CHRISTOPHER•ALLEN•SMITH•WINTON Family Tree - Person Sheet
CHRISTOPHER•ALLEN•SMITH•WINTON Family Tree - Person Sheet
Birth Date1755
Birth PlaceNorthamptonshire, England
MemoInferred from baptism record. Or 1753 based on age at death.
Bapt Date22 Jun 1755 [7535]
Bapt PlacePeterborough St John, Northamptonshire, England
Death Date1816
Death PlaceNorthamptonshire, England
MemoAge 63 in burial record.
Burial Date22 Aug 1816 [7541]
Burial PlacePeterborough St John, Northamptonshire, England
Alias/AKAJohn PARNWELL [7541]
FatherRobert PARNELL (~1727-)
MotherMary [PARNELL] (~1727-)
Misc. Notes
“This family goes back to Colchester & the Peninsular War - when French prisoners of war were in prison at Colchester & the husband of a Parnell girl sold meat to them” [888] This story has not been confirmed but it may be a reference to prisoners held at Colchester Castle (see “Essex at War From Old Photographs” by Michael Foley). See also the reference to the “Colchester gaol” in this article:
https://web.archive.org/web/20141128234233/www.cim...rticle/10838/History
or this newer version:
https://colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/visit/colchester-castle/history/
https://web.archive.org/web/20141128234233/www.cim...rticle/10838/History
or this newer version:
https://colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/visit/colchester-castle/history/
Research
A John PARNWELL of Petersborough, age 63, was buried 22-AUG-1816. Could be a spelling error (his son John’s baptism was recorded as “PARNWELL”). In that case it moves his birth to 1753, making him 32 at time of marriage. Perhaps he was married before? There does not appear to be an earlier marriage for John in Northamptonshire, regardless of spelling.
A Thomas PARNELL was the executor of the estate of John’s wife, Elizabeth. [7515] Since her son, Thomas, had died at age 11, it is likely that the executor was a brother or nephew of John. There was a Thomas PARNELL baptized 01-MAY-1754, in Peterborough. The parents were Robert and Mary PARNELL. Unfortunately, that Thomas died that same year and was buried 09-JUL-1754, Peterborough. A Thomas PARNELL was living in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, in 1830, listed in Poll book as a Freeholder. Interestingly the next line in the Poll book lists a William PARNELL in Thorney, which is where Elizabeth’s will said that Thomas PARNELL was living as of 1834. Both Thorney and Wisbech are fenland regions and Thomas was identified in that will as a Fen Farmer. The 1835 Poll book lists both Thomas and William at Thorney Fen.
1841 census has both living in Thorney, Wisbeach [sic] Hundred (Isle of Ely). Thomas was 58, born in Cambridgeshire, but there was also a younger Thomas age 24, not born in the county. William was reported as 50 (potentially rounded down from 54), born in Cambridgeshire. So the older Thomas was born ca.1783, so he could be a much younger brother of John or a nephew of John.
In 1851 Thomas and William appear to have moved to Eye, Peterborough. Thomas is 70 (1781) but born in Peterborough (though that still could equate to Cambridgeshire depending on changes in county lines etc). William is 63 (1788), born in Thorney, Cambridgeshire, and is identified as Thomas’ brother. The household also includes a niece of Thomas, Frances PARNELL, 35 (1816), born in Peterborough.
1861 census: William PARNELL, 77 (1784)-born in Thorney and Frances B. PARNELL, 50 (1811)-born Peterborough, living in Eye, Peterborough, but now she is described as William’s cousin.
Possible civil death record for William: BMD Jun Qtr. 1866, age 85 (1781), Peterborough registration district. Volume: 3b, Page: 145. Matching Probate Calendar entry says he died 10-APR-1866 at Eye; “proved at Peterborough by the oaths of Thomas PARNELL of Thorney-causeway in the Parish of Thorney in the County of Cambridge Farmer the Nephew and John PARNELL of the City of Peterborough Chemist the Executors. That is clearly John the son of John & Elizabeth and Thomas is probably that younger Thomas found in the 1841 census (as shown below, the elder Thomas died in 1857).
There was a William PARNELL baptized 29-MAR-1784, Thorney, Cambridge, to Robert and Ann PARNELL.
Another John PARNELL was baptized 28 Feb 1781, Peterborough, St John, son of Robert and Ann PARNELL, so possibly brother to William.
A Robert PARNELL married Ann COLE in Peterborough, St John, 26-FEB-1764, so if that’s the same couple, then John & William were “late” children.
