The Churchwarden was the guardian or keeper of the church and they had to be ratepayers and householders in the parish. They were elected by the parishioners usually at the first vestry meeting following Easter. As they had to present the accounts for the parish within the last month of their year of office I would suggest that some form of education had been undertaken. Basically, Thomas was probably already established in Hartpury when elected to the role, he was probably of good standing in the community. If you haven't done so already, it would be interesting to view the parish records [i.e. those other than parish registers] if they still exist to see the roles he undertook in his year of office, see his writing even!! There may also be some clue as to his movements around which may explain the Gloucester marriage - perhaps he met his future wife there whilst on a visit. I seem to recall that St Mary de Lode had a lot of marriages from out of the parish [as did Hemstead on the outskirts of Gloucester], but can't recall why this was. Perhaps another lister can remind us! Hope this offers some help and information Lynne www.tetburyfamilies.co.uk On 29/05/2011 16:48, Roger Bailey wrote: > Hello all. > > In 1702 Thomas Bayley became a churchwarden in Hartpury for one year only. His entry in the parish records for that year notes he is "For the Collyers". The 1830 tithe map shows land with the name Colliers on it and the 1700 estate records has a Mary Collier relict of William Collier, having the copyhold. > > On 20 September 1703 he married Mary Drew (born 1680, Hartpury) at St Mary de Lodes Gloucester. Records state they where each "of Hartpury". Both appear to be of Yeoman stock and are my earliest ancestors that I can definitely trace. > Can anyone help me with the following:- > > Did Thomas become a churchwarden for one year to establish him in Hartpury? If so then where did he come from. So far I have found no "free" men of the comparable age to Mary in the surrounding parishes in Gloucestershire, Worcestershire or Herefordshire. The only Thomas who is not married or having children or been buried is one born 1657 and next door in Ashleworth. He was still alive in 1695 as he is in his fathers will. Would a 23 year age gap between him and Mary be acceptable in a farming community in those days. > > Why did they marry in Gloucester? > > Any suggestions welcome! > > Roger Bailey > _____________________________________________ > > Gloucestershire Family History Society: > www.gfhs.org.uk > > Gloucestershire Archives: > www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=15434 > > Gloucestershire BMD Index 1837 to 2005: > http://ww3.gloucestershire.gov.uk/bmd/ > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to GLOUCESTER-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message >