The Wastell Family History

John Wastell C 1677 There have been Wastells in England since the Normal Conquest of 1066. John Wastell (c. 1460–c. 1518) was an English gothic architect and master mason responsible for the fan vaulted ceiling and other features of King's College Chapel, Cambridge, the crossing tower (Bell Harry Tower) of Canterbury Cathedral, and sections of both Manchester and Peterborough cathedrals. He also worked on Bury St Edmunds Abbey. We know that a Samuel Wastell of Spital Yard paid a Hearth tax in 1666.  This address appears later in our story. The first historically documented evidence for our part of the Wastell family tree begins in the late 17th Century when John Wastell married his wife Ann. John was a Silk Weaver who enjoyed the privilege of Freedom of the City of London. The Freedom of the City of London originate from the medieval trade guilds which were established to regulate particular crafts. Guilds supervised the training of apprentices, controlled standa...

William Wastell 1740 - 1823 William was born 10th Oct 1740 in Mile End New Town and was baptised on 29th October at St Dunstan, Church. On 7th March 1764, William married his first wife, Mary Caton, at St, Matthew’s Bethnal Green. Mary, born 19 January 1745, was the daughter of Morris and Catherine Caton of Tides Alley, Limehouse. Tides Alley was one of the many alleyways that led down to the Thames in Limehouse. Morris was employed as a “gardener”. At that time there were many orchards and market gardens in Limehouse. Morris’ father lived at Ratcliffe, Limehouse. 6 months after their marriage, William and Mary’s first child was born, Mary b. 24 Sept 1764 Judith b. 14 May 1766 Ann b. 11 Feb 1768 Catherine b. 10 Mar 1770 Samuel b. 6 Dec 1770 William b. 23 Oct 1771 Peter b. 1773 John b. 14 Aug 1774 Jane b. 09 Aug 1779 Charlotte b 1781 Samuel b.1783 George b. 5 Sep 1784 Thomas 3 Feb 1787 Charles b 12 June 1790. After having 14 children, Mary d...