Wrentham lies 5 miles from Southwold. The parish church is dedicated to St Michael. There was strong non-conformist community in Wrentham and a congregational chapel stood between 1650 and 1837.
Various Baxter families lived in Wrentham during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Where ever possible I have attempted to maintain family groupings. At the end I have provided a list of baptism, marriages and burials for both Wrentham and Reydon which have no family connection to each other.
Marriage From what I can tell Henry married twice. His first wife was Mary and she died in 1620. He second wife was Margaret Tiler (Tyler). From the parish registers of Sotterley:
"Henry Backster and Margaret Tyler married the twentyeth day of February 1622."
Children Henry and Mary had the following:
| Baptized | Name | Where |
|
|
William | Parish church of Wrentham |
|
|
Samuel |
Parish |
Henry and Margaret had the following:
Death Wrentham St Nicholas
| Buried | Name | Comment |
|
|
Mary Baxter | Wife of Henry |
|
|
Henry Baxter |
Marriage John married Blithe Wilson (1609 - ?) the daughter of Christopher and Mary Wilson in 1634, Weston. John died within a year of marriage and before his son was born. Blith went on to marry Thomas Hayward on the 16th March 1639, Frostenden.
Children John and Blithe had the following:
| Baptized | Name | Comment | Where |
| 07 Feb 1635/6 | John | Son of Blithe | Parish Church of Wrentham |
Death Wrentham St Nicholas
| Buried | Name | Comment |
| 20 Jun 1635 | John Baxter |
It is believed that this was the John that settled in nearby Benacre. Most of the information on John comes from his will. The parish registers for Benacre does not start until 1727. Bishop Transcript information for this time was intermittent.
Marriage John married Ann (d.1709)
Children John and Ann had the following:
| Born | Name | Comment | Where |
| c. 1660 | John | Benacre |
Death Benacre St Michael
| Buried | Name | Comment |
| 25 Nov 1708 | John Baxter | Senior |
| 03 May 1709 | The widow Baxter |
Marriage John married twice his first wife was Ann (d.1791) . His second wife was Mary.
Children John and Ann had the following:
| Baptized | Name | Comment | Where |
| 12 Sep 1691 | John | son of John Baxter and Ann his wife. | Parish Church of Benacre |
John and Mary had the following:
| Baptized | Name | Comment | Where |
| 29 Oct 1698 | Nicholas | Son of John Baxter and Mary his wife. | Parish Church of Benacre |
| 13 Jan 1705/6 | Mary | Daugter of John Baxter junior and Mary his wife | Parish Church of Benacre |
| Hannah* | |||
| 27 Dec 1713 | Benjamin | Son of John Baxter junior and Mary his wife | Parish Church of Benacre |
* Hannah was buried 03 Nov 1713 the daughter of John Baxter junior and Mary his wife.
I would suspect that there were other children, but this is difficult to prove.
Death Benacre St Michael
| Buried | Name | Comment |
| 12 Sep 1691 | Ann Baxter | Wife of John Baxter |
Marriage From what I can tell Samuel was married twice. His
first wife was Elizabeth (d.1680)
and his second wife was Deborah. Deborah went on to marry Jonathan Brown of
Baddingham on
Children Samuel and Deborah had the following:
| Baptized | Name | Comment | Where |
| 1685 | Samuel | son of Samuel | Wrentham independent chapel |
|
|
Nathaniel | of Samuel Baxter and Deborah his wife | Wrentham independent chapel |
|
|
John | of Samuel and Hannah* | Wrentham independent chapel |
|
|
Samuel | of Samuel Baxter and Deborah his wife | Wrentham independent chapel |
| 31 May 1698 | Philip | of Samuel Baxter and Deborah his wife | Wrentham independent chapel |
|
|
Philip | of Samuel Baxter and Deborah his wife | Wrentham independent chapel |
* believe this to be an error in the register
Death Wrentham St Nicholas
| Buried | Name | Comment |
|
|
Elizabeth Baxter | wife of Sam Baxter |
|
|
Sam Baxter | the son of Samuel Baxter |
|
|
Nathaniel Baxter | was buried |
|
|
Samuel | son of Samuel Baxter was buried |
|
|
Samuel Baxter | was buried |
Marriage John married Mary Downing (1694 - 1735) the daughter of Benjamin Downing and Elizabeth Barker. From the parish records of Beccles:
"John Baxter single man of Wrentham and Mary
Downing single woman of this parish were married
After John's death Mary went on to marry James Skoulding (1694 - 1747) the son of John Skoulding and Mary Aldrich, 26th August, 1731, Frostenden.
