Search 03/01/1999
Dear Kevin
The first time I have typed 1999 - I hope you have a happy New Year and we finally sort the Percys. Sorry to be so long writing, I've had a very busy Xmas with different members of the family every day and no fewer than three birthdays.
Nothing earth-shaking to report. Last day at SRO was spent combing through every index. Interesting but not crucial.
From the Somerset Archaeological Society vol 105:- Henry Algernon V Earl of Northumberland was Lord of the Manor of Cunnington. I'll check on this tomorrow.
From Somerset and Dorset Queries vol VII. Reference to an agricultural labourer called Percy, claiming kinship with the Duke of Northumberland. He had a record of descent from a Percy, who had settled in Wessex many generations ago. No more information. Perhaps I'll go to Doreset R.O. and see if they can help. Wessex is the collective name given to the S/W counties. This was in a magazine published in 1902. The author had the information from a friend, who had a portrait of this man. He said he was the last of his line. An imposing old yokel wearing a smock frock and a tall hat."
Vol XVI Prominent Masons of Sherborne. (Free Masons)
Tombstones
From a tombstone in Silton churchyard. (description later).
On the south side.
Sacred to the memory of Edward Thomas Percy son of John and Ann of Sherborne buried January 12 1848 aet 55 Founder of the Lodge of Benevolence. For many years Deputy of Provincial Master.
On the north side
Sacred to the memory of John Percy of Sherborne buried February 5 1830 aet 68 also Ann his wife buried October 2 1826 aged 60. Also to William John Percy, their son buried July 3 1800 aged 2 years and 4 months. Also their daughter, Ann who was buried April 22 1823 aged 35 also John Percy their son buried September 3 1849 aet 59.
West side.
Sacred to the memory of Rev. Wm John Percy MA so John and Ann (PCC of Dorsetshire) late Rector of this parish buried Nov 11 1858 aet 49. Scared to the memory of Charles James Huge Algernon son of the late Wm John and Mary buried July 12 1862 aet 13.
From a Masonic Monument in Silton. In the churchyard, of grey granite of large dimensions recording the names of prominent Masons. Inscriptions showing signs of obliteration, so copied 1920:-
Rev. Wm John Percy GCM, MI, PC of D+S EWM Lodge buried July 10 1876 aet 33. Also of Winifred, dau of John Edward and Mary Ann Percy aet 18 days. Wm John Percy graduated St John's College Cambridge, BA 1839 MA 1842.
Taunton St James 13/2/2 Overseers Accounts Rates 1703
| 1703 | Received of Pursey (Which one?) | 18/- |
| 1713 | ditto | |
| 1717 | cannot find Pursey | |
| 1729 | Sam Hall for Purseys. |
This shows a member of the Pursey family owned property in this parish on which he had to pay a rate of 18/-. By 1729 S.H. was paying the rates but it still appears to be Pursey property.
13/2/1 OS Accts and Rates 1667-1703
| 1697 | Piercies children | 1/6 per week |
| Ann Peircy | 1/- pw | |
| 1701 | Received of Pursey | 18/8 |
| 1702 | Recieved of Pursey | £1 |
At the end of the book reference is made to Roger Peassly and Grace Passly of Hill Bishop. Christopher of Hill Bishop, the Carpenter had a brother Roger. I think the fact that John and Christopher were both carpenters is very significant.
Bishops Hull 13/3/4
1729 Churchwardens of Buckland to Bishops Hull. They own John Pursey legally settled in Buckland. No helpful information.
From Tau St Mary 13/3/2
1736 George and Eliz. + daus Martha 8, Eliz 6 and Susan 3 intruded Chard.
13/3/5
1820 Elizabeth born Tau m and at present residing there, and her son Wm Cornish 31/2 years ago she married Daniel Percy of Tau M who then enlisted in 46th foot. She accompanied him to New South Wales and Madras where she left him. Dan said he was born in Chard, and had one child, Wm, born before marriage now 31/2.
This is important because of the name Daniel, which we know is in your family. Family names were important right up to the beginning of this century.
I will have a look at Chard.
Bradford on Tone OS Acct Book 1719-1762
1720 John Purse paying 2d on his cottage.
1721 JP disappeared
1724 John Trott for Prousses 2d
is this the John from Taunton St James?
QRLa 19/2
This is a list of Innkeepers and the people who stand surety for their good behaviour. There is no Christopher in this part of the list, but I did find
1737 Hugh Purse of Bishops Hull in support of Joseph Richards of Bradford on Tone. I don't know who he is.
It is now 6.1.99 and I did go to SRO yesterday. An index of apprentices had been completed and there were some Perceys on it - mostly too late to really be useful.
I shall dispatch this now and then start on the next episode.
Yours sincerely.