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Thomas Steatham's baptism.	Robert Steatham - Sons - Thomas Steatham Robert Steatham (1775-1827), had ten children, James Steatham (1800-1816). Thomas Steatham (1803-1873). John Steatham (1805-1806). Joseph Steatham (1806-1889). Sarah Steatham (1809-1810). Elizabeth Steatham (1809-1810). William Steatham (1811-1811). Moses Steatham (1813-1891). Samuel Steatham (1815-1884). James Steatham (1818-1819). Only four sons survived; This is the story of Thomas Steatham, the oldest surviving child. This research is broken down into Five sections; Quick Overview. Detailed Research (Thomas's life and Children). Census findings. Discussion. Research - Additional Planned. Quick Overview Thomas Steatham born 1803, married Sarah Barber at St Martins, Birmingham in March 1834. They had five children, Elizabeth born in 1835, died unmarried aged 78. Ann who was born in 1836 and died the year after. Mary who was born in 1837, married Thomas Farr, and died 1912. (See Discussion for more details of the ongoing investigation of the Farr family). Sarah was born in 1839, she died unmarried aged 90. Thomas born 1841, was the last child of Thomas and Sarah, and died 1847.
	Thomas Steatham left property to his daughter Elizabeth, including 6 Great Croft Street, which her sister Sarah lived in until her death, it then passed to Henry George Steatham. The two sisters et al, are buried in James Bridge Cemetery, Darlaston. Click the following link to read Elizabeth's and Sarah's Wills, and see their gravestones, Elizabeth Steatham et al
Memorial to John Waltham M.A., St Lawrence, Darlaston.	Detailed Research. Thomas Steatham was baptised as Thomas Statham, on Sunday the 13th February 1803, at St Lawrence, Darlaston, by the Rector John Waltham M.A. John Waltham M.A was Rector from 1800 to 1814. The following is taken from a book ^[HAC] about Darlaston [A history of Darlaston - Frederick Hackwood, 1887]. The Rev'd John Waltham is said to have been a fine stalwart man, 6 feet 4 inches in height. He was a magistrate and occupied the bench when the court used to sit in the room at the back of The White Lion Inn. It is related of him, that in his attempts to suppress bull-baiting in his parish, he often displayed indomitable courage. On one occasion, hearing of a baiting that was going on at the Bull Stake, he stalked down upon his erring flock, walked straight up to the bull, unfastened the brute, and led it away to his tithe-barn; remarking to the astonished awe-struck rabble that "he would like to see the man who would fetch it away !" Whether it was consciousness of the parson's great physical strength or a dread of incurring his magisterial wroth, or both, it is certain that the bull was not claimed: and that next day the beast was slaughtered and its flesh distributed amongst the poor. A Communion Plate was gifted to the church by the Rector, John Waltham. It is inscribed "The Gift of the Rev'd John Waltham A.M. Rector to the Parish of Darlaston June 1805". Just over 13 years later, the Church Records record on the 11th September 1816, a 12 year old boy being buried, who drowned while stealing turnips on the Sabbath. [End quote] On the 25th July 1832, John Green, the first victim of cholera in the town was buried, all the burial register entries for the victims were marked with the letter 'C'. No Steathams have been found. John Waltham M.A. is a featured person, Click here to read an investigation into his life. To read about the cholera in Darlaston, Click here Steatham Research - Asiatic cholera.
Thomas Steatham (1803-1873), Marriage.	Moving on with the story, Thomas Steatham married ^[BPL] Sarah Barber on Monday the 31st March 1834, at St Martins, Birmingham, by the Rev. Thomas Nunns M.A. Thomas Steatham could not sign his name, and his name was written as Thomas Statham (his mark), his bride Sarah Barber signed her name. I suppose this could be any Thomas Statham, but by a stroke of luck, his male witness (best man) is down as Joseph Steatham , signed as Steatham, this was Thomas's younger Brother. This confirms that it is our Thomas Steatham.
	Moving forward to Sunday the 6th June, the night of the 1841 Census, we find them living in Walsall Road, Darlaston. Thomas Statham (sic), aged 35 [Rounded down - so, aged 35 years and under 40] Gun Lock [Filer], his Wife Sarah, aged 40 [rounded down - so, aged 40 years, and under 45], and their four children, Elizabeth aged 10, Mary aged 3, Sarah aged 1 year 6 months, and baby Thomas aged 3 months. All stated as being born in Staffordshire, except for Thomas's Wife Sarah. In the intervening period they also had another child, Ann Steatham, who does not survive.
Thomas Steatham's (1803-1873), burial.	Thomas Steatham's story for us ends on Sunday the 10th August 1873 when he dies of "Bronchitis" at 6 Great Croft Street, (just "Croft Street", on death certificate), Darlaston. Thomas Steatham's death was registered by a Sarah Slack "in attendance" on Tuesday the 12th August. Thomas is buried three days later, on Friday the 15th August, at St Lawrence - Cock Street Cemetery.
