ENG-GLOS-FOREST-DEAN-L Archives

From: "Stringer" <>
Subject: [FoD] COSTER and THOMPSON of Redbrook, 1750 and earlier
Date: Sat, 30 Sep 2006 16:09:49 -0400

Greetings,

We (group of researching cousins, with additional assistance) have been
trying to find more about our early THOMPSON, and likely also COSTER,
families. Here's a link to a longer list of COSTER / THOMPSON Puzzles on
the bittonfamilies website. We've been unable to solve these puzzles in
over three years and wonder if anyone on the list might have a fresh view.


http://www.bittonfamilies.com/ThompsonCosterPuzzles.html


We learned that our Bitton and Publow THOMPSONs were really one big family,
with origins to John/Abigail TOMPSON of Newland, starting 1686. Two children
were sons. Son 1695 William (m. Jane EATON of Blakeney) is clearly
documented in Bitton, GLS. Son 1687 John is very likely the head of the Bye
Mill/Publow/Pensford branch of the family.

We knew the THOMPSONs at least worked with/for the COSTER family copper
mills and their migration followed the opening of the Coster mills in
Bitton, Bye Mill, etc.

Subsequent finds are enlightening, but we've not been able to more clearly
'prove' anything:

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'.

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.

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 ..."


Problems/Questions:
*Can't place Anne's COSTER within the known families.
Have not been able to find the actual marriage; original PRs prior to 1741
said to be 'unfit' for production. Is anyone allowed to try to view the
originals? Newland baptisms for children of John/Ann begin Sep 1710 with a
son John, which supports them as a couple, but we hoped the actual marriage
might provide more information about Ann/Anne's identity.

Anne in the allegation is noted as 'age 22' with no 'and up' included. The
identified COSTERs are noted by Joan Day as John I (abt 1613-1678;
earliest); John II (abt 1647-1718); John III (1687/8 - 1731; brother of
Thomas and Robert). From the copper business perspective, Thomas' daughter
Jane (m. John Hoblyn) is noted as the last of their line.

Another son of John I was a James (abt 1661-1720; m1 Dorothy; m2 Sarah
OWEN). He had two daughters baptised who would be of the right age: Mary
(bap 23 Feb 1686/7) and Dorothy (bap 23 Apr 1688). We have James' 1720 will
admon, which names only wife Sarah; we have no will or admon for Sarah, who
d. 1729. What else can we try to do to explore this theory?


*Have not been able to find the death 'soon afterwards' of John
TOMPSON/THOMPSON per the 1709 lease reference
We're fairly certain he's 1687 John, husband of Anne COSTER. We have copies
of Cyril Hart's book (and called him), but there seem to be no clues as to
the source/location of the death of John.

*We strongly suspect he's John THOMPSON in the 1735 lease and that he went
from Newland to Surrey to Stanton Drew, SOM. A Son John, aged 20 fits 1710
John, bap Newland. A son James aged 12ish supports yet another theory that
our identified 1722 James (b. Mechem Surrey per Bitton Settlement; m. 1685
William's daughter, Elizabeth) is actually her cousin. There is an
appropriate 1722 Mecham baptism of a James, s/o John/Anne.


If you've made it this far, Thank You for taking the time to read it all.

Any thoughts/suggestions are most welcome.

Regards,

Marsha Stringer (nee MEERE)

USA
www.bittonfamilies.com

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• [FoD] COSTER and THOMPSON of Redbrook, 1750 and earlier by "Stringer" <>