Was Edmund Belys the father of Lydia Bailey?

It's difficult to track the parents of Charles Elliot or his wife, Lydia Bayley/Bailey.  I have a possible candidate for the parents of Lydia, but the evidence is not yet conclusive.

The strongest documentary evidence for Lydia's parentage is her marriage bond.  Generally the parents are not named on the bond, but as Lydia was apparently a minor at the time of her marriage (eg. under 21 years) her father signed the contract.  He is described as Edmund Bailey, a farmer in Hillingdon.  This document was dated December 1756.  Both men signed their names.

We know that Charles and Lydia were married from Hillingdon Parish on February 5, 1757.  Lydia is described here as being from Hayes parish, while Charles is from Hillingdon.  I don't recognize the names of either witness. Notice the fluidity of spelling of the Bailey last name:  the body of the document, written by the parish clergyman, writes "Bayley" but Lydia herself signs "Bailey".

We can also approximate a birth year for Lydia from her two obituaries.  Lydia died on January 8, 1827, and was buried in Hayes on January 13th.

 The Examiner of London, on Sunday January 14, 1827, published this death notice:

"On Monday, Mrs. Elliot, of Hayes, Middlesex,  aged 90."  

The Morning Chronicle on Monday January 15, 1827,  said:

"On the 8th inst., Mrs. Elliot, of Hayes, aged 90.  She has left to bewail her loss, nine children, fifty-eight grandchildren, and forty-three great-grandchildren..."

If she was 90 in 1827, she must have been born in 1737.  That would make her 19 years old in 1756, which would make her a minor for the purposes of marriage, so the age fits her marriage bond.

Edmund was a fairly common name in England at the time, but Lydia was more uncommon.  I have found a baptismal record for a Lydia Baylis, born September 30, 1737 to "Edmund Baylis, Carpenter, and Mary". The baptismal record is from St. Martin's Church in West Drayton, Hillingdon, also part of Middlesex.

There is another baptismal record from the same church, for a Mary Baylis, also a daughter to Edmund and Mary Baylis, baptized on March 5, 1739.

And finally, there is a burial record for Mary Belys on October 9, 1743, in the St. Martin West Drayton parish records.  If Mary Belys is the same person as Mary Baylis, the record does not indicate whether this is the parent or child of Edmund.

So far those are the only records relating to the Baylis or Belys family that I have found at the St. Martin church. Unfortunately, the records I have access to are missing some years.  The church obviously had a modest congregation, as the records do not show many births, marriages or deaths in any one year.  Interestingly, this was the church which the servants of the Earl of Uxbridge attended, and the Earl himself was eventually buried there.  If Charles and Lydia attended the same church, that would have  provided an opportunity for them to meet and get to know each other.

The History of the Ancient Town and Borough of Uxbridge by George Redford and Thomas Hurry Riches (William Lake, Uxbridge, 1813), which was, incidentally, subscribed to by Josiah Elliot, mentions the connection of the Earl of Uxbridge's estate to Hillingdon:

From pages 150-152:

I have been unable to find a will for Edmund Baylis, Belys, Bayley, Bayly or Bailey from Middlesex, excepting for an Edmund Bailey in Hayes who lived next door to Charles and Lydia Elliot.  This Edmund was a carpenter, but was probably Lydia's brother, not her father, as she is not named in the will.

Another issue is Edmund's occupation.  The marriage bond states that he is a farmer;  the birth records state he is a carpenter.  The Edmund Bailey in Hayes, presumably Lydia's brother, is also a carpenter;  a family occupation?

Here is an earlier researcher's work on the Bailey family.  No sources are named.  Neither Lydia nor her sister Mary Bailey appear, although Edmund Jr. does. Notice that there are three Edmund Baileys, one in each generation. Lydia would presumably fit into the second generation.  This is from the Pedigree Register, Vol. II,  London, 1910-13, edited by George Sherwood.  The Pedigree Register is "the official organ of the Society of Genealogists in London".   Whoever the researcher was, he or she obviously knew that their work was incomplete, as they ask for more information.  Note that this document places the elder Edmund Bailey in Hayes as well as Hillingdon.

