The family bible traces our family back to John Lever. Apart from the bible, I have two sources for John. Both concerning his marriage to Elizabeth Baldwin (which was his second marriage - first unknown). They were married at All Saints Church, North Street, York.
(1) I have a marriage certificate which states the following:
"Banns of Marriage. John Lever of Manchester in the county of Lancaster, Merchant, and Elizabeth Baldwin of Parish [blank] were married in this church by licence this eleventh day of April in the year One Thousand and Ninety Four by me Thomas Barker, official of minister. This Marriage was solemnised between us [signatures of John Lever & Elizabeth Baldwin] in the the presence of Reverend Stursawn, Martin Croft, Sarah Baldwin."
(2) I found a source through Ancestry: "England, Select Marriages, 1538–1973" I find that his d.o.b. was ABT 1746.
Elizabeth and John had one child, Charles (1795 - 1861). He was born and baptised in Manchester, suggesting that the couple settled in Manchester, rather than in York (where they were married).
More searching in Ancestry has turned up a possible connection with a John Lever of Manchester, also born in 1746. The father is William Lever (1719-) and the mother is Anne Clough (1722-). The other siblings are: Benjamin Lever (1739 – ), Shusannah Lever (1740 – ), Samuel Lever (1742 – ), Susannah Lever (1745 – ), Joseph Lever twin (1749 – 1780), Sarah Lever twin (1749 – ), Nancy Lever (1752 – ), Thomas Lever (1754 – ).
Can anyone help to found out more about my ancester, John Lever? Also any tips on how to confirm the possible connection with William & Anne Lever's family would be very much appreciated.
I have also posted this in the Surname/ Lever discussion group.
http://boards.ancestry.com/surnames.lever/144/mb.ashxRegards,
Jeremy Lever