Birstall Sheards, Early Records 1640 and Later
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The Marriage of Michael Sheard and Isabell Parkinson, 1640

The first record for the name Sheard in Birstall parish was the marriage of Michael "Sherde" to Isabell Parkinsen on October 14, 1640 (BT).

This may have been Michael, the son of Martin, and the grandson of Thomas Sheard, baptized in Batley parish in 1618. Michael had some connection to Mirfield. His daughter Agnes was buried in Mirfield in 1664/65. See Thomas Sheard

The Parents of Isabell Parkinson

Isabell Parkinson was baptized on October 8, 1620, the daughter of Samuel Parkinson of Littletown. Samuel Parkinson of Littletown had the following children:

  1. Grace on December 29, 1605
  2. William on December 20, 1607
  3. Elizabeth on June 3, 1610. Elizabeth married Robert Rhodeson on February 28, 1632.
  4. George on September 13, 1614
  5. William on February 12, 1614
  6. Agnes on January 25, 1617
  7. Isabell on October 8, 1620

Other records for Samuel Parkinson include:

  1. The burial of unnamed infant of Samuel Parkinson of "W" on October 26, 1607
  2. The burial of Agnes, the wife of Samuel Parkinson, on July 5, 1621

The Children of Michael Sheard and Isabell Parkinson

Michael Sheard and Isabel Parkinson had the following children:

  1. Thomas, son of Michael Sheard of Gomersall, baptized on March 20, 1641
  2. Elizabeth Sheard and George Appleyard
    Birth: Elizabeth, daughter of Michael Sheard of Birstall, baptized on January 7, 1643
    Marriage: Elizabeth Sheard married George Appleyard May 10, 1666
  3. Anne of Michael "Shard" of Birstall, baptized on November 29, 1645
  4. ____ of Michael "Sherd" of Birstall, was baptized on October 17, 1646

    There is a eight-year break. The records pick up in 1654.

