The Turner Family of Bagworth, Leicestershire and Bolnhurst, Bedfordshire 1746–1808

The authors of the Turner letters came primarily from Thomas Turner's family in Milton Ernest. The tombstone of Thomas's father, John Turner I (1759–1844), in Milton Ernest churchyard, states that he was a native of Bagworth, Leicestershire (west of Leicester). John Turner I was baptised there on 10 June 1759; he was the son of Richard and Elizabeth Turner (nee Brown) who lived at Thornton within that parish. His parents had married at Bagworth on 21 September 1746. In addition to John they had three other children: Thomas (baptised 2 April 1749, died 6 February 1750); Thomas (baptised 6 April 1755); and George (baptised 17 February 1762). Elizabeth, a daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Turner, was baptised on 20 March 1766 at nearby Congerstone and may well be a younger sister.

John Turner I was closely linked with the Caldecott family of Rugby, and it was probably as a result of John Caldecott inheriting an estate at Rugby from his uncle William in 1777 that John Turner moved there. The Caldecotts were also related to the Turners of Park Hall, Kidderminster. It seems likely that the Bagworth Turners were also related to those of Kidderminster, but the link has not yet been established.

John Turner I married Anna Maria (Annamariah) Piercy (1755–1828) at St Andrew's Church, Rugby, on 20 October 1783. By April 1784, they had moved to Bolnhurst in Bedfordshire. The poll book for the Bedfordshire county election of April 1784 listing the Bolnhurst votes records John Caldecott, esquire (owner) of Rugby, Worcester (sic) as having a vote for a house and land occupied by John Turner (tenant). Caldecott voted for Ossory and Ongley, both Whigs against Hampden, the Tory.

John Caldecott, Samuel Wyatt of Burton on Trent and Jacob Turner of Park Hall, Kidderminster, a banker, had bought the manor of Bolnhurst from John Churchill on 9 January 1779. John Caldecott and Jacob Turner were first cousins and both owned property in Catthorpe, Leicestershire. Samuel Wyatt, presumably, was included as a business partner. Why they bought the manor of Bolnhurst is unclear. It was a curious choice for a financial speculation, which is what seems to be behind the purchase.