There is a marriage record for William Barnsley & Elizabeth Downing at Rowley Regis & Burslem dated 23 Sep 1765 Wm. A Lee (officiating) Mary & Elizabeth James Witnesses.
I believe this to be incorrect.
There are no other records within the period (that I can find) identifying a 'William' Barnsley.
However, the baptism of Mary Barnsley is recorded seven months later on 13 April 1766 Parents Abraham & Elizabeth Barnsley.
Abraham & Elizabeth have other children and there are several death records of 'a child of Abraham Barnsley'.
Abraham appears as a witness to the marriage of Joseph Priest & Ann Barnsley 2 Jan 1764 and again for James Priest & Hannah Barnsley 19 Jul 1764. Elizabeth Downing was baptised 22 Jan 1744 but Abraham not until 22 Feb 1748 which makes him still a minor in that 1764/5 period.
I believe that Abraham married Elizabeth Downing as she was already pregnant and that the only 'William' was William A Lee.
As he was a minor, could there be a record Abraham's parents authorisation for him to marry?
Your opinions please!