  5. Richard, the son of Michael Sheard of Birstall, baptized on March 12, 1654 and buried on December 17, 1654.
  6. Martha, the daughter of Michael Sheard of Birstall, baptized on November 4, 1655
  7. Richard, son of Michael Sheard of Birstall, baptized on August 15, 1658
  8. Michael Sheard, Birstall, and ??
    Birth: Michael, of Michael Sheard of Birstall, baptized on February 24, 1663.
    Marriage:
    Residence: Birstall
    Children:
    1. "An infant of Michael Sheard of Birstall, was buried on December 13, 1684 (BT).
    2. John, the son of Michael Sheard of Birstall, was baptized on January 20, 1686
      Death: John son of Michael Sheard was buried on January 23, 1686 (BT).
    3. Hannah, daughter of Michael Sheard of Birstall, was baptized on December 16, 1685 (BT)
      Death: Hannah d of Michael Sheard of B February 6, 1687/88 (Parish Register of Birstall 1687-1724 transcribed by Hartley Thwaite)
    4. John, son of Michael Sheard of Birstall, was baptized on June 9, 1689.
      Death: John, the son of Michael Sheard of Birstall, was buried January 21, 1704/05 (BT).
    5. Samuel Sheard and Ann Fawcitt
      Birth: Samuel of Michael Sheard of Birstall, was baptized January 18, 1691.
      Residence: Robertown, Liversedge, Gomersal, Scholes
      Marriage: Samuel Sheard of RT & Ann Fawcitt, February 8, 1713/14
      Children
      1. Sarah Sheard and Thomas Milner
        Birth: Sarah of Samuel Sheard of RT (Roberttown), March 4, 1715/16 (Parish Register of Birstall 1687-1724 transcribed by Hartley Thwaite)
        Further Records: Sarah Sheard married Thomas Milner (Sarah Sheard to Thomas Milner by banns 16 Feb 1734/35 Birstall BT) and their 7th (and last) child Susannah married Michael Law 1768. (Michael Law of Batley Parish married Susanna Milner of Gomersall, 19, Jan 1768 Witnesses: Jospeh Law and George Margenson) Michael was the father of John Law marrying Mary Bentley Brenda Law May 2006.
        For the rest of the line on John Law and Mary Bentley see James Law and Alice Rawse
      2. Hannah d Samuel Sheard of L, November 9, 1718 (Parish Register of Birstall 1687-1724 transcribed by Hartley Thwaite
      3. Susanna d Samuel Sheard of L Hall, April 18, 1720 (Parish Register of Birstall 1687-1724 transcribed by Hartley Thwaite)
      4. Mary d Samuel Sheard of G, April 14, 1723 (Parish Register of Birstall 1687-1724 transcribed by Hartley Thwaite)
      5. Martha of Samuel Sheard of Gomersall, baptized July 4, 1725
      Death of Ann Fawcitt Sheard: Ann wife of Samuel Sheard of Scholes buried 14 March 1753
      Death of Samule Sheard: Samuel Sheard of Rawfolds in Liversedge buried 14 Novmeber 1758
    6. Sarah, daughter of Michael Sheard of Birstall, was baptized on January 1, 1693 (BT).
    7. Susannah, daughter of Michael Sheard of Birstall, was baptized on February 24, 1694 (BT).
    8. William Sheard, Liversedge Hall and ??
      Birth: William and Joseph (twins), see next entry.
      Residence: Liversedge Hall (Hullatt-hirst)
      Marriage:
      Children:
      1. John of William Sheard of L Hall (Liversedge Hall), December 26, 1719 (Parish Register of Birstall 1687-1724 transcribed by Hartley Thwaite)
      2. Luke Sheard, Birstall and Rose Crouther
        Birth: Luke of William Sheard of Hullatt-hirst, December 3, 1721 (Parish Register of Birstall 1687-1724 transcribed by Hartley Thwaite)
        Marriage: Luke Sheard of Birstall married Rose Crouther 22 april 1742
        Children:
        1. Ann daughter of Luke Sheard of Birstall buried 31 December 1745
        2. Rachael daughter of Luke Sheard of Birstall buried 13 May 1754
      3. Dorothy d of William Sheard of Hullatt-hirst, December 25, 1723 (Parish Register of Birstall 1687-1724 transcribed by Hartley Thwaite)
        Death: Dorothy daughter of William Sheard of Robertown buried 11 october 1725
      4. Martha of William Sheard of Great Gomersall, July 4, 1725
      5. Thomas of William Sheard of Robertown baptized on December 26, 1725. Death: Thomas son of William Sheard of Heckmondwike buried 13 January 1734/35
      6. Sarah of William Sheard of Birstall 8 July 1733
      7. Joseph of William Sheard of Birstall 4 April 1736
    9. Joseph, the sons of Michael Sheard of Birstall, were baptized on January 12, 1696 (BT)
    10. Grace, daughter of Michael Sheard (no place listed) was baptized on December 8, 1700 (BT). Note: Parish Register of Birstall 1687-1724 transcribed by Hartley Thwaite lists this as "Grace of Michael Sheard of B"
      Death: Grace d Michael Sheard of B buried January 26, 1700/01 (Parish Register of Birstall 1687-1724 transcribed by Hartley Thwaite)
    11. Michael Sheard and Susanna Fawcitt
      Birth: Michael, son of Michael Sheard (no place listed) was baptized on December 25, 1701 (Birstall parish BT). Notes:
      • Parish Register of Birstall 1687-1724 transcribed by Hartley Thwaite lists this as "Michael Sheard of B" (Birstall)
      • This Michael Sheard was born too late to be the Michael having children in 1712.
      Marriage: Michael Sheard married Susanna Fawcitt, August 11, 1725
  9. Agnes
    Death Agnes d of Michael Sheard of Birstall buried February 11, 1664/65 Mirfield Appendix I YAS Parish Register of Birstall

  10. Sarah, of Michael Sheard of Birstall, was buried on August 15, 1670
Notes:
  • "Michael Sheard" was listed in the parish records as having children between 1641 and 1664 a period of 23 years. Was this the same Michael Sheard as the husband of Isabel Parkinson? It would mean that Isabel was 43 years old at the time of the last birth.

  • The break in baptisms between 1846 and 1854 could represent :
    • Missing baptismal records.
    • The death of Isabel and the remarriage of Michael. See the death of Elizabeth, the wife of Michael Sheard, below.
    • Another Michael Sheard

The Deaths of Michael and Elizabeth Sheard

Elizabeth, the wife of Michael Sheard of Birstall, was buried January 5, 1692/3

Elizabeth wife of Michael Sheard of Birstall buried January 1, 1699/1700

Note: It is possible that Elizabeth was a second wife of Michael Sheard.