Sarah Steatham's (1801-1890), burial.	His wife Sarah dies 17 years later, on Wednesday the 24th December 1890, aged 90, of "old age - widow of Thomas Steatham* Gun Lock Filer*." Sarah is buried on Monday the 29th December 1890, at St Lawrence, Cock Street, Darlaston.
	Thomas does not make a will and he dies intestate, probate details are as follows:- [Note Italics indicates handwritten] ON the eight day of September 1873 Letters of Administration of all and singular the personal Estate and Effects of Thomas Steatham late of Darlaston in the county of Stafford Gun lock Manufacturer deceased, who died on the tenth day of August 1873, at Darlaston aforesaid intestate were granted at the District Registry attached to her Majesty's Court of Probate at Lichfield to Sarah Steatham of Darlaston aforesaid the lawful Widow and relict of the said deceased, she having been first sworn duly to administer. Sureties:- Elizabeth Steatham and Mary Steatham both of Darlaston aforesaid spinsters. Effects under 100 t?o Leaseholds. Extracted by W Marshall, Solr [sic] Darlaston 100 in 1873, in todays money would be the equal to 11,585 - Calculated using this Link.
Elizabeth Steatham's (1835-1913), baptism. At the same time, James Steatham (1835-), was baptised.	Children. Elizabeth Steatham (1835-1913). Their eldest child Elizabeth, is baptised on Sunday the 22nd February 1835, at St Lawrence, Darlaston, along with her cousin James, Elizabeth never marries, and inherits 6 Great Croft Street, Darlaston from her father.
Elizabeth Steatham's (1835-1913), burial.	Elizabeth died on Thursday the 5th June 1913, and was buried on Monday the 9th June 1913, in James Bridge Cemetery. Elizabeth's death certificate states she died at "6 Great Croft street, aged 76", and that she was "spinster of independent means, the daughter of Samuel Steatham Gun Lock Filer deceased", The informant was a "Sarah Gibberd, present at the death, of 65 King Edward Street, Darlaston". Cause of death was given as, (1) Endocarditis, (2) Cardiac failure, D. Finnegan M.D. There are a few mistakes here, Elizabeth was aged 78, not 76, and her father was Thomas Steatham, not Samuel Steatham. Samuel Steatham was only born in 1815, so he would have had to have fathered Elizabeth, at just twenty years of age! Also Samuel Steatham did not get married until 1843, eight years after Elizabeth was born.
Ann Steatham's (1836-1837), baptism.	Ann Steatham (1836-1837). Ann was baptised on Sunday the 6th March 1836, at St Lawrence, Darlaston.
Ann Steatham's (1836-1837), burial.	Ann was buried on Friday the 1st September 1837, at St Lawrence, Darlaston. Note Ann's name is spelt as Sthetham, in the burial registers. That spelling of Steatham is quite unique! As the civil registration of deaths in England and Wales began on 1st July 1837, replacing the Church of England's records of burials as the primary legal record, there should be a record of Ann's death, and after some searching she is found as Ann Stephem, again a unique spelling!
Mary Steatham's (1837-), baptism.	Mary Steatham (1837-1912). Mary is baptised on Sunday the 31st December 1837, at St Lawrence, Darlaston.
Mary Steatham's (1837-1912), marriage.	Mary then married a Widower Thomas Farr (1845-1912) Charter Master, living at Tunstall Staffs, on Thursday the 20th March 1884, at St Lawrence, Darlaston, by the Rector Benjamin Wright. The marriage certificate is very interesting as we can see both, Elizabeth and Sarah - her older sisters - signed as witness, with a Eunice Farr. I assume she is Thomas's sister squeezed in at the side. Never seen a marriage where the witness' have all been female before. Mary then dies Wednesday 4th September 1912, and is buried in Sutton Coldfield Cemetery. We now see - Mary Farr of Granville Maney Hill road Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire (wife of Thomas Farr) died 4th September 1912, Probate at Birmngham 6th December to the said Thomas Farr gentleman and Florence Farr spinster. Effects 610. 610 in today's money would be the equal to 74,239 - Calculated using this Link. Mary just made it to the entry for the 1911 census. Thomas is mentioned in the 1921 census as living in Tamworth, he dies aged 78, in 1922. Just like Mary a decade earlier, Thomas just makes the census.
Sarah Steatham's (1839-1928), baptism.	Sarah Steatham (1839-1928). Sarah is next, baptised on Sunday the 19th January 1840, at St Lawrence, Darlaston, she never marries, and is given in her sister Elizabeth's will, the use of 6 Great Croft Street, during her lifetime.
