Lewknor Genealogy

Since we built the website we have had a number of inquiries from people seeking assistance in tracing their ancestors who may have lived in the Lewknor, Aston Rowant and Kingston Blount areas. Many of these have come from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA, proving how useful the web can be in shrinking the world!

We'd like to use this page as a contact exchange for those researching ancestors who may have lived in the Lewknor, Aston Rowant or Kingston Blount areas. If you can help or would like to be listed below, please send an e-mail to: e-mail addr

Please note: unless you state otherwise, we'll assume that it's OK to put your e-mail address on the website.

Our History page now includes details about St. Margaret's Church and lists a number of personages buried there.

Below we have listed the names of interest to correspondents and the names of those correspondents. The number in brackets is a pointer to the e-mail address contained in the picture block alongside. This has beeen done to hide the addresses from the spammers robots.

ATKINS
Jen Tranter(10)
BATTERSBY
Jane Littlejohns(40)
BITMEAD
Jordan Pammela(29), Adrienne Phillips(6)
BIRD
Stacey Giles(55)
BOWLER
Suzanne Packman(17)
BRITNELL
Sandra French(12), Todd Stiles(14), Sandra Dawson (36)
BUTLER
Eileen Ashcroft(23)
COLLETT
Ian Cheeseman(34)
CROXFORD
Sandra French(12), Brian Martin(13), Matt Kirkham(14), Sandra Dawson (36), Venetia (Croxford(54))

DAVIS
Trish Hedges(7)
DOUGLAS
Maureen Hoskins (35)
DUNCAN
Stephen Baldwin (52)
EDWARDS
Elizabeth Edwards(19), Peter Cockton(20), Sue Singh(21)
FILBEE
Matt Kirkham(15), Amanda Schofield(39)
FINCH
Ian Tompkins(22)
GIBBS
Graham Gibbs(8)
GILES
Stacey Giles(55)
G/JIFKINS
Brian Brr(31), Sandra Dawson (36), Dave Ross(47)
HARDING
Rosemary Braun(33)
HAWES
Geraldine James (45)
HEATHER
Amanda Schofield(39)
HESTER
Jeff Hester (44)
HICKS
Geraldine James (45)
HOBBS
Phil Butterfield(53)
HOLLOWAY
Pauline Batterby(24)
HOLLIER
John James(27)
HOLT
Eileen Procter(25)
HORN(E)
Tim Horn(48)
HOWLETT
Pauline Batterby(24), Brenda Howlett (50)
JESKINS
Alec Wallington(11)
JODRELL
Brian Brr(31), Tim Couzens(51)
JUDD
David Judd(3)
LAMBERT
Todd Stiles(14)
LEWKNOR
Paul Buttle(37)
LIPSCOMBE
Martine Heartland(42)
LOWE
Paul Sulphur(38)
MAYLING
Andy Ellis(49)
MESSENGER
Michael Turner(41)
NEIGHBOUR
Calum McDonald(28), Pen Taylor(32), Alan Souter(33)
Adrian Neighbour (43)
NEWELL
Grant Newell(18)
OXLADE family website Family Mail List Queensland Family website
Susan Rogers(), Amanda Schofield(39)
PERRIN
Amanda Schofield(39)
PYTCHER
Michael Turner(41)
QUATERMAIN
Dan Quartermaine(4), Rosemary Braun(33), Adrienne Phillips(6,)Brenda Howlett(50)
ROLLS family website
Miriam Smith(2)
SCHOLES
Glen Robertson(16), Matt Kirkham(15), Sandra Dawson (36)
SURMAN
Paul Irving(9)
THURBURN
Mary Blathwayt(46)
TURNER
Pauline Batterby(24)
VEAR
Brian Brr(31), Sandra Dawson (36)
WALLINGTON
Alec Wallington(11)
WALTERS
Claire McGarry(26)
WASHINGTON
Alan Brown(1)
WHITE
Sandra French(12), Matt Kirkham(15),Dave Ross(47)
WITNEY
Jane Treby(30)

Recent Communications

PJ Butterfield 22/1/2009

I have just come across the site, I am researching the Norths of Kingston Blount & the Hobbs family of Lewknor in the late 1800's. Any information on the above is more than welcome.
Phil

Venetia Croxford 5/2/2009

I would love to know any info about the CROXFORD families of Lewknor.

My grandfather Fred Croxford was born there in 1896.
I know his mother's (Mary Smith) parents were from Lewknor - Matilda and John Smith.
His Father Albert Croxford was born in Postcombe c.1867.

Other than this I am quite stuck and don't know where to go from here!

Stacey Giles 7/2/2009

I am researching the "Family History" and have stumbled on a (rather vague) connection to Lewknor. I would be very very grateful if you could help me any further....

I am trying to find out more about a John Giles, my great-great-great-great-grandfather born around 1798 in Icomb/Iccomb in Gloucestershire. He married in Ashton Underhill. Last night I found two brothers (??) Elisha Giles and William Giles, also born Iccomb who both married in Lewknor.