Children John and Mary had the following:
| Baptized | Name | Comment | Where |
|
|
John | the son of John and Mary Baxter | Parish church of Wrentham |
|
|
Dinah | daughter of Mary Baxter | Parish church of Wrentham |
Will InformationJohn left a will. Ipswich Record Office File 1C\AA1\150\38 John Baxter 1721 Wrentham.
Death Wrentham St Nicholas
| Buried | Name | Comment |
| John Baxter |
EmploymentPhilip son of Samuel Baxter deceased was apprenticed to Thomas Lincoln of Beccles, Blacksmith, 1716.
Death Wrentham St Nicholas
| Buried | Name | Comment |
| Philip Baxter |
Marriage William married Susan Stone. From the parish registers of Beccles:
"William Baxter single man of Gisleham and Susan
Stone single woman of this parish were married in this church by banns on
Children William and Susan had the following:
| Baptized | Name | Comment | Where |
|
|
William | of William and Susan Baxter | Parish church of Wangford |
| c. 1750 | John* |
* I believe although I have no current proof that John was the son of William and Susan.
Death Wrentham St Nicholas
| Buried | Name | Comment |
|
|
Susanna* Baxter | widow of Raydon |
* I believe although I have no proof this was the wife of William Baxter.
Marriage William married Sarah Barker. From the parish registers of Wangford:
"William Baxter of Wheniston* single man and Sarah Barker of this parish single woman married in this church by banns on 10th October 1771 in the presence of Mary Childhouse and William Saviours."
* Wenhaston
After the death of William, Sarah went on to marry
Daniel Wyall on
Children William and Sarah had the following:
Death Wangford St Peter
| Buried | Name | Comment |
|
|
William Baxter | |
|
|
John | son of William Baxter and Sarah his wife late Sarah {blank} aged 15 years. |
Marriage John married Esther Bishop (1749 - 1817). Esther's
maiden name was Rose and her first husband was John Bishop who she married on
"John Baxter of this parish single man and
Esther Bishop of this parish widow were married in this church by licence
Children John and Esther had the following:
| Baptized | Name | Comment | Where |
|
|
David | of John and Esther Baxter | Wrentham independent chapel |
|
|
Frederick Johnson | of John and Esther Baxter | Wrentham independent chapel |
|
|
Phebe | of John and Esther Baxter | Wrentham independent chapel |
|
|
William Stone | of John and Esther Baxter | Wrentham independent chapel |
|
|
Esther | of John and Esther Baxter | Wrentham independent chapel |
|
|
Rhoda | of John and Esther Baxter | Wrentham independent chapel |
|
22 May 1791 29 May 1791 |
Deborah |
of John & Esther Baxter of John Baxter & Hester his wife, late Bishop widow |
Wrentham independent chapel
Parish Church of Woodton, Norfolk |
According to the Suffolk Poll Book 1790, John lived in Woodton, Norfolk and he had land in Wrentham.
EmploymentJohn Baxter was apprenticed to John Maylouch of Wangford, Suffolk, Wheelwright, 1767.
