Charles Stoodley (d.1690) Mayor of Dorchester in 1682

His son Christopher Stoodley (1670-1731) Merchant of Antigua in West Indies &
His brother Christopher Stoodley (d.1732) Grocer of Dorchester

Alternative spellings encountered:- Carolo; Chresfourus; Stodley; Stoodelie; Stoodly; Studly
© Compiled by Michael Russell OPC for Dorchester December 2014


    The Great Fire of London by an unknown painter, depicting the fire as it would have appeared on the evening of Tuesday, 4 September 1666 from a boat in the vicinity of Tower Wharf.
    The Tower of London is on the right and London Bridge on the left, with St. Paul's Cathedral in the distance, surrounded by the tallest flames.
The great fire of London followed the devastating plague of the year before and took place on the evening of 4th September 1666 and lasted for another 3 days. It destroyed 13,200 houses, 87 churches and St Paul's Cathedral. This catastrophic event seems to have heralded the arrival of Charles and his younger brother Christopher STOODLEY in Dorchester. As I have not so far located anything about them prior too their arrival, there is no way of knowing whether this has any significance in fact, but there can be no doubt that the Great Fire would have still been the main topic of conversation on the lips of everyone at the baptism of his eldest son Charles which took place only 29 days later.


Charles STOODLEY Senior (d.1690)(1 & 11) appears to have been the elder of the two brothers and already married to Sarah (d.1693), as they settle in Dorchester and have the following four children all baptised at St Peters Church between 1666 and 1675. Charles soon makes a name for himself being elected as Governor of the Company of Freemen in Dorchester in 1675. This suggests that he must have already had some social standing when he arrived and was probably a member of the Corporation (which governed the town) from the outset.

On 31st August 1681 the Corporation, concerned about it's staunch puritan reputation, decided to send a 'Declaration of Loyalty' to King Charles II which was then signed by 300 of the most influential people in the town. It needs to be remembered that at the start of the Civil War Dorchester became the headquarters of Parliamentary Forces in Dorset and had been forced to surrender to Royalist forces in 1643. Although Dorchester had survived relatively unscathed since Charles II was crowned in 1661 these were the years leading up to the Monmouth Rebellion. The signatures of both Charles and his brother Christopher appear on the declaration and that for Charles is within a delineated group of the most influential people including, the Mayor, Bailiffs and Recorder of Dorchester. There has been some suggestion that the Stoodley family were supporters of the Monmouth rebellion which was so ruthlessly dealt with by Judge Jeffreys at the' Bloody Assizes' held in Dorchester in 1685. As far as Charles and Christopher Stoodley are concerned his does not seem likely to me as they held such a senior position within the Corporation that they must have been part of the decision to issue the declaration of Loyalty to Charles II in 1681 and Charles Stoodley is actually made Mayor of Dorchester the following year in 1682. Also Christopher Stoodley Senior continues to raise a family uninterrupted in Dorchester throughout this period right up to 1694. Charles STOODLEY was buried at Holy Trinity Church in Dorchester on 10th July 1690. His widow Sarah appears to have died intestate and buried at Holy Trinity Church on 25th Oct 1693 with administration of her estate being granted to her son Christopher Stoodley (See 3 below) on 25th Oct 1693.

    (1) Rev. Charles STOODLEY Junior BA (1666-1724) He was baptised at St Peters church in Dorchester (Picture left) on 3rd Oct 1666, and went on to be educated at Clare College Cambridge where he was admitted sizar on 5th April 1683 (aged 17). He was awarded a BA degree 1686/7 and joined the church being ordained as a deacon in London on 24th Feb 1688/9.

