1834: Boy named “Samuel” after his Father but he clearly did not survive, hence next boy was to carry on the “Samuel” but had to have a first name to discriminate between them. The reason why “John Samuel” kept dropping the “John” part probably.

Due to dates, Was Samuel 1834 a twin to Priscilla? Both records solid!

Can only find christening records for Samuel & John Samuel. None of the others??????

1851 census: Fenton Park House, Fenton, Stoke upon Trent.

                      140 acre farm with 2 servants and 4 labourers.

Looks like illiteracy at Samuel 1835 christening. Birks spelled Birkes, Ann spelled Anne, and Baggerley spelled Bagguley. Spellings correct on census.

Priscilla Wilson on census as a “Visitor”. See Samuel 1835.

1861 census: Trent Hay Farm, Shelton, Hanley. 80 acres with 2 “live-in” labourers.

One labourer, Thomas Baggerley tying Anne Bagguley to Samuel. Note Baggerley keeps changing spellings over the censuses. Commonest is “Baggerley”.

See “Birks relatives” file which shows the Birks’ and Baggerley’ as next door neighbours in Wybunbury, Samuel’s origin. (No’s 81 & 82 Swine Market). (Salubrious, what?) 

Note the change in farms between 1851 and 1861. Either Samuel is a tenant farmer, or he downsized. As an owner, would the family finances have improved status when Samuel died?

Then again, Samuel 1835 was a Butcher. Did he own his own shop?

1871 census:

Not found as family is probably broken up by now. Continue with John Samuel 1835.

Believe illiteracy spelt it Bagguley on John Samuel 1835 christening record. It was also spelled Bagguley on birth record of Samuel 1834 but this was by the same church so it was probably the same person.

Also, Birks had an “e” added on Samuel 1798 record, and Ann had an “e” added on 1851 census. Other documents confirm illiteracy rife on records.

Only have a records of her are on Samuel’s and John Samuel’s christening records. Can find no Christening records for other children. Have found a christening record for Ann 13/12/1807 spelled “Baggerley” but it is unconfirmed. It is not uncommon for christenings to occur several years after the birth. Records commonly come under two counties, and the difference between Cheshire, Shropshire Derbyshire and Staffordshire merge occasionally.

Note Dudley records are for both Staffordshire and Worcestershire at the same time for instance.

 We do have Baggerley’s (however it’s spelt) living next door to Birks at 81 & 82 Swine Market Wybunbury in 1861, and Wybunbury is where Samuel 1798 came from.

We have Thomas Baggerley working on Samuel’s farm, and John Baggerley lodging with John Samuel Birks in James Square in the 1861 censuses.

This is a very uncommon name to keep cropping up with Birks if this is wrong.