One of Ari’s 6x great-grandfathers was John Beckett. John was born in about 1729 in Chilmark, Wiltshire.
Chilmark is known for its stone quarries, and stone from here was used to build Salisbury Cathedral.
From John’s marriage licence on Findmypast (in the collection of Sarum Marriage Licence Bonds), I discovered that his father was also John. (His first name is given as John Junr.) John’s occupation was given as ‘butcher’. He married Ann Sopp of Durnford, which is just north of Old Sarum, by licence, on 11 May 1761.
Marriage record from Wiltshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538–1812
Wiltshire, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754–1916
John and Ann had at least four children: John, Joseph, Thomas Salmon and Ann Sophia.
John died in 1805 and was buried on 22 March in the churchyard at St Mary of Antioch, which we visited yesterday.
Wiltshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538–1812
We didn’t find his grave, but there was a christening taking place which was a nice illustration of family history in the making!
Ari, this shows how you are related to John:
