John Staniforth & Jane Lewys

John Staniforth's Arms from the 1860 publication, Staniforthiana

John Staniforth of Darnall was baptised at Sheffield on January 28th 1571, he was the eldest son and heir of Lawrence Staniforth of Darnall. Very little is known about Lawrence, except that he had three children, John, Nicholas and Mary, and he was dead before 1590.

A grant dated 1590 exists showing George, Earl of Shrewsbury granting custody and marriage of John, son of Lawrence Staniforth of Darnall deceased, to Thomas Staniforth of Braithwell.

John Staniforth married Jane Lewys, the daughter of Richard Lewys, and the sister of Samuel Lewys of Thorpe Audlin, Yorkshire. The marriage appears to have taken place at Braithwell on June 12th 1592.

Jane was buried at Silkstone on May 2nd 1632.

John Staniforth made his will on June 16th 1630, and he died soon after at the age of 59. He was interred at Sheffield Parish Church on October 13th.

Throughout their marriage John and Jane had five children, two sons and three daughters:

  • John Staniforth (see our article on John here)
  • William Staniforth of Hull, in Staniforthiana, Frances Margery Hext claims William is the ancestor of the Staniforths of Hull and London, however it is evident that that line stemmed from Elkanah Staniforth. He was baptised in Sheffield in 1700, and passed away in Hull in 1743.
  • Anne Staniforth
  • Dorothy Staniforth, married George Pearson
  • Mary Staniforth, married Michael Hyley of Attercliffe

In 1629 certain of the principal inhabitants of Attercliffe met together to consider about building a chapel, which was accordingly begun. The foundation stone was laid on the 15th of July, by a little before Christmas the roof was put on, and about Michaelmas, 1630, the chapel was finished. It was opened for Divine Service by license of the Archbishop of York on Sunday, the 10th of October, but as this was only three days before the internment of Mr. Staniforth, he would not have the satisfaction of witnessing the completion of the work. His son-in-law Michael Hyley, was appointed one of the assistants “to help to provide things necessary for the work.” He also gave the sum of 6s. 8d annually towards the Endowment, which was only £10 per annum.