Michael Sheard of Birstall was buried on March 20, 1692/3.

Michael Sheard of Birstall buried March 20, 1699/1700

Michael Sheard Residence October 1, 1652

# LDS microfilm #1702202 contains documents relating to the Preston family which were compiled and transcribed by hand by William Eastbrook Preston. Among the documents are some contracts for leases.

Birstall, 1652 October 1

Grant by Thomas Wentworth of Bretton Hall in the Co. of York, esq. and Grace, his wife, daughter of Francis Popeley late of Gomersal deceased esq. to Henry Parlington of Parlington, esq. --- in 10 (pounds) of all that messuage or tenement with appeals situated in the parish of Birstall known by the name of Castlehowse Hill and all the houses buildings land closes to the same belonging in the occupation of John Man, Robert Man, Thomas Hepworth, John Scaberd, William Lether (?) Martha Jobson, widow, one messuage in Cleckheaton with houses buildings, lands, etc . the dame belonging in the occupation of Edward Brooke, Henry Smith, John Charlesworth, Joshua Taylor, Richard Holdworth, Thomas Walker, James Brookesbanke, Richard Whitley, Thomas Healy, one mess in Birstall called Colbers (?) Farm, houses buildings land the same belong in the occup of John Sleade, John Goodall, Thomas ? Henry Callinge (?) John Watson, & Martha Jbson, widow, three cottages situated in Birstall in the occupation of Abraham Crowther, Michael Shearde and John EllisÉÉÉ

The document continues to list other properties and occupants.

Odd Records for the Sheards in Birstall

  1. John Sheard, Farmer Birstall, 1662

    LDS microfilm #1702202 contains documents relating to the Preston family which were compiled and transcribed by hand by William Eastbrook Preston. Among the documents are some contracts for leases.

    Birstall 1662

    Lease from Sir Thomas Wentworth of Bretton Co. York Knight and Grace, his wife, to John Sheard of Birstall farmer of all that messuage or tenement in Birstall with appeals --------- which granted premised is the ---- of one farm --- in the occupation of John Goodall and now divided from the other morely (?) thereof in the occup of John Slainethrope free away and likely to --- peace (piece?) call the fishpond in a parcel of ground belong to the ancient house now in the occupation of Thomas Porrit. This lease is not executed

    Note: ------ inticates that I cannot read the handwritting.

  2. Sarah Sheard, Birstall widow buried 24 April 1737. Who was her husband? When and where did he die?

  3. Jonas Sheard and Alice Sheppard

    Jonas Sheard of Birstall Parish married Alice Sheppard on October 3, 1720 in Hartshead (IGI).

    Residence: Littletown/Little Gomersal

    Children:

    1. John of Jonas Sheard of LT, November 26, 1721 (Parish Register of Birstall 1687-1724 transcribed by Hartley Thwaite)
    2. David of Jonas Sheard of LT baptized on October 6, 1723 (PR)
    3. Ellinore Sheard and Benjamin Blackburn
      Birth: Ellinor, daughter of Jonas Sheard of Littleton was baptized on March 19, 1730 (BT)
      Marriage: Ellenor Sheard married Benjamin Blackburn July 9, 1759
    4. Sarah, daughter of Jonas Sheard of Little Gomersall was baptized September 30, 1733 (BT)

    Death of Jonas Sheard: Jonas Sheard of Little Gomersall buried 1 March 1740/41

    Death of Alice Sheppard Sheard: Alice Sheard of Little Gomersal, widow, buried 24 March 1754

  4. John Sheard of Littletown was buried February 15, 1706/07 (Parish Register of Birstall 1687-1724 transcribed by Hartley Thwaite)

  5. Joseph Sheard of "LT" Littletown buried April 19, 1700 (Parish Register of Birstall 1687-1724 transcribed by Hartley Thwaite)

  6. Benjamin Sheard, Littletown, and Elizabeth Brook

    Birth: dob unknown
    Marriage Benjamin Sheard of LT and Elizabeth Brooke were married September 28, 1709 (Parish Register of Birstall 1687-1724 transcribed by Hartley Thwaite)
    Children:

