters of Frances Elizabeth Stevenson – confirming that the latter was his cousin  
   
 
© C. R. Watts 2020 created 05.12.2001, revised 16.01.2023  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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