Death Wrentham St Nicholas
| Buried | Name | Comment |
|
|
Esther Baxter | of Wrentham married woman aged 68 |
|
|
John Baxter | of Wrentham aged 86 |
Epitaph:
Wrentham St Nicholas|
JOHN BAXTER Died
Also ESTHER Died
|
Death Henstead St Mary
| Buried | Name | Comment |
|
|
David Baxter | an infant |
Marriage Frederick married Susanna Pedder (1787 - 1863) the daughter of William and Ann Pedder. From the parish registers of St Giles, Norwich:
"Frederick Johnson Baxter a bachelor of the parish of Saint Michael at Coslany and Susanna Peddar of this parish spinster were married in this church by licence this seventh day of April 1808. In the presence of Elizabeth Danby and John Curling."
Children Frederick and Susanna had the following:
| Born | Baptized | Name | Comment | Where |
|
|
|
Susanna | Coslany, Norwich | |
|
|
|
Frederick | Son of Frederick Baxter and his wife Susanna late Pedder | St Michael Coslany, Norwich |
|
|
|
Pedder William | Son of Frederick Baxter and his wife Susanna late Pedder | St Michael Coslany, Norwich |
|
|
William Pedder | Son of Frederick Baxter and his wife Susanna late Pedder, Grocer | St Michael Coslany, Norwich | |
|
|
Deborah | Son of Frederick Baxter and his wife Susanna late Pedder, Grocer | St Michael Coslany, Norwich |
Census 1841
| Dwelling – St Giles Hill, Heigham, Norwich, Norfolk | |||
| Name | Age | Occupation | Born in County |
| Fred J Baxter | 55 | Rate Collector | Y |
| Susannah Baxter | 50 | Y | |
| William P Baxter | 30 | Merchant's Clerk | Y |
1861
| Dwelling – Grape Hill, Heigham, Norwich, Norfolk | |||||
| Name | Relationship | Marital Status | Age | Occupation | Where born |
| Susanna Baxter | Head | m* | 78 | Formerly {Plant Hirer} | Cringleford, Norfolk |
| Susanna Carter | Daughter | m | 52 | Needle Woman | Coslany, Norwich |
*Susanna was a widow at this time
Newspapers| Newspaper | Date | Comment |
| London Gazette | 12 May 1821 | Notice is hereby given, that the Partnership lately subsiding between us, Charles Curtis and Frederick Johnson Baxter, of the City of Norwich, Bombazine-Manufacturers, and carried on under the firm of Curtis and Baxter, was this day dissolved by mutual consent, and that all debts due to us are to be paid to the said Frederick Johnson Baxter: As witness our hands this 7th day of May 1821 Charles Curtis Fredk. J Baxter |
| The Ipswich Journal | 20 Jan 1827 | Monday last died suddenly, at Wrentham, in Suffolk, Deborah the youngest daughter of F. J. Baxter, grocer of this city (Norwich). |
| Bury and Norwich Post | 24 Jan 1827 | Died On Monday last, suddenly, at Wrentham in Suffolk, Deborah, the youngest daughter of F. J. Baxter, grocer of this City. |
| London Gazette | 21 Jan 1834 | Notice is hereby given, that the Partnership lately subsiding between us, Susanna Baxter and Frederick Baxter of the City of Norwich, Booksellers, Binders and Stationers with this day dissolved by mutual consent. As witness our hands this 14th day of January, 1834. Susanna Baxter Fredk. Baxter |
| The Ipswich Journal | 24 May 1834 | (Norwich) On the 17th inst died in the 24th year of his age, Frederick Baxter, stationer, of St Giles, eldest son of Mr F J Baxter, St Michaels Coslany. |
| Bury and Norwich Post | 28 May 1834 | Died On Saturday se’nnight …Same day, in the 24th year of age Mr F Baxter, stationer, St Giles, eldest son of Mr F. J. Baxter, St Michael’s Coslany. |
Death According to The Southwold Diary of James Maggs 1818-1876 Volume II, on 13 January 1827. A granddaughter of Mr Baxter's of Wrentham accidentally drowned at Potters Bridge the dam being overflowed the horse stepped into a gull the tide had made and upset the cart.
