A tranter is defined in my dictionary as a hawker or carrier. Elsewhere, Thomas Cooper is described as a haulier, so perhaps he did more carrying than hawking. I always imagined him as a Hawkesbury version of Del Boy. By the way, Doug, an executor of a will can also be a beneficiary. What you cannot be is both a witness and a beneficiary. Bob Lawrence

on 9/08/2000 1:49 am, Geoff Brightman at geoff_brightman6@thefreeinternet.co.uk wrote: > Joseph isn't mentioned > as one of the children here ? I wonder why ? As he's an executor he shouldn't be a beneficiary. Notice John COOPER is left out of the list of Thomas COOPER's children as well for the same reason. Doug Thompson

Rob Millard asked: > Was Thomas DAVIS either the husband > or son of his sister Hannah who married a DAVIS? Both are possible in fact! Children of Hannah and Thomas DAVIS found closely matching those in John COOPER's will 1. Mary DAVIS - International Genealogical Index Gender: F Christening: 30 Dec 1778 Hawkesbury, Gloucester, England 2. John DAVIS - International Genealogical Index Gender: M Christening: 12 Jan 1784 Hawkesbury, Gloucester, England 3. Hannah DAVIS - International Genealogical Index Gender: F Christening: 28 Oct 1787 Hawkesbury, Gloucester, England 4. Ann DAVIS - International Genealogical Index Gender: F Christening: 12 Jan 1793 Hawkesbury, Gloucester, England 21. Thomas DAVIS - International Genealogical Index Gender: M Christening: 3 Feb 1777 Hawkesbury, Gloucester, England 32. Joseph DAVIS - International Genealogical Index Gender: M Christening: 23 May 1790 Hawkesbury, Gloucester, England 1 to 4 are from parish register. 21 is a non-parish register entry (batch no 7028914) which also includes a Mary DAVIS (17 Apr 1774) and an Elizabeth DAVIS (5 Nov 1780). Not sure what confidence to give these. 32 also - (batch no 7030112). This includes John and Hannah with their correct dates, within a day or two. Doug Thompson

And there's more : - Lot STAFFORD was the son of Robert STAFFORD and Mary Ann nee THOMPSON. Lot married Naomi DAVIS. His sister Eliza married Samuel (3) THOMPSON was the 2nd cousin to Thomas COOPER ( or Thomas Cooper THOMPSON as he was christened). Martha THOMPSON in the census is related back through although I would need to go back to my records to dig things out as I havent proved it all yet....parents are on the BVRI but not at winterbourne in 1851....they have a grocers/bakers somewhere beginning with T I think. And can somebosy remind me what a Tranter is please Geoffro The Pond Dipper Http://www.HawkesburyFamilyHistory.co.uk >

Could not Joseph COOPER ( the father of James COOPER who married Ann LEWIS in 1840 in Hawks. ) just as easily be any one of the following culled from the IGI ? : 1. J.C. - Christened 1/3/1756 -Hawks. -father Thomas - mother Martha . 2. " " 12/9/1762 " " Alexander " Mary COOPER ? ( married 2/10/1759 at Hawks. ? ). 3. Josep(h?) C. " 20/1/1765 " " Joseph " Elizabeth WEEKS ? ( " 27/4/1746 " " " ). Is anyone able to tie together the following Joseph Coopers also culled from the IGI ? 1. J.C. - Christened 27/5/1670 - Hawks. - father John - mother ? 2. " " 14/9/1695 " " Jn " Martha. 3. " born circa 1731 " married Ann RITCHENS - Hawks. - 18/12/1760. 4. " married Mary BAYLY/BAILEY/BAYLY-FLETCHER at Hawks. - 17/4/1720. There are also a number of Joseph COOPERS listed in the IGI as having been hatched, matched or dispatched in the Parish of Horton which The Pond Dipper tells me is just a splash away. Cheers, Roderick Cooper

