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From: "Jonathan Hunt" <>
Subject: [BAN] Parentage of James Stevenson Hunt
Date: Mon, 27 Aug 2001 18:19:47 +0100


Can anyone help me with the following family mystery.
For 30 years my father in law has been trying to discover the father of James Stevenson Hunt born Banbury Workhouse 3 May 1848 - the only surviving workhouse document is a minute book which does not mention him. I have tried all the usual methods of research to no avail.

James' mother was Anne Maria Hunt b. 1824 Sibford Gower. I have searched many parishes in the 1841c for her in the hope of a clue but no luck so far. In the 1851c James was staying at Sibford with his great aunt, Mary Lively, whilst his mother was a Cook in Banbury to Mr Grimbly, GP. By the 1861c James was an apprentice tailor to Robert Busby of Farnborough but no trace of his mother.

According to family legend James' father was a RC priest or circuit judge whilst the IGI states that his surname was Shepherd hence I am researching the surname Stevens/Stevenson or christian name Steven.

The RC priest in Banbury at that time was Dr William Tandy and there was no Steven Shepherd in 1851c so they don't fit. I do know that the Wesleyan Minister of Banbury c1847 was John Stevens, the Vicar of Swalcliffe was another John Stevens (although he had died by 1837 he did have children) and the Vicar of Souldern was Laurence Stevenson. I cannot find a link to any of these as yet.

James' father allegedly had two other illegitimate children born in Banbury, these being John Southam b.1832 and William Hunt b.1840 (Ann Maria was not the mother).


Does anyone have any information on the above that may help solve this mystery. Also any history/info on Banbury Workhouse would be appreciated.

Karen Hunt




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