Family Tree of Pete Bradshaw and Wendy Offen, Durham, England
William Skelton
1800
Male
Person 00000127
Born 31/08/1800 at Stoke Damerel, Devon (AC)
Father: William Skelton (1764)
Mother: Mary Heath (1768)
son of William Skillteon and his wife Mary, of Stoke Damerel, registered 10/9/1800 by Philip Gibbs, minister of How Street Baptist
Church
between 1804 and 1805 at Devonport, Devon (F)
attended Mr Clarke's school
1813 at Devonport, Devon (F)
attended Princes Street chapel (Mr George, publisher of Christmas Evans tract); sat in choir in chapel singing gallery.
between 1814 and 1821 at Devonport, Devon (FH)
Apprentice to William Heath - "a bootmaker of good repute in their town" [possibly an uncle?] [bootmaker William b.1794 Totnes
was in Stoke Damerel around 1820]
1815 at Devonport, Devon (F)
nearly killed sailing in a storm
a good swimmer
from 18160/00/1821 at Devonport, Devon (FS)
attended South Street Chapel with parents (John Wilkinson's "independent calvinist" chapel)
between 1821 and 1830 at Devonport, Devon (F)
Journeyman shoemaker, still working for William Heath. Active in the shoemakers "shops meeting", an early trade union. Lived in a
lodging behind the chapel
Married 26/06/1825 at East Stonehouse, Devon (FM)
to Elizabeth (Betsy) Gullick (1796)
transcription only
around August 1825 at Stoke Damerel, Devon ()
Accidentally disrupted a meeting of Joanna Southcott's disciples but avoided prosecution
from 01/01/1826 at Stoke Damerel, Devon (F)
re-attended Mr Wilkinson's chapel. Later tipped to be his replacement. Helped him home from chapel the night he died c1830
1828 at Plymouth, Devon (H)
cordwainer
around 1829 at St Austell (F)
worked there briefly
between 1830 and 1843 at Totnes, Devon (F)
Mr Heath's nephew asked him t obe foreman in his brother's Totness workshop.
Foreman and clicker for Mr Heath's Boot Factory, Fore Street, Totnes. Home "on right hand side going up Fore Street, nearly as far
as the arch".
between 1831 and 1843 at Totnes, Devon (F)
As there was no appropriate chapel he met with others and preached at widow Catherine Russell's house. Then for twelve years
was minister of strict baptist chapel in a long room in his own (rented) home.
1841 at Totnes, Devon (C)
at 'Warlands' (from 'Weirlands') - shoemaker (journeyman?), 40, with wife & all seven children, plus a lodger
1843 at Exeter, Devon (F)
Took wife and seven children with their furniture in a covered wagon, with a red coat for company. Lived briefly near the barracks.
1843 at Totnes, Devon (F)
returned
between 31/08/1844 and 24/06/1845 at Stone Hill, Kent (F)
Appointed minister at Strict Baptist chapel in Braborne. (I presume in Braborne Lees / Smeeth. There is still a chapel there).
Journey took three days: carrier to Torquay; steamer to London, steerage class; ferry to London Bridge; hand cart to Bricklayers
Arms station; train to Ashford, and; cart to manse at Stone Hill.
around January 1845 at Kent ()
Autobiography, "The early life, conversion and call to the ministry of Wm Skelton SS", published in London to be sold in Brabourne,
Borough and Bermondsey. Subsequent details are from son's memoirs
between June 1845 and 1848 at Aldringham, Suffolk (F)
Minister here, and also preached at Aldeburgh and at 4 or 5 cottages every week, as far as Halesworth - and all on foot.
Journey was via a night at Mr C W Banks' house in London (editor and printer of The Earthen Vessel) then by steamer to Ipswich
and 20 miles by cart to Aldringham. Stayed at Heartsease Cottage on the Green for 6 months then moved to the Manse: 6 rooms, a
stable, barns, pig sty, and 2 acres of garden, situated half a mile from the road between the Whins and the Moor. (Perhaps the
place now called Church Farm?).
around 1847 at various (F)
Disagreed with congregation about theology of modern hymns. Travelled to Brighton, Wellingborough and other places before
finding next job.
between 1848 and 1850 at Harleston, Norfolk (F)
Lived next door to new Corn Exchange in centre of town. Worked as bootmaker as well as for church.
between 1850 and 1854 at Stoke on Trent, Staffs (F)
Invited to form a church.
Travelled by wagon to Attleborough station and thence via Ely, Cambridge and Syston to Derby, where they had to spend the
night, squeezed into one room, before continuing to Stoke. Shared a house with another family. Helped in son Henry's boot making
business.
Described as "lively" and "fond of company", "he could keep a joke going" and had a "musical voice".
1851 at Stoke on Trent, Staffs (CF)
age 50
Chapel St., with wife and 4 kids
Baptist Minister at Zoar Chapel
between 1854 and 1856 at Tring, Herts (F)
took wife and 2 daughters
Died 13/02/1856 at London (FR)
Taken to "St Julien"'s house in London after a heart attack during a prayer meeting at C.H.Spurgeon's Tabernacle.
Buried in Highgate Cemetery, service taken by C.W.Banks.
March 1856 St Pancras 1b 93
Children
Catherine Higgs Skelton (1826)
William Henry (Henry) Skelton (1827)
Mercy Skelton (1830)
Patience Skelton (1831)
Mary Grace Skelton (1835)
John Ebenezer Skelton (1837)
Elizabeth Sarah Skelton (1840)
Last updated 07/11/2023
Source Key: A=Baptist records B=Burial register C=Census F=Family H=Christening register I=IGI L=Letter M=Marriage register P=Personally known R=Registry office (certificate or index) S=Website T=Tombstone W=Will Y=Boyds marriage index
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NB All dates are in UK format (dd/mm/yyyy)