Elisha Giles married Sarah Bird on 11 Feb 1827 at Lewknor according to the LDS IGIs. In 1851 census he is 50 years old, Sarah 45 with children William, 21, Louisa 17, George 15 and Susanna 12. In 1861 he is 60, Sarah 56, George 25, Susannah 22 and lodger Jonah Mott 13. Sarah dies in the quarter De c 1865 and Elisha in the quarter June 1869.

I found William Giles only on the 1851 and 1881 censuses. In 1851 he is 41, born Iccomb, aged 41 married to Sarah aged 46, children Rebecca 11 and John 5.In 1881 he is a widow aged 72 living on "Xmas Common"??

I would be grateful for any further information you might have locally....are the marriages registered in the village? I couldn't find William's marriage on the IGIs.

Ideally I would like to find out the exact relationship of Elisha and William to "my" John Giles - very probably brothers - Icomb is a tiny place! and of course, if there were any way of finding out their father, I would be "over the moon!"

Tim Couzens 07/10/2008

I have the PCC will for Paul Jodrell (d 1728 - in 3 parts) and Paul Jodrell Jr (d 1744) as pdfs from The National Archives, if you would like copies. The former has the instructions for the construction of the Jodrell and Rolles monument.

Stephen Baldwin 09/10/2008

My Great Grandfather Henry Duncan was born in Lewknor in 1868 but like many of this age moved to outer London to find work. I would be pleased to hear from anyone who has information regarding the Duncan family

23/09/08 Mary Blathwayt

I contacted you some time age when I was searching for information about my husband’s grandparents, Rev Martin and Elsie Thurburn who lived in Lewknor Vicarage from 1920 to 1934. Martin was the vicar of Lewknor.

I have recently acquired an old photo album of the family covering the years 1920 to 1924. There are a few pictures of the vicarage and lots of photos of the vicar and his wife and three young daughters in the garden. I don’t know if there is anyone in Lewknor who would be interested to see them. I am still searching for anything about the family as all the records seem to have disappeared and I do not know what caused both the parents to die in 1934 leaving their three young daughters to fend for themselves.

13/8/2008 Brenda Howlett

I have both Quartermaines and Cut(t)lers in my "Tree". Can you tell me if anyone has trandcribed the Parish Register please, for births & deaths.
I have some marriages

24/11/07 Tim Horn, Northants

For the past three of four years I have been researching my family tree. I am looking for any information all(no matter how little) about my great uncle Percy Reginald Horn(e). He was born Armston Northants1899 and his address, when he died at the age of 83 on 4/6/1982, is given as 9, Shisburn Road, Lewknor Oxon. His wife wa Rose Marie who I believe to have been French, maiden name Hurter; she died in 1888 in Shillingford on Thames. Not certain but is possible there may have been a daughter Annick?

Any information would be very gratefully received and of course treated in confidence

19/11/07 Dave Ross

I would be grateful if you could add my contact details to your website.

I am a direct descendant of the White / G(J)ifkins line. The earliest reference I have found so far is Sarah White, who had a son James in 1827. He married Jane Gifkins, also of Lewknor (Jane b.1831 daughter of John and Hannah). James and Jane were my g.g.grandparents.

My (still living) mother Marjorie White was born in Lewknor in 1930, although she had moved from the village by 2 years old, when her father Harry Basil White died. I would like to add more to my family tree, especially on the Whites, since most contact with that side of my lineage was lost after the death of Harry.

26/10/07 Andy Ellis

I've found your web-site and references to the geanealogy section. My mother's maiden name is Mayling and the oldest relative we can trace by any on-line source and family records leads us to a Charles Hollon Mayling who was born in Lewknor in about 1838.

We are unable to trace any family members back beyond this. Does anyone know of this family name in the area/graveyard or possible other spellings of the name (Maling , Maylin , Maelin etc). Are the parish records easily accessible ?

Any help much appreciated.

08/10/07 Mary Blathwayt

I am still searching for any information re. Rev MB Thurburn and his wife Elsie. He was Vicar of Lewknor from 1920 to 1934. There is a stained glass window in the church in memory of him and his wife. He was my husband’s grandfather and we know very little about him. Can anyone in Lewknor answer any of the following questions:-

1. When did he die?
2. Did his wife die at the same time?
3. Are either or both of them buried in the churchyard?
4. What did he/they die of?

I cannot find records of their deaths other than they both died in 1934 leaving three young daughters. Two of the daughters are dead now and none of them have ever talked about the death of their parents. Is there some mystery attached to all of this? We would love to know and don’t know how to find out!!

I would appreciate your help!

17/7/07 Michael Jarvis

Hello, my name is michael jarvis and I have just seen the pictures of the church,school and pub and would like to say they do not seem to have changed since i was there in the early 70,s when my father worked there on the first section of the m40 we lived on the main office site as my dad was the caretaker there and i went to the village school for several months. It did not seem inportant then how beautiful the village was, but as you get older, am now 45 I appreciate how things seem to have stayed the same,any way just thought you would like an opinion from someone from way back and would love to visit again in near future.

yours sincerely
michael jarvis

6/7/07 Geraldine James (Hicks and Hawes)

I am looking for information on Sally Hicks who, on the 1851 census gives her place of birth as Lewknor Oxon. She was born about 1810/11 and any information about her [parents, siblings etc or where to look for her] would be appreciated. She married John Mole of Ludgershall and seems to have spent the remainder of her life there. John Mole gave his occupation as carpenter and Innkeeper.