    He was appointed curate at Stringston Chapel (annexed to Kilve in Somerset) on 4th June 1689 but soon moved to Wiltshire to the Parochial Chapel of All Cannings with Etchilhampton on 29th Oct 1690.(2) He was appointed Rector of Up Cerne in Dorset on 6th March 1694(3). After his arrival he married his younger brother Christopher Stoodley at Upcern to Mary Smith on 17th Dec 1694. He was married to Elizabeth SWAIN in her adjacent parish of Mintern Magna by the resident Rector Rev. Alexander Sharpe BA (b.1656) on 5th July 1696(4) . They had no children and Elizabeth predeceased her husband being buried in woollen at Up Cerne on 12th March 1723. Charles has signed the Upcern parish register in Oct 1723 and wrote his will there on 6th March 1724(7). This left bequests:- (1st) to sister Shephard (See 2 below) £5 + gold ring engraved with the initial letters of my father & mothers name with ye times of their deaths (2nd) £5 to each of her 4 children (3rd) To his brother Christopher Stoodley a ring engraved with the name of the Hon. Charles Churchill Esq (4th) to niece & God daughter Mary Stoodley her aunts wedding ring engraved C.S.E.S. Note:- This would be his wife's wedding ring bearing both their initials. (5th) To his servant Elizabeth Maygood her bed and furnishings and all furniture in the room she slept in + 1 and a quarter years wages (6th) Elizabeth STOODLEY widow of his late brother Timothy Stoodley of Sydling St Nicholas $5 subject to her being Executor of his will (7th) Rest to her 3 daughters proved 1st June 1725]

    (2) Sarah STOODLEY (1667-Bef 1731) was baptised at St Peters Church on 8th March 1667/8 and married there to Jonathan SHEPPARD (6 & 11) on 27th March 1688. They had 4 living children in 1724 who were all beneficiaries under her brother Rev Charles Stoodley's will and also that of her brother Christopher. These were:- (1) William SHEPPARD (d.1732) who lived in Southwark in London and was left her brother Christopher's house in Antigua in 1731 and an obligation to pay his sister Sarah £10pa out of the proceeds. He seems to have gone to Antigua and died being buried at St John's 16th May 1732. (2) Sarah SHEPPARD (3) Mary SHEPPARD who was left £500 under Christopher's will and (4) Elizabeth SHEPPARD. She married by licence on 22nd April 1721 at St John's on Antigua to Bartholomew SANDERSON (1724)of Antigua a Merchant by trade. He was a member of the Assembly for St John's Town 1721-2 but died and was buried there 1st Nov 1724. Elizabeth returned with her children to live in Southwark with her brother William before 1731.

    Jonathan was still alive on 23rd July 1731 when his brother in law Christopher Stoodly wrote his will leaving him £100 but there is no mention of Sarah so i assume she had already died.

    (3) Christopher STOODLEY (1670-1731) was baptised at St Peters Church on 19th June 1670 and was married at Up Cerne by his elder brother Rev. Charles Stoodley (1666-1724) to Mary SMITH from Sherborne on 17th December 1694. He emigrated to Antigua and as I have transcribed his will which is covered in a separate section below

    (4) Rev. Timothy STOODLEY BA (1675-1724). Timothy was baptised at St Peters Church in Dorchester on Christmas day 1675 and matriculated at Wadham College Oxford on 3rd April 1693 aged 18. He was an exhibitioner 1693/4 and awarded his BA 1st March 1697/8. Timothy was ordained a deacon at Salisbury Cathedral on 26th June 1698 and followed his elder brother by serving his curacy at All Canning with Ethilhampton in Wiltshire until he moved, still as curate, to Sherborne on 26th May 1700. His university record confirms that he was made vicar of Sydling St Nicholas from 1702. Church records concerning him at Sydling St Nicholas do not seem to have survived but there is no doubt that he was vicar there as evidenced by his marriage record at Sherborne to Elizabeth PRIDE (d.1730) on 28th April 1707 and his signature on most of the Sydling parish registers. His marriage record refers to him as being the Vicar at Sydling whilst his bride is from Sherborne. He also seems to have been curate at Frampton but clearly did not live there. Timothy died on the 27th and was buried at Sydling on 29th Dec 1724. There is a monument erected to him by his brother Christopher written in latin in the south aisle of the church which confirms his death on the 27th Dec 1724 aged 49(11). His widow Elizabeth was named executor of his brother the Rev Charles Stoodley's will dated 6th Mar 1724/5 which among other things states that she is still living at Sydling. After bequests the will leaves most of his estate to their three surviving daughters shown below. Elizabeth Stoodly his widow was granted administration of his estate in 1725. and was buried in the parish on 13th Feb 1730.