In the Name of God Amen, I Thomas Cooper residing in the Parish of Hawkesbury Upton in the County of Gloucester being in sound mind do make this my last Will and Testament, I give and devise unto my wife Elizabeth Cooper all my Money Household Goods Furniture and all my Horses Waggon Carts Farming implements and every thing I have for her own use and benefit, except my Freehold House Garden with the appurtenances situate in the Back Street at Hawkesbury in the County of Gloucester. I also Give to my said Wife the said Freehold House Garden with the appurtenances situate in the Back Street Hawkesbury Upton in the County of Gloucester for her life. And after my said wife's decease I appoint Joel Stinchcomb and John Goulter of Hawkesbury Upton Gentlemen Upon Trust to sell the said Freehold House Garden and appurtenances situate in the Back Street Hawkesbury Upton, And divide the money equally between my Daughter Sarah Jane Cooper, my Son John Cooper my Daughter Ann Elizabeth Cooper my Daughter Eleanor Cooper and my Daughter Roseanna Cooper. I do make my Wife Elizabeth Cooper sole executrix of this my last Will and Testament. In Witness thereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal this 26th day of April and in the year of our Lord one Thousand eight hundred and fifty four. The mark of Thomas Cooper X Witnesses - Edward Collins Lot Stafford In the Consistory Court of Gloucester In the ? of Thomas Cooper deceased 30th August 1854 Appeared personally Edward Collins of Upton in the parish of Hawkesbury in the County of Gloucester Farmer one of the subscribed witnesses to the last Will and Testament of Thomas Cooper late of the same place Haulier deceased bearing date the twenty sixth day of April one thousand eight hundred and fifty four now herewith ? marked A and made oath that the SAID Thomas Cooper signed his said Will by making his mark in the presence of the said deponent and Lot Stafford the other subscribed witness thereto and that he the said Deponent and the said Lot Stafford did thereupon sign their names respectively to the said Will as witnesses to the execution thereof in the presence of the said Testator and Each other, the said Deponent, Testator and Lot Stafford being all present together at the same time. Sworn at Chipping Sodbury in the County of Gloucester on the 30th day of August in the year of our Lord 1854 before me Greville Phillimore Surrogate Edward Collins 30th August 1854 Appeared personally Elizabeth Cooper of Upton in the parish of Hawkesbury in the County of Gloucester Widow and alleged that this paperwriting contained the true last Will and Testament of Thomas Cooper late of the same place Haulier deceased who died on the 14th day of July 1854 That she was the sole Executrix therein named That she would well and faithfully perform the Trusts thereof and pay the Debts and Legacies of the deceased and render an Inventory and Account when required That the Goods Chattels and Credits of the deceased were under the value of Two Hundred pounds and that he had no Leasehold Estate. Whereof she prayed Probate. Let probate pass as prayed Greville Phillimore (Surrogate) 1851 Census Index The Tything of Upton 9 GOULTER John 31 Grocer & Draper Acton Turville Ann 32 Grocer & Draper Horton THOMPSON Martha Assistant 17 Shop Assistant Winterbourne GINGELL Sarah Servant 16 House Servant Hawkesbury 44 STINCHCOMBE Joel 41 Carpenter Hawkesbury Matilda 49 Hawkesbury Tything of Saddlewood, Tresham and Killcott 9 COOPER Thomas 37 Tranter Hawkesbury Elizabeth 36 Hawkesbury Sarah Jane 8 Hawkesbury John 5 Hawkesbury Ann Elizabeth 2 Hawkesbury Eleanor 2m Hawkesbury On 7th April 1856, Elizabeth Cooper nee Tavender, married Charles Toghill, by whom she had two children. She died in June 1891. John Cooper died on 22nd April 1872 without issue. Rosina Cooper died on 28th September 1889, leaving three children. Sarah Jane Cooper had an illegitimate son Edward born 14th February 1876. Bob Lawrence

Hi Jocie The grass is still the same. They are getting the sheep on it later this year. We will be going back there to do them. Mr VINER who lives opposite the cottage has the key. Geoffro The Pond Dipper Http://www.HawkesburyFamilyHistory.co.uk ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jocelyn P McBride" <jocie@ic24.net> To: <ENG-GLO-HAWKESBURY-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, August 10, 2000 2:47 PM Subject: [[Hawks]] Little Badminton MIs > When you visited Little Badminton Graveyard recently did you persuade any one to list the Monumental Inscriptions? > I am interested in any WITTS who may have been buried there. When I visited the part that I was interested in was covered in 3ft. high grass and the small church was firmly locked! > Any help gratefully received. > Jocie McBride > Henely-on-Thames > > > ==== ENG-GLO-HAWKESBURY Mailing List ==== > Don't forget to bookmark http://www.HawkesburyFamilyHistory.co.uk and visit regulary. > > ============================== > Genealogy calendars, guestbooks and more: > Visit RootsWeb's Resource Center at > http://resources.rootsweb.com/ > >