I am also looking for information on John Hawes who in the 1871 & 1881 censuses gives his place of birth as Witney in Oxon. He was born in 1804/1805 and lived most of his life in Oakley where he married Elizabeth Eborn, baptised in Oakley in 1818. They had a family of 9 children. I am trying to find John's parents and where he was baptised.

Any assistance or ideas to further my research from Australia would be greatly appreciated.

1/7/07 Jeff Hester

I would like for you to place my family of HESTER on your excellent web page.

My family left Kingston Blount in the parish of Aston Rowant in 1848 to Geelong in Victoria, Australia. They were James HESTER born 10 June 1776 and his wife Mary WHITE born 17 Feb 1799 and their children Thomas born 17 Feb 1822 (who married Elizabeth Ann BAILEY born 23 Apr 1826, 6 months prior to coming on 2 May 1848) Henry born 25 Feb 1827, Edward b. 16 Aug 1829 and Susan b. 23 Jan 1834.

I am a direct decendent of Thomas HESTER and Elizabeth Ann BAILEY.

28/06/07Adrian Neighbour

I am keen for my e-mail address to be incorporated within your website; as I have family tree info relating to my family the Neighbours' of Lewknor.

20/5/2007 Martine Heartland (Lipscombe)

I am a descendant of the family 'Lipscombe' my earliest recorded ancestor is from Lewknor. His name is Christopher Lipscombe, I am unsure of his birth date but his burial was in 1702 in Lewknor. My Lipscombe line eventually left Lewknor in the 1840s and we gradually made our way to Worcester. Most of the Lipscombes in Lewknor appear to be gardeners and a parish clerk.
I have been researching my family tree for around 3 years and am very excited to be visiting in July. I look forward to visiting the parish. I am happy for any queries from anyone researching the Lipscombe family tree.

2/5/2007 Michael Turner

I have ancestors linked to the village as far back as 1592, (Christopher Pytcher, was of Lewknor, in 1592). The other branch of the family was of the name Messenger who also had connections with the nearby village of Turville. I hope to produce a family tree in the near future but need further research to complete the picture. If any one has information relating to these two families I would be pleased to hear from them.

17/4/2007 Jane Littlejohns(nee Battersby)

My Great Grandfather
I have recently been researching my family tree and have discovered that my Great Grandfather was the publican of The Old fox Inn in 1901 together with his wife Cordelia. His name was Charles Battersby and he had had a career in the army. In the 8th Foot. Lancashire regiment. He was born in 1840 in Amersham and married Cordelia Buckingham who was born in Maidstone. She was 17 and he was 11 years older. Their first 6 children were born in various parts of the country I imagine as he moved from one barracks to another. My Grandfather was his first son and he was born in Ashton under Lyne. Then followed, Manchester, Preston, Cork Ireland, Aldershot, and Wycombe. They went on to have 6 more children, the last one, Doris was born in Lewknor in 1897. I have found your web site most informative and interesting. I would dearly like to know if I have any relatives, maybe from Doris living in Lewknor. My husband and I hope to pay a visit to Lewknor in the near future.We live in Solihull.Warwks. I would love to hear from any one who may have any information on Charles and Cordelia.

24/3/2007 Patricia Kingwell patannk at gmail.XXcom

I was interested to see your Lewnor area website, as I have a special interest in Stokenchurch. My g.grandmother Elizabeth Dobbins was born at Stokenchurch in 1825, so I have transcribed the images of the 1841 census for the village and am busy doing the 1851 census.
I have also looked at the parish records for the village and others nearby.
I am interested in the social history of the area, so I am looking at the occupations of the residents and tracking them into and out of the village, as they moved about; looking for work, married etc.
I wonder if any of my research might be of help to others, who trace their ancestry to the Stokenchurch area?

08/2/2007 Amanda Schofield

I am at present putting together my husbands family tree these names include, Heather ( west wycombe) ,Filbee ( lewknor,postcombe) ,Perrin ( Quainton) ,Oxlade
If any body has info please contact Amanda.

3/1/07 Paul Sulphur

Hello, am interested in my great grandmother Alice Mary Lowe, born in Lewknor in 1883. In 1891 she lived in 2 Primrose Terrace, in 1901 she was in service in Oxford. She had siblings called Kate, born abt 1886, Sidney, born abt 1889, Eva, born abt 1893 and Herbert born abt 1895.
Their parents were James, born abt 1831 in either West Wycombe, Wherler End or Willow End depending upon which census record one reads and Annie, born abt 1862 in Ickford again in either Oxfordshire or Buckinghamshire depending upon which census record is read.
Any help would be much appreciated.

3/12/06 Paul Buttle Keswick, Cumbri.,

I stumbled on your Lewknor website this morning - although I was actually looking for a Treby.

