William Winstanley from Holywell b. abt. 1778

[lhughes]

Am looking for birth/baptism information for a William Winstanley born around 1778 in Holywell.  Can anyone help please?
Many thanks, Linzi 

[Rah1980]

I can't see a William Winstanley at all but there is a William Wynn baptised 29 July 1778 s/o Edward and Mary or there is a couple of William Williams'

Are you sure it was Holywell? Did he have any siblings?

Sarah

[lhughes]

Hi Sarah,
Thanks for the reply.  Unfortunately I do not know his parents or siblings' names.  The information I have is from the 1851 Census, his death and his son (James Bryce Winstanley) birth certificate. 

He is recorded as a watch/clock maker born in Holywell around 1778.  His address is Penyball Street, Holywell.   He had three children: Edwin, James and Elizabeth and also a housekeeper living with him called Sarah Price (I actually believe this "house keeper" was his wife as when he died in Holywell in 1853 - the informant was Sarah Winstanley nee Bryce - wife and inmate of Penybal, Holywell)

His children were all born in Holywell according to the census, as was Sarah.   I suspect that possibly his birth year is inaccurate as his children were all born around 1845, and his wife Sarah was born around 1823 according to Census - or maybe he was just a lucky man 

I am kind of stuck with him now - as the information I have is very little.  Any help you can offer is appreciated.  Thanks, Linzi

[Rah1980]

His will is online on the national libary of wales website, not read it yet except that he was from holywell and a watchmaker

[Rah1980]

Seems he was just a lucky old man after all  Sounds like the real wife was still alive, or she certainly was at the time he wrote the will, and there are another 3 siblings for you to trace now, I don't think he was from Holywell, could be local area or from further away unfortunately place of birth wasn't always accurate especially if it says the place they are living.

Sarah

Ps I wonder what Sarah Bryce saw in a wealthy old man like William?!

[maidmarion]

Hi
His wife was called Margaret and there is a death registered
Dec 1/4 1864 Holywell

[lhughes]

Hi Sarah,
This is fantastic, thank you very much for your help.  The will you have found is most certainly my William Winstanley as he mentions Sarah Bryce, and their three children together.  I find it interesting he died only 11 days after writing his will - and on his death certificate that I have it says he died of Dropsy.

Sarah was the informant on his death certificate and not his wife which I also find interesting,  and I wonder why when registering William's death Sarah decides to tell the registrar that she is his wife.   Is all very exciting I'm sure Sarah was his housekeeper on the 1851 census... very naughty (and lucky) old man indeed!

I'm going to check out the other names mentioned on his will now... thanks again for your help.
Linzi

[Rah1980]

No problems, good luck! I don't know if you use Ancestry but one or two of the children have been saved to other peoples trees (they might be yours and people you know) just thought i would let you know. I have also looked for Sarah Bryce's baptism in my Holywell records with no luck im affraid, you probably need to find her in 1861 to see where she says she is from then.

If I can help again just let me know!

Sarah 

[Rah1980]

Just thought you might like to know that I found online somewhere an old equivalant of the yellow pages for Holywell, I have just had a look at it and although there isn't a William Winstanley there was a John Winstanley watch and clock maker of Whitford Street. Winstanley isn't exactly common or it certainly didn't appear to be back then in Holywell and with the fact he had the same occupation i'd say they were related. The directory was from the 1830's if my memory serves me correctly.

Sarah