      Mary STOODLEY (1707-1738) her eldest daughter was bap at Sydling on 28th Feb 1707/8 and with her 2 surviving sisters was a beneficiary under the Will of her uncle Christopher Stoodley (1670-1731) proved in London on 31st Dec 1731. She remained a spinster living in Yeovil and wrote her will on 8th September 1737 which specifically refers to the £500 bequested to her by Christopher Stoodley of Antigua which she leaves together with her rings, spoons, wearing apparel and rest of her estate to her friend Mr Nathaniel KNOTT. She was buried at Sydling St Nicholas on 29th June 1738 and her will was proved at London 26th July 1738.

      Sarah STOODLEY (1709-aft 1731) followed bap 2nd Aug 1709; Beneficiary under the Will of her uncle Christopher (1670-1731) proved1731

      Elizabeth STOODLEY (1711-aft 1731) was the youngest of the three to survive bap 15th May 1711; Beneficiary under the Will of her uncle Christopher (1670-1731) proved 1731

      Jane STOODLEY (1712-1714) bap 3rd Nov 1712 but buried there 12th Nov 1714.
Christopher STOODLEY Senior (d.1732) was a grocer by trade and married Sarah EYRES [EIRES] at St James Parish in Poole on 9th May 1671. They had 9 children all baptised at St Peters between 1674 and 1694 as shown below. Sarah was a beneficiary of 20 shillings under the will of her brother John EYRE of Bristol an Ironmonger dated 10th July 1680. He specifically refers to her as the wife of Christopher Stoodly of Dorchester. He asked to be buried at St Thomas parish near his brothers and also gives his sister Mary Lewis the widow of John LEWIS of Bristol a cooper by trade 20 shillings. Sarah was the daughter of John EYRE of Poole whose will dated 10th July was proved on 8th Nov 1682. In it he leaves £10 each to his grandsons John & Christopher Stoodly, to his son-in-law Christopher Stoodley my signet ring & my daughter his wife that ring from her brother [John] Eyre. Sarah Stoodley was buried at St Peters Church in Dorchester on 24th Feb 1696/7. Christopher moved ton All Saints Parish in Dorchester where he was buried on 12th Feb 1732/3
    (1) John STOODLEY (1672- aft 1682) As was traditional Sarah returned to her home parish for the birth of their first child. John (recorded as the son of Christopher Studly by his wife Sarah) was duly baptised at St James Church in Poole on 7th Aug 1672. He is a beneficiary of £10 under his grandfather John Eyre's will in 1682.
    (2) Mary STOODLEY (1674-1674) Baptised 8th Nov 1674 buried 22nd March 1674/5
    (3) Elizabeth STOODLEY (1675-1675) Baptised 15th Mar 1675/6 buried 19th March 1675/6
    (4) Christopher STOODLEY (1677-aft 1700) Baptised 23rd Sep 1677. He is a beneficiary of £10 under his grandfather John Eyre's will in 1682 and married an Alice, who died and was buried at St Peters Church in Dorchester on 3 Oct 1692. He was admitted to the Company of Freemen in Dorchester on 27th Sep 1700.
    (5) Sarah STOODLEY (1679-1694) Baptised 23rd Nov 1679 Buried 10th Feb 1680/1
    (6) Charles STOODLEY 1683-1687) Baptised 2nd May 1683 Buried 2nd Aug 1687
    (7) Hannah STOODLEY (1689-1690) Baptised 17th May 1689 Buried 6th june 1690
    (8) Elizabeth STOODLEY (1691-1692) Baptised 2nd Nov 1691 Buried 23rd Mar 1692/3
    (9) Martha STOODLEY (b.1694). Baptised 3rd April 1694
Christopher STOODLEY (1670-1731) Merchant of Antigua



As explained in the Section above he was the third child of Charles STOODLEY Senior (d.1690) and baptised at St Peters Church on 19th June 1670. He was married at Up Cerne by his elder brother Rev. Charles Stoodley (1666-1724) to Mary SMITH from Sherborne on 17th December 1694 but they had no children. They emigrated to the town of St John's on the Island of Antigua which in turn is part of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean.