    1. Elizabeth d of Benjamin Sheard of LT baptized August 13, 1710/11 (Parish Register of Birstall 1687-1724 transcribed by Hartley Thwaite)
    2. Joseph of Benjamin Sheard of Lt baptized November 13, 1712 (Parish Register of Birstall 1687-1724 transcribed by Hartley Thwaite)
      Death: Joseph son of Benjamin Sheard of Littletown buried August 5, 1735

    7. Death of Benjamin Sheard: Benjamin Sheard of Littletown buried 26 July 1750

    Death of Elizabeth Sheard: Elizabeth Sheard Littletown, widow, buried 17 November 1756

  7. William Sheard, Birstall, and Margaret Willey

    Birth:
    ????
    Marriage: William Sheard of Birstall married Margaret Willey on September 2, 1731.
    Children:

    1. Sarah July 8, 1733
    2. Joseph Sheard & Ann Booth
      Joseph April 4, 1736
      Marriage: Joseph Sheard married Ann Booth, March 28, 1757 (Index)
      Children:
      1. John of Joseph Sheard of Birstall buried 13 August 1761
    3. Hannah April 25, 1739
    4. Mary August 19, 1741
    5. Anne January 13, 1744

Michael Sheards in Birstall Parish Between 1725 and 1741

There were at least two or three Michael Sheards having children in Birstall Parish in the early to mid 1700s.

  1. Michael born circa 1688, married to Abigail Healy and having children between 1713 and 1728. He lived in Gomersal. See Michael Sheard and Abigail Healy
  2. Michael Sheard in Robertown
  3. Michael Sheard in Birstall
There is only one baptism in the parish for a Michael Sheard that might be connected with the last two of these listings. That is the "bastard" son of Michael Sheard and Abigail Healy baptized in 1709 who could be the person who married Hannah Walker in 1729 or Alice Green in 1735 or both.

  1. Michael Sheard and Abigail Healy

    The records for Michael Sheard of Gomersall are more or less straight forward. See Michael Sheard and Abigail Healy

  2. and 3. Michael Sheard and Sarah Fawcett, Hannah Walker ( Suzannah?), and Alice Green

    Birth:

    Marriage: Michael Sheard married Susanna Fawcett in Birstall on August 11, 1725.

    Children:

    1. Patience of Michael Sheard, Robertown, baptized on July 17, 1726.
      Marriage: Patience Sheard married Benjamin Kilburn March 23, 1745.

    Marriage: Michael Sheard married Hannah Walker or Waller on April 8, 1729.

    Children:

    1. Rachael of Michael Sheard Robertown, baptized on March 7, 1730.
    2. Joseph of Michael Sheard of Robertown was baptized on February 18, 1732.

    Marriage: Michael Sheard of Birstall married Alice Green on May 11, 1735.

    Children:

    1. Sarah daughter of Michael Sheard of Birstall buried 16 April 1739
    2. Joshua of Michael Sheard of Birstall (village) on February 23, 1735
      Death: Joshua the son of Michael Sheard of Birstall (village) buried December 11, 1739 (BT)
    3. Samuel (twin) of Michael Sheard of Robertown baptized April 4, 1736
    4. Benjamin (twin) of Michael Sheard of Robertown baptized April 4, 1736
    5. Sarah of Michael Sheard of Birstall (village) baptized July 2, 1738
    6. Michael of Michael Sheard of Birstall Parish on March 9, 1739
      Death: Michael son of Michael Sheard of Birstall was buried March 10, 1739/40 (BT)
    7. Jonathan of Michael Sheard of Robertown on November 28, 1739 (BT)
      Death: Jonathan Sheard, married , born at Robertown, 1737 departed March 4, 1822 buried 8 March 1822 Mirfield (No marriage listed by LDS, IGI)

    Deaths:

    1. Alice, the wife of Michael Sheard of Birstall was buried March 17, 1741 (BT)
    2. Susannah wife of Michael Sheard of Robertown, buried Feburary 16, 1775

    Marriage: Michael Sheard of Robertown married Grace Scolefield (No Place) by banns May 29, 1775. Note: Based on her age at death she was 40 at the time of the marriage.

    Death of Grace Scolefield Sheard: Grace of Michael Sheard of Robertown age 56 buried 14 April 1791

Odd Records

Susanna daughter of James Sheard of Littletown buried 17 January 1748/49

Judith wife of William Sheard of Birstall buried 18 ?? 1764
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