OOPS the Pond Dipper missed out two lines from the will I posted earlier. Sorry. Here they are, I give and dvise unto my said son Thomas DAVIS all those my several closes pieces and parcels of ground called Cold Change, Parkmead and Rodways Leazes situate in the parish of Hawkesbury aforesaid <<< and also my several cottages or tenements called Oakhole in the occupations of Thomas HOBBS and Worthy HOPKINS -( Janet WILSON will be smiling now ) - situate in the parish of Hawkesbury aforesaid >>>> and all other my real estate whatsoever and wheresoever to hold to him my said son Thomas DAVIS his heirs and assigns (?) for ever and charegd and chraregable nevertheless with the payment to my daughter Elizabeth DAVIS of the sum of £13 a year for and during her life Sorry about that...I will take more care next time Geoffro The Pond Dipper Http://www.HawkesburyFamilyHistory.co.uk

Hi, I just found out that wife's great-great-grandfather, William Gunning, was publican of the White Horse, a beerhouse in Hawkesbury in 1891. The information came from: Gloucestershire Pubs at <http://www.gloucestershirepubs.co.uk>www.gloucestershirepubs.co.<http://www .gloucestershirepubs.co.uk>uk. Can anyone tell me if the White Horse is still a pub? Also, is there any chance that someone just might have a copy of the 1891 census for Hawkesbury, who could look him up for me? In the 1881 census he was a groom and the family were living on Hillsley Street. - Ed Edward Coates Sinker Church Lea Bosbury, Herefordshire HR8 1PX UK

When you visited Little Badminton Graveyard recently did you persuade any one to list the Monumental Inscriptions? I am interested in any WITTS who may have been buried there. When I visited the part that I was interested in was covered in 3ft. high grass and the small church was firmly locked! Any help gratefully received. Jocie McBride Henely-on-Thames

Good point about the ALWAY Am just about to start on that will Geoffro The Pond Dipper Http://www.HawkesburyFamilyHistory.co.uk ----- Original Message ----- From: "R.P. & A.L. Lawrence" <lawrence@hazels.u-net.com> To: <ENG-GLO-HAWKESBURY-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, August 10, 2000 2:33 PM Subject: [[Hawks]] Re: COOPER Wills > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Doug Thompson <doug@thom.screaming.net> > To: <ENG-GLO-HAWKESBURY-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Thursday, August 10, 2000 11:27 AM > Subject: [[Hawks]] Re: COOPER Wills > > > > > Yes. There are two. I have a Thomas COOPER married to Elizabeth with a > > daughter Elizabeth. The daughter was registered born 11 Jan 1803 at > > Shortwood Meeting House Baptist, Horsley, Gloucester, England. They seem > to > > match your shopkeeper. > > Is that the Horsley next to Nailsworth? Seems a long way to go to church! > Perhaps there was a good reason. > > > > Now one for The Pond Dipper, who alone > > not quite! > > > is able to find John COOPER and his > > > brothers and sisters on the on-line IGI. What was the name of their > parents? > > > Were they Thomas and Martha, who have a memorial in the churchyard with > > > dates sometime in the 1790s? > > > > Yes. They were Thomas and Martha. Have you any more details of the > monument? > > > > > > Doug Thompson > > > Sorry - I just know that it was impossible to read the date. > > Another interesting bit - in the will of Joseph COOPER (died 1833) he states > that he is in the process of selling a cottage, etc at Inglestone Common to > his niece Hannah DAVIS of Oxleaze. The cottage was then in the possession of > Charles STINCHCOMBE. He asks his executors to conclude the transaction. The > price was one hundred pounds. > > Joseph's executors were John ALLWAY and Edward STINCHCOMBE. Joseph asks that > 57 pounds of the proceeds of the sale should be paid to Thomas DAVIS of > Upton, butcher, to discharge a promissory note. Was John ALLWAY the son of > his sister Mary who married an ALLWAY? Was Thomas DAVIS either the husband > or son of his sister Hannah who married a DAVIS? > > Next. Does anyone know where Box Cottage is at Tresham? > > Bob Lawrence > > > ==== ENG-GLO-HAWKESBURY Mailing List ==== > Have your Hawkesbury research needs added to the Hawkesbury Family History pages. Send an email to ThePondDipper@HawkesburyFamilyHistory.co.uk > > ============================== > Join the RootsWeb WorldConnect Project: > Linking the world, one GEDCOM at a time. > http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/ > >

