In Newland, Redbrook, Bye Mill, Stanton Drew, Swinford, Bitton and other areas
As of May 17, 2005
by Marsha Stringer
Our group of researchers is trying to resolve some key mysteries re our THOMPSON ancestors who we know from abt 1686 Newland, GLS onward. We suspect several
additional connections, but are struggling to find verifications of these
suspected relationships. Any help/direction/insight would be greatly
appreciated.
Who is Anne COSTER of Newland (No Anne in Newland records; no
mention in any COSTER wills)? Where/when did husband 1687 John THOMPSON die? Who is Mr. John THOMPSON of Bye Mill, found in Stanton Drew
parish records - their son? Who is 1722 James THOMPSON of Bitton,
born Surrey? Is he also their son? Did John/Ann go to Surrey re the copper
mills? Did they both return to Bye Mill, or did Anne die? Where is the marriage
for 1722 James/Elizabeth THOMPSON (likely cousins; should be in
Bitton, but not in Parish Registers)? Which John goes with which Mary - several
John/Mary marriages?
Partial/early cast of characters:
John/Abigail presented children for baptism in Newland starting
1686, including only known sons John, 1687and William, 1695.
John. 1687 Dec 18 bap Newland.
m. Anne COSTER, 1709; in 1709 Redbrook lease. Unable to place
Anne in the COSTER family. The COSTERs tended to name siblings/families in
wills, so wonder if Anne died? There is a baptism of a 1687 Dorothy, d/o James
- but far too speculative.
William. 1695 Aug 26 bap Newland. m. Jane EATON, of
Blakeney, 1715; d. Bitton, 1754. Have will, family MI in Bitton, etc.
Elizabeth. almost positively d/o 1695 William THOMPSON,
who d. 1754, Bitton. Eliz. named in father's will, as well as his son-in-law
James. Baptism not yet found; marriage to James not yet found.
James (husband of Elizabeth), born Mecham, Surrey, 1722, per his
Bitton Settlement Document. James said they m. 1740, Bitton. Marriage not yet
found. From IGI, perhaps James THOMPSON bap 4 July 1722. Beddington, Mitcham,
Surrey; s/o John Thompson/Anne. Children in both Bitton (5) and Publow (5).
Could he be of the 1687 John/Anne nee COSTER? Unable to make any progress in
Surrey.
Mr. John of Bye Mill, father of Thomas T., bap. 10 Mar1745,
Stanton Drew. Thomas m. Mary THOMPSON (of James/Elizabeth) and they presented
several children for baptism in Publow, 1773 on. Believe he is 1710 John, s/o
1687 John/Anne nee COSTER.
Somewhat Timelined Documents/Other References:
1687. John THOMPSON, s/o John/Abigail bap, Newland
1709,
June 15. Gloucestershire Marriage Licence allegations. John
THOMPSON aged 22, of Newland, Glos & Anne COSTER aged 22,
spinster of Newland, Glos, with consent of friends. Signed 'John TOMPSON'.
Cannot place/identify Anne within the COSTER family.
1709 Lease, in Wales Library. From GLS
RO reference: 'Industrial History of the Forest of Dean' by Cyril Hart.
Pages 104-113: Copper works [Redbrook] 1690-1730 - Upper Redbook cooper works
begun before 1691 - "In 1709 John COSTER surrendered his lease for a new
one made by Benedict HALL to him and Edward COLSTON merchant of Mortlake,
Surrey. The new lease* was for 99 years on the survivorship of either of two of
COSTER's sons, Thomas and John, or of John THOMPSON of Redbook." -
"Thomas COSTER died that year, 1739, and soon afterwards THOMPSON (the last of the three lives in the lease) also died."
* in the National Library of Wales - Myndd MSS 1923
Worded: " . . .and John Tompson Junr son of John Tompson
of Redbrook aforesaid . . ." No further explanation of who they
are or why included.
1710 Sep 10 John s/o John THOMPSON baptized,
Newland (of 1687 John/Anne COSTER?)
1717/18 Feb 18 Ann d/o John/Ann THOMPSON of Redbrook baptized (a
John/Ann parents of James from Mechem. Any chance same couple?)
1718. A John THOMPSON m. Maria DUBERLY, Newland (?Widow John Sr.;
Abigail d. 1712)
1718.
