WHITFORD, Mary (Grimwade p.398)

[buckler]

Mary Whitford was almost certainly the widow of Samuel Whitford , mentioned in the Parliamentary report of 1773 as a silver bucklemaker at St Martin Le Grand, who died in late 1778. His will, proved in November 1778 named Mary his wife, and after a few minor bequests, as sole beneficiary and as executrix. One of the witnesses to the will was a William Ballantine who was an ex- apprentice of Samuel’s.

She was not the Mary Wall who registered an incuse mark as bucklemaker at 6, Kings Head Court, St Martin Le Grand on 5 March 1792 as the will of Thomas Whitford ,died 1792, gives Mary Wall as his own widowed daughter.
The only other Mary in Thomas's will is "my sister Mary ???? (five letters Bxxgx) " who could not be her either

6th November 1778 - Sole bucklemaker mark of Mary Whitford at 6, St Martins Le Grand

12th January 1779 - Joint Bucklemaker marks of Mary Whitford & Willliam Ballantine 6, St Martins Le Grand

It would not be surprising if William Ballantine had married Mary Whitford at a date before 1788. I have found no evidence of such a marriage however.

8th July 1788 - Sole Bucklemaker mark of William Ballantine at 1, St Martins Le Grand.

X WHITFORD ALERT X
Anyone researching the Whitfords should be aware that they only seemed to use three forenames, Samuel, Thomas and William.
Each generation named their sons with one of those names. Hence in the late 18th century in St Martin Le Grand there were about four Williams, four Thomas' and four Samuels at least . To further confuse matters they had a penchant for marrying , or having daughters called Mary. My notes on them have been altered radically at least twice and I'm not totally convinced I'm right even now !