Allen Family History

Notes: ROBERT ALLEN RESEARCH REPORT

[meadows081604 / 0346] 20 September 2004

The objective of this research project was to find another generation on each of five lines: Meadows, Overbury, Williams, Farmer, and Davies. We had successful results on two of the lines and have plans for follow-up on all five lines. Meadows Research began in Bredon, Worcestershire, to find John Meadows and christenings for Thomas Farmer and Ann Davies. It quickly became apparent John Meadows was not born at Bredon, even though he married there. His wife=s mother, Ann Davies, was found to be the daughter of William and Sarah Davies, and was christened 16 January 1729 at Bredon [document #1]. Her siblings were also found at Bredon B Mary, Francis, Ann, Elizabeth, Richard, Joseph, and Hannah, all between 1725 and 1736. There was a marriage between William Davies and Sarah Harvey at Cherington, Gloucester in September 1725, but confirming it is ancestral was not within the scope of this assignment. The existing John and Sarah Meadows family seemed remarkably small. A browse through the International Genealogical Index revealed an additional four children born to John and Sarah Meadows at Twining, Gloucester. Because of the vagaries of the boundary between Worcester and Gloucester, these two parishes are adjacent. The additional children, William, James, Mary, and Joseph, have been added to the existing family group record. A search of both the International Genealogical Index and the British Vital Records Index just for the surname Meadows had an interesting result. In Worcestershire, almost all Meadows individuals in this time period were in the city of Worcester, which has thirteen parishes. Of these thirteen, only six have been extracted for the appropriate time period. It is recommended the remainder be searched for John Meadows in a future project, as well as any which lie geographically between Worcester and Bredon, and have not been extracted. Farmer A probable christening was found at Bredon for Thomas Farmer, but this is not quite solid. On 27 December 1731 a child Thomas was christened, son of Anthony and Hannah Farmer [document #2]. The date and place are excellent, as are the names of the siblings B Thomas, John, William, Hannah, William, Ann, and Anthony between 1731 and 1743, but there is no continuation of the name Anthony among their descendants, other than their son Anthony. However, this entry is the only suitable Thomas Farmer christening in the International Genealogical Index, and is very close to Pershore, where the couple were married. The only other christening for a Thomas Farmer is at Astley, just south of Kidderminster, a distance of over twenty miles. The researcher=s experience has shown the name Farmer carries over from Hereford into northeastern Worcester, but is really too far away to be considered. This christening has been entered as >proposed= only, and follow-up will be required before it is accepted as ancestral. Again from the International Genealogical Index, a marriage between Anthony Farmer and Hannah Hill was found at Birlingham in 1729. This is about four miles from Bredon. If the christening is accepted as ancestral, this is the correct marriage for the parents. Williams In the International Genealogical Index three Williams children were christened between 1768 and 1773 at Defford parish, about four miles from Wick, Worcestershire. They were Mary, William, and John Williams. Since Defford is so close to Wick, and 1768 is an excellent birth date for the Mary Williams who married William Overbury in 1791, it is suggested this Mary could be ancestral. Mention must also be made, however, of the many other Mary Williams who were born in Worcestershire in the appropriate time frame, but none are quite as close as Defford. There are no suitable marriages for William Williams and Betty his wife in or close to Defford, either geographically or near the time of the birth of the first known child, Mary, but there are several in a number of the Worcester City parishes. There is a christening at Wyre Piddle, a parish adjacent to Wick, for a William Williams, son of Benjamin and Mary, in 1743, who is old enough to be well placed for a 1768 marriage. He was followed by two more children in 1746 and 1751 at Great Comberton. A case can therefore be made for acceptance of the above Mary Williams entry. It can be easily seen, though, more research must be done before a final decision can be made. Overbury The ancestral William Overbury was married at Little Comberton on 29 November 1791, and had all but one of his children at Wick. He was described in his daughter Ann=s marriage licence as being >of Wick=. While that may have been true when Ann Overbury married in 1814, it has also been confirmed he was definitely not born at Wick. A search of the International Genealogical Index for Worcester as well as the British Vital Records Index for the same county reveals no Overbury christenings at all. Little Comberton, William=s marriage place, is adjacent to Wick and has been extracted and included in the International Genealogical Index, as have many other parishes in the area. There are six parishes nearby, in particular, which have not been extracted: Cropthorne, Norton, Church Lench, Abberton, Pinvin and Bredons Norton. There is an excellent possibility for William Overbury in the parish of Charlton Kings in Gloucester, but it is about fourteen miles from Wick. It is strongly recommended these parishes be searched first when this family is worked on again, as there was insufficient time remaining in the present project to do that. This has been a good project, and the prospects for continuing extensions on all lines are excellent. It has been a pleasure to assist you in researching and documenting your family history. We look forward to continuing research according to your instructions. _2004 Price & Associates Incorporated ACP/mh