But Lewknor is a familiar surname with me because I've been researching rotten boroughs in consequence of which I came across the following story which concerns a John Lewknor and the rotten borough of Stockbridge:-

In September 1689 the death of one of Stockbridge’s sitting MPs necessitated a by-election to take place which was won by William Montagu. Montagu had stood in order to avoid the imminent threat of his imprisonment. His peril arose from his having eloped with the wife of John Lewknor who was consequently taking steps to sue Montagu for damages, for having - as the law then termed the matter - “debauched his wife”. As Lewknor would doubtless win his case this would put Montagu in Lewknor’s debt and once in his debt Montagu clearly expected to be placed in debtor’s prison - as an MP however he would be immune from such a fate.

To secure his election Montagu paid four guineas to each of the 44 electors who voted for him. His opponent William Strode, who received but six votes, petitioned Parliament to have the result over turned - even though he himself, had offered to pay six guineas a vote!

As a result of Strode’s petition Montagu was ejected from his seat and barred from taking part in the subsequent by-election.

Three months after Montagu’s ejection a general election took place in February 1690 which Montagu was not debarred from taking part in. Once more, therefore, he was elected to represent Stockbridge. By this stage, however, Montagu was unable to take up his seat - in the proceeding January Lewknor had won his case and been awarded £5,073 damages. Lewknor’s trap had therefore been sprung - at the time of his second election Montagu was already in debtor’s prison.

Montagu, however, had hopes of an early release. Within weeks of his election he petitioned parliament to “be enlarged to attend the service of the House.” He might well indeed have been “enlarged“ had not Lewknor also been elected to the House of Commons in 1690 making him thus well placed to raise objections to Montagu gaining his freedom. His objections proved successful. Montagu, therefore, remained in prison and less than a year after his petition had been rejected, whilst still incarcerated, on 2 April 1691, he died just 39 years of age.

Do you have any information on this John Lewknor who became an MP in 1690. --regards

29/10/06 Sandra Dawson, Port Dover, Ontario

I have just discovered your web pages and found it so interesting.. I have ancestors from this area..STOPS, LOADERS, BRITNELLS, SCHOLES, CROXFORDS, JEFKINS, VERE...DUTTON and many others........ I hope some of the people that wrote to you are still active, as I would like to chat with some of them.
I have the family records of Drucilla SMITH of Pleasant Grove Utah. Drucilla did a great deal of research on the families that I am descended from .

28/10/06 Tom Goode Remembers

Old John Goode was sitting wrapped in a shawl by the fire in my paternal grandmother's kitchen. I gathered he spent most of his time there. I was five years old, so I was later assured, and it was a fine sunny day, which I do remember. I am recalling either the late summer of 1927, or the early summer of 1928. Meeting his great-grandson seemed to perk up the old gentleman. For a short time he became quite animated. My grandmother remarked on it. She was sent away to fetch a box, and on her return the old man gave me a crown dated 1799. (George III) He told me it had been given by his great-grandfather to his grandfather as a wedding gift. Now he gave it to me.
He went on to tell me how he had sat on his grandfather's shoulders at 'The Lambert Arms' on the Oxford Road to see the Duke of Wellington pass by. The Duke was in a carriage.
"He was getting old." explained great-grandfather,"He always used to ride a horse in all weathers when he was younger."
Seeing the Duke and other gentry passing by on the main high road was apparently an important event in his young life, and he talked about these incidents frequently to anyone who would listen, as old men tend to do! I was a fresh audience so very welcome. However, he soon tired, and I was sent out into the garden to play. "Your great-grandad's nearly ninety," I was told. This would put his date of birth around 1840.
He had spent all his life, until coming into his daughter's care, in Lewknor, as had his father and grandfather before him. Perhaps the 'Goode' family had always been thereabouts in Oxfordshire under the shelter of the Chiltern Hills. His cottage, and the place where my father lived as a small child, fronted on to the village green with the parish church opposite through the trees.
I believe John Goode was for many years both verger and sexton in Lewknor, combining these duties with working on the Rector's glebe. His only daughter,Mary, my grandmother, had an illegitimate son, my father named Walter. Luckily John had the sympathy of his employer, and in due course a suitable husband was found for Mary - a youngish widower named Mr Ravening who had a little business in Thame. It was there that I saw my great-grandfather.
I never saw him again. I have no date of his death, but it must have been soon after my visit.
No-one except Mary knew who her son's father was. All I was ever told were two conflicting theories - my mother's romantic one, and my Aunt Elizabeth's more down-to-earth one.(Aunt Lizzie was dad's half-sister.} I incline towards the latter - an itinerant Irish harvest labourer -- both because of my father's red hair and his end of April birthday.
As a footnote; My mother was the governess at Shirburn Castle. My father was an under-gardener. You can imagine my mother's parents' reaction. But that is another bit of gossip!!
Best Wishes! Tom G.