Ten years earlier in 1684 Sir Christopher Codrington had come to Antigua to find out if the island would support the sort of large-scale sugar cultivation that already flourished elsewhere in the Caribbean. His initial efforts proved to be quite successful, and over the next fifty years sugar cultivation on Antigua exploded. By the middle of the 18th century the island was dotted with more than 150 cane-processing windmills--each the focal point of a sizeable plantation. Today almost 100 of these picturesque stone towers remain, although they now serve as houses, bars, restaurants and shops.

One of these investors was Christopher Stoodley from Dorchester. (14) He steadily amassed a fortune as a merchant buying land and plantations in Antigua, property in America and even owned his own ships and had shares in a number of other ships as well. On 20th Aug 1705 for example he acquired two portions of land at St John's by grant from John Yeamans Esq. He had a seat in the assembly for St John's Town which was declared vacant on 20th July 1730 as he had returned to London to live. He was buried at St Mary Magdalene Church in Richmond on Christmas Eve 1731.

His widow Mary STOODLEY (d.1745) continued to live in Richmond in the house of Henry WEYLE which she improved at no expense to him and wrote her will on 26th Jan 1744 in which she asked to be buried near her husband in Richmond. She made various bequests (1) To her god daughter Henrietta Horn wife of edward Horn now in Antigua £100 + £20 for mourning (2) Mrs Frances Morrice daughter of Colonel Valentine Morrice deceased her gold snuff box (3) to Christopher Sanderson son of Elizabeth Sanderson widow £400 (4) To her servants £5 each with an extra £5 to servant Sarah Maynard if still living with her (5) to her negro servant Sarah SIBELL (slave given her freedom in her husbands will) £5 to be laid out in something useful to her and sent to Antigua so it look like she exercised her right under his will to return to the island. (6) All the rest including the 21 acres of Land demised to her under her husbands will at St John's in Antigua she left to Elizabeth NORTHALL Spinster the daughter of the late Captain George NORTHALL. She was buried at Richmond on 13th Oct 1745.

His Will
Dated 23rd July 1731: with a Codicil dated 28th Aug 1731: Proved: London 31st Dec 1731

In the name of God Amen I Christopher STOODLY late of the town of St John in the Island of Antigua but now of London Merchant being in health of body and of sound mind and disposing mind and memory and understanding do make my last Will and Testament in manner and form following Vizt:

I humbly recommend my soul to the Mercy of the Almighty God and my body I desire my be decently buried at the discretion of my Executors hereinafter named and as such temporal estate as God shall bless me with at my decease I dispose thereof as follows

First I will that all my just debts be paid with the payment of all which debts and legacies I charge my whole estate both real personal

