John Sturton was born in Sleaford Linconshire in 1810, his wife Elizabeth Williams was also born there in 1807, daughter of Rowland Williams.They were married on 15 Nov 1832 in St Denys Church, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, however John Sturton was already living in Peterborough when he married. Elizabeth was living in (New) Sleaford before the wedding.

(http://www.freereg.org.uk/cgi/SearchResults.pl?RecordType=Marriages&RecordID=984150)

 

They had at least six children, all of whom were born in Peterborough.

 Ruth’s baptism is recorded in RG5 National Archives, this is a register of births of nonconformists from 1743 -1837. In 1837 national registration was introduced.

 

In the 1851 and 1861 census the family were living in Bridge St, over the shop perhaps. In 1851 John’s occupation is Chemist and Druggist. In 1861 he is described as a pharmaceutical chemist, and later that year the following appears in The Era newspaper, London, 22 December 1861:

“Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain – Names of candidates who passed the major examination, December 18, as Pharmaceutical Chemists :- Francis D Fisher, Grantham; John James, Swaffham; David Morgan, Aberayon; Henry Pratt, Stratford on Avon; and John R Sturton, Peterborough.”

 

In the 1871 census the family are living in Dogsthorpe, and in the 1881 census the address is given as The Grange. John Sturton died there in 1885, and Elizabeth died a year later.

 

Anne’s wedding to Herbert Wilson South Sturton (a cousin perhaps their parents both come from Lincolnshire) on 21 August 1865 at St John’s Church Peterborough, was announced in the Pall Mall Gazette. As was her death on 2 March 1876, the same year as their sixth child was born. By the 1881 census Herbert was married to Ester, who possibly coincidentally was born in the same place (Peterborough) and year (1846) as Anne’s sister.

 

During my research I found Joseph A Sturton, also a chemist, and Mayor of Cambridge from 1913 to 1914. Owned a retail chemist’s in Fitzwilliam Street and Thurston’s bakery in St. Andrew’s Street Cambridge. Supported the Baptist Chapel in Tenison Road.

(John Gilbert Sturton b1867, son of John Rowland was boarding in Hitchin with a Baptist minister in 1881. )