20/10/06 Maureen Hosking (nee Douglas)

I am researching my family history and 'family hearsay', not always reliable I know, has it that my great grandfather HENRY DOUGLAS(S) is buried in Lewknor churchyard.
It is not very old history as he was born circa 1850.
He was living with a lady called ROSE CHINERY or maybe CHENERY, they lived in Church Cottages. Rose was still alive in 1959 as my family visited her and we were told that great grandad was buried just over the wall at the back.I seem to remember that Rose worked for a farming family called AMOR? Please could you tell me where I can find the burial records for Lewknor for the period. I lived in Stokenchurch for 20 years but was not into family history at the time.
I hope that you can help

1/09/06 Ian Cheeseman

I just came across your website and thought I'd contact you. We have been researching our family for many years. John Collett and his wife Hannah were married in Thame in 1700 and lived and had children in Lewknor and Aston Rowant for some years afterwards. Some of their descendants lived there also for many years. John said he came from Ipswich but in searching over 40 years we have found no record. He was a master carpenter at the time of his first child's birth in 1702.
Ian Cheeseman

29/6/6 Pauline Batterby

I am on your Lewknor Genealogy page as I am looking for any information on my Father's side of my family tree regarding Dick/Richard Holloway.
I now find that on my Mother's side my Great x 3 Grandfather Robert Saw was born in Chinnor although he went on to live in London, and that his parents Thomas Saw and Ann Maunder are buried in St Andrews Churchyard. I would therefore be very interested if anyone has any information on this family, whether they came from Chinnor or the surrounding villages originally, or from out of the area. Thomas Saw and Ann Maunder were apparently married in St Mary's Church, Thame.
Many thanks Regards Pauline

8/04/06 Elizabeth Edwards

Thanks for yr.message..I am still here, although 'ancient' ! but always pleased to try & answer queries regarding the Edwards clan in Lewknor 1917 - 1980's..many in local churchyard, of course.
sincerely,Elizabeth Edwards in Exeter,Devon.

10/4/06 Alec Wallington

since my last mail (quite a while ago now) I have managed to move back a little farther. It appears that Edward who married Cassandra at Aston Rowant 1792 was the youngest child of Edward Wallington who was buried 26 Jan 1795 at Chinnor aged 86 which would give a date of birth 1709. I have found six children registered to him ranging from 1750 to 1762 but not one mention of his wife. Children were:
Richard 1750
Ann 1753
John 1755
William 1757
Betty 1760 and
Edward 1762.
Any help would be appreciated.
Alec Wallington

30/03/06 - Jim Treby

have been trying to trace the Witney family. In the 1881 census my grandfather, his parents and siblings lived in Lewknor.
William Witney and his wife Jane ran New Inn. What happened to it?
Jane Treby

16/03/06 - BrianBrr

I am tracing my family and find that the G(J)ifkins and Vears were in Lewknor/Chalgrove/Sydenham area up to around 1840 when Amelia Vear Jifkins(b abt1825) married my GGGfather in 1848 in Heston.I guess the Vear Jifkins might mean stepchidren of Richard Jifkins as a sister Sophia(b1832) was also Vear Jifkins.

26/3/06 - Pen Taylor

I have just discovered your website by accident despite the fact that I have been researching the Neighbour family since 1984 and have indeed visited Lewknor on several occasions. It may interest you to know that Sophie Neighbour was my 3 Gt. Grandmother and married a Hawkins with whom she ran the Leathern Bottle even when he died.
I do have quite a bit of information I would be willing to share if it is relevant and, for the record, have already been in touch with Calum Mcdonald, via Genes reunited, whom I note is asking for info.
Pen Taylor

10/3/2006 Eileen Ashcroft

Does anyone know anything about Sarah Butler, born Lewknor c. 1830?

On the 1851 Census she was working as a servant at the Coach & Horses in Queen St, Oxford. Later in 1851 she married Richard Histed in Oxford. He may have come from Sussex. Richard died in 1857.

They had three children, Richard (c. 1853), Henry (c. 1855), and Francis (c. 1857).
I think she died in Oxford in 1894.
Eileen Ashcroft

5/3/06 - Claire McGarry

I am interested in tracing my husbands family their name was Walters, and they lived in Lewknor.

Edwin Walters b 1848 in Wallington d 1926 in Lewknor m Jane Dandridge b 1852 in Cuxham died 1932 in Lewknor. (Great grandparents)

Children
William Edward Walters b 1878
Kate Elizabeth Walters b 1880
Albert Francis Walters b 1882 in Lewknor m Annie Maria Bowers in 1903 (Descended from George & Emma Hollier) John James from Australia was looking for this family - maybe George was a relative!
Alice Mary Walters b 1885 in Lewknor m Anthony Manikon 1914 (Grandparents)
Emily Louisa Walters b 1889 in Lewknor
Alice Mary is buried in the Churchyard (grave unmarked) along with her parents.

The Family lived in Field Farm Cottage Lewknor in 1881 and Moor Court Cottages Lewknor. I would be grateful if you could add this family to your website as I am tracing my husband's family tree and would love to hear from any family members or anyone who knows of them.
Claire McGarry

1/3/2006 Eileen Procter (nee Holt)

For some time I have been researching the Holt family who lived in Lewknor. The first Holt I have found is William Holt (my g.g.g.grandfather) b.1786 in Bledlow, Bucks. who married Jane Batty in 1807 in Aston Rowant.

In 1841 they were in Postcombe but from 1851 onwards in Lewknor. I have a considerable amount of information about the family (mainly fron census returns) from that time forward but don't know just how much detail you would like me to go into at this point.

