IN BUNBURY, CHESHIRE

 

Long before we had Ancestry, I wrote to the Cheshire Record office for more information.  Family stories gave Manchester as Samuel's place of birth - this led me to the 1851 census where I learned that Samuel's father Robert’s was born in Bunbury and his approximate age.  With this information the Record Office sent me Roberts birth record.  This provided Robert's fathers name – Samuel.  Over time I have pieced this family together.

John Oakley is our earliest known Oakley ancestor.  Searching through the parish records for Bunbury, I found only one Oakley family, and although I do not have direct proof that this is our line, I feel certain that the family of John Oakley is ours.  Following this family forward I found son Samuel, who was the father of our Robert Oakley, and Robert's son the first Samuel in Canada.

	England, Cheshire Bishop's Transcripts, 1598-1900
name:	Samuel Oakley
gender:	Male
event type:	Christening
christening date:	11 Jun 1750
christening place:	Bunbury, Cheshire, England
father's name:	John Oakley
principal's residence:	Bunbury, Cheshire, England

I also found three children for John Oakley in the Cheshire records - Samuel (1750), Martha (1755) and Ann (1764).  

 Samuel (the grandfather of our Samuel who came to Canada) married twice, his first wife Mary died July 14^th 1776.  Samuel then married Ann Bayley (1779).  On the marriage licence Samuel was listed as a widower and both Samuel and Ann were 21.  

	England, Cheshire, Marriage Bonds and Allegations, 1606-1900
name:	Samuel Oakley
event:	Intended marriage
event date:	24 Mar 1779
residence:	Bunbury, Chester
gender:	Male
age:	21
marital status:	Widowed
spouse:	Ann Bayley
spouse's residence:	Tarporley, Chester
spouse's age:	21
spouse's marital status:	Spinster

From the 1831 tax assessment there was a reference to Samuel Oakley’s residence.  He was leasing a house & gardens from Sir Thomas Champneys.

Township: Bunbury Parish: Bunbury

Plot: 64 Owner: Sir Thomas Champneys

Occupier: Samuel Oakley Premises: Houses & Gardens Land Use: -

Acres: 0 Roods: 2 Perches: 20

 

#64 Location of house and gardens

Samuel and Ann had a number of children – Jane Charlotta b. 1784; Ann b. 1786; John b. 1789; Robert b. 1794; Kitty b. 1796; Samuel b. 1798; Rebecca b. 1802.  All children were born in Bunbury.

 I came across apprenticeship records dated 1789.  Samuel was a master carpenter and this record shows the name of the apprentice Samuel was training.  This skill with wood was passed on to his son Robert and grandson Samuel.

Our descent is from Samuel’s son Robert who was baptized the 23 of June 1794:

 

 

---