Person Page - 8

     George was born before 22 April 1837 at Barwell, Leicestershire, England.

     Jane was born say 1778. She married Samuel Dale say 1801. She married Samuel Dale say 1802. Jane died before 12 March 1822 at Barwell, Leicestershire, England.¹

     John was born before 17 May 1803 at Barwell, Leicestershire, England.¹ John died before 17 May 1803 at Barwell, Leicestershire, England.²

     Jonathon was born say 1816. He married Mary Anne Warinton after 1839. A census listed Jonathon as head of household on 6 June 1841 Castle St Hinckley at Hinckley, Leicestershire, England. His occupation was Carrier.¹ Jonathon died before 1851.

     Maria was born say 1834. She married John Sperry on 14 March 1858 at Parish Church, Hinckley, Leicestershire, England.¹ Maria died .

     Maria died . Maria was born on 4 1860 at Hinckley, Leicestershire, England.

     George was born before 1815 at Hinckley, Leicestershire, England. George died before 1900.

     Catherine was born on 11 July 1904 at Dunluce, Victoria, Australia. She was buried on 29 December 1931 at Box Hill, Victoria, Australia. She married William George Wain on 8 February 1932 at Maryborough, Victoria, Australia.¹ Catherine died at age 54 on 24 June 1959 60 Belford Road,East Kew at East Kew, Victoria, Australia.

     John was born on 11 May 1934 at Newport, Melbourne, Australia. John died at age 63 on 21 August 1997.

     William was born on 7 July 1844 at Salford, Lancashire, England.¹ William died on 21 August 1844 at Salford, Lancashire, England.²

     John was born on 20 November 1834. Date was given in the Birthday book but the year should be further checked. John age 6 was living with his mother on 6 June 1841..^1,2 John immigrated to Melbourne Australia on 17 October 1858.³ John was employed at as a Barman before 3 February 1877. John died at age 42 Broncho Pneumonia on 3 February 1877 Hospital Gipps Ward at Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.⁴ He was buried on 5 February 1877 at Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

     Frederick was born on 10 February 1865. Frederick died at age 41 on 3 April 1906.

     Louisa was born on 23 December 1871. She died in 1950 at Montrose, Victoria, Australia.

     Lydia Sarah Smith died on 13 May 1874; This year may be incorrect. The note in birthday book says age 9 months - 13 May 1874.¹ Lydia was born on 21 August 1874.

     Robert was born in 1922. He died in 1994 at Albany, West Autralia, Australia.¹

     Jean died . Jean was born in 1915.

     Reata died . Reata was born in 1916.

     Sydney was born on 25 December 1916.¹ Sydney died at age 79 on 14 February 1996 at Ballarat, Victoria, Australia.¹

     She was buried at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.¹ Mary was born in 1887 at Kyneton VIC, Victoria, Australia.^2,3 She married Daniel Frederick Wain on 11 September 1911 at Kyneton VIC, Victoria, Australia.^4,5 Mary registered to vote in 1946 at Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia.¹ Mary died on 23 February 1978 at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.¹

     He was baptized on 23 February 1707 at St John the Baptist, Heather, Leicestershire, England.¹
He married Frances Taft on 21 July 1735 at Peckleton, Leicestershire, England.² Jacob Sperry Innkeeper of Heather was a churchwarden in 1746 at St John the Baptist, Heather, Leicestershire, England.
Jacob Sperry Innkeeper of Heather was employed from 1753 to 1755 as the licensee of the inn at Heather. The guarantor for his license was Wm Swain of Ravenstone. It is not known if he was the Innkeeper prior to this time because the surviving Alehouse Recognizance registers begin from 1753. In 1756 the license was taken over by Henry Taft (possibly his brother-in-law) for two years.. .³
Jacob and his family moved on 12 May 1760 at Ibstock, Leicestershire, England, He had apparently been unable to continue as an innkeeper and with such a large family, the resources would have been strained. Jacob had relatives in Ibstock and it maybe that he was able to find work there. However it was necessary for anyone who did not own their own land, to seek permission tfrom the Overseers of the Poor to move to a different parish in case they were to become a charge on the new parish. A certificate records the permission thus granted to Jacob to move to Ibstock..⁴ Jacob died before 27 August 1782 at Heather, Leicestershire, England.¹ He was buried on 27 August 1782 at St John the Baptist, Heather, Leicestershire, England.¹

