Hi Magie
In the will of my John Ford dated 1810 a yeoman of Odd Rode, Astbury it mentions his wife Alice Ford (nee Mare), John Mare and Stephen Mare of Milton, Staffordshire.
The Will of John Mare of Norton in the Moors a gentleman proved 3/5/1811 his executors were Mary Mare of Milton (i assume to be his wife, Stephen Mare of Stoke Upon Trent and Richard Dean of Burslem
and also the children of John Mare of Milton ie Sarah Mare . Mary Mare who later married William Harrison in 1811, Elizabeth Godwin (nee Mare) as she was already married in 1804 to Arthur Godwin and John Mare
This seems to show that John Mare of Milton and Stephen Mare and my Alice Mare are all related and connected to land around Sprag house in Norton in the Moors as you will see from documents mentioned below and therefore very likely to be connected to the Ford family of Ford Green hall and the Repton Family. I have the christenings which show Stephen Mare and Alice Mare being the children of John Mare and Katherine Lowndes but am still looking for the christening of John Mare of Milton who's will was proved in 1811 to see if he is their brother or a cousin. The fact that Alice, Stephen and John Mare are all mentioned on the will of my John Ford of Odd Rode in 1810 could suggest that they are brothers and sister.
Found these bits of information in the Birmingham Archives
Norton-in-the-Moors [no ref. or date]
Particulars of the survey of the Trust Estate at Norton, co. Staff. (Description of tenements of Mr. Repton, John Mears, Francis Mears and Woodhouse Lane tenement.) (Please order number 877) MS 917/207 1703
Abstract of indenture. John Sparrow of Newcastle under Lyme, John Hales, William Lowndes, Francis Mear, John Repton and William Sherratt. Relating to the working of several coal mines in the parish of Norton in the Moors, co. Stafford. (Please order number 2370) MS 917/40 1 January 1773 1856
This indenture mentioned above is interesting as it mentions in 1773 William Lowndes who could possibly be my Alice Mares uncle as her mother was Katherine Lowndes who had a brother William Lowndes aswel as her father being called William Lowndes and links the Lowndes, Meare and Repton families in business ventures
Counterpart. Assignment in trust to attend the inheritance. Thomas Bagnall of Newcastle under Lyme, John Fenton of same, John Repton of Norton on the Moors, Francis Meare of same, John Mellor of lpstones and Hugh Ford the younger of Ford Green. A messuage with appurtenances called Spragg House in Norton on the Moors. (Please order number 914) MS 917/1705 19 December 1707
Demise. Hugh Ford of Spragg House in Norton in the Moores, co. Staff., Francis Mare of Norton Green and Charles Brown of Norton. A messuage called the Spragg House with appurtenances in Norton in the Moores. (Please order number 1331) MS 917/1706 29 November 1756
No further details Copy of court roll of the manor of Norton on the Moors, co. Stafford, recording the surrender by William Grindey of land near the Spraghouse within the said manor to the use of John Mare of Milton and the admittance of John Mare. (Please order number 1841) MS 917/1707 26 November 1802
No further details Copy of Court roll of the manor of Norton on the Moors, co. Stafford, recording the surrender by John Mare of Milton of land near the Spraghouse within the said Manor to the use of his will. (Please order number 1848) MS 917/1708 8 November 1804
No further details Copy of agreement. John Mare of Milton and John Sparrow of Bishton and John Hales of Cobridge. concerning coal mines under an estate called the Spragg House in Norton in the Moors, co. Stafford. (Please order number 1849) MS 917/1709 16 November 1804
No further details Surrender by John Mare of Milton of land at Spraghouse within the Manor of Norton on the Moors, co. Stafford, to the use of his will. (Please order number 1866) MS 917/1710 27 February 1807
No further details Copy of court roll of the manor of Norton on the Moors, co. Stafford, recording the surrender by John Repton the younger and Richard Dean of land near Spraghouse within the said manor, to the use of John Mare and the admittance of John Mare to the said land. (Please order number 1900) MS 917/1711 3 November 1810
No further details Copy of court roll of the manor of Norton on the Moors, co. Stafford, recording the admittance of John Mare of Milton to land near the Spraghouse within the said manor. (Please order number 1901) MS 917/1712 3 November 1810
No further details Copy of court roll of the Manor of Norton on the Moors, co. Stafford, recording the admittance of John Mare of Milton within the said manor to lands near Spraghouse within the said manor. (Please order number 1902) MS 917/1713 3 November 1810
No further details Copy of court roll of the Manor of Norton on the Moors, co. Stafford, recording the admittance of Elizabeth Godwin of Leek and Mary Harrison of same, to land near the Sprag House within the said Manor. (Please order number 2009) MS 917/1714 6 November 1821
(Elizabeth Mare married Arthur Godwin 18/10/1804 Norton in the Moors and Mary Mare married William Harrison 13/7/1811 Norton in the Moors)
Regards
Robert
