I sent you Joyce's will this morning ?
Can anyone find the family connection?
- Thread starter Chimp
- Start date
Archie's Mum
Always digging up clues
You must have another lady by the name of Sue then. Two timer 
Archie's Mum
Always digging up clues
I have George James and Thomas James. No Joyce yet.
Flook
A True Gentleman. Rest in Peace.
I have now found the burial for Sarah James:-
Grave Ref: D28. Knighton Churchyard
Altar tomb Sandstone
THOMAS COOPER. Died 14th May 1807 Aged 49
Also JOYCE wife of THOMAS COOPER. Died 30th June 1826. Aged 73.
Also SARAH daughter of THOMAS & MARY JAMES. Died 25th Jan 1854.Aged 65.
Why would Sarah be buried with the Coopers
Joyce named Sarah as her executor for her will. (I have a copy but blowed if I can read it)
I'm still working on this on and off but it's so easy to lose track of everything that's been found.
One line I've been looking at is the marriage of William James & Sarah Lewis in Knighton in 1798.
Their children (all bap Knighton) are:
James bap 1799
Thomas bap 1802
John bap 1803
Sarah bap 1805
The only reason I mention this is that Thomas fits nicely as being the man on the 1851 census with Mary Ann Breeze and also there is an [illegible] Cooper who is a witness to William & Sarah's marriage.
Flook
A True Gentleman. Rest in Peace.
I have now found the burial for Sarah James:-
Grave Ref: D28. Knighton Churchyard
Altar tomb Sandstone
THOMAS COOPER. Died 14th May 1807 Aged 49
Also JOYCE wife of THOMAS COOPER. Died 30th June 1826. Aged 73.
Also SARAH daughter of THOMAS & MARY JAMES. Died 25th Jan 1854.Aged 65.
Why would Sarah be buried with the Coopers
Joyce named Sarah as her executor for her will. (I have a copy but blowed if I can read it)
Her brother, Thomas James, died 2 years later and is buried in and Alter tomb net to her's.
The only thing the Coopers have in common (that I have found so far) is that Their name was Cooper and Sarah's father was a cooper by trade
Well it's almost certainly Thomas Cooper as he signs his name when he married Joyce James in Knighton 26 May 1789. A George James was a witness at this marriage.
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I did it again, I really need to sort myself outYou must have another lady by the name of Sue then. Two timer
. I sent it to someone else 
You have all been so busy, thank you very much indeed 
Now, Thomas James born 1755. Do you think he could be the Thomas James who married Mary Davies. He and his wife Mary are buried in the tomb next to the Breeze's and George James.
The inscription reads:
"THOMAS JAMES. Died 15th January 1821 Aged 65.
Also MARY wife of THOMAS JAMES. Died 2nd May 1847. Aged 87."
Death aged 65 in 1821 would give a birth year of 1756.
Now, Thomas James born 1755. Do you think he could be the Thomas James who married Mary Davies. He and his wife Mary are buried in the tomb next to the Breeze's and George James.
The inscription reads:
"THOMAS JAMES. Died 15th January 1821 Aged 65.
Also MARY wife of THOMAS JAMES. Died 2nd May 1847. Aged 87."
Death aged 65 in 1821 would give a birth year of 1756.
This would make Joyce Cooper (nee James) Sarah's Aunty, and that's why Sarah is buried with the Coopers.
Have just read the will of Joyce Cooper. She says:-
I give and bequeath all those messuages or dwelling houses with the outbuildings yards gardens and appurtenances thereunto belonging situate lying and being in the said Town of Knighton and now in the tenure or occupation of myself and Evan Meredith unto my Niece Sarah James spinster her heirs and assigns for ever I also give and bequeath unto my Sister in Law Mrs Mary James the sum of ten pounds I also give and bequeath unto Mrs Mary Breeze her daughter the sum of twenty pounds
As Joyce's brother was Thomas James who married Mary Davies, and Mary Davies had a daughter Mary Ann Davies who married Edward Breeze, I would say my assumption is right
Archie's Mum
Always digging up clues
After all that, do we know who Mary's father is?
There's always one......
I have no idea who he was but it would be the same as James Davies's, if that helps
Archie's Mum
Always digging up clues
AnnB
Editor in Chief who is Hot off the Press!
Joyce Cooper was too good to be true.....
Hereford Journal 5th July 1826
On Friday last at Knighton, Mrs Joyce Cooper. Seldom has the grave taken to itself a victim more regretted - her domestic hobits and the interest she ever manifested in promoting the happiness of all around her, render her loss peculiarly severe to the circle of her afflicted family and friends, by whom the remembrance of her virtues can only forgotten when 'memory itself shall fail'
and yes, it does say 'hobits'
Hereford Journal 5th July 1826
On Friday last at Knighton, Mrs Joyce Cooper. Seldom has the grave taken to itself a victim more regretted - her domestic hobits and the interest she ever manifested in promoting the happiness of all around her, render her loss peculiarly severe to the circle of her afflicted family and friends, by whom the remembrance of her virtues can only forgotten when 'memory itself shall fail'
and yes, it does say 'hobits'
NoooooooI'll go back to sleep then shall I?
What a great epitaph.Joyce Cooper was too good to be true.....
Hereford Journal 5th July 1826
On Friday last at Knighton, Mrs Joyce Cooper. Seldom has the grave taken to itself a victim more regretted - her domestic hobits and the interest she ever manifested in promoting the happiness of all around her, render her loss peculiarly severe to the circle of her afflicted family and friends, by whom the remembrance of her virtues can only forgotten when 'memory itself shall fail'
and yes, it does say 'hobits'
Mine will say 'thank God he's gone'
Flook
A True Gentleman. Rest in Peace.
Just when I'd totally given up on all this, along comes this
>https://tinyurl.com/kquc3y3
I haven't read it yet - I do hope it's not too much of a disappointment.
P.S. It looks like he died in 1850