     Frances was born before 6 July 1714 at Peckleton, Leicestershire, England. She married Jacob Sperry Innkeeper of Heather on 21 July 1735 at Peckleton, Leicestershire, England. Between 1735 and 1759 Frances was to bear him eleven children.¹ Frances died before 1 September 1769 at Heather, Leicestershire, England.² She was buried on 1 September 1769 at St John the Baptist, Heather, Leicestershire, England.²

     He was baptized on 26 December 1679 at St John the Baptist, Heather, Leicestershire, England.Entry reads:- William ye son of Bartholomew Sperry Dec 16.¹ He married Frances Wykes on 11 February 1699 at Thurlaston, Leicestershire, England.²
Following their marriage William and Frances resided at Heather, Leicestershire, England. Their children Mary, Frances, William, Anne, Jacob and Thomas were born between 1700 and 1710 by which time Frances would have been forty two years old.
William died in Heather on 28 September 1725 without making a will. He was only 45.³ The administration of his estate was granted on 28 June 1726 to his wife Frances Sperry of Heather and Thomas Wykes his brother-in-law. Frances lived another nine years by which time the four oldest children were married. Her wishes were very clearly stated in a will made on 21 February 1733/4 and each child was identified. Her two youngest children, sons Jacob and Thomas were the principal benefactors and the executors of her estate. She left her daughter Ann Richards the sum of ten pounds as well as six each of her best pewter dishes and plates. William the eldest son and daughters Mary Swaine and Frances Jaher were acknowledged but left only the sum of one shilling.each. The bequest of a shilling was usually made either because an inheritance had already been given, or as a sign of displeasure. By this means later litigation was avoided. She nominated her two youngest sons Jacob and Thomas as executors. Probate was granted to Jacob Sperry one of the named executors on 2 October 1734..⁴

     Frances was born before 24 May 1668 at Thurlaston, Leicestershire, England.¹ She married William Sperry on 11 February 1699. The marriage bond did not specify in which parish the marriage was to take place but it was most likely at Thurlaston. A further search needs to be made of both Thurlaston and Heather records. Thurlaston is about 12 miles from Heather and although both bride and groom were registered as belonging to the parish of Thurlaston, they had six children baptised at Heather.This would indicate that William's residence in Thurlaston had been short term and could account for the expense of a marriage bond. There was also a marriage of a Mary Sperry to Thomas Wikes on 30 December 1691 at Thurlaston and although I have entered this as the sister of William, it could also have been his widowed mother. This could account for the family presence in Thurlaston.² They set up home in Heather where they had six children baptised. Their children Mary, Frances, William, Anne, Jacob and Thomas were born between 1700 and 1710 by which time Frances would have been forty two years old. William Sperry had died on 28 September 1725 without making a will.. The administration of his estate was granted on 28 June 1726 to his wife Frances of Heather and Thomas Wykes his brother-in-law. Frances lived another nine years by which time the four oldest children were married. Her wishes were very clearly stated in her will made on 21 \February 1733/4 and each child was clearly identified. Her two youngest children, sons Jacob and Thomas were the principal benefactors and the executors of her estate. She left her daughter Ann Richards the sum of ten pounds as well as six each of her best pewter dishes and plates. William the eldest son and daughters Mary Swaine and Frances Jaher were acknowledged but left the sum of one shilling.each. The bequest of a shilling was usually made either because an inheritance had been already been given, or as a sign of displeasure. By this means later litigation was avoided..³ Frances died on 1 March 1734 at Heather, Leicestershire, England.⁴ Frances Sperry widow, was buried on 2 March 1734 at St John the Baptist, Heather, Leicestershire, England.⁴

     He was baptized on 11 March 1634 at St John the Baptist, Heather, Leicestershire, England.¹ Following his father's death in 1658 Bartholomew became a husbandman at Heather, Leicestershire, England. He had grown up during the years of the Commonwealth and as the eldest son may well have had to accept responsibility during times of conflict..