Sarah Steatham's (1839-1928), burial.	Sarah then died on Thursday 12th January 1928, and was buried on Tuesday the 17th January 1928, joining her sister Elizabeth, at James Bridge Cemetery. Sarah in her will, mentions a Florence Farr of "Granville" Maney Hill Road, Sutton Coldfield, which I presume to be her niece. Sarah's death certificate states she died at "The Croft, Great Croft street, aged 90", and that she was "spinster of independent means, the daughter of Thomas Steatham Gun Lock Filer deceased", The informant was a "H? Halderafd?, present at the death, of "The Croft, Great Croft street, Darlaston". Cause of death was given as, (1) Senectus No PH [No Prev history], (2) Cardiac failure, Lockhart Lowe, Me? R.G.S. We can see the use of the "The Croft" instead of the real address "6 Great Croft street". Who is this "H? Halderafd?, present at the death, living at the house - we could speculate that is our Henry George Steatham in disguise! Talking of Henry George Steatham, his grandson Archibald George Steatham (1922-2007), wrote to me in a letter that "...my father - Henry George Steatham - speaking of the death of his father - also Henry George Steatham who lived in a house called 'The Croft' at Wednesbury...". So 6 Great Croft Street, was known by Steathams as "The Croft"! How interesting.
	In September 1914, Sarah Steatham, gives the gift of a "Vicar's stall", to St Lawrence, in memory of her sisters, Elizabeth and Mary.
Sarah Steatham's Vicar's stall - detail.	Sarah's sister Elizabeth had died in June 1913, and her other sister Mary now Farr, had died in September 1912. If one sits in the front left pew, this is right in front of you. I wonder how many people over the years have seen the names, and puzzled about who they were? Finally, what a lovely thing to do in their memory! We also see Sarah down as as stall-holder at a Bazaar being opened by the Earl and Countess of Dartmouth, at St Lawrence, Darlaston.
Thomas Stetham's [sic] baptism	Lastly we have :- Thomas Steatham (1841-1847). Thomas is present in the 1841 census, with the family, aged 3 weeks. His birth certificate states that Thomas Stetham [note the spelling], was born on Sunday the 16th May 1841, at Walsall street. The father is a Thomas Stetham [note the spelling], Gun Lock Filer, and the mother is Sarah Stetham [note the spelling], nee Barber. As expected Thomas, when he registered the birth on Sunday the 30th May 1841, signed his name with his mark. I have checked the baptism records for 1841 at St Lawrence, and he is not there. Thomas died 1847, aged just six years and six months, and was buried Sunday the 29th October 1847 at St Lawrence - Cock Street Cemetery.
Elizabeth Steatham et al their gravestone in James Bridge Cemetery, Darlaston	Ironically in Elizabeth, and her sister's Mary's gravestone, they have buried with them at James Bridge Cemetery a Thomas Steatham, but he was their cousin, born in 1866, much to late to be their lost brother! Click the following link to read Elizabeth's and Sarah's Wills, and see their gravestones, Elizabeth Steatham et al
	Census findings. I have searched the 1841-1911 Census's, and here are the results. Searching Census records for Steathams is problematic to say the least as the enumerator did not always record the surname correctly. This is compounded by the modern transcripts used to search the records as they are also full of mistakes, with the Steatham surname being stated as Beatham, Heathem and so on. I will state what was recorded on the actual census, also Thomas Steatham & Sarah Steatham [Nee Barker] will be marked as bold & underlined, and their children will be marked just as underlined. The Census was always conducted on a Sunday, [1841 - June 6th] Thomas Stathem [sic] aged 35, his wife Sarah aged 40, Elizabeth aged 6, Mary aged 3, Sarah aged 18 months, and lastly Thomas aged just 3 weeks. At Walsall Road, Darlaston. [1851 - March 30th] Thomas Steatham aged 47, Gun Lock Filer, Sarah aged 30, born Tamworth, Elizabeth aged 16, Mary aged 13, Sarah aged 11, in the house there are three apprentice Gun Lock Filers, and a lodger (tip maker). At Great Croft Street, Darlaston. [1861 - April 7th] Thomas Steatham aged 58, Gun Lock Filer, Sarah aged 60, born Tamworth, Elizabeth aged 26, Mary, aged 23, Sarah aged 21, Schoolmistress (Riate?), Lodger aged 43, and apprentice Gun Lock Filer aged 14. At Great Croft Street, Darlaston. [1871 - April 2nd] Thomas Steatham aged 68, Gun Lock Filer, his Sarah aged 70, born Tamworth, Elizabeth aged 33, Mary aged 30, Sarah aged 28, lastly Henry G. Brough, apprentice Gun Lock Filer, born Worcestershire ? Chell. At Little Croft Street, Darlaston. Next door at 57 is Samuel F Waterhouse aged 26, Minister United Methodist ? Church. [1881 - April 3rd] Sarah Steatham aged 80 widow [Thomas now dead] property owner, born Tamworth, Elizabeth aged 40, Mary aged 38, Sarah aged 36. At 6 Great Croft Street, Darlaston. Note - All incorrectly transcribed as 'Heatham' A few doors away at 2/3 is a James? Lyle "Publican".
