My Paternal Ancestors
Grtx3 grandparents: William and Mary (nee Ward) Wray
My line continues through Henry and Ann’s son, William Wray, who was baptized in 1757. That he
was living in Tewin may be deduced from the reading of wedding banns in Tewin when he married
Mary Ward in 1777 in the neighbouring parish of Hertingfordbury - because William was ‘of this
parish’. This brief note confirms that William and Mary were my direct ancestors.
William is noted in the Militia List at Tewin from 1778 until 1783 which indicates that the couple settled
in Tewin after their marriage. The List records his occupation as ‘lathe render’ (sic) or hurdle maker.
William and Mary had seven children baptized in Tewin between 1777 and 1800. When the last child,
Sal, was born the parents were of the parish of Hatfield. Mary was buried at Tewin in 1826
The baptism of William at Hatfield, Herts on 20 November 1757
Marriage banns of William and Mary at Tewin, Herts in 1777
Marriage record of William and Mary at Hertingfordbury, Herts on 27 November 1777
The baptism of Mary at Tewin, Herts on 20 November 1757
The baptism of Sal Wray at Tewin, Herts on 16 November 1800
The burial of Mary Wray at Tewin, Herts on 12 February 1826
The burial of William Wray at Hatfield, Herts on 3 May 1837
Miltia List entry for William (for an explanation of the composition of Militia Lists, click those words)
The broad outline of William’s life is suggested by the records shown above.He was christened at
Hatfield, Herts in November 1757. Twenty years later, he was living at Tewin, Herts from where he
courted and married Mary Ward who, although being baptised at Tewin, was living at Hertfordbury,
Herts when she married.
Interpreting where they were living from where their children were baptised, the family was at Tewin
until the late 1790s. The Militia List places William there between 1778 and 1783 (when records for
the Militia ceased to be kept) because when their last child, Sal, was christened, although this took
place at Tewin, her parents were living in Hatfield. When Mary died she was living at Tewin and was
buried in her home parish in 1826, while William was living and buried at Hatfield in 1837.
His occupation was confirmed in the Militia List as a Lathe Render (aka hurdle maker).
The children of William and Mary Wray
John Wray was baptised at Tewin on 7 Dec 1777. I cannot find more information about him.
Elizabeth Wray was christened at Tewin on 12 November 1780. She married James Wilson at Tewin
on 26 October 1810. Her brother, Robert was a witness. There she was buried on 11 December 1812
William Wray was baptised at Tewin on 17 December 1786. He married Ellen Hankin at Hatfield on
9 September 1815. Ellen was buried on 19 January 1834 at Hatfield. Around eighteen months later,
William married Susan Markham (who haled from Suffolk) on 15 July 1835 at Hatfield.
William seems to have lived most, if not all, his adult life at Hatfield working as a hurdle maker. In
1861, the couple were living at Bull Stag Green, Hatfield. Susan (73) was buried at Hatfield on 13
September 1863 and William (84) on 22 June 1870.
Burial record from 1834
1861 census at Bull Stag Green, Hatfield
Ann Wray was baptised at Tewin on 2 November 1800. She married Samuel Dearman at nearby
Digswell, Herts on 28 October 1809. Samuel (31 and from Datchworth, Herts) was buried at Welwyn
on 12 October 1817. There may be a final glimpse of Anne amongst a number of women receiving
parish relief at Butcherly Green, Hertford in 1851.
1851 census at Hertford
Henry Wray was baptised at Tewin on 11 December 1796. He first married Ann Waldock at Tewin in
July 1812 when he was around sixteen years of age. Ann (22), who had been living in Hatfield, was
buried at Tewin on 29 June 1815. Henry then married Sarah Borke on 10 October 1816 at Tewin.