Marriage record for John Reynolds and Martha Bailey, 1770, St. Mary's, Hayes.  Is she a relative of Lydia?

St. Mary's Church, Hayes, Middlesex, England

Our ancestors Charles and Lydia Elliot raised their family in Hayes, Middlesex (now a part of London) and had their children baptized at St. Mary the Virgin's Church in that town.  St. Mary's is a historic church which is still active. Their website says that "the parish church of Hayes Middlesex has witnessed to the Christian Faith since at least 830 A.D", although elsewhere it says that the actual church dates from the 12th century.  There have been many updates to the Church since the time that Charles and Lydia lived and worshiped there, but there are plenty of older portions which remain as they were. Again from the website:

"A building of such ages has many artefacts including a 12th Century font and the two table tombs of Walter Grene (1456) and Sir Thomas Higate (1576). The medieval tiles in the Sanctuary are partly covered by the Elizabethan Tomb of Sir Edward Fenner (1611). A wooden Holy Table dated 1605 was given and now used as a nave altar. Most of the ledger stones refer to the patrons and Lords of the Manor. There are several significant brasses. One is to Robert Lellee, the Rector around 1370 and adjacent to it is another Rector Robert Burgeys (1408- 1421). The first recorded Rector was Peter de Lymonicen (1259) and latest Peter Homewood-a record of Christian ministry in Hayes...On the north wall is a large mural of Saint Christopher from the 14th century."

I think it's interesting to be able to see the same landscape and architecture that was part of our ancestor's weekly lives.  Not only did Charles and Lydia worship here during the period of their marriage, but this was the childhood church of Robert Elliot as well.  Here are some photographs:

St. Mary's Church with gravestones.  Charles and Lydia are buried here somewhere.

Brass of clergyman Robert Lellee, 1308, reputedly the oldest brass in Middlesex.

15th century wall painting of St. Christopher carrying the Christ child over a river. 

                           

Detail of snake and staff at base of painting. 

Detail of Christ Child in painting. 

Here is a map of Hayes Parish from British History Online:

Solomon Naughton (Norton) in the Revolutionary War

Solomon Naughton's Revolutionary War pension application specifies several battles he fought in, including the Battle of Still Water and the Battle of Saratoga (probably the second battle, also called the Battle of Bemis Heights), where he would have fought alongside the infamous Benedict Arnold and been present at the surrender of the British General Burgoyne, also known as "Gentleman Johnny".    The handwriting of the main document is not as easy to read as his two brother's pension applications, but most of the main body is transcribable.

"State of Vermont
County of Addison) 
On the 7th day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared before Silas H. Enison one of the Judges of Addison County Court Solomon Naughton a resident of Shoreham in the county of Addison and State of Vermont aged eighty-one years and upwards who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated (viz) in the ? part of the summer of 1776 he the aforesaid Solomon Naughton volunteered in Capt. Bostwick's Company in Col. Whiting's Regiment in the militia of the State of New York New Canaan in the State of New York where he ? lived, and that he marched from New Canaan aforesaid to Albany from thence to Schenectady and from thence to Johnstown and from thence to Fort Herkimer  and was out on ? tours about one month according to his best recollection and went for the purpose of driving off the Indians and Tories and that they on ?? succeeded in driving out Tories and Indians and took some prisoners while at Albany on sd tour he the same Solomon Naughton saw a Tory hung who had been taken as a (p.o.w.?) but he does not recollect the name of the said Tory--and that after said Tour he returned home to New Canaan aforesaid he again volunteered into the service of the United States into Capt. Bostwick's Company in Col. Whiting's Regiment of the militia of the State of New York and marched from New Canaan         

