DENTON, William Senior - Extra Data

(member of RICHARDSON's Party)

Death Notice (Cape Archives) suggests he was born in Sheffield in November 1792

Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York (Yorkshire Bishop's Transcripts)

Wm. son of Eliz. SENYOR, Spinster, was baptised 16 December 1792 in the parish of Sheffield

[No suitable baptism for a William DENTON can be found in Sheffield for a birth in November 1792. The above baptism suggests that he was born illegitimately to Elizabeth SENYOR and may explain why he used the middle name SENIOR and gave that as a middle name to all his children]

Sheffield Archive and Local Studies

Charles DENTON and Elizabeth SENYOR were married by banns on 11 August 1793 in Sheffield Cathedral

Both made their mark

Witnesses: Jo.SAYNOR and John HALL

If this is the marriage of William's mother, less than a year after his birth, then the Charles DENTON who emigrated with Richardson's Party was William's stepfather and not his older brother. It would also explain why William chose to be known as William SENIOR DENTON

National Archives, Kew, London

WO97/3/96

His Majesty's Second Regt. of Lifeguards, whereof Gen'l Earl Cathcart KT is Colonel

These are to certify that William DENTON in the Second Regiment aforesaid, born in the Parish of Sheffield in or near the Town of York in the County of York was enlisted at the age of twenty-one Years; and hath served in the said Regiment for the space of two Years and 58 Days, as well as in other Corps, after the Age of Eighteen, according to the following Statement, but in consequence of a shot in the thigh at the Battle of Waterloo and six sabre and lance wounds, having his leg lacerated by a horse trampling upon him, he has become deaf, and is rendered unfit for further service, and is hereby discharged; having first received all just Demands of Pay, Clothing &c, from his Entry into the said Regiment, to the date of this Discharge, as appears by the Receipt on the back hereof.

And to prevent any improper use being made of this Discharge, by its falling into other Hands, the following is a Description of the said Wm. DENTON. He is about 23 Years of Age, is 5 Feet 10½ Inches in height, dark brown Hair, brown Eyes, dark Complexion, by Trade a Laborer.

Document dated 23rd July 1816

Sheffield Archive and Local Studies

William Senior DENTON and Mary CHARLTON were married by banns on 26 March 1817 in Sheffield Cathedral

Both signed

Witnesses: John CHARLTON, Harriet CHARLTON, Joseph HUDSON

William Senior, son of William Senior & Mary DENTON, Sheffield, Victualler, was baptised 21 August 1818 in Sheffield Cathedral (born August 2nd 1818)

William's wife Mary CHARLTON was the sister of Sarah CHARLTON, wife of James RICHARDSON. John CHARLTON witnessed the marriage of Sarah and James, and the marriage of William and Mary was witnessed by John and Harriet CHARLTON (the marriage of John CHARLTON to Harriet TOMES on 11 October 1809 in Sheffield Cathedral was witnessed by Mary CHARLTON) so I think John was a brother of Sarah and Mary. The following baptisms seem plausible, even although it would make Sarah and Mary a year or two older than declared on the settler returns.

Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York (Yorkshire Bishop's Transcripts)

John son of William & Eliz. CHARLTON, stone cutter, baptised 9 November 1875 in parish of Sheffield

Sarah dau'r of Wm & Eliz. CHARLTON, mason, baptised 28 September 1788 in parish of Sheffield

Mary dr of Wm & Eliz. CHARLTON, mason, baptised 13 November 1791 in parish of Sheffield