I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Mary STOODLY for her own use one thousand pounds sterling money of Great Britain to be paid to her immediately after my decease preferable to any other legacies given by this my Will
    And I also give to my said wife for her own use all my household furniture linen and plate and also my chariot horses and chaise which I shall have at my decease
Item: I give and bequeath to my said wife her executors administrators and assigns all my right title Interest Estate and term of years which shall at my decease be unexpired of and in one and twenty acres of Land or thereabouts with all the buildings and Improvements thereon lying and being in St Johns parish in Antigua aforesaid which were demised to me by Bayer Otto Bayer Esq and have since been demised by me to George Byam Esq In Trust that my said wife shall and do during her life distribute and divide the clear rents and profits thereof after payment and deduction there out of the rent payable by me for the said premises and all other charges and expenses which she or her estate shall be anyway liable to in respect of the said premises unto and among my nieces Sarah SHEPARD, Elizabeth SANDERSON widow and Mary SHEPARD Mary STOODLY Sarah STOODLY and Elizabeth STOODLY in such proportions manner and form as my said wife in her discretion shall think fit but after my said wife's decease if there shall be then any time to come in the said lease to me I direct her executors or administrators to dispose of the future rents and profits of the said premises after such payment and deduction there out as aforesaid unto and amongst the said nieces in such proportions manner and form as my said wife shall by her last will and Testament in writing or any other writing executed by her in the presence of two or more credible witnesses direct and appoint and whereas by an agreement duly executed and enrolled in the proper office at Antigua the Honourable Valentine MORRICE of the Island of Antigua aforesaid Esq is for an Estate or Plantation at Antigua which he now enjoys to pay to myself during the joint lives of me and my said wife and to the survivor of us during the natural life of such survivor an annuity or yearly sum of four hundred pounds sterling and at the death of the survivor of us to pay two thousand and five hundred sterling to such person and persons as are for that purpose mentioned in the said agreement
    But if at any time hereafter during the natural lives of myself and wife or the survivor of us the said Island shall happen to be conquered and reduced by the French or any other Foreign power then from thenceforth such annuity of four hundred pounds per annum and also the payment of the said two thousand and five hundred pounds directed to be paid as aforesaid after our deaths are to cease and not be made and the said Estate or Plantation is to be returned and conveyed to me and my heirs now in case such conquest or reduction should happen whereby the said annuity of four hundred pounds per annum and the payment of the said two thousand and five hundred pounds shall cease and become not payable :-

    Then I give devise and bequeath the said Estate or Plantation in Antigua to Ashton WARNER and Edward CHESTER of Antigua Esq's and Thomas SHEPPARD (11)of Antigua Merchant and their heirs In TRUST that they and the survivor of them shall as soon as may be sell and dispose thereof for the best price and prices they can get for the same in Bills of Exchange payable in London or for Gold and Silver ready money and do and shall forthwith remit and send to my Executors as to my estate in Great Britain hereinafter named such Bills of Exchange or monies for which such estate or plantation shall be sold who upon receipt of the same or as soon after as can be shall place forth and employ the money arising by such sale on securities of the Government of Great Britain or other good securities to be approved of by my said wife and do and shall from this time pay and apply the Interest and produce of such securities to my said wife for her life and after her decease do pay the principal monies to such person or persons who by such agreement so made and enrolled at Antigua as aforesaid would

    In case there be no conquest or reduction of the said Island be entitled to the said two thousand and five hundred pounds and in such proportions as the said two thousand and five hundred pounds is thereby directed to be paid and I do hereby direct that the provision made for my said wife by the said agreement and by this my Will shall be in barr and full of all dower or thirds which she can or may claim out of my real or personal estate
Item: I give devise and bequeath to my Nephew William SHEPPARD of Southwark in the County of Surrey in the Kingdon of Great Britain and to his heirs and assigns for ever my house in St John's Town of in Antigua aforesaid late in the possession and occupation of William DUNBAR Gentleman together with all and singular the outhouses edifices buildings and appurtenances thereunto belonging he or they paying there out ten pounds sterling in London yearly and every year to my niece Sarah SHEPPARD without any deduction whatsoever
    And also paying there out two shillings Antigua money weekly and every week to my Negro Servant Sarah SIBILL if she shall ever after my decease go to Antigua to reside and live there
Item: I give to my two Slaves the said Sarah SIBELL and Thomas THOMSON their freedom from and immediately after my decease

Item: I give to my Niece Mary STOODLY daughter of my beloved brother Timothy STOODLY late vicar of Sidling [i.e. Sydling St Nicholas] in the County of Dorset five hundred pounds sterling and to my brother-in-Law the said Jonathan SHEPPARD one hundred pounds sterling and to Christopher SANDERSON son of Elizabeth SANDERSON of Southwark aforesaid widow one hundred pounds sterling the said three last mentioned legacies to be paid within eight months after my decease

