Show Posts
1
Kent / Re: Stedman West Malling
« on: Monday 09 May 11 11:52 BST (UK) »
Hi there,
I have spent about a year trying to prove the Welsh story and Nathaniel's origins. I have concluded, and now have the proof, that it was nonsense.
Nathaniel was the fourth son of William Stedman, a yeoman farmer of Balcombe, Sussex. Nathaniel married twice and you and I are from the second marriage, to Mary Parsons. I believe she was from quite a well-to-do family as she had her own Will (I have a copy) in which she names all her children including James.
Nathaniel was educated (presumably at Cuckfield grammar school) and had quite a stylish signature by the age of 16 when he was working for Francis Warden, a local gentleman and a member of the Inner Temple. Francis Warden was Steward to Viscount Montague of Sussex and later to the Lord Abergavenny (of Kent and later Sussex). I have Nathaniel's signature on a legal document alongside that of Francis Warden. Some years later when he signed the marriage register on his marriage to Mary Parsons, the signature is identical.
A few years before Francis was admitted to the Inner Temple, an Edward Stedman was admitted to the Inner Temple. He was one of the last of the Welsh Stedman's and closely related to the line which owned the extensive estates in Strata Florida. These estates had just passed from the Stedman family to the Powell family through marriage. It is my guess, and there is some evidence, that this is the origin of the Welsh story. Nathaniel, who did rather well for himself and his children by both marriages, would have had every reason to move his social status up in the world. Moving in legal circles, he would also have had access to the records and heraldry.
Much more if you would like it.
Best wishes
Nick Stedman
I have spent about a year trying to prove the Welsh story and Nathaniel's origins. I have concluded, and now have the proof, that it was nonsense.
Nathaniel was the fourth son of William Stedman, a yeoman farmer of Balcombe, Sussex. Nathaniel married twice and you and I are from the second marriage, to Mary Parsons. I believe she was from quite a well-to-do family as she had her own Will (I have a copy) in which she names all her children including James.
Nathaniel was educated (presumably at Cuckfield grammar school) and had quite a stylish signature by the age of 16 when he was working for Francis Warden, a local gentleman and a member of the Inner Temple. Francis Warden was Steward to Viscount Montague of Sussex and later to the Lord Abergavenny (of Kent and later Sussex). I have Nathaniel's signature on a legal document alongside that of Francis Warden. Some years later when he signed the marriage register on his marriage to Mary Parsons, the signature is identical.
A few years before Francis was admitted to the Inner Temple, an Edward Stedman was admitted to the Inner Temple. He was one of the last of the Welsh Stedman's and closely related to the line which owned the extensive estates in Strata Florida. These estates had just passed from the Stedman family to the Powell family through marriage. It is my guess, and there is some evidence, that this is the origin of the Welsh story. Nathaniel, who did rather well for himself and his children by both marriages, would have had every reason to move his social status up in the world. Moving in legal circles, he would also have had access to the records and heraldry.
Much more if you would like it.
Best wishes
Nick Stedman