My g.grandfather, Edwin Holt, moved to Derbyshire (my home county) about 1861 but most of his siblings remained in Lewknor. For instance, his brother John was the village baker living at the Bake House, Lewknor in 1881,1891 & 1901. He is listed in two trade directories.

My g.g.grandfather, Richard Holt, is listed as a farm steward and his son, Benjamin, is an engine driver to a steam plough.

I was delighted to see the photograph of the school class of 1880. There must be several Holt children on it.

Eileen Procter (nee Holt)

23/2/2006 Steve Payne

Anne Richmond -Watson was brought up at Wormsley and has offered to help Steve with his search. Unfortunately his email address does not appear to be active. Please email Webmaster if you want to make contact.

6/12/05 Pauline Batterby

I am looking to trace Richard/Dick Holloway's family - he married Mary Ann Howlett of Chinnor in about 1879 and they lived in the High Street in Chinnor. He died in 1895 and his wife went on to marry another local George R Folley; but his son Edward married a local Chinnor girl May Turner, so I presume that they stayed in the general area. Also, I now live in Chinnor myself.

I would appreciate it very much therefore, if you could put the names of Holloway, Howlett and Turner on your website - as although the Holloways originally came from Marlow, Buckinghamshire, the Howletts and the Turners come from around the Chinnor, Spriggs Alley area.

Incidentally, the wife of Tony Porter (who is researching Ditton and Hobbs in the Lewknor area) is my third cousin through the Holloway side of the family.....
Pauline Batterby

11/12/05 Matt Kirkham

I've been using the net to look into my family's tree and have come across lots of Lewknor / Aston Rowant / Sydenham families. My great great great great grandparents were John White and Rosannah or Rosahannah Filbee, born around 1813/14. Their forebears include folk with names such as Scholes, Dytton/Dutton, and Croxford.

I've only used the net to find this out and have only got names and locations so far. If there's any sources of further info about these familes I'd really appreciate knowing about them.
Matt Kirkham

7/1/06 Susan Rogers - Australia

I would be happy for you to place a Link to both the OXLADE Sites mentioned below. My info is almost exclusively OXLADE and covers Wills,Indentures, Parish Records Census etc. Both Dave PELLS and Roger BLINKO belong to my OXLADE Family History List.

Susan M ROGERS, Narangba....4504, Australia
Oxlade Family History Group Mail List
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OxladeFamilyHistory/
Oxlade Family History Group Web Site
http://freepages.family.rootsweb.com/~oxladefamilyhistory/index.html

8/1/06 Jason & Jordan Pammella New Zealand

I am a descendant of George Bitmead born 1829 in Lewknor, (married Emily Allen born 1833) their son Charles Henry Bitmead immigrated to New Zealand and married Susan Henry (my Grandparents)
Jason & Jordan Pammella New Zealand

17/2/06 John James - Australia

My Hollier famliy come from Lewknor. I would be very interested in any one who can help me or who are inteseted in them.

My grt grt grandfather was John Hollier born 1815 in Lewknor and emmigrated to Australia Melbourne in 1844.
John James - Australia

21/2/06 Calum MacDonald

Hi I have just found out my ancestors were born in the Lewknor area The surname is Neighbour and I would be interested in anyone researching that family. I have just started and found out about a lot of the family in the Lewknor area.
Calum MacDonald

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Ditton and Hobbs in the 18th century - being researched by Tony Porter from Melborne, Australia. Tony paid us a visit and we were able to get him a copy of Aston Rowant's Millennium book 'At the Foot of the Chilterns' by Di Eaton and Jan Gooders and also to get a print out of parish records concerning Dittons (64 mentions!) and Hobbs (3 entries). He was delighted.

Ditton is also being researched by Paul E. Ditton in Texas. He writes: my ancestors date back to Lewknor and Aston Rowant from the 17th Century. I visited Lewknor in 1991 and learned more about the family genealogy. My branch of Dittons settled in London, others moved on to the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Maybe you can put me in touch with someone in the area who knows more about the subject. Paul has detailed records with many names and dates that he would be happy to share with fellow researchers.

Saunders - Thomas Saunders being researched by Linda Clapp from Australia. We managed to trace Thomas Saunders to the register of Gamekeepers for 1837-44 at the nearby Wormsley Estate. On making these enquiries locally, we discovered that Jack and Joan Warin in Australia were also trying to research him. We have now put Linda in contact with the Warins, to combine their research and establish their relationship!

Steve Payne is interested in more details about the Wormsley Estate. He writes: ‘I have traced one of my ancestors back to being a Gamekeeper at Wellground. Wellground in Oxfordshire, whilst not appearing on recent maps is land that is now owned by the Wormsley Estate. I am keen to find out how you were able to research the register of Gamekeepers as I am coming up against brick walls in searching for any history on the Wormsley estate. Is it the same Wormsley estate? Any information would be gratefully accepted.

Holloway - Pauline Batterby is looking to trace Richard/Dick Holloway's family - he married Mary Ann Howlett of Chinnor in about 1879 and they lived in the High Street in Chinnor. He died in 1895 and his wife went on to marry another local George R Folley; but his son Edward married a local Chinnor girl May Turner, so I presume that they stayed in the general area. Also, I now live in Chinnor myself.