He married Mary (?) say 1664. There was an entry for a marriage of a Bartholomew Sperry in the Heather BT's on the same page as the baptism of Mary daughter of Bartholomew Sperry and Mary his wife in 1669. The name of the bride and the actual date is unclear. Further research is needed to ascertian the details of the marriage.

.      
Bartholomew was levied in the Lay Subsidy taken at Heather on Lady-Day 1666 (18 Charles I) to pay HearthTax. Unfortunately, because the number of hearths is not entered with his name, it is not possible to assess the number of rooms and the size of his house.² In 1669 Bartholomew followed in the footsteps of his father and was elected as churchwarden.³
     Bartholomew died at age 48 on 23 December 1682 at Heather, Leicestershire, England. Bartholomew's death would have been unexpected because Mary was again pregnant..¹ He was buried on 25 December 1682 in the churchyard at St John the Baptist, Heather, Leicestershire, England.¹ Bartholomew did not leave a will but although the administration document for his estate has been lost, the inventory taken by Henry Barwell on 22 January 1683 has survived. Bartholomew left a total of 12 horses and (associated) goods, five mares young and old, five cows and two yearlings. There were also ploughes, cart ?gears and other implements for husbandry. Corne, oats and hay in the barn were assesed at twelve pounds ten shillings and corn growing in the field at thirteen pounds six shillings.

     Mary was born say 1640. She married Bartholomew Sperry say 1664. Mary died at Heather, Leicestershire, England.

     It is estimated that Jacob was born in 1599. Although it is most likely that a Sperry family had lived in the parish of Heather before 1600, no record has been found of a baptism for a Jacob Sperry. Some Bishop's Transcripts for this parish survive from 1564, but there were gaps and before 1604 the script was in Latin and difficult to read. The original registers are later, dating from 1619. There are earlier records for Sperry in other parishes including two Sperry families living just over the border of Warwickshire in Nuneaton..
     On 16 November 1628 the marriage of Jacob Sperry Jnr. and Mary Lillye was celebrated in the parish church of St John the Baptist at St John the Baptist, Heather, Leicestershire, England. Both Jacob and Mary belonged to the parish. Records of that period were usually very brief and the parents were not noted. Nevertheless because Jacob was later referred to as Jacob Junior, it is likely that he was the son of the older Jacob who also lived in Heather..¹ Following their marriage, Jacob and Mary lived their whole life and reared their family in Heather. There were at least six children to the marriage, but because of gaps in the church records, there is not a complete record of baptisms. However Jacob's will mentions his "now" wife Mary and five surviving children. They had two daughters, Mary and Joyce, before the arrival of the first son and heir, Bartholomew who was baptised on 17 May 1634. Jane, Alice and George completed the family.


     Jacob was to describe himself as a husbandman with freehold property. A large proportion of village families in Leicestershire possessed a little property of their own and Leicestershire had one of the highest percentages of free tenants. It has been suggested that in 13 C nearly half of the rural population in this county were freeholders of some size or other. In some mediaeval villages the freeholders made up three families out of every four. As more manor records are transcribed it may be possible to ascertain the extent of the Sperry holdings.
A little about the lifestyle and fortunes of Jacob and Mary can be gleaned from the will and inventory. He had a house and a field and he gave his younger son George the sum of six pounds. His daughters were to receive each twenty shillings, not huge sums. There is no mention of upper chambers and it is likely that the house was single storey.. In 1637 and 1638 Jacob was elected to the office and responsibility of a Churchwarden in the parish church of Heather. His duties would have included the maintenance of the church in good order, rendering accounts for repairs and other work. The churchwarden also was expected to check on the spiritual conduct of the parishioners. Crimes of adultery, blasphemy, drunkenness and such actions were to be reported to Diocesan courts.

