Edwards Family

The first Edwards family known in Fradley is Nathaniel and Lydia Edwards and their 4 children. They are buried at All Saints Church, Alrewas (Ref 24970). Nathaniel (1771 – 1837) was noted as a farmer. Lydia (1775-1828) seems to have had 4 children; Mary (1801- ), William Middleton (1813 – 1820) died aged 6, Caroline Mumford (1815- ) and Nathaniel (1824-1842) died aged 18. However, another Nathaniel Edwards (1800 – 1881) married Ann Wiggin (1806 – 1881) in 1822 at St. Chad’s Church, Lichfield. This could also have been a son of Nathaniel/Lydia, but there is no certain evidence. They are buried at St. Stephens Church (Plot 100/107) with their son William Thomas Edwards (1826 – 1884). They had 3 other children, Nathaniel (1823 – ), Caroline Lydia (1829 – 1890) and Henry (1839 – 1919). Nathaniel was a local farmer and land-owner. A farm called ‘Edwards Farm’ was demolished, along with ‘Marsh Farm’ to make way for the Edwards Farm housing estate in the 1990’s. It is thought the farm was the home of the Edwards family. A John and Elizabeth Edwards are mentioned in the 1841 and 1851 census as living in Fradley with 6 children, but are thought to have had 8 children; Thomas (1816- ), John (1818- ), William (1820- ), William (1824 – 1851), Henry (1826- ), James/John (1829- ), George (1830- ) and Jane (1834- ). John was born in 1793/94 and Elizabeth was born in 1792/93. He could have been the brother of Nathaniel (another child of Nathaniel/Lydia that we have no evidence for), or not related at all.