Elizabeth (Betsy) Haslam

Elizabeth (Betsy) Haslam was born 28 May 1800 in Bolton, Lancashire, England and was the daughter of John Haslam and Alice Halliwell. She was the mother of John S. Haslam, who was an illegitimate son of Price William later King William IV.

The story is that Elizabeth (Betsy) Haslam was a worker and teacher at the Duke of Bridgewater's Manor House Estate at Worsley. The Duke of Bridgewater was friends with the Royal Family at Windsor Castle, and Prince William visited him on many occasions. The servant joined in on many of these outing with the Duke of Bridgewater and Prince William. Even though there is no written evidence of the fact that John is the illegitimate son of King William IV, at the time of his birth, it was assumed by the neighbors in the area that John was the son of Prince William. It also appeared that money seemed to arrive for John's upbringing.

Elizabeth (Betsy) Haslam died 6 May 1832, when John was young (9 years old)and he was then raised by Betsy's sister, Jane Hardman. John worked in the coal mines as a child. He was bound over to Mr Wordley to learn the blacksmith trade.