Prudence WARD was "of Atherston singlewomen aged 34 or thereabouts" when she married William BARNES, a widower of Hinckley in 1711. They went on to have five children.

No baptismal record has been found for Prudence for around 1677 - the year the licence implies. One of the other bondsmen cited on the marriage licence was Nathan WARD of Hinckley, mercer - presumably a close relative. This Nathaniel WARD died in 1715 leaving his whole estate, including property in Dadlington and Hinckley, to his wife Martha to dispose of to his "children" as she saw fit. Nathaniel baptized children Sarah and Thomas in 1706 and 1709, so he is more likely to be Prudence's brother. No baptism for Nathaniel has been found increasing the likelihood that their records have been lost.

The best alternative is in September 1672 in Bulkington (6 miles to Hinckley) by parents Robert and Ursula WARD, which is still five years younger than William. If this was her then she was still having children aged 48. If correct, then Prudence was an only child and her parents died soon after each other in 1605-06. Perhaps this freed her from caring for her parents and she became available to marry, albeit at a later age than would be usual. Perhaps she got work in Atherstone. Unfortunately there are no burials of a Prudence WARD near Bulkington or other marriages that can confirm whether this Prudence was a different person.

Prudence died shortly after her husband in 1744.