aforesaid to Albany from there on to Stone Reby [Stone Arabia]  and was there in the battle with the Tories and Indians and that they retreated before our troops, like wise under the command of General Van Rensselar, and that he the said Solomon Naughton was out on said tour about four weeks according to his best recollection and then returned home to New Canaan aforesaid and that in the fall of the year 1776 he again volunteered into Captain Bostwick's Company in Col. Whiting's Regiment aforesaid, and marched to New Canaan aforesaid to Fort George at the head of Lake George in the State of New York for the purpose of opposing the British then marching as it was suspected from Canada under General Burgoyne and after staying at Fort George about a week and learning that the British troops had given up their expedition our troops had orders to return home, and we marched as far on our way home as Still Water and there heard that Fort Schuyler was besieged, we were then ordered to march to that place--but the next day learning that the report was incorrect--we were ordered to return home and did return home to New Canaan aforesaid and that he the said Solomon Naughton was out on said tour about four weeks ? to the best of his recollection and belief, that General Schuyler was his Commanding General--then that in the spring of the year 1777 in the month of May according to his best recollection he the said Solomon Naughton again volunteered into Captain Bostwick's Company in Col. Whiting's Regiment, and marched from New Canaan aforesaid to Fort George aforesaid for the purpose of (moving?) the military stores and to oppose the march of Burgoyne's army there marching or   

about to march from Canada, and that they (moved?) the military stores from Fort George--that is what could be ??? while on the march of Burgoyne's army ......  that like wise driven by the Indians and Burgoyne's troops to Still Water and there made a stand -- General Schuyler was the commanding General -- and that the said Solomon Naughton was at the Battle of Still Water and at Saratoga and the Surrender of Burgoyne he the said Solomon Naughton was taken sick -- he then aft. Saratoga returned home and that he the said Solomon Naughton was out on said tour about five months as he (clearly?) believes according to the best of his recollection -- that he was born at Farmington in Connecticut ....--that he resided at New Canaan in the State of New York during the REvolutionary War--and that soon after the close of the War he moved to Poultney in the State of Vermont and from thence to Shoreham aforesaid where he now resides and has resided for upwards of nine years past, that he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services  He hereby relinquishes his every claim whether to a pension or ???? and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state (signed) Solomon Naughton his mark x
Sworn to and ? the day and year aforesaid before me (signed) Silas H. Jenison Judge of Addison County Court      

Theodore or Thode Norton in the Revolutionary War

The following is the Revolutionary War Pension Application of Josiah's Norton's brother Thode, or Theodore, Norton. 

"State of New York
Columbia County}  On this twenty-fourth day of January, one thousand eight hundred & thirty-three personally appeared before me I.W. Fairfield one of the Justices of the ? court of the city of Hudson Thode Norton a resident of the town of New Lebanon in the County of Columbia and State of New York aged sixty-nine years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832--

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated viz

On the fifteenth day of September 1777 while he resided at Canaan (now New Lebanon) in the County and State aforesaid he was drafted as a militiaman in Captain Elijah Bostwick's Company in Colonel Whiting's Regiment of New York Militia and was ordered & accordingly did march with this company to Stillwater where they arrived on the day after the battle at that place that he was rationed with his regiment and company at Bemus Heights where he remained and did duty until the fifth day of October in the same year when he was taken sick & in consequence thereof was discharged & returned home after having served the term of three weeks--he recollects the time of his discharge from the fact that on his return home & on the second day after he had left the army he heard the firing of the cannon in the last engagement of the Amerian (sic) army with Burgoine (sic)--he remembers that General Gates was in command at Saratoga & that General Arnold was also there -- Captain Gideon King & Captain Filch from Canaan aforesaid were attached to the same Regiment to which declarant belonged and was with the troops when he served-- 

And the said declarant further says that on or about the first day of September 1778 while residing at New Lebanon aforesaid he was again drafted as a militia man      

man in Captain Cady's company in which John Smith was Lieutenant.  The Regiment to which he belonged was commanded by Colonel John McKinstry -- whose major's name was also McKinstry-- the company was ordered out on a tour of four weeks as was also the regiments--that he marched from Canaan aforesaid to Albany & from there to Cherry Valley where he remained in garrison until the time for which he had been ordered out with his company had expired at which time no inforements having arrived or to the ? that was reputed he was required with his company to remain on duty for two weeks longer which he did do & at the ?tion of that time the company was dismissed and the declarant returned home after a march of eight days that he was on duty from the time he found the company until it was discharged about the fifteenth of October six weeks including the time occupied on the march homeward seven weeks and one day--