John THOMPSON one of the will witnesses of John COSTER of Newland will
Abt 1731. Birth of the John who m. Mary BARNES in 1753. Think
he's s/o William who d 1753
1734 Lease, Bye Mill: " BETWEEN THOMAS
COSTER of the City of Bristol esquire and ROBERT COSTER of Pendarvas in the parish
of Camborne in the County of Cornwall esquire of the one part and JOSEPH
PERCIVALL of the City of Bristol aforesaid merchant of the other part"
1735 Pensford Mill Letter: "for the life of Jane COSTER
[13]. . . ". refers to mills and to hertoit 1778 Lease of Thomas HOBHOUSE
[16] and 1798 Mary BRIGHT [14]. Goes on to include house and garden hertoit
lease 1774, John BRICKDALE [13] and 1794 Henry BRIGHT [10].
Also says everything leased to John CARTER. Father/other of the John who
m. Patience THOMPSON, 1789?
1735
Pensord Bisse Counterpart Lease: "Between Sir John TYNTE of Halswell,
Goathurst, Somerset & John THOMPSON of Stanton Drew, Somerset, copper
forger...one tenement near the Lords Mill in the north part & one garden
adjoining in the west part of the said Mill, situate within St.Thomas, Pensford
parish, Somerset.to have and to hold for 99 years, if he the said Joseph
KELLSON aged 50 years or thereabouts, John THOMPSON aged 20 years or thereabouts,
& James
THOMPSON aged 12 years or thereabouts, sons of the said John THOMPSON ..."
Think John is really 1710 John, and James our 1722 James!
1736
Apr 25, Stanton Drew: John THOMPSON & Mary
BULLOCK were married. (1687 John, perhaps widowed, age 48? Or son 1710
John, age 26?)
1739. Per Thomas COSTER will "I give
unto John THOMPSON of By Mill forty pounds and to his son John twenty pounds and to William THOMPSON of Swineford twenty pounds
to go to them within twelve months next after my decease.
Aft 1739: Per 1709 lease reference, ". . soon
afterwards THOMPSON (the last of the three lives in the lease) also died."
(1687 John? Death not yet found.)
1740ish: Per
settlement agreement, James the Elder (b 1722, Surrey) m. Elizabeth. Said in
Bitton parish church, but not found recorded in Parish records there.
1753.
A John THOMPSON m. Mary BARNES, Bitton. (Thought to
be s/o 1695 William. Mary named in April 24, 1787 will of uncle, Squire
WHITTUCK as "wife of John Thompson of Bitton, brass worker." Several
Bitton baptisms for parents John, then John/Mary 1755-1765
1759. A John THOMPSON, Jr m. Mary JAMES,
Stanton Drew. (1710 John age 49? Other??)
1760. First
known Coster THOMPSON bap, s/o James the Elder/Elizabeth; d.
1763.
Sep 1762: A John THOMPSON death is entered in the
Swinford mill Production Pages (from Joan Day). Which John? Where?
22 July 1766 Parry Branch Will (PCC). *very* hard to see/read.
Parry of Bollaton/Bolton, Stanton Drew. Names Mary THOMPSON executrix. She's
referred to as: "respected friend Mary THOMPSON Widow who now lives with
me" and something " for ration of her Daughter Mary Thompson"
Parry BRANCH associated with the copper mills. Which Mary? Who was her husband?
1770. Bye Mill Lease, June 25 1770. "between
Mary THOMPSON (wife of John THOMPSON of Bye Mill) of Belton alias Belluton in
the parish of Stanton Drew . . , widow." and William DYMOCK of Bristol,
for John Freeman esquire and Copper Company.
1770? Bye Mill Lease, July 25. Confused. Think in June Mary
leased to William DYMOCK, and in July goes from William DYMOCK to the copper
company. (Which John?? Which Mary??)
1789. John CARTER m. Patience THOMPSON,
1789. Patience a d/o William/Elizabeth nee SUMPTION. William a s/o James b.
Surrey/Eliz. of the Redbrook line!!
1798. John Freeman Lease 1798. from "Messers John
FREEMAN and COPPER COMPANY of Bristol . . . unto Mr. John RICHARDS and Mr.
John CARTER bakers in the Pensford . . ."
1805. A Robert
THOMPSON leased Upper Redbrook, per Cyril Hart book. May not be of the
same family as no other Roberts in known lines.