* Suggest look for churchwarden accounts.

* Also reference desecration of churches. How did Heather and other churches in the area fare?


. Jacob had some involvement with the coal mines in the area, possibly as the owner of a small mine. He is referred to at the baptism of his daughter Jane in 1637 as a collier and not a miner. Talk about small coal mines in the area.
The hilly area of Charnwood Forest defined the separation of the coalfields from the rest of Leicestershire.
The coalfields of the North western section of Leicestershire, were an extension of the South Derbyshire coalfields. Covering an area of 60 square miles, they were also one of Britain's smallest. The seams of coal were formed in two basins separated by the Ashby anticline.¹
     He made a will on 8 October 1658 at Heather, Leicestershire, England.
     
The last will and testament of Jackob Sperry of Heather in the Couinty of Leicester husbandman in manner and form following
First I give and bequeath my soule to almighty god my maker and creator and my body to be decently buried in the church or churchyard of heather aforesaid my debts being discharged
First I give my freehold my house (and field)? to Mary my now wife during her natural life and after her death to bartholomew my eldest sonne an his heires forever
I give to my son george six pounds to be paid after the decease of mary my now wife and six sheep unto him within one month after my death
I give to my eldest daughter mary twenty shillings
I give to my daughter joice one ewe sheep
I give to my daughter jane twenty shillings
I make and ordain mary my now wife and bartholomew my eldest son wholly my executors of this my last will and testament

     the mark of Jackob Sperry
witness in the presence of us

William Jackson
John Midleton.²

     Jacob had obviously been in failing health when he made his will, and he died before the end of 1658.³ Jacob's will was probated in January 1659 at Heather, Leicestershire, England. Prior to the granting of probate, an inventory of goods and chattells owned by Jacob at the time of his death was made by John Middleton and Edward Mosely and presented also by his son Bartholomew.


A true and perfect inventory taken of all the goods cattle and chattells of Jacob Sperry of heather lately deceased in manner and form following
Imprimus

his wearing apparill and money in his purse          10 s 6 p
all the brass and pewter in the house          10 s 6 p
one table one bedstead and other implements in the house     5 s 6 p
in the chamber and bedstead and two blankets two pairs of sheets     5 s6 p

one feather bed and a woll bed     20 ?
corne and hay in the barne          5 s
corn growing in the field               5 s

three mares                    4 s
one cart one plow geare and other implements     ??
one cowe and one calf                    3 s
two and thirty sheaves in the field               4s 10p
signed by me John Middleton
the mark of Edward Mosely

Bartholomew filius
.⁴

     Mary was born say 1605.
     She married Jacob Sperry Jnr. on 16 November 1628 at St John the Baptist, Heather, Leicestershire, England. Both Jacob and Mary belonged to the parish. Records of that period were usually very brief and the parents were not noted. Nevertheless because Jacob was later referred to as Jacob Junior, it is likely that he was the son of the older Jacob who also lived in Heather..¹ Mary Lillye died before 31 December 1667 at Heather, Leicestershire, England.¹ She was buried on 31 December 1667 at St John the Baptist, Heather, Leicestershire, England. The entry noted that she was a widow..¹

     She was baptized on 24 March 1633 at St John the Baptist, Heather, Leicestershire, England.¹ She married Richard Blake on 29 September 1655 at Ashby de la Zouche, Leicestershire, England.

     She was baptized on 17 May 1637 at St John the Baptist, Heather, Leicestershire, England.¹

     She was baptized on 2 February 1639 at St John the Baptist, Heather, Leicestershire, England.¹ Alice Sperry died in 1640 at Heather, Leicestershire, England.²