House (last one standing) in Cartlich St, Thomas Farr's residence in 1891 Census.	[1891 - April 5th] Sarah Steatham aged 44 single, living on own means, born Darlaston, and her niece Florence Farr, aged 8, born 1883, Tunstall, Staffordshire, at 6 Great Croft Street, Darlaston. Elizabeth Statham [sic] aged 52 , at Tunstall, Wolstanton, is found visiting her sister Mary Farr aged 49, her husband Thomas Farr aged 46, Charter Master Mines, born Hausehead?, at 2 Cartlich Street, Tunstall, Staffs. They must be doing well as they have general servant, a Jane Jones? aged 28. There are other details about Jane in column 16, but I cannot read them. To view the Street in Google Earth, open Google Earth and click the following link:- Google Earth - Elizabeth Steatham's visit to Thomas Farr.
	[1901 - March 31st] Elizabeth Steatham, aged 65, single, born in 1836, Darlaston, and Sarah Steatham, aged 60, single, born 1841, Darlaston, Both of independent means. Listed as Head jointley sisters. At 6 Great Croft Street, Darlaston. [1911 - April 2nd] Elizabeth Steatham, aged 70, single, born in 1841, Darlaston, retired, and Sarah Steatham, aged 68, single, born 1843, Darlaston, Both of independent means. Stated as 6 Great Croft Street, Darlaston, with six rooms. Also the 1911 census records includes the signature of Sarah Steatham Thomas Farr, aged 66, married, born 1845, Mow Cop, Staffordshire [a village on the Cheshire Staffordshire border], retired miner contracter, and Mary Farr, Wife, aged 72, born 1839, Darlaston, Satffordshire, and Florence Farr, Daughter, single, aged 28, born 1883, at Tunstall, North Staffordshire, and two domestic servants, aged 14 and 32. Note completed years this present marriage as lasted stated as twenty seven, and oddly by Mary of the question "Children born alive to present marriage - None has been written. Florence Farr, dies aged 54, in 1938. Also the 1911 census records includes the signature of Thomas Farr. [1921 - 19th June] The 1922 Blue book of Darlaston, has an entry of a S. Steatham living at 6 Great Croft Street. This our Sarah Steatham now living alone; Elizabeth having died in 1913. Discussion. I have again underlined all of Thomas Steatham children as without this it might get a little confusing who is who, here! It is interesting to note that Thomas Steatham named his first to two daughters, after his twin siblings who died young. It is ironic really that, Robert Steatham and Hannah's, Elizabeth & Sarah, the first ever to use the Steatham surname, died as infants, but Thomas Steatham & Sarah's, Elizabeth & Sarah, who were undoubtedly named after them, lived the longest, 78 & 90 years respectively. As Sarah was baptised on Sunday the 19th January 1840, and died on Thursday the 12th January 1928, it is possible she could have been born in 1839 or 1840. This could be easily cleared up by obtaining her birth certificate.
Vicars stall, St Lawrence.	In St Lawrence there is a Vicars stall, which is marked "Elizabeth Steatham & Mary Farr 1914", which was gifted to the church by Sarah, for her sisters Elizabeth and Mary. Now onto our Mary and Thomas Farr; We know Thomas hailed from Tunstall - Mow Cop in census records, and Thomas is finally mentioned in the 1921 census as living in Tamworth, he dies aged 78, in 1922. In Sarah Steatham's will, she mentions a Florence Farr of Granville Maney Hill Road, Sutton Coldfield, this is most likely a child, of Mary and Thomas, proberly the niece Florence Farr, mentioned visiting Sarah in the 1891 census. The Farr family appear to have started at Tunstall, then moved to Sutton Coldfiled, then they make an appearence at Tamworth. The relationship between sisters Elizabeth and Sarah can be gleamed from their joint signatures on Mary's wedding certificate, I wonder who gave Mary away? This even having to be done on the 1901 Census, where they are down as "Head Jointly sisters". Finally it is resolved in the 1911 Census, when Elizabeth is down as Head, with Sarah as her sister, but Sarah alone signs the sheet, so equality is preserved! But in the end we still have Henry George Steatham who was left property in the wills of Elizabeth and Sarah. What was his connection to Thomas Steatham's family, was he just a lucky lodger, from Chell? I now have his birth certificate so the mystery of who and where came from has finally been solved. Follow this link to read the story of Henry George Steatham (1854-1931) Research - Additional Planned. In Progress. Locate baptism for Thomas Steatham (1841-). Planned. Obtain birth certificate for Sarah Steatham (1839-1928). Steatham.com All Rights Reserved.