Written by Ian Davis. Last updated 25 March 2026.

This question concerns Benjamin Fetters/Fletcher (1767–1859).

Background

Benjamin was born Benjamin Fetters, probably around 1767, possibly in Shalstone, although we have been unable to find his baptism entry. In the early 1800s he and his family were sometimes known by the name Fletcher and by the 1850s the name Fetters had been abandoned entirely. However it wasn’t an overnight change. For many years members of the family were known alternately as Fetters or Fletcher.

Discussion

Timeline of the name change

Here’s a timeline showing the name change

• 1795 Baptism of John, son of John and Elizabeth Fetters (unknown connection in Shalstone to Benjamin)
• 1798 Marriage of William Farns[or Barns] and Eliabeth Fetters (unknown connection)
• 1801 Marriage of Benjamin Fetters and Martha Arrup
• 1804 Baptism of Benjamin’s daughter Lydia Fletcher
• 1805 Baptism and burial of Benjamin’s son William Fetters
• 1807 Baptism and burial of Benjamin’s daughter Susanna Fetters
• 1809 Burial of Mary Fetters (unknown connection)
• 1809 Marriage of Thomas Chirry [or Chiny], of Water Stratford, and Lydia Harrop, witness Benjamin Fletcher
• 1811 Baptism of Benjamin’s son Benjamin Fetters
• 1812 Burial of John Fetters (unknown connection)
• 1819 Baptism of Benjamin’s son William Fetters
• 1824 Marriage of Benjamin’s daughter Lydia Fetters to Thomas Tew
• 1831 Marriage of Benjamin (jnr) Fletcher to Martha Geaten
• 1841 Census entry for Benjamin Fetters and family
• 1851 Census entry for Benjamin Fetters and family
• 1859 Death and Burial of Benjamin Fletcher
• 1861 Census entry for Benjamin (jnr) Fletcher and family
• 1861 Census entry for William Fletcher and family
• 1864 Death of Benjamin’s wife Martha, recorded as Martha Fetters by the informant in the Union Workhouse in Buckingham
• 1864 Burial of Martha Fletcher in Shalstone
• 1871 Census entry for Benjamin (jnr) Fletcher and family
• 1871 Census entry for William Fletcher and family

There are no mentions of Fetters after 1864

(see diary entry for 2 Apr 2023)