Item: I give to Elizabeth NORTHALL Spinster ten pounds sterling for mourning and to my Godson John WATKINS son of Giles WATKINS of Antigua ten pounds sterling to buy him a ring and to all my executors as well those in America as those in England ten pounds sterling each for a ring

Item: I give devise and bequeath unto the said Ashton WARREN Edwards CHESTER and Thomas SHEPPARD and to their heirs all the rest and residue of my said Lands Tenements hereditaments and real estate in America upon this special trust and confidence that they and the survivor of them and the heirs of such survivor do and shall as soon after my decease as conveniently may be sell and dispose thereof for such reasonable price and prices in Bills of Exchange payable in London or for gold and silver ready money so they can get for the same and receive the purchase money for the same which purchase money and also the rents and profits arising or to be made of the said Lands Tenements and Hereditaments in the mean time and also all my ships and parts of shares of ships and vessels wheresoever they be and all other my real and personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever I give devise and bequeath the same and and every part and parcel thereof unto and amongst my said nieces the said Sarah SHEPPARD; Elizabeth SANDERSON; Mary SHEPPARD; Mary STOODLY; Sarah STOODLY and Elizabeth STOODLY equally to be divided between them share and share alike
    But in case any of my said residuary legatees shall die before me and leave a child or children such share as the legatee or legatees so dying would have been entitled unto if living I give to the child or children of the party or parties so dying respectively and if either of my said legatee or legatees shall die before me leaving no child then the share or shares of the person or persons so dying without children or child shall go among the other of my residuary legatees as the remainder of my estate is before given and as though such person or persons so dying without child or children had not been named a residuary legatee or devise
    But in case either of my said residuary legatees shall be advanced by me hereafter before my decease in marriage and any sum or sums of money given by me unto her or them on Marriage then such sum and sums of money so given shall be deducted out of the share or shares of the residue of my estate aforesaid herein given to her or them in further age of the shares of my other residuary legatees
    And I do hereby Nominate and appoint the said Ashton WARREN Edwards CHESTER and Thomas SHEPPARD Executors of this my Will As to all my estate in America and do also nominate and appoint William TRYON and Thomas TRYON Merchants in London and William CHASE of London Linen draper Executors of this my Will
As to all my estate in Great Britain I do hereby empower authorize and direct my executors as to my estate in America to remit and send to Great Britain all monies and effects whatsoever which shall come to their or either of their hands by virtue of this my Will after my debts in America and the legacies given by this my will to perform living there shall be paid unto the Executors of my estate in Great Britain in such manner as they shall direct who are upon receipt thereof to pay and dispose of the same according to this my Will and I do hereby revoke and make void all former Wills legacies nd bequests by me at any time heretofore made and do declare that these presents only do contain my last Will and Testament and none other or otherwise

In Witness whereof I have to this my last Will and Testament set my hand and seal the 23rd day of July Anno Domini 1731 and in the fifth year of the reign of King George the Second Chris STOODLY

Signed sealed published and declared by the Testator Christopher STOODLY as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed out names as witnesses in the presence of the said testator and of each other

John LONG; John WISE; Jona EVENDORE Attorney in Arbuthnot Lane
Codicil dated 28th Aug 1731

