Dear Pam, Yes, the theory that Stephen is the son of John Man(s)field and Jane (Wetherall) has been accepted as a real possibility for a long time, however, there have been no positive links found so far. I would very much like to see a reference to a brother, sister, aunt or uncle. No will has been quoted so far, for instance. My dilemma is that I now have several diverse references that give a close ties to other family names, some within the same parish (listed below). Paul Chapman told me that the local vicar of Swaffham Prior had periodic "round ups" of stray parishioners' children that had not been baptised, and William & Jane's Stephen could have easily been eight when baptised in 1774. We all know that a William WETHERALL was a witness at Stephen & Jane's wedding in Swaffham Prior, but also: William Man(s)field is married to Alice NEWMAN, the banns were in Swaffham Prior, but the marriage circa December 1756 isn't. . William's land in Swaffham Prior adjoins HUNT land. Stephen Mansfield & Elizabeth Watson were married in Swaffham Prior, their daughter ANN married LUKE HUNT there in 1805. Stephen & Jane's granddaughter married JOHN NEWMAN in Burwell in 1859. His parents were Thomas & Rebecca (Peachey). The rest of their children scattered married out of the area which doesn't help us much. James in Isleham, Elizabeth in Little Wilbraham, Sarah in Stow Cum Quy & Stephen in Swaffham Bulbeck. It bothers me greatly that there is no absolute proof! Regards, Wynnette on the Gold Coast, Australia. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Keith & Pam Cooper" <pcooper@st.net.au> To: <ENG-CAMBRIDGESHIRE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, July 05, 2004 6:58 AM Subject: Re: [ENG-CAMB] Stephen Mansfield & Elizabeth Watson > Quite a bit of research has been done on the Man(s)field lines - my own > interests centre on West Wratting and Weston Colville, though I do have data > on other branches as well. > > I believe that the Stephen Mansfield who married Elizabeth Watson was almost > certainly the son of John Man(s)field & Jane Wetherell. John & Jane's son > was baptised 12 Jan 1766 at Balsham. This would fit exactly with the > Stephen who died aged 70 in 1836. > > This family of Man(s)fields becomes difficult from here back as there are > several lines of thought on where John Man(s)field fits into the bigger > family picture. > > Pam Cooper > Qld, Australia > > > > > ==== ENG-CAMBRIDGESHIRE Mailing List ==== > . > >