John & Mary Stafford

Hello everyone,

One set of great x 3 grandparents to me were John Stafford & his wife Mary Webster (possibly nee Kinsey).  I'm wondering why this couple were buried right outside the front door of St Peter's Church.  John died in Higher Tranmere in the Wirral in 1837 & Mary died at 21 St Paul's Square, Liverpool in 1841.  John was a stonemason/builder and the theory at the top of my list is that he may have been a part of the team who built the tower on the church in 1826 and at that time decided that St Peter's churchyard was an appealing place to spend eternity.  If anyone has any suggestions, or any information, I'd love to hear from you.

They had a daughter, Elizabeth, who following the deaths of her parents married James Sheldon, druggist/medical man in 1842.  Elizabeth and her two brothers, John & Joseph (my gx2 grandfather) inherited the assets John's Estate and this saw Elizabeth with property in Bebington, Cheshire.  She died in 1911 and is buried at St Mary's Penketh.  I can find no trace of John Jnr after he was mentioned in his father's Will in 1836.  

The other mystery is in regard to Mary who, when she married John, was a widow (Webster).  I can find a marriage between Mary Kinsey & John Webster (both of this parish) at St Paul's Liverpool in the 20th of July 1801 but I have nothing to confirm that this was my Mary.  However, I can find nothing else of relevance.  

If anyone out there feels that they know a little more on this couple, I'd love to hear about it.

I've been fortunate enough to have visited St Peter's in Plemstall and am planning another pilgrimage early next year.

Jenny Grant, Burradoo, NSW, Australia