----- Original Message ----- From: Doug Thompson <doug@thom.screaming.net> To: <ENG-GLO-HAWKESBURY-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, August 10, 2000 11:27 AM Subject: [[Hawks]] Re: COOPER Wills > Yes. There are two. I have a Thomas COOPER married to Elizabeth with a > daughter Elizabeth. The daughter was registered born 11 Jan 1803 at > Shortwood Meeting House Baptist, Horsley, Gloucester, England. They seem to > match your shopkeeper. Is that the Horsley next to Nailsworth? Seems a long way to go to church! Perhaps there was a good reason. > > Now one for The Pond Dipper, who alone > not quite! > > is able to find John COOPER and his > > brothers and sisters on the on-line IGI. What was the name of their parents? > > Were they Thomas and Martha, who have a memorial in the churchyard with > > dates sometime in the 1790s? > > Yes. They were Thomas and Martha. Have you any more details of the monument? > > > Doug Thompson > Sorry - I just know that it was impossible to read the date. Another interesting bit - in the will of Joseph COOPER (died 1833) he states that he is in the process of selling a cottage, etc at Inglestone Common to his niece Hannah DAVIS of Oxleaze. The cottage was then in the possession of Charles STINCHCOMBE. He asks his executors to conclude the transaction. The price was one hundred pounds. Joseph's executors were John ALLWAY and Edward STINCHCOMBE. Joseph asks that 57 pounds of the proceeds of the sale should be paid to Thomas DAVIS of Upton, butcher, to discharge a promissory note. Was John ALLWAY the son of his sister Mary who married an ALLWAY? Was Thomas DAVIS either the husband or son of his sister Hannah who married a DAVIS? Next. Does anyone know where Box Cottage is at Tresham? Bob Lawrence

This is the last will and testament of me Joseph DAVIES of Oxleaze Farm in the parish of Hawkesbury in the county of Gloucester Yeoman. I give and devise all that my messuage or farmhouse with the paddock farm and premises thereunto belonging, my 3 closes of pasture land lying near the same all situate at Upton in the parish of Hawkesbury aforesaid in the occupation of Robert TUCK and also my close of ground called the The Seven Acres situate at Hawkesbury aforesaid in the occupation of Robert TUCK. And aslso my 3 cottages or tenements at Upton aforesaid in the several occupation of Daniel WATTS, Elizabeth DEACON and Edward CROFTS (?) with all rights and appurtenances thereunto belonging unto my beloved wife Kezia DAVIS and the assigns (?) (offspring) for and during her life in case she shall remain a widow and from and after her death or marriage again which shall first happen then I give and devise the whole of the before mentioned hereditaments and premises unto my son Thomas DAVIS to hold to him my said son Thomas DAVIS his heirs and assigns(?) for ever. I give and dvise unto my said son Thomas DAVIS all those my several closes pieces and parcels of ground called Cold Change, Parkmead and Rodways Leazes situate in the parish of Hawkesbury aforesaid and all other my real estate whatsoever and wheresoever to hold to him my said son Thomas DAVIS his heirs and assigns (?) for ever and charegd and chraregable nevertheless with the payment to my daughter Elizabeth DAVIS of the sum of £13 a year for and during her life and I do hereby will and direct my said son Thomas DAVIS to pay the said sum of £13 a year by instalments of 5 Shillings per week to my said daughter Elizabeth DAVIS during her life and I do hereby authorise and empower her my said daughter to distrain on the said premises for the same in case of nonpayment by the week in the manner as for rent in arrears. I give to my wife all my household goods and furntiure to and for her own absolute use abd benefit and all my other monies securitites for money live and dead farming stock and all my personal estate and effects whatsoever after and subject to the payment of my just debts funeral and testementary expenses. I give unto my said wife Kezia DAVIS and my said son Thomas DAVIS in equal shares to and for their won use and benefit absolutely and I appoint my said wife the guardian of my said children during their respective minorities and do also appoint her my said wife Kezia DAVIS and my said son Thomas DAVIS executrix and executor of this my will. In witness whereof I have to this my last will and testament contained in this and the preceding sheet of paper set my hadn and seal (that is to say) my hand to the bottom of the first sheet and to this second sheet my hadn and seal the 14th day of May 1853. Signed sealed published and declared by the said testator Joseph DAVIS as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us present at the same time who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses. Rich BRACEY Solicitor Wotton under Edge and ?? DAUNCEY (?) clerk to Mr Bracey. TPD - and then 29th June 1854 Appeared personally Kezia DAVIS of Oxleaze Farm in the parish of Hawkesbury in the county of Gloucester widow and alleged that these paperwritings contained the true last will and testament of Joseph DAVIS late of the same place yeoman deceased who died on the 14th day of January 1854. That she was the executrix therein named that she would well and faithfully perform the trusts thereof and pay the debts of the deceased and the legacies in the said will and tender an inventory and accoutn when required that the goods chattels and credits of the deceased were under the value of £800 and that including his leasehold estate whereunto she prayed (?) probate let probate pass reserving power for the executor. W L COGHLAN (?) surrogate (???) Geoffro The Pond Dipper Http://www.HawkesburyFamilyHistory.co.uk

