Person:James Stretcher (2)

James Stretcher was baptised at Willian in Hertfordshire in 1599, the third child of a blacksmith named William Stretcher and his wife Margaret North, although when James was born he only had one surviving older sibling, being his sister Elizabeth. She died aged 14, when James was nine years old, leaving James as the eldest child.

In 1626, aged 27, James married an Elizabeth Baker at Little Wymondley, a couple of miles south of Willian. The couple returned to Willian, where they had five children over the next nine years, although the youngest, Sarah, died aged just over a year old.

As a young man, James clearly received some financial support from his father, William. When William died in 1630, his will left James only half a crown, because William had already provided for James during his lifetime. William's house at Willian was left instead to James's mother, Margaret, for her lifetime, thereafter passing to James's younger brother George.

In March 1643, James was dealt a double blow. First his wife Elizabeth died, being buried on 5th March. A week later his daughter Elizabeth was also buried, aged twelve.

Little is known of James's later life. His daughter Mary married a Philip Marshall of Luton in 1654 and moved to Thrales End in Luton, where they had three children. James's son James married a woman called Susannah and had four children at Willian in the 1650s and 1660s.

James Stretcher died and was buried at his native Willian on 16th November 1670, aged 71.

1. ↑ Church of England. Willian Parish Registers.

   ch. 3 Mar 1598/9, Willian, Hertfordshire: James son of Willm Stretcher

2. ↑ Church of England. Willian Parish Registers.

   November 16 [1670] James Stretcher was buried