Search 11/11/1998
Dear Kevin
Sorry not to have written for so long. Appalling weather. It has rained so much that the ground is saturated and any extra water goes straight into the near by stream and, in the local parlance, 'the waters come out'. Well they have been out three time already this autumn and cut us off; once they almost came into our house and we were madly filling sacks and putting them outside our doors - all by the light of the moon. That same night the fire engine was called out to pump out our neighbors - we were lucky.
Also I have some information concerning the Percys of Taunton and of Bishops Hull. Unfortunately it is in Latin and although I have a certain amount of Latin this defeats me because of the writing is bad and the writer uses abbreviations. The Percy in question is Christopher and I am interested in him because he is a carpenter and trades run in the family.
I have managed to glean some information. Christopher senior is an Innkeeper. There is information about his keepers as they have to register, so I will check this out next time. Christopher junior is his son and heir. More of this later when I have a final go at the Latin.
Thank you for the two letters and contents. I was interested in your brother's two trees. I have had similar ideas myself. The trouble is, so much is speculation. You could make a tree to satisfy yourself but it would not be acceptable to the Percy Family History group without more proof. Did you try writing to the Mormons? People depositing information with them are often using information from Family Bibles or from correspondence.
Here is the list of burials I promised. Taunton St Mary from the beginning.
| 1564 | Johane Purse or Pirse |
| 1566 | Johane Pyrse |
| 1566 | William Perse |
| 1568 | Joane Pyrse |
| 1569 | Joane Pyrse |
| 1572 | Elizabeth Pyrse |
| 1574 | Joane Pourse |
| 1576 | Marie Pyrse |
| 1577 | Robert Pyrse |
| 1577 | Katherine Pyrse |
| 1578 | Gyles Pyrse |
| 1580 | Harrie Pyrse |
| 1598 | John so David Pearsye |
| 1604 | David Persey |
| 1604 | Wynfret Persey |
| 1604 | William so David Persey |
| 1621 | Christopher so Robert Percie |
| 1628 | James so Francis Percous |
| 1641 | Robert Percy |
| 1643 | 'many which were buried in the sieges which were not registered |
| 1654 | James Percy |
| 1666 | Susan Pussey |
| 1675 | Ambrose so John Purse |
| 1677 | Frances do John Purse |
| Other information. I don't remember if I sent you the list of Percy wills which were destroyed in World War II. | |
| They have a little more relevance now. | |
| 1730 | Ann wid Tau My |
| 1723 | Christopher Bishops Hull |
| 1732 | Christopher Tau My |
| 1752 | Edward Tau My (this would be interesting) |
| 1771 | John of Crewkerne |
| 1746 | Sarah Tau My |
Other information I have gathered;-
A settlement paper of 1762.
Elizabeth Percy was the wife of John a soldier. They were married about 20 years ago in Gibraltar. They had 4 children John, 14 Christopher 10, Margeret 6, and William. Her husband said his place of legal settlement was Tau My. He was born, bred and apprenticed in the parish to his father William a cordwainer ( high class shoemaker). My attention is caught yet again by Christopher.
1714 Ann Pussey of Halse wants to move to Trull. Her own parish of Halse acknowledge her and will take her back (should she become poor or destitute).
175? Wm Percy of Taunton My is the father of Elizabeth Garders' bastard. he promises to look after it. He was a fuller ( cloth trade). Very good signature. Perhaps the boss.
1754 Settlement of Joseph. Born Tau James aged 10 was apprenticed to Thomas Tucker a Wool-comber. Lived with him 5 3/4 years. Applied for a discharge on the grounds of 'cruel usage'. This was proved. Indentures burned. Lived with Robert Withers for remainder of 7 years in Hill Bishop. Joseph could only write J.P.
No more now as I want you to know I am still alive and working. With the new money I propose to look up Percy in every book and index. Then I will try to put every one of them on a vast tree and see what that produces.
Do you suppose that 4 Percys came from the north to Somerset because they already had relatives here? We know earlier Percys had property here.
I enclose the unintelligible documents in case you know anyone erudite enough to puzzle them out. I have taken copies.
Your sincerely.