That in the latter part of the month of July 1780 he engaged as a substitute for his brother Stephen Norton who had volunteered or enlisted as a private for four months service under Captain Elijah Bostwick of the New York militia--the name of the Lieutenant was Crandel--that he joined the Regiment which was commanded by Colonel  Graham Lieutenant Colonel Livingstone & Major at Fishkill--from there the Regiment was ordered to Albany--to which place they proceeded by water--from Albany he marched with his regiment to Fort Edward up the Hudson where after remaining about a week he marched with his company to ? in the county of Saratoga & about twelve miles north of the springs where the said company was stationed as a guard and remained until the last of October or the first of November when this declarant was discharged with the rest of his company--and he further states that he served        

in said company three months and a few days--he recollects that Colonel Warner had been at the time declarant was at Fort Edward in command at that place and that he was there severely wounded and incapacitated from duty in consequence thereof--he is confident that he served at this time as much as three months and six days

And the said declarant further says that in the month of October 1781 he together with the rest of the militia in the neighbourhood where he there resided in in (sic) the town of Canaan aforesaid were ordered out on a tour of duty to the north to repel an (sic) reputed attack from the enemy in that quarter--that he joined Captain Skinners company of militia--his lieutenant's name was (Miford?)--the company was attached to Colonel Whiting's Regiment--which owing to an indisposition of the Colonel was there commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Waterman--that he marched with his company to Bemis Heights where they remained encamped until they were dismissed which was after they had been on duty eighteen or twenty days the precise time where they were called out or dismissed the declarant does not recollect--he can only say that his term of service commenced in October and continued for the length of time above stated but not less than eighteen days Captain Elijah Bostwick was with the same service with his company at the same time--

And he further states that he was born in the month of May 1763 at Farmington in the state of Connecticut he has no record of his age -- but thinks there is one in the town of Cambridge (Connecticut)--which was ?? from Farmington aforesaid--but in whose keeping it is, he cannot say--when he was called into the service he lived in the town of Canaan aforesaid--and in that part thereof which is now New Lebanon where he now lives and has resided since the Revolutionary year--at the ? times when he entered the     

service as aforesaid he was (except once when he went as substitute as before stated) called by a general order requiring the militia to turn out-- at all ? he did ? as a volunteer--he recollects the name of no other officers who were with the troops where he served nor other Regiments than those he has named -- that he never received a discharge in writing from the service -- that he is known to the Reverend Silas Churchill and Elam Tilden in his present neighbourhood who can testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution -- he hereby relinquishes every  claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state and and he further says that he has no documentary evidence and knows of no person other than William Lee whose testimony he can procure who can testify his service the aggregate of the different times he has served is more than five months (signed) Thode Norton

We Silas Churchill a clergyman residing in the town of New Lebanon...in the county of Columbia and state of New York and Elam Tilden residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thode Norton who has subscribed to the above declaration;  that we believe him to be sixty-nine years of age;  that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier in the revolution and that we concur in that opinion (signed) Silas Churchill, Elam Tilden
..."

Josiah Norton in the Revolutionary War

Josiah Norton was the father of William Norton of Granville NY and the grandfather of Louisa Norton, wife of Adoniram Davis.  At the age of 80 he applied for a pension based on his service in the Revolutionary War, which his pension application details.