Robert & Ann also had a Thomas PARNELL baptized 9 Jun 1779, Peterborough, St John.
Thomas PARNELL of Eye (“and late of Thorney Causeway”), wrote a will 17-FEB-1855, proved 24-FEB-1857. Executor was his brother, William. This explains why Thomas was not in 1861 census. The will also mentions brothers John and Charles and nephew Thomas PARNELL of Thorney Causeway. And cousin John PARNELL of the city of Peterborough, Chemist (so Robert Sr. is probably John Sr.’s brother). And cousin Frances Bell PARNELL (see 1861 census), and it is also spelled out that Frances is the sister of John the Chemist. It also appears to say that nephew Thomas had a son, Robert.
Possible civil death record for Thomas: BMD Mar Qtr. 1857, Peterborough registration district. Volume: 3b, Page: 141.
Will of Robert PARNELL, Gentleman of Thorney Causeway in the Isle of Ely, Cambridgeshire, 20-MAY-1817, proved 29-JAN-1818. The will names sons Thomas and William and Charles, and John and Robert (both of Spalding, Lincolnshire). It does not appear to mention his wife, so Ann must have died before the will was written. A codicil was added 18-OCT-1817 to modify the inheritance of son John. (is this will written in the 3rd person?)
On 13-APR-1804, a John Parnell of Peterborough, Northamptonshire, paid an Apprentice Indenture tax for having an apprentice named John PATRICK. The profession involved was that of butcher.
(Ancestry.com: “UK, Register of Duties Paid for Apprentices' Indentures, 1710-1811” from Board of Stamps: Apprenticeship Books, Series IR 1; The National Archives of the UK (TNA), Kew, Surrey, England.).
A Thomas PARNELL was the executor of the estate of John’s wife, Elizabeth. [7515] Since her son, Thomas, had died at age 11, it is likely that the executor was a brother or nephew of John. There was a Thomas PARNELL baptized 01-MAY-1754, in Peterborough. The parents were Robert and Mary PARNELL. Unfortunately, that Thomas died that same year and was buried 09-JUL-1754, Peterborough. A Thomas PARNELL was living in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, in 1830, listed in Poll book as a Freeholder. Interestingly the next line in the Poll book lists a William PARNELL in Thorney, which is where Elizabeth’s will said that Thomas PARNELL was living as of 1834. Both Thorney and Wisbech are fenland regions and Thomas was identified in that will as a Fen Farmer. The 1835 Poll book lists both Thomas and William at Thorney Fen.
1841 census has both living in Thorney, Wisbeach [sic] Hundred (Isle of Ely). Thomas was 58, born in Cambridgeshire, but there was also a younger Thomas age 24, not born in the county. William was reported as 50 (potentially rounded down from 54), born in Cambridgeshire. So the older Thomas was born ca.1783, so he could be a much younger brother of John or a nephew of John.
In 1851 Thomas and William appear to have moved to Eye, Peterborough. Thomas is 70 (1781) but born in Peterborough (though that still could equate to Cambridgeshire depending on changes in county lines etc). William is 63 (1788), born in Thorney, Cambridgeshire, and is identified as Thomas’ brother. The household also includes a niece of Thomas, Frances PARNELL, 35 (1816), born in Peterborough.
1861 census: William PARNELL, 77 (1784)-born in Thorney and Frances B. PARNELL, 50 (1811)-born Peterborough, living in Eye, Peterborough, but now she is described as William’s cousin.
Possible civil death record for William: BMD Jun Qtr. 1866, age 85 (1781), Peterborough registration district. Volume: 3b, Page: 145. Matching Probate Calendar entry says he died 10-APR-1866 at Eye; “proved at Peterborough by the oaths of Thomas PARNELL of Thorney-causeway in the Parish of Thorney in the County of Cambridge Farmer the Nephew and John PARNELL of the City of Peterborough Chemist the Executors. That is clearly John the son of John & Elizabeth and Thomas is probably that younger Thomas found in the 1841 census (as shown below, the elder Thomas died in 1857).
There was a William PARNELL baptized 29-MAR-1784, Thorney, Cambridge, to Robert and Ann PARNELL.
Another John PARNELL was baptized 28 Feb 1781, Peterborough, St John, son of Robert and Ann PARNELL, so possibly brother to William.
A Robert PARNELL married Ann COLE in Peterborough, St John, 26-FEB-1764, so if that’s the same couple, then John & William were “late” children.
