I am trying to determine the parentage and pedigree of Captain Thomas SANDFORD of the firelocks who was slain during the Civil War Battle of Nantwich during January 1644. He is interred in a mass grave in the great aisle of St. Wyburgh's in Chester. One contemporary account states that he had a brother William SANDFORD who resided at Gray's Inn. Recent accounts state that he was the son of Robert SANDFORD of Prees and younger brother of Arthur SANDFORD. However, neither Thomas nor William SANDFORD appear in any of the Visitations of that period although both Robert and Arthur SANDFORD do. Also, there appear to have been no Thomases or Williams in the SANDFORD families or either Prees or Up Rossal for several generations. Any new information about Captain Thomas or verification of the more recent accounts would be very helpful.
The source of St. Wyburgh's was "Memoirs of the Civil War in Wales and the Marches, 1642-1649," Volume 2, by John Roland Phillips. It also gave a reference: Harl. MSS, 215, fol. 125.
A different source made reference to him being buried in Chester cathedral.
The name makes more sense when you realise that the present cathedral was originally - prior to 1541- the church of St Werburgh, Abbey church of a Benedictine monastry.
Cannot find Sandford listed as a burial online but I would suggest that if you contact the Cathedral they probably have a complete list.
If this is no good try Cheshire Archives, Duke St, Chester. They have a huge repository of documents.
Hazel
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What church is this mass grave in? I can find no "St Wyburghs" church in Nantwich or in Chester which is approximately 20 miles away. The nearest I can find is St Werburgh's Catholic church which was not opened until 1799 (not in its current position).
Where did you find the information you have given? Maybe with more information more help will be available.