This is the latest task I have set for myself, and I thought I'd ask for advice, see if I appear to be on the right track. As well as clear my head. Sorry in advance for the length of this post.
The facts I have so far are:
John Allen of Droitwich married a lady called Mercy, surname unknown; they baptised their first child in 1659 so it isn't unreasonable to think that the marriage disappeared into the 'Commonwealth gap'. John Allen came from a locally important family whose members are described as yeomen and gentleman. His and his father Roger's wills give no hint to Mercy's origins. Mercy herself died in 1666. They had three children, John (named after his father), Elizabeth (most likely named after her maternal grandmother, John's mother) and Mary
John Allen and his father Roger seemed (from the evidence of wills and other legal documents) to have been especially close to Roger's brother Thomas and his children.
Thomas Allen appears to have been the wealthiest member of the family, with his 1650 will mentioning property in various parishes of Droitwich, in Hadsor, and in Badsey. A legal document held at TNA (which I have ordered copies of) also mentions a legal dispute about land in Bretforton.
Now we come the interesting bit.
Ann Allen, Thomas' daughter, firstly married Thomas Smyth of Badsey in 1638. In 1649, after the death of her father, she married Clement Dingley. Clement was a younger son of an important family, A higher status family than the Allens, whereas Thomas Smyth appears to have come from the less important branch of a prominent Badsey family.
The proof I have for these marriages, is not only the transcripts of the parish registers, but also a legal document also held at the TNA (and also ordered), and dating to 1651, which mentions the John Smyth, Anthony Smyth, Clement Dngley and his wife Ann, and Thomas Allen, all in connection with Badsey
This is interesting for two reasons. Firstly, after going through all the Badsey transcriptions, I've come to the conclusion that Mercy Smyth, baptised 1630 at Badsey (and one of the two main candidates to be John Allen" wife) is most likely the sister of Thomas Smyth, Ann's first husband, and daughter of Thomas Smyth senior and his wife Margaret.
Secondly, Clement Dingley was the uncle of Mercy Dingley, baptised 1638 (daughter of Mark Dingley and his wife Mary) in Evesham (though she lived early at Church Lench), the second candidate!
Note that, after the death of Thomas Smyth senior, Thomas Smyth junior, and Margaret (wife of the former) Ann was the closest related adult to the younger children of Thomas Smyth senior, including Mercy who would have been only 16 when her widowed mother died.
Now, the problem is trying to prove which one, if either, is correct:
So far I've looked into wills for the Smyth family; Thomas Smyth senior left an inventory and that was it. Thomas Smyth junior did not have any probate.
Tried to trace Mercy Smyth's siblings; they appear to have disappeared from Badsey. Wills for the Smyths that stayed in Badsey don't mention them. Hopefully the legal documents above will help when they arrive
Looked into wills from the Dingley line. Clement Dingley's will did not survive, Ann 'disappeared' from Badsey after the 1662 death of her husband as did her children. I've requested a search on the Worcestershire Marriage Index for them. I'm thinking that Ann may have married again (she was only 45 in 1662)
Mercy Dingley's father left only an administration. I've ordered the will of her mother, but it is yet to arrive. I do not believe that her brother's Mark and Josiah mentioned her in their wills, but a man who is a direct descendant of the Dingley family is going to check his transcripts. I have yet to ascertain if her brother Joseph or her sister Mary left wills. I know that her sisters Abigail and Elizabeth did not.
The Dingley family are mentioned in the 1682 visitation of Worcester. Mercy's siblings and parents feature, but not Mercy herself; does this mean she had died young?
Finally, when I've saved enough many I'm going to be contacting my local genealogist again and ask him to search for a burial for Mercy Dingley in Evesham, Church Lench, and Cropthorne. Maybe I'll be lucky and he'll find the marriage too, but I'm not counting on it.
Well, that's that. Sorry for the length. Feedback welcomed.
Results 1 to 10 of 24
-
23-03-2013, 6:05 PM #1
- Join Date
- Jul 2008
- Location
- Newcastle, Australia
- Posts
- 755
Finding Mercy - Venting, Brainstorming
-
23-03-2013, 6:50 PM #2
- Join Date
- Nov 2009
- Location
- Cheshire
- Posts
- 180
It's fascinating to read. I'm only sorry I can't help, cicilysmith
-
23-03-2013, 6:57 PM #3
- Join Date
- Jul 2008
- Location
- Newcastle, Australia
- Posts
- 755
-
23-03-2013, 7:38 PM #4
- Join Date
- Aug 2007
- Location
- nr birmingham
- Posts
- 705
Do you know of any properties by name in Church Lench or Cropthorne they lived in or owned. Church Lench is still surrounded by countryside. Cropthorne I dont really know but bet I have driven through there lots of times without thinking about it. There are quite a few Half timbered properties still in Church Lench my husbands Aunt lived there in one (they were the posh relatives) If you have any names of buildings it might be worth when the weather gets better my husband and I have a nose around to see what we can see and try to get a photo. We live less thank 20 miles away so would be no problem.
Best Wishes
Jane
-
23-03-2013, 7:57 PM #5
- Join Date
- Jul 2008
- Location
- Newcastle, Australia
- Posts
- 755
That's very kind of you.
I don't know of any property names as yet. I'm avoiding researching the Dingley family, beyond what is needed to either confirm or rule out Mercy Dingley as my ancestor. If she is my ancestor, I'll be descended from Edward III and beyond, so I need to make sure I don't get my hopes up too much.
I'll definitely be taking you up on your generous offer if I can confirm the link, though, so thank you very much.
-
23-03-2013, 8:00 PM #6Ken_RGuest
Cropthorne similarly has a number of very old cottages and buildings.
I was told a couple of years ago that all of the Memorial Inscriptions for the Evesham Churches had been recorded and indexed. As to who holds the index..............? I can only think that the Almonry might be the first point of contact.
www.
almonryevesham.org/index.asp
Another possible avenue to pursue would be to contact Bookworms of Evesham to see if he has any old volumes or documents that might be of use.
www.
valeofeveshamguide.co.uk/wheretoshop/business_detail.asp?subcat=524&business=1001172
I can't find an email contact, but for anyone who has read the book/seen the film, 84 Charring Cross Road, then this is the type of shop that was portrayed, but on a smaller scale.
Good hunting.
-
23-03-2013, 8:07 PM #7
- Join Date
- Jul 2008
- Location
- Newcastle, Australia
- Posts
- 755
-
24-03-2013, 10:35 AM #8
- Join Date
- Aug 2007
- Location
- nr birmingham
- Posts
- 705
Have you thought about whether or not there is a local history society sometimes local historians can be a mine of info. I now have a physical description for an ancestor from the 1850's if I hadn't contact the local history society I would never found it.
Best Wishes
Jane
ps Is it sunny where you are? We have snow!
-
24-03-2013, 10:51 AM #9
- Join Date
- Jul 2008
- Location
- Newcastle, Australia
- Posts
- 755
-
29-03-2013, 6:03 PM #10
- Join Date
- Aug 2007
- Location
- nr birmingham
- Posts
- 705
Totally forgot about the time difference
Helping you trace your British Family History & British Genealogy.
All times are GMT. The time now is 11:36 PM.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5
Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.
Bookmarks