Whereas I the within named Christopher STOODLY have in and by my last Will and Testament within written given and bequeathed to my wife her executors administrators and assigns all my Right Title Interest Estate and term of years which shall at my decease be unexpired of and in one and twenty acres of Land or thereabout with all the buildings and improvements thereon lying and being in St John's parish in Antigua which were demised to me by Bayer Otto Bayer Esq and have since been demised by me to George Byan Esq In Trust that my said wife should during her life distribute and divide the clear rents and profits thereof after such deduction there out as within mentioned unto and amongst my Nieces Sarah SHEPPARD; Elizabeth SANDERSON widow; and Mary SHEPPARD; Mary STOODLY; Sarah STOODLY and Elizabeth STOODLY in such proportions manner and form as my said wife in her discretion should think fit but after my said wife's decease if there should be then any time to come in the said lease to me I did direct her executors or administrators to dispose of the future rents and profits of the said premises after such deduction there out as aforesaid unto and amongst my said nieces in such proportions manner and form as my said wife should by her last will and testament in writing or any other writings executed by her in the presence of two or more witnesses direct and appoint Now I do hereby revoke and make void the said bequest and I do hereby give and bequeath unto my said wife for her own use and benefit the said one and twenty acres of Land or thereabouts with the buildings and improvements thereon to hold to my said wife her executors administrators and assigns for all the remainder which at my decease shall be to come and unexpired in the Lease thereto to me she and they paying the rent reserved on such Lease and all other charges and expenses which my executors or my estate shall be at in respect of the said premises

In Witness whereof I have to this my last Writing or Codicil set my hand and seal the 28th day of August Anno Domini 1731 and in the fifth year of the reign of King George the Second Chris STOODLY

Signed sealed published and declared by the Testator as a Codicil and part of his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have subscribed out names as witnesses in his presence John WISE; William FFRY Jona EVENDORE

PROBATE: Granted at London 21st day December 1731
Genealogical Notes & Sources :-    

(1). Municipal Records of the Borough of Dorchester Dorset edited by herbert C Mayo MA 1908: pages 409 Chas Gov. 428 Chr son Chr Freeman grocer; 641 oath of loyalty to King Charles II
(2). National Archives Ref D/1/14/1/4c/53 also Testimonial from the Rector of Holy Trinity D/1/14/1/4c/54
(3). Clergy of the Church of England Database Person ID 22915 (Charles Stoodley) and 51628 (Charles Stoodly) and 51631 Timothy Stoodly.
(4). Composite Parish Register for Mintern Magna for year 1696 (available to view on line at ancestry.com) + Oxford University Alumni for Alexander Sharpe
(5). Parish Registers for Up Cerne in Dorset
(6). Parish Registers for St Peters and Holy Trinity Churches in Dorchester transcriptions available on this site
(7). Bristol Consistitory Court Ref Bc/Ew Record 71/72 Charles STOODLY of Upcerne available to view on ancestry.com
(8). Parish Register of St James Poole Marriages 1671 (image 11 ancestry.com) Baptisms for the year 1672 (image 2)
(9). Parish Registers for Sherborne Marriage 1707
(10). Parish Registers of Sydling St Nicholas Dorset from 1702-1730. Timothy signs as Timo: Stoodly Vicar on many of the Sydling parish registers eg. 20th May 1715 & 22nd Oct 1716 &19 Jan 1717/8
(11). The History of the Island of Antigua Page 80 relevant for Thomas Sheppard of antigua pedigree; Page 81 brief outline of Stoodley and Sheppard family relationships & summary of Christopher Stoodly's will of 1731 and his widow Mary 1744 + page 83 notes re Christopher Stoodley and monumental inscription to Timothy Stoodley page 84
(12). Parish register of Richmond St Mary Magdalene P7/1/3 Burials Mr Christopher Stoodly
(13). WILLS: Christopher Stoodly PROB 11 Piece 648 Isham Quire Numbers 282-320 (1731)
(14). Link to "Antigua's History & Culture website where more background to Antigua's development can be found.
(15). Hugh and Mary SEAL's children were all baptised at Stoke Abbott:- (1) Jean Seal bap 26th April 1733 (2) Honour Seal bap 11 Nov 1738 (3) Mary Seal bap 30 Mar 1740 (4) Job Seal bap 11 Apr 1742 (wrongly recorded as a burial on ancestry.com) (5) Grace Seal bap 23rd Oct 1743 (6) John Seal bap 26 Sep 1746 (wrongly recorded as a burial on ancestry.com) buried there 8th May 1747 (7) Narcissus Seal was buried 21st june 1747

Dorchester / Fordington Page      OPC Page