Search 08/04/1998
Dear Kevin.
New information from Taunton – fascinating stuff, but possibly not what you want to hear! I decided Thomas would have been born around 1720 so began searching near the beginning of the second Taunton register. I recorded all Percys.
| Tau. M. 2/1/2 | ||
| 1717 | John so Edward and Ann | Carpenter High St |
| 1720 | Edward so Edward and Ann | |
| 1722 | Benjamin so Edward and Ann | |
| 1725 | Thomas so Edward and Ann | |
| 1727 | Benjamin so Edard and Ann | |
| 1730 | Daniel so Edward and Ann | |
| 1732 | Joseph so Edward and Ann | |
I searched up to 1740 for other children of this couple but found none. I did find the following which may be useful.
| 1721 | William so George and Margeret Pursey | Comber (Wool trade) High St |
| 1727 | Joan do above | |
| 1734 | John so of Henry and Elizabeth Purcey | |
| 1736 | Betty do of Henry and Elizabeth Purcey | |
| 1739 | Henry so of Henry and Elizabeth Purcey |
We seem to have one Thomas only in this period; I was finally convinced by the names of his younger brothers. I must have a look at Ann’s family to see if that is the origin of those names.
Next I looked for marriage.
Tau.M. 2/1/15
1716 Edward Pursey Carpenter m Anne Blissit otherwise Pavier both of this parish now living in High St.
Now for the baptism of Edward, round about 1690 I thought.
| Tau. M. 2/2/1 | |
| 1690 | Sarah do John Purshey (sic) |
| 1690 | William so William and Dorcas Pursey |
| 1691 | Mary do Richard and Margeret |
| 1692 | EDWARD the base child of Edward Pursey |
| 1692 | John so John |
| 1694 | George so William |
| 1695 | Joseph so John |
| 1696 | Elizabeth do William |
| 1697 | Dorothy do John and Lydia Purcy |
Edward being illegitimate is a bit of a problem. It is very strange that he is baptised under his father’s name. Usually the mother’s name goes into the register, sometimes the name of the reputed father is there too. Perhaps Edward’s mother died in childbirth, or perhaps his father was anxious to claim him. I wondered about the name Edward but see that it along with Thomas and Henry are in your possible family tree. Seems to me you could be a descendent.
If you decide to send these findings to the Percy Faml Hist Soc make it clear that I haven’t searched the burials so some of the people I have listed may have died early and so cannot figure in your line!
I shall spend another day in Taunton on your behalf next week and that will use up the second lot of money.
This is all very exciting. I wish I had a tree like this!
Yours sincerely
Di