Item posted on: 07/09/2008
Name: Carolyn Location: 21 St Peters Lane Canterbury
Post: I have recently been doing my family history and I'm finding my roots in Northampton. Places of interest are Blisworth, Sulgrave, Helmdon, Eydon, Weedon Lois, Silverstone, Wappenham, Whittlebury.
I have a Mary Bull b 1682 marrying a William Linnel. Her father John Bull born about 1645 married Marion Park. His father was another John born Weedon Lois 1614. His father Edward Bull b 1588 Eydon. His father Lionell b1567 Eydon. His father Thomas b 1551 Eydon. His father Anthony Bull b 1526 Eydon.
Is there anyone that can varify this for me with Parish records I would be greatful? And if poss their wives names etc. What was their means of living?
Moderator's Comments: I can provide some help on the Eydon Bulls.
We have an Anthony Bull married to Elizabeth Crumpe, 28 Jan, 1547. I assume your birth date for Anthony is this date less 20 years as there are no baptismal records for Eydon before 1538.
Anthony baptised at least 5 children, starting with Thomas on 2 April 1551. I have no record of his marriage.
Assuming he also married at 20, in 1571, then possible children might be Albane, baptised 14 Feb 1573, or even Nicolas bap. 18 Aug 1570 if he married earlier.
Certainly not Lionell, b 1567 who would have made this Thomas only 16, or even 15 when conceived.
I have Lionell down in the records as son of 'Thomas Bull the younger', but who the other Thomases were I don�t know. He married Isbell Barret on 1567, 4 June. Before that I have nothing, no record of a baptism of Thomas Bull in 1538 or before.
Moving forward I have Lionell marrying Annis Tye (Tew?) on 6 Oct.1586, which if it was your Lionell would make him 19, and would fit with your Edward in 1588.
There were, as you gather from this, several branches of the Bull family living and breeding in the village at this time, unfortunately using a restricted number of male names, including Thomas, Lionell, etc. So these assumed linkages are my guesses and you should check for yourself before relying on them.
I don't know what these people were doing for a living, but after the Civil War two of the branches had between them almost 2 Yardlands, a middling sort of holding. The rest of the family must have been the usual mix of labourers, craftsmen etc., but that�s a guess.