Joseph Irons
(1720-1769)

Joseph Irons (also known as Joseph Ion) was the fourth of at least five children of Richard Irons and his wife Ruth Betts of the fenland village of Little Downham in Cambridgeshire, England.

Joseph married Mary Nicholas (also of Little Downham) in 1742, and the couple settled down in Little Downham to become parents at least six times, however their fourth child - daughter Sarah Irons - died when she was about 2 years old in the spring of 1755.

Whilst Joseph's occupation is not yet known, he only lived to the age of 49 - dying during May 1769. In accordance with the Burial in Woollen Acts 1666-1680, which were still in force, Joseph like many villagers during the late 1700s, were buried in a woollen shroud in a bid to keep the wool industry going.

Within ten years of his death, his youngest daughter Johanah Irons had married and also died aged just 22, and then his widow Mary following him to the grave 4 years later in 1783.

Life Events

Born

• circa 1720 at Little Downham, Cambridgeshire, England.

Baptised

• 17th April 1720 at St. Leonard's Church, Little Downham, Cambridgeshire, England.

Married

• Mary Nicholas (1723-1783) on 20th June 1742 at St. Leonard's Church, Cambridgeshire, England.

Children

• Mary Irons (1742-?)
• William Irons (1744-?)
• Ruth Irons (1749-?)
• Sarah Irons (1753-1755)
• Rebecca Irons (1755-1843) married Robert Barber (1757-1821).
• Johanah Irons (1757-1779) married Thomas Gollington (17??-?)

Death

• During May 1769 at Little Downham, Cambridgeshire, England.

Burial

• 28th May 1769 in wool at St. Leonard's Churchyard, Little Downham, Cambridgeshire, England.