Elizabeth BROWNSWORD was likely born in Syston where her father, John BROWNSWORD, a wheelwright lived. She was the youngest of the known children. She had a sister Dorothy and two brothers, William and John, although William had died by 1726 so may have died in infancy.
When her father died in early 1726, Elizabeth, her daughter Jane ROYLE, her sister Dorothy BENNIT and her son John all received 5 shillings. His wife Dorothy received £5 and a load of coal per annum. The remainder of his substantial wealth went to her brother John.
At that time Elizabeth was married to a Rector and could expect a decent living in the Rectory in Seagrave, however disaster struck when her husband died later that year, leaving her without any income or a home. Her husband's estate was relatively small totaling just £39, and it's not clear how much of a pension the church would provide.
She signed the administration bond for her deceased husband with her brother John and Thome BENNETT who was likely her brother-in-law. Both she and John signed their own names indicating a degree of education.
Elizabeth was buried in Syston in September 1760.
No perfect baptism has been found, but she was likely born after Sep 1692. The original Syston parish records exist and have been checked so perhaps her christening occurred elsewhere or Elizabeth was adopted. Given that her sister Dorothy was named first in her father's will it is likely that Elizabeth was the youngest child.