"State of New York.  
Washington County. I Solomon Norton of Shoreham in the County of Addison and State of Vermont but now on a visit to Granville in the County of Washington, aged eighty-three years being duly sworn ? and saith that Josiah Norton the Declarant in the annexed Declaration named is the Brother of this Deponent and he well remembers that this Deponent and the Declarant went with the militia up the Mohawk River in the Campaign in which (Col?) Brown was killed at Stone Arabia mentioned in the annexed Declaration, that the Declarant and this Deponent went in the same Company but his Brother went the day before this Deponent and that his Brother aforesaid went on the march in the woods before this Deponent and that in this Campaign they had some fighting with the enemy who were present to the lake beyond Fort Herkimer when they escaped that his said Brother the Declarant returned to New Canaan together with the Company and that in this Campaign they served a period he thinks of six weeks--
And he further saith he well remembers that his said Brother Josiah Norton went on another occasion with another Brother west of Lake George with the militia as a patriot in the Revolutionary War and that they were about on this occasion as much or more than two months and that the time of five weeks stated by his Brother in his Declaration he is confident is too short a period and he verily believes it is not less than eight weeks serving on this occasion ??? after planting Corn in May and did not return until some time after the second hoeing which must be in July and he further with that he believes the said Josiah Norton went on another occasion to Stil (sic) Water but his recollection is not so distinct as in the cases above mentioned and the militia being frequently called upon to go against the enemy he has no Doubt but that his said Brother served as stated in his Declaration which has been read to him but he cannot now remember the particulars so as to be positive as he can in the first two campaigns above stated          

and he further saith he cannot remember the years when either of the services were performed but thinks it was before the taking of Burgoyne further saith that he writes his name "Naughten" but his children and Brother write their names Norton further saith not. (signed) Solomon Naughton
Sworn & transcribed this 12th day of September 1834 before me

John le Parker J. Peace and I certify that I was acquainted with the reputation of the above yeoman twelve or fifteen years ago when he lived in Poultney about eight miles from me and I have not heard or known any thing since ? alter his reputation and believe him to be a credible witness as he has always before been referred to be---and that he is a man of more than common intelligence for one his age. (signed) Johnle Parker J. Peace"
......

"State of New York
Washington County. 
On this ninth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-four personally appeared before David Woods one of the Judges of ? court of Common Pleas of the County of Washington being a court officer Josiah Norton a resident of the Town of Granville in the County of Washington aforesaid & State of New York aged Eighty years on the eighteenth day of November last past and being so infirm that he is unable to go from home who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.

That according to his best recollection and belief about the middle of the month of October 1775 the Militia at New Canaan in the County of Columbia and State of New York where this Declarant resided were ordered out to go to Johnston in said State and that he this Declarant as a private soldier and militia man was called upon and marched in a Company under Capt. Hezekiah Baldwin & Lieut. Rowly to Johnstown where they were stationed for about five weeks & where there was three Companies under the following Captains to wit Capt. Baldwin Capt. Bostwick and Capt. Gilbert  which were all the Troops there at the time that he staid there until the latter part of November of the year 1775 but this declarant from age and the consequent loss of memory does not remember the day of the month when his tour of service commenced or ended but thinks he can safely say that he served on this occasion a term of not less than five weeks

That in the month of May 1775 according to his best recollection before the service above mentioned the militia of New Canaan aforesaid were called out to go to Stillwater in the State of New York and this Declarant as a militia man marched in a Company under Capt. Hezekiah Baldwin  ? St. Rexford to Stilwater where they remained for a period of four weeks that this was the only Company stationed there at that time that the Company was marched back to New Canaan and dismissed ? June but from age and consequent loss of memory he cannot state the day of the month when he entered upon this service or when dismissed but can safely say that this tour of service was not less than four weeks

That about the tenth of June 1776 it was reported the enemy were 

on the rout (sic) towards Cherry valley in the State of New York and the militia of New Canan (sic) was called out and this Declarant as a private in the militia marched in a Company under Captain Bastian & Lieut. Hallenback to Cherry valley where they were stationed for the span of four weeks, there was no other Company stationed there at that time, as the enemy did not make his appearance they were marched back to New Canaan and dismissed there that he served on this occasion a period of not less than four weeks