| Buried | Name | Comment | Where |
|
|
Pedder William Baxter | Son of Frederick Baxter and his wife Susanna late Pedder | St Michael Coslany, Norwich |
|
|
Deborah Baxter | of Wrentham aged 10 | St Nicholas Wrentham |
| 23 Sep 1842 | Frederic Johnson Baxter | Died 18 Sep 1842 aged 60 | St Giles, Norwich |
| 1863 | Susanna Baxter | Norwich District |
Marriage Phebe married Jonathan Howlett (1782 - 1854) son of Rushmere Howlett and Mary Sewell, her sister Deborah's husband, in Norwich
St Giles on
Marriage William married twice, his first wife was Elizabeth (1769 - 1846). His second wife was Hannah Sheen (Turner)(1788 - 1871), the daughter of Thomas Turner and Hannah Newton, who he married in Norwich in 1857. Hannah's first husband was Samuel Sheen (1785 - 1851) According to The Southwold Diary of James Maggs 1818-1876 Volume II, on 18 Apr 1845 Let by auction at Wrentham the 'Town Meadow' for ye term of 8 years to Mr Wm Stone Baxter at £5 a year.
From what I can tell William had no children.
Census1841
| Dwelling - Wrentham | |||
| Name | Age | Occupation | Born in County |
| William Baxter | 50 | Farmer | Y |
| Elizabeth Baxter | 65 | N | |
| Honor Wright | 70 | FS | Y |
1851
| Dwelling - Nr Chapel Street, Wrentham | |||||
| Name | Relationship | Marital Status | Age | Occupation | Where born |
| William Stone Baxter | Head | w | 65 | Farmer 47 acres employing 1 man and boy | Wrentham |
| William Manning | Visitor | 13 | Ag Lab | Wrentham | |
| John Manning | Serv | 11 | Ag Lab | Wrentham | |
1861
| Dwelling - 10 High Street, Wrentham | |||||
| Name | Relationship | Marital status | Age | Occupation | Where born |
| William S Baxter | Head | m | 75 | Retired farmer | Wrentham |
| Hannah Baxter | Wife | m | 72 | Martishall Burgh, Norfolk | |
1871
| Dwelling - Fore Street, Framlingham | |||||
| Name | Relationship | Marital status | Age | Occupation | Where born |
| Hannah Baxter | Head | w | 80 | Independent | Martishall, Norfolk |
| Susan Green | Companion | w | 71 | Housekeeper | Billingford, Norfolk |
Directories | Directory Name | Year | Place | Private / Commercial | Name and Service |
| History, Gazetteer | 1855 | Wrentham | Private | Baxter, Mr Wm |
Tithe William Stone appears in the tithe apportionments of 1841 for Wrentham. He is recorded as the owner and occupier of 20 or more acres of land likely to consist of significant farms.
Newspapers| Newspaper | Date | Comment |
| The Ipswich Journal | 07 Nov 1846 | 24th inst., at Wrentham, after a long affliction, Elizabeth, wife of Mr. William Stow* Baxter, farmer. It may be truely said that she died much regretted and respected by all who knew her. Her end was peace. |
| The Ipswich Journal | 20 Sep 1851 |
Wrentham Suffolk J. M. Goff Will sell by Auction on Monday, September 29th 1851 All the live and dead Farming stock with the household Furniture &c, of Mr W. S. Baxter, who retires from business. |
| Beccles and Bungay news | 06 Jan 1863 | Death: On the 20th December, aged 77, Mr William Stone Baxter, many years an inhabitant of Wrentham |
| The Ipswich Journal | 30 Sep 1871 | Baxter 24th inst. at the Whitehouse, Dennington, Mrs Hannah Baxter of Helmingham, aged 82 years. |
| Bury and Norwich Post | 03 Oct 1871 | Died On the 24th ult, at the White House Farm, Dennington, aged 80, Hannah, Relict of Mr Baxter, of Wrentham, and previously of Mr S. Sheen of Heigham. |
* Stow - this should be Stone.
