William Bant was the son of Joseph and Martha Bant, and was born in 1793, being baptised at St John the Baptist, Coventry, on 7 April. His parents must have had an association with Stoneleigh as they were married here in 1787, but moved to Coventry where their children were baptised.
William became a market gardener at Hearsall Gate, an occupation which continued throughout his life. He married
Elizabeth Swain at Stoneleigh on 30 September 1817 and they had four children, Mary, David, George and Joseph. She died aged 57 in May 1850 and was buried at Stoneleigh.
William died on 31 October 1869 and was buried at Stoneleigh on 4 November. His address was given as Hearsall Common. Sadly, son
George, who had rather crudely been described in the 1861 census as "idiot" must have found it more than usually difficult to lose his father. Just a few weeks later he was admitted to Warwick County Lunatic Asylum, where he died, aged 32, on 15 January 1870. In an act of kindness his residence was given in the burial register as Hearsall Common Stoneleigh.