Robert & Ann also had a Thomas PARNELL baptized 9 Jun 1779, Peterborough, St John.
Thomas PARNELL of Eye (“and late of Thorney Causeway”), wrote a will 17-FEB-1855, proved 24-FEB-1857. Executor was his brother, William. This explains why Thomas was not in 1861 census. The will also mentions brothers John and Charles and nephew Thomas PARNELL of Thorney Causeway. And cousin John PARNELL of the city of Peterborough, Chemist (so Robert Sr. is probably John Sr.’s brother). And cousin Frances Bell PARNELL (see 1861 census), and it is also spelled out that Frances is the sister of John the Chemist. It also appears to say that nephew Thomas had a son, Robert.
Possible civil death record for Thomas: BMD Mar Qtr. 1857, Peterborough registration district. Volume: 3b, Page: 141.
Will of Robert PARNELL, Gentleman of Thorney Causeway in the Isle of Ely, Cambridgeshire, 20-MAY-1817, proved 29-JAN-1818. The will names sons Thomas and William and Charles, and John and Robert (both of Spalding, Lincolnshire). It does not appear to mention his wife, so Ann must have died before the will was written. A codicil was added 18-OCT-1817 to modify the inheritance of son John. (is this will written in the 3rd person?)
On 13-APR-1804, a John Parnell of Peterborough, Northamptonshire, paid an Apprentice Indenture tax for having an apprentice named John PATRICK. The profession involved was that of butcher.
(Ancestry.com: “UK, Register of Duties Paid for Apprentices' Indentures, 1710-1811” from Board of Stamps: Apprenticeship Books, Series IR 1; The National Archives of the UK (TNA), Kew, Surrey, England.).
Spouses
1Elizabeth SMITH 
[994], [4084], [4718], GGGG Grandmother
[994], [4084], [4718], GGGG GrandmotherBirth Date1762
MemoBased on age at death
Reside Date4 Jan 1834 [7515]
Reside PlaceOundle, Northamptonshire, England
MemoDate she wrote her will.
Death Dateabt Aug 1836
Death PlaceNorthamptonshire, England
MemoBased on Proved date of will.
Burial Date27 Nov 1836 [4743]
Burial PlacePeterborough St John, Northamptonshire, England
MemoAge 74 (why so long after death?)
Misc. Notes
At time of marriage, Elizabeth was noted as being from Dogsthorpe, in Peterborough. [994], [4740]
“DOGSTHORPE, a hamlet in St. John-Baptist parish, Northampton; 1¾ mile N of Peterborough. Acres, 2,130. Real property, £6,837. Pop., 425. Houses, 96. There are a chapel of ease and a dissenting chapel.” [4744, p. 579]
The 1851 England Census [907](the first one to name the place of birth), contains 388 persons who reported their birthplace as Dogsthorpe. None were named SMITH.
“DOGSTHORPE, a hamlet in St. John-Baptist parish, Northampton; 1¾ mile N of Peterborough. Acres, 2,130. Real property, £6,837. Pop., 425. Houses, 96. There are a chapel of ease and a dissenting chapel.” [4744, p. 579]
The 1851 England Census [907](the first one to name the place of birth), contains 388 persons who reported their birthplace as Dogsthorpe. None were named SMITH.
Research
Possible birth/baptism data found on Ancestry.com (assuming she was born in Northamptonshire):
• bap. 16 Feb 1761, Cranford St John,Northampton,England, father: John SMITH, mother: Elizabeth
• bap. 4 Jun 1761, Welford, Northampton, England, father: John SMITH
• bap. 24 Mar 1762, Oundle, Northamptonshire,England, father: John SMITH, mother: Mary
• bap. 30 May 1762, Oundle, Northamptonshire,England, father: Thomas SMITH, mother: Eliz
• bap. 4 Jun 1762, Welford, Northamptonshire,England, father: John SMITH
• b. 16 Jun 1762, bap. 21 Jul 1762, Northampton, All Saints,Northamptonshire, England, father: John SMITH
• bap. 29 Aug 1762, Weston-By-Welland, Northampton, England, father: Jon/John SMITH, mother: Mary
• bap. 5 Dec 1762, Ashley, Northamptonshire,England, John SMITH, mother: Mary
Elizabeth wrote a will on 04-JAN-1834, which was proved, 10-AUG-1836, implying she died shortly before then. It seems odd, therefore, that the burial would not have taken place until 27 Nov 1836. Also strange is that the will mentions a sister, Hannah BROOKS, a spinster. That implies that Elizabeth’s maiden name would have been BROOKS, not SMITH !? But unable to find a marriage of an Elizabeth Brooks to John Parnell. Or perhaps Hannah Brooks was not really a spinster? A Hannah SMITH married a John BROOKS in 1815 at Culworth.
