Mason, Eastwell, Hills and Miller of Burwell

[sueann]

Hello all, First I have to say I do like this new forum for research. I am researching my Mason surname. My GGGgrandfather Thomas and His wife Caroline Eastwell Mason came to America about 1852 from Burwell, Cambridgeshire England. I am currently trying to find Thomas's father. According to my information Thomas's fathers name was also Thomas and married a Sarah Miller in 1817. My ggggrandfather was born in 1818/19. I have no other record of Thomas's father other than his marriage to a Sarah Miller. Could anyone help? My ggggrandfather Thomas married Caroline Eastwell daughter of Edward Eastwell and Sarah Hills. While still in England children born were: Sarah, George, Henry and Robert. Actually Sarah was born out of wedlock and we are not sure if Thomas is in fact her birth father. Any help would be appreciated. I have been in contact with an Eastwell decendant and she has helped on Caroline's siblings.
Thank you for anything. Sue Mason Ames

[debbie18]

I understand that you are a distant relative of mine. my GGG Grandfather was Edward Eastwell married to Sarah Hills. They had a daughter called Caroline who married and went to america in 1851 /2. Did you know Edward was in prison in 1852 and there was some sort of rebellion. do you know anything about it? I live in Bridgwater Somerset and would love to hear from you.

debbie quinn

[Chipp'n'Dale]

Debbie, I too am decended from Edward Eastwell. Did you ever find out why he was in prison, as I've not had much luck (too far from the Cambs Records Office to go there to look at the moment).

Rob

[Fiona67]

Hi Sueanne
I don't know if you already know but in the Cambridgeshire Baptism index (1801-37) there is
1818 MASON Thomas - Reach s. of Thomas & Sarah Swaffham Prior (Reach is the abode and Swaffham the Parish)

Regards
Fiona

[Fiona67]

Thomas Mason m Sarah Miller 22 APR 1817 Burwell, Cambridge, England

[sandymae]

" Did you know Edward was in prison in 1852 and there was some sort of rebellion."


It is possible that Edward was involved in farm riots, mechanisation had come to the farms, threshing machines etc, and understandably the labourers feared for their jobs - the farmhands set about destroying the 'new fangled' machinery. Life was hard, and poverty always at their door.

Any man or boy caught was given harsh sentence.

Many counties experienced riots - Wiltshire in particular.