John Sturton 1810 – 1885
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 30 Jun1836 – 1917
- Anne 1838 - 1876
- John Rowland 1839 – 1887
- Elizabeth b. 1841
- Hephysbah b. 1843
- Ester 1847 - 1909
- Sarah Agnes b. 1848
- Hannah b. 1849
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.” This refers to his son John Rowland Sturton aged 22, who ultimately took over the business.
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. )
John Sturton Died on 11th May 1885 with a personal estate of £2003 0s 4d, and some property held in trust. Elizabeth his wife died 1 Nov 1886 leaving £107 18s 6d. John Rowland Sturton his son also died the following year aged 48 on 24 Sep 1887 his personal estate was £10,895 6s. 10d.
Todd Ewart added this information to the Guest Book:
Elizabeth Sturton b1841 married my GG Grandfather Thomas Ewart who was the son of the Thomas Ewart who was a grocer and tea dealer on Bridge Street in Peterborough. Interesting fact, my father and grandfather’s names were Rowland William Ewart, a nod to my Elizabeth Sturton’s grandfather Rowland Williams. My Great Grandfather Thomas Ewart was a grocer and draper in Weldon.