That in the fore part of July 1778 according to his best recollection the Militia were called out to go to Josephs Patent so called west of Lake George in the State of New York that this Declarant as a private marched in a Company under Captain Gilbert and Lieutenant Samuel Rexford to Josephs Patent and continued there and on scouts about that region for a term of not less than five weeks when the Company were marched back to New Canaan and dismissed and thus he served the said term in said Company

That about the Last of October, in the year 1779 according to his best recollection the militia were called out to go to Fort Stanwix in the State of New York that this Declarant as a private in the militia marched in a Company under Captain Bostwick & Lieut. Hallenback and in a Regiment under Col. (Renpalen?) there was another regiment he recollects in the Campaign under Col. Waterman & also one under Col. Brown & also Col. Willet he believes who had the Command of the whole as he believes it was said there were five thousand troops that he was March (sic) Fort Stanwix and three days march beyond in the woods in pursuit of the enemy that during this Campaign Col. Brown was killed by the enemy at Stone Arabia while he was on his this Declarants march up the Mohawk River that on the day Col. Brown was killed the Declarants party had a fight with the British and Indians and drove them and did not again overtake them that in this Campaign the British Col. Butler was killed as he believes that this Declarant served as a private in this Campaign a period of not less than six weeks being dismissed as he believes some time quite well in the month of December of that year he well remembers the weather was cold and thinks he might have served a considerable longer period than he has named but cannot be certain is sure it was not less than six weeks ....    

That about January 1780 as he believes the militia of New Canaan were called out to go to Johnstown in the State of New York that he this Declarant went as a private in the Militia under Captain Bostwick & Lieut. Hallenback in Col. Whiting's Regiment which went on this occasion there was also another Regiment also went but he does not remember the Col's name they went in Sleighs to Johnstown upon which occasion Sir John Johnston surrendered up unto them Five Hundred stand of arms and two persons as hostages for the good and peacible (sic) behavior of himself and party towards the Inhabitants that the arms and hostages were carried to Albany that on this occasion he was in service a period of not less than five weeks but from age and loss of memory cannot state the days of his entering the service and dismissal. 

That during the several periods of service aforesaid this Declarant resided at New Canaan aforesaid and went from thence at each time in the Militia.

And he further saith that he has no documentary wideme and that he knows of no person who can ? who can testify to his services.

He hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of any agency of any State or territory whatever 

And he further saith that he is unable to go to court to swear to his Declaration or even from home to attend to any business--

That he was born on the 18th November 1753 at Farmington in the state of Connecticut as he verily believes 

That he has no record of his age at present tho' he had one in his bible which is now in the possession of some of his children 

That when he was called into the service he lived at New Canaan in the County of Columbia State of New York and lived there during the period of Revolution and until about the year 1794 when he removed to Hebron Washington County New York lived there about 4 years until about 1798 when he removed to Granville his present residence where he has lived for thirty five years

When he entered the service on the several times above mentioned he went with the militia on a call for their services was never drafted and never served as a Substitute

That he cannot state the names of  his officers more particularly than he has done in the body of this Declaration 
   

....And this Declarant on his oath aforesaid saith that....the reason he has not applied for a pension sooner is that he has been afflicted with a disorder which so affected his head and memory that he could not remember his officers and his disorder was such that he has not since the passing the act expected to survive but a short time But have obtained considerable relief from his disorder and his memory having been restored and feeling the want of the assistance which the act provides has now seen fit to make his application  (signed) Joseph Norton.....

The following several pages contain attestations to Josiah Norton's declaration and standing in the community.  One of the witnesses is Henry Morris, a clergyman in Granville, presumably from Josiah Norton's church.

In the following document, William Norton of Middle Granville, Louisa's father, states that he is the son and one of the legal heirs of Josiah Norton.  He makes this claim on January 31, 1853, after the death of his father.

Josiah Norton's claim was rejected.  Here is some additional correspondence after the rejection.  On July 12, 1835  John leParker states that "he is poor and needs the aid of this Country for support if it can be allowed him."

And on August 20, 1838 J. W. Thompson asks that muster rolls be searched for the name "Josiah Naughton" as this would indicate Josiah Norton. 

Josiah's signature on this last document is very shaky.