Possible breakthrough in Burton upon Trent!

[Merry]

My 2xg-grandfather, William Allen, has been on my tree for decades with no parents or baptism. I just thought I'd take another look and might have found a clue. He lived most of his adult life in Bristol.

1851 census - aged 42 born Staffs Lichfield
1861 census - aged 54 born Staffs Burton on Trent
1871 census - aged 63 born Staffs Ashby-de-la-Zouch
1881 census - aged 72 born Leic Ashby-de-la-Zouch
1891 census - aged 82 born Leic Ashby

William married Hannah Lakin in her home town, Alrewas, Staffs in 1831.

The only clue I had, but couldn't previously do anything with, is that his first child was called Hannah Ames Allen. At the moment I don't have the name Ames anywhere else on my tree.

I've just seen a bap for Arthur Ames Allen in 1818 in Lichfield Staffs, the son of William and Sarah Allen.

I know the name Allen is pretty common, but there's also a bap at Burton Upon Trent, Staffs for a William Allen, son of Wm and Sarah on 7 Aug 1808 and a marriage for William Allen and Sarah Ames in Lichfield in 1806.

There's seems to be a number of children baptised in Lichfield between 1810 and 1831 which may belong to the same couple. The second son is called Edwin which I don't think was a particularly popular name at that date, but my William named his only son Edwin too.

So, all looking promising until I looked for Edwin in 1841 and found him in Lichfield with his wife, child and father, William. Problem - Edwin says is a solicitor! That sounds too grand for my Allen family. My Wm was a cabinet maker and later a painter and decorator. The son named Arthur Ames Allen was a school teacher which also sounds a bit too educated.

I suppose I need to get access to the baptism for the children to check out Wm senr's occupation and see if it's constant across the Lichfield baps and the first one in Burton.

Any other ideas?

[Merry]

I've just found this on ancestry which says Wm senr was also a schoolmaster.

[Margaret in Burton]

I can check out Burton baps at the Library but not Lichfield ones. Alrewas is halfway between Burton and Lichfield.

[Merry]

That would be great - thank you Marg.

The details from the transcription are:

7th Aug 1808 William Allen son of William and Sarah.

I'm not sure of the church yet...would there be several?

[Margaret in Burton]

Do you know which church for 1808 baptism? I assume St Modwens but will check dates of other churches.

[Margaret in Burton]

Would it be Burton or Alrewas?
Burton, as far as I know only had St Modwens at that date. There was All Saints at Alrewas though.

[Margaret in Burton]

It could also be Holy Trinity in Burton, now demolished and Aldi on the site.

Do you know where they lived in Burton? Possibly not.

[Margaret in Burton]

I'll pop in the library on Thursday when I go shopping.

[kiterunner]

This one is on FreeREG:

Arthur Ames Allen 9 Jun 1818 St Michael, Lichfield, Frog Lane, father schoolmaster.

[Shona]

There is an Arthur Ames Allen who died on 20 March 1873, 12 Norfolk St, Manchester. Effects under £300. Probate to Ann his spouse. Occupation has him as a banker's clerk. He's on the 1871 census as a banker's clerk and landowner.