Although the Holloways originally came from Marlow, Buckinghamshire, the Howletts and the Turners come from around the Chinnor, Spriggs Alley area.

Incidentally, the wife of Tony Porter (who is researching Ditton and Hobbs in the Lewknor area) is my third cousin through the Holloway side of the family.....

King - being researched by Mark Holmes in Australia

Mark is the gg grandson of Reuben King, born in Lewknor c 1824, to John(?) King and (?). Reuben was a carpenter by trade and migrated to Australia c1855 and settled in Adelaide, South Australia. Many descendants stayed in the Lewknor area.

Update: My response is modified a little now that I've checked the records I have at home. I've found at our own state library that immigration application was made on 26 Sept 1839 by the following and all of Lewknor:

#6139 Reuben King, Carpenter aged 15
#6141 Matthew H King - Carpenter aged 18
#6133 John King, Carpenter - aged 43 and wife aged 42 w children aged 11,9, 6
#6143 George King, Wheelwright aged 21
#6140 Edward King, Carpenter aged 17
#6142 Charles King, Carpenter aged 19

These were the ages as at 1839. Biographical entries here show that Reuben arrived by 1859. The above list is ‘application only’; it does not mean that they actually ever arrived.

Another clue for our Reuben is that he listed biographically for religion as Congregationalist and he married Emily Hamence here in Adelaide.

You may also look at the IGI on line under ancestral file for a Reuben King born around the same time in Oxfordshire. There are brothers listed including a Vincent. This information was provided by a Margaret Lawson in Western Australia.

King (around Chinnor) is also being researched by Graham Gibbs; please see below.

Lewknor or de Lewknor - being researched by Mary Ryan

Washington - being researched by Alan Brown in Hampshire.

Alan writes: "In particular I am looking for any information relating to George and Emily Washington who are buried in St Margaret's churchyard.

George Washington died on 20th September 1907 at the age of 60. In the 1881 Census he is listed as having been born in the parish of Littleworth, Oxfordshire and is noted as having the occupation of a Farm Steward at Eastwood Farm.

Emily Washington (maiden name of Surman) died on 26th January 1927 at the age of 78 and according to the 1881 Census she was born in the Parish of Forest Hill, Oxon.

A family member (Constance Washington, Granddaughter of George and Emily) since deceased, believed that George died from injuries received following a fall from a roof. Constance lived with George and Emily in the early years of the 1900's at what is now 22-24 the High Street Lewknor. I believe she attended Lewknor school during this time.

Children of George and Emily were:

· Henry (Harry): born in 1870 in the Parish if Shirburn (Father of Constance Washington)
· Louisa: born in 1880 in the Parish of Stokenchurch
· Herbert: born in 1875 in the Parish of Stokenchurch
· Fredrick: born in 1876 in the Parish of Stokenchurch
· Reginald: born 1891-1907??

The 1881 Census has George and Emily and their family living at Eastwood Farm. Any information about George and his family would well received."

Ralph Rolls: Miriam Smith writes from Australia: Found the website while looking for information on the Lewknor Parish Church. I recently went to the State Library of Queensland and photocopied several pages from the Victoria County History of Oxfordshire. What got me looking was the mention on Page 113:

"In the Jodrell chapel an immense wall monument (unsigned) commemorates the death of Paul Jodrell in 1728. The inscription gives details of his life and enumerates all the members of the Rolles family buried in the church since 1536."

My question is: "Do you have any information on the Rolles family available today?" Needless to say, I am a descendant of Ralph ROLLS whose children were baptised in Garsington (yes Garsington) in the mid 1600s but whose forebears are from Lewknor.

Later, Ralph's descendants moved to Stokenchurch and in 1698 his son, William purchased/leased?? Moor Court and Lower Farm in Lewknor. I have found ROLLS still buried at Lewknor in the late 1700s.

Also researching BANKS, CARVOSSO, HAWKE and PENALUNA from Cornwall, CHEEK from Somerset, PAYNE from Buckinghamshire, ROLLS from Oxfordshire, DEVONSHIRE from Warwickshire and various families from Kent, NE England and Scotland. Please view my website at http://www.geocities.com/mim52smith/index.html.

Jodrell. In addition to the above reference under Rolls, Stephanie Hitchcock in Derbyshire has lots of information on the Jodrell Family, Lords of the Manor of Lewknor, Duffield Derbys and Sall Norfolk. She writes:

I have lots of info on the Jodrells, and thought the following might be of interest to you:-

It is an original document, which I purchased with other Jodrell papers of which I have the copyright. However would be quite willing for the Oxfordshire Section to be included on your site with the usual acknowledgements, as it may help other people with family research.

It is an Inland Revenue Form No 6 the date is after 1888 (possibly that year) and contains details of the Derbyshire and Oxfordshire Estates. The following is one example of an entry for Oxfordshire:-

A freehold farm and lands known as "The Nethercote House Farm" situate in the parish of Lewknor in the County of Oxford containing 344 Acres 2 Rod 33 Perch or thereabouts, and also a freehold farm and lands adjoining thereto known as "The Manor House Farm" containing 107 Acres O Rod 12 Perch. Let together to JOHN FIELD at the yearly rent of £425.