Morning all, Cousins Bob and Doug have already given you a flavour of what is to come from the wills. Roderick COOPER in Aus in mentioning that will a couple fo days ago has effectively handed over all the missing jigsaw pieces in the world. I have taken my time in writing as there is so much new and QUALITY infop that it is hard to take it all in. As well as mentioning Cold Change the wills alos mention OxLeaze farm which in already knwon to some listers and the is mention of RODWAY and STINCHCOMBE as well as a mention of a tenant Robert TUCK who is knwon to have married Harriet COOPER THOMPSON. As I now have it the parents of John (the original will writer), Joseph, Thomas, Ann, Hannah are Thomas and Martha. Martha may well turn out to be Martha ISAAC....and the marriage as happening at Copley and Wadrington. I have today made contact with a descendnat of Thomas the Master Cooper COOPER of Castle COMBE, WIlts living in Southampton aged about 85. Re: The IGI which many listers knwo I both love and hate. I am confident that I and others have looked for Joseph COOPER chrisening about 1756 beforer and not been given it. Now it gives it to me but not others......How much else is it hiding from us ? Horton is the parish that I rarely get IGI events from in searches.....yet we know of events there....I am confident that there are a lot more events there of interest to listers.... Geoffro The Pond Dipper Http://www.HawkesburyFamilyHistory.co.uk

Hello Listers, I haven't contributed to the list lately - I feel a bit inadequate - but have collected a lot of "stray" information that will be of use, I'm sure, when I figure out and place all the various THOMPSONs and other Hawkesbury rellos. of mine, that all you great listers have provided. Thank you, Helga from Takura.

on 10/08/2000 10:21 am, R.P. & A.L. Lawrence at lawrence@hazels.u-net.com wrote: > memorial in Hawkesbury showing his death as on 16th > October 1826, age 66. He is buried with his wife Sarah, who died 4th June > 1822, aged 55. There is a marriage in Hawkesbury Parish register on 30 Dec 1797 of John COOPER with Sarah SUMMERS. Doug

on 10/08/2000 10:21 am, R.P. & A.L. Lawrence at lawrence@hazels.u-net.com wrote: > > Ann, who married Thomas THOMPSON. One of their children was Mary born 1877. and there were 8 others, including Giles (in the will) and Martha (possibly Martha LEWIS in the will) > > Now some questions which arise from the wills, and which some listers may be > able to answer. > > Thomas COOPER was believed to have married Ann THOMPSON, and the baptism > entries for their children match the names in John COOPER's will. However, > there is a will for a Thomas COOPER who died 3rd October 1838 age 74, and > who is described as a shopkeeper on Inglestone Common. The only names in > the will are those of a wife and daughter, and they are both Elizabeth. Are > there two Thomas COOPERs, or did his first wife die? > Yes. There are two. I have a Thomas COOPER married to Elizabeth with a daughter Elizabeth. The daughter was registered born 11 Jan 1803 at Shortwood Meeting House Baptist, Horsley, Gloucester, England. They seem to match your shopkeeper. > > Can anyone fill in the question marks in the names above? And are my other > facts correct? > > Now one for The Pond Dipper, who alone not quite! > is able to find John COOPER and his > brothers and sisters on the on-line IGI. What was the name of their parents? > Were they Thomas and Martha, who have a memorial in the churchyard with > dates sometime in the 1790s? Yes. They were Thomas and Martha. Have you any more details of the monument? Doug Thompson