The will also mentions a sister-in-law Ann TYERS; so she would either be a sister of John Parnell or the wife of her brother. There was an Ann SMITH who married John TYERS in 1792, but then she wouldn’t be sister-in-law?
The will mentions a Thomas Parnell of Thorney to be the executor but the relationship is not clear, but perhaps is a brother (note that her son, Thomas, died young). See the Research Notes for John PARNELL for more about Thomas the executor.
The will also mentions “Ellen the wife of George Johnson” which clearly refers to her daughter, Elenor. And “Ann Parnell who lives with me.” And “Frances Parnell of Peterborough” “John Parnell” (John was mentioned as “the said John Parnell” but without his name having been previously mentioned).
Note that the burial record says her abode was “Peterboro” but the will says she was of Oundle. Were there 2 of them who died the same year? No indication of such.
An “Elizabeth Parnal” age 81 was buried in Oundle, 19 May 1836, implying birth in 1755. This one at least is consistent with death prior to the will proving.
• bap. 16 Feb 1761, Cranford St John,Northampton,England, father: John SMITH, mother: Elizabeth
• bap. 4 Jun 1761, Welford, Northampton, England, father: John SMITH
• bap. 24 Mar 1762, Oundle, Northamptonshire,England, father: John SMITH, mother: Mary
• bap. 30 May 1762, Oundle, Northamptonshire,England, father: Thomas SMITH, mother: Eliz
• bap. 4 Jun 1762, Welford, Northamptonshire,England, father: John SMITH
• b. 16 Jun 1762, bap. 21 Jul 1762, Northampton, All Saints,Northamptonshire, England, father: John SMITH
• bap. 29 Aug 1762, Weston-By-Welland, Northampton, England, father: Jon/John SMITH, mother: Mary
• bap. 5 Dec 1762, Ashley, Northamptonshire,England, John SMITH, mother: Mary
Elizabeth wrote a will on 04-JAN-1834, which was proved, 10-AUG-1836, implying she died shortly before then. It seems odd, therefore, that the burial would not have taken place until 27 Nov 1836. Also strange is that the will mentions a sister, Hannah BROOKS, a spinster. That implies that Elizabeth’s maiden name would have been BROOKS, not SMITH !? But unable to find a marriage of an Elizabeth Brooks to John Parnell. Or perhaps Hannah Brooks was not really a spinster? A Hannah SMITH married a John BROOKS in 1815 at Culworth.
The will also mentions a sister-in-law Ann TYERS; so she would either be a sister of John Parnell or the wife of her brother. There was an Ann SMITH who married John TYERS in 1792, but then she wouldn’t be sister-in-law?
The will mentions a Thomas Parnell of Thorney to be the executor but the relationship is not clear, but perhaps is a brother (note that her son, Thomas, died young). See the Research Notes for John PARNELL for more about Thomas the executor.
The will also mentions “Ellen the wife of George Johnson” which clearly refers to her daughter, Elenor. And “Ann Parnell who lives with me.” And “Frances Parnell of Peterborough” “John Parnell” (John was mentioned as “the said John Parnell” but without his name having been previously mentioned).
Note that the burial record says her abode was “Peterboro” but the will says she was of Oundle. Were there 2 of them who died the same year? No indication of such.
An “Elizabeth Parnal” age 81 was buried in Oundle, 19 May 1836, implying birth in 1755. This one at least is consistent with death prior to the will proving.
Misc. Notes
One of the marriage witnesses was James PARNELL, relationship unknown. Also somebody named W. GIBBS, who is probably not related, as he witnessed all the marriages on the same register page. [4740]
ChildrenThomas (ca1787-1798)
Mary (ca1788-)
John (ca1788-<1804)
Elizabeth (~1790-1791)
William (ca1792-)
Anne (ca1793-)
Elizabeth (ca1794-~1797)
Lucy (ca1796-~1796)
George (-~1797)
Henry (ca1798-~1798)
Elenor (ca1800-1878)
Lucy (ca1801-~1832)
Frances Bell (ca1802-1872)
John (ca1804-1875)
James (ca1806-1882)