SAYER FAMILY HISTORY

This page is dedicated to the history of the branches of the Sayer family from Bowes, North Yorkshire.

Historical background

The manor of Bowes was originally owned by the Crown until in 1629 it was sold by King Charles I to the Mayor and Corporation of the City of London . It was eventually sold to Christopher Hanby of Westgates in 1657 for £420 and in 1682 it was conveyed in trust for the benefit of the landowners. From that time on a Manorial Court was held regularly with a jury of thirteen men.

Sayer was a common name in the Bowes parish in the 17th, 18th and early 19th centuries with over 170 Sayer children being baptised in the parish church of St Giles in that period. They seem to be almost all descended from one family: the father was probably John Sayer (~1610 - ?1662) and the mother, his wife, Elizabeth (~1622 – 1687) was recorded as the only Sayer in Bowes in the 1664 hearth tax. Eight children are shown in their family but unfortunately there is little direct confirmation of their relationships. The two main lines descend from George Sayer (~1650 – 1734) and James Sayer (~1660 – 1715). The latter married twice and his descendants are so numerous that a section is devoted to each of his married sons: John (1688 - 1774), Thomas (1699 - 1759), James (~1700 - 1771) and Henry (1708 - 1798). There is no baptismal record for James so he could be a son of either George or James but the latter is thought more likely. Separate sections are also devoted to the families of John Sayer (1795 - 1862) and Charles Sayer (1742 - 1797).

Most of their descendants stayed in the Bowes region - some lived in Bowes village itself but many lived in the surrounding farms eking a living on the edges of Bowes moor. They seem to have been yeoman farmers and as the 18^th century progressed the families of John Sayer (1688 - 1774) and Henry Sayer (1708 - 1798) appear to have done particularly well, adding significantly to their land holdings. Descendants continue to this day farming in the area.

The Bowes Sayers played a significant part in the local community being church officers, trustees the Free Grammar School founded by William Hutchinson in 1693 (a charity that continues to this day),  members of the Manorial Court and innkeepers.

The supposed first family of Bowes Sayers

?John Sayer (~1610 - ~1662) & Elizabeth ? (~1622 - 1687) 
|   Jane Sayer (~1633 - <1696) & James Raine (~1630 - >1696)
|   |   at least 8 children b. 1657 - 1677 
|   Elizabeth Sayer (~1635 - 1662) 
|   Isabel Sayer (~1645 - >1667) & Christopher Browne (~1641 - >1667)
|   |   at least 1 child b. 1667 
|   Mary Sayer (~1648 - >1679 ) & Charles Baycliffe or Baylife ( - >1679)
|   |   at least 2 children b. 1677 - 1679 
|   >> The Family of George Sayer (~1650 - 1734)
|   Francis Sayer (~1650 - 1715) & ? ?
|   |   at least 1 child b. 1674
|   John Sayer (~1655 - )
|   James Sayer (~1660 - 1716) 
|   & 1. Christian Bainbridge (1666 - 1701)
|   |   >> The Family of John Sayer (1688 - 1774)
|   |   |   |   |   >>The Family of John Sayer (1795 - 1862) 
|   |   Elizabeth Sayer (1690 - )
|   |   Christian Sayer (~1692 - 1717)
|   |   Mary Sayer (1694 - 1714)
|   |   Margaret Sayer (1697 - )
|   |   >> The Family of Thomas Sayer (1699 - 1759) 
|   |   >> The Family of James Sayer (~1700 - 1771)
|   |   |   >> The Family of Charles Sayer (1742 - 1797)
|   |   Jane Sayer (1701 - 1701)
|   & 2. Mary Bainbridge (1662 - 1741)
|   |   George Sayer (1705 - 1706)
|   |   Agnes Sayer (1706 - )
|   |   >> The Family of Henry Sayer (1708 - 1798)
|   |   Bridget Sayer (1710 - )

Back to Bowes and Romaldkirk Sayers introductory page

Anyone interested in further details of this branch of the Sayer family, or who is able to provide additional relevant information,
is invited to contact the coordinator for this page Laurel Sayer.