Will InformationHannah Baxter
Effects under £100
14 November 1871. The Will of Hannah Baxter formerly of Wrentham but of late Framlingham both in the County of Suffolk widow who died 24 September 1871 at Dennington in the said County was proved at Ipswich by Maria Cook (wife of Edward Cook, Farmer) of Dennington the Niece one of the Executors.
Death Wrentham St Nicholas
| Buried | Name | Comment |
| 30 Oct 1846 | Elizabeth Baxter | of Wrentham aged 77 |
| 24 Dec 1862 | William Stone Baxter | of Wrentham aged 76 |
Dennington St Mary
| Buried | Name | Comment |
| 29 Sep 1871 | Hannah Baxter | Aged 82 |
Epitaph:
Wrentham St Nicholas|
ELIZABETH Wife of WILLIAM STONE BAXTER Died 26th October 1846 aged 80 years Also WILLIAN STONE BAXTER Died 20th December 1862 aged 77 years I shall go to Him but he shall not return to me |
Death Wrentham St Nicholas
| Buried | Name | Comment |
| 21 Dec 1810 | Esther Baxter | single woman aged 22 |
Epitaph:
Wrentham St Nicholas|
ESTHER BAXTER Died 18th December 1810 aged 22 years Also DEBROAH HOWLETT her sister Died 13 March 1823 aged 32 years |
Death Wrentham St Nicholas
| Buried | Name | Comment |
| 24 Jan 1790 | Rhoda Baxter | an infant |
Marriage Deborah married Jonathan Howlett (1782 - 1854) Rushmere Howlett and Mary Sewell, he went on to marry Deborah's sister Phebe. From the parish registers of Wrentham:
"Jonathan Howlett of this parish single man and Deborah Baxter of this parish single woman married in this church by banns, with consent of parents 6th January 1820, in the presence of Phebe Baxter and Walter Putten."
Children | Baptized | Name | Comment | Where |
| 28 Nov 1688 | Hannah | daughter of Elizabeth Baxter | Wrentham independent chapel |
| 21 Jul 1713 | Hannah | daughter of William and Mary Baxter | Parish church of Wrentham |
| 18 Aug 1745 | Margaret | daughter of Henry and Sarah Baxter | Parish church or Reydon |
Marriage | Date | Comment | Where |
| 09 Oct 1694 | John Meen single man married Xtian Baxter widow | Parish church of Wrentham |
| 02 Oct 1712 | William Baxter and Mary Robson were married | Parish church of Wrentham |
| 07 Apr 1729 | John Vineyard and Christian Baxter single persons of Reydon were married | Parish church of Reydon |
| 05 Sep 1745 | John Brown of Wrentham and Mary Baxter of Reydon both single persons married by banns | Parish church of Reydon |
| 18 Aug 1767 | John Read of this parish single man and Hannah Baxter of the same married in the presence of Robert Lincoln and Mary Sade | Parish church of Wrentham |
| 23 Jul 1773 | John* Sewell widow of the parish of Stoven in the county of Suffolk and Margaret Baxter of this parish spinster married in this church by licence in the presence of Alice Nobs and William Baxter | Parish church of Reydon |
* Appears as John in the parish records of Reydon and Danniel in the parish records of Stoven.
Death | Buried | Name | Comment | Where |
| 18 Jan 1681 | Obadiah Baxter | Parish church of Wrentham | |
| 11 Jul 1728 | William Baxter | Of Raidon | Parish church of Wrentham |
| 21 Oct 1728 | Henry Baxter | Sexton | Parish church of Reydon |
| 08 Dec 1728 | Mary Baxter | daughter of William Baxter of Raidon | Parish church of Wrentham |
| 19 Feb 1733 | Henry Baxter | Parish church of Reydon | |
| 19 Aug 1756 | Martha Baxter | Widow | Parish church of Reydon |
| 27 Aug 1782 | William Baxter | Aged 56 | Parish church of Reydon |