John was baptised 9 November 1788 at Nettleham, Lincs, a son of Thomas Skelton and Mary.
He married Mary Downing 22 October 1809 at Wickersley, Yorks by banns. He was a bachelor of the parish of Mattersea and she was a spinster of the parish. There is a baptism for Mary Downing at Tinsley, Yorks, in 1785, which agrees with the census information in 1851.
In 1841, at Lound, Notts, John was aged 50, an agricultural labourer, not born in the county. With him was Mary aged 55, not born in the county and Thomas aged 13, born in the county.
In 1851, at Lound, Notts., John was aged 62, a farm labourer and born at Nettleham, Lincs. Mary, his wife, was aged 65 and born at Tinsley, Yorks. With them were their grandchildren George, aged 6 born at Lound, John aged 6 born at Retford and Elizabeth aged 3 born at Lound. (John and Mary must have further children.)
1861, at Lound, Notts., John was aged 72, an agricultural labourer, born at Nettleham, Lincs., and his wife, Mary, was aged 75 and born at Brightside, Yorks.
John's death appears to have been registered in the December quarter 1870 in the E. Retford district. He was aged 81.
In 1871, at Spital Hill, East Gringley, Clarborough, Mary Skelton (mother - sic), was a widow born at Notts (sic), Wicksley, in the household of William Kirton and his wife Jane and their family. (Jane was Mary Skelton's daughter).
Mary Skelton’s death was registered in the Ecclesall Bierlow district in the September quarter 1871 aged 85. She was buried at Sutton cum Lound 8 July 1871 aged 85.
Some of John and Mary's children were:
Posted 10 February 2007