The Pond Dipper and I went off to Gloucester R.O. yesterday morning on a lightning visit to get a copy of the will of John COOPER - the one that Roderick in Perth had told us about. By noon, we had copies of eight wills, all of COOPERS or people related to COOPERS or executors of COOPER wills. It will take a while to sort them all out. Some key facts are already emerging. John COOPER signed the will on 28th September 1826. He is presumably the John COOPER who has a memorial in Hawkesbury showing his death as on 16th October 1826, age 66. He is buried with his wife Sarah, who died 4th June 1822, aged 55. His tomb describes him as being "of Hillesley", while his will has "of Kingswood". He had several brothers and sisters - as follows: Ann, who married Thomas THOMPSON. One of their children was Mary born 1877. Hannah, who married ? DAVIS. Hannah predeceased her brother John. Hannah's son Joseph DAVIS was one of the executors of the will. Thomas, who married Ann THOMPSON. Thomas' son John was one of the executors and is described as a cooper of Castle Combe, Wiltshire. Joseph, who had several children by Mary THOMPSON, daughter of his sister Ann. Their relationship of uncle and niece prohibited their marriage, although it is possible that they were married away from Hawkesbury by someone who did not know them. Mary, who married ? ALLWAY Now some questions which arise from the wills, and which some listers may be able to answer. Thomas COOPER was believed to have married Ann THOMPSON, and the baptism entries for their children match the names in John COOPER's will. However, there is a will for a Thomas COOPER who died 3rd October 1838 age 74, and who is described as a shopkeeper on Inglestone Common. The only names in the will are those of a wife and daughter, and they are both Elizabeth. Are there two Thomas COOPERs, or did his first wife die? Where is Cold Change, Hawkesbury? Joseph COOPER was living there when he made his will in 1834. A man could not marry his sister's daughter, according to the law of the Church of England. But was such a relationship contrary to the criminal law as well? Joseph was nearly 50 when Mary's first child was born, and in his late 60's when Ann COOPER was born in 1824. Had Joseph been married before, or did he even have a wife still alive? Do we have a Jane Eyre and a Mrs Rochester in the family? Can anyone fill in the question marks in the names above? And are my other facts correct? Now one for The Pond Dipper, who alone is able to find John COOPER and his brothers and sisters on the on-line IGI. What was the name of their parents? Were they Thomas and Martha, who have a memorial in the churchyard with dates sometime in the 1790s? Any contributions gratefully received. More questions - and some answers - will follow. And thanks again to Roderick for starting us on this trail. Bob Lawrence

Hello Robert, I have deciphered some of my Hawkesbury wills. Nicholas Stinchcombe proved 16 April 1694 all to wife Martha, then to son John with condition he pay his brother Thomas forty pounds, mentions servant Miriam Jones who is to get twenty shillings, appoints John Hancock of Hawkesbury & Nicholas Stinchcombe overseers of his will. witnesses: Hen Stephens, Gabriel Hancock, Marjory Haines (X) letters of admin Edward Stinchcombe, wife Joan, made 1690. John Stinchcombe 1629 mentions wife Elizabeth, sons Samuel, Nicholas, Joan Stinchcombe his mother, mother in law Elinor Emlie, brother in law William Emlye, sister in law Agnes Emly cousin Elizabeth Woodman, others; Mary Stinchcombe, Thomas Stinchcombe, Joane Stinchcombe, Joane Longden, David Hall & twenty shillings to the poor of Hawkesburie. That's given you something to work on. Regards Bernadette

While checking out all the new facts on the COOPER will I realised we needed to find a Thomas THOMPSON, nephew of John COOPER. The only possibility was a son of Ann COOPER. There seemed to be room for a son between her 1771 marriage and our first recorded child Mary in 1775, so I set out to search for him. Shock horror! There he was in my transcriptiion of the parish register - Thomas, son of Thomas and Ann THOMPSON, baptised 5 July 1772. Somehow he had escaped getting on our database of Hawkesbury THOMPSONs! But there it is. No more mystery. And now the will tells us he has a wife Betty and some children. Where are they? Could this be the Thomas THOMPSON who married an Elizabeth in Sherston (Wilts) in 1812. And then they can be the parents (Thomas and Elizabeth) of Martha THOMPSON, baptised 8 June 1823 at Hawkesbury. She was one of the big questions on the list! Is everything falling into place? How many questions can one will solve? Doug Thompson