The Jodrell Family sold the Lewknor Estate 1890, so depending on the actual date it could be a Jodrell Tax Return or Timothy White's Return as he purchased the estate. However all the other papers in the Lot were Jodrell documents, so I think this is one of the last returns made to the Revenue by Mrs. Amelia Virtue Jodrell.

If you would like to contact Stephanie, please send an e-mail to the website; see address above. Please see also the History page for more information on the Jodrells.

Judd. David Judd is researching his family name:

Ann Judd married on 2 December 1673 at Lewknor. Benjamin Judd married Mary Filbee at Lewknor on 19 may 1708 by Licence, both are described as of Lewknor. They then went on to have family Mary (1712), Benjamin (1709), Richard (1716) and Ann (1719).

I would like to hear from anyone who may be able to assist with the Judd or Filbee families.

Filbee is also being researched by Desmond Lawler. He writes: My G-G Grandfather was George Francis Filbee, born about 1828 and married to Sarah Ann Lee. His father was Francis Filbee. However no further information is known. Does anyone know more about this family?

Quartermain. Don Quartermaine of Sandusky, OH USA is looking for any information on John Quartermain, born March of 1720 or 1721.

Rosemary Braun is also researching the family of Andrew Quartermain and Anne Hagshaw Aston Rowant. Their daughter, Elizabeth, christened 18Jun1726 married John Harding.

Also... Researching family of Andrew Harding and Elizabeth Hester. Their son, John, chr 13Apr1793 married Ann Holland. These are my 2nd gr-grandparents.

And...

Researching John Vear married Mary North. Their daughter, Rebecca, chr 16Feb1772 Sydenham, married John Holland.

Quartermaine is also being researched Adrienne Phillips in New Zealand, together with Phillips, Bitmead, Cotterell and Stratford. She writes:

Charles Phillips (born 1764) married Ann Quartermain (born 1765) at the Parish church Lewknor on Dec 19th 1789. One of the children from the marriage was George, born 1795 who married 1. Sophia Bitmead and 2. Sarah Cotterell. George and Sarah had two children, William born 1838 and George born 1842. William came to New Zealand in 1865 with his Wife Eliza Stratford born 1841 in Stokenchurch.

Bernard Bitmead would also be grateful for any assistance in tracing the Bitmead family. He writes:

A large tree can be established for the Bitmead family can be established at Lewknor, descendant of whom went to both Australia and New Zealand and established family trees in those countries. I am thanks to your website busy corresponding with Adriennne Phillips in New Zealand who is connected to the Lewknor Bitmeads. However, neither of us have through all the years of research been able to establish where Mary Bitmead, who is the first member of the tree, was baptised or buried. I would like to trace Mary in order to connect her to the main family tree which goes back to 1680 at West Hendred.

The little I know of Mary is as follows: Mary had three children: William 1790, Thomas 1794 and Sophia 1795 and were all born out of wedlock and baptised as Bitmeads. Mary went on to marry William Cock in Lewknor in 1805 and had two children that parish-Ann 1806 (possibly buried 1807) and Richard 1807. So far I have been unable to trace where they moved to and are buried.

I would therefore be most grateful if the following could be included on the website. Any information for name Bitmead/Bidmead and family of William and Mary Cock (nee Bitmead) who married in Lewknor 1805 and their son Richard 1807.

Braisher We've had two enquiries seeking information on the Braisher family:

David Pells writes: I am seeking information on Elizabeth Braisher & her family. She was born in Lewknor c1792 & married Jonathon Oxlade there on 24.7.1813.Their eldest child Joseph was born there in 1811-13. I would be grateful if you could put this on your website. Is anyone prepared, for a fee, to check parish records?

Roger Blinko from Canada is also researching Oxlade. He writes: One of my ancestors Joseph Oxlade 1813 raised his family in Lewknor and in the 1881 census the enumerator records the dwelling place as “The Old Ship in Oxford” Lewknor up Hill, this sounds like a pub name but his occupation was a general labourer on the census return so I’m very curious to know if anyone knows what this building was.

Also, from paxisnx I am seeking info about Richard Braisher/Breasher/Bresher the son of William and Elizabeth Braisher. He was baptised at the Achamstead Chapel at Lewknor in 1805.

Loader - Ruth Paton writes writes: I am related to the Loader family with a number of generations who lived in Aston Rowant in the 1700-1800's (John, James, Daniel, Elias). I am from New Zealand but am currently living in London.

I would like to find out how to get a copy of the book "At the Foot of the Chilterns" if possible!

Also there was a James Loader who worked on Sir Henry Lambert's estate in Aston Rowant for over 30 years as Head Gardener - his family became Mormon's and made the huge trek over to Utah (James died on route). Any help in locating this estate would be wonderful!

Please get in touch if you think you could be related, or have any information, I would love to hear from you!

Davis. Trish Hedges in Warwickshire is seeking information on the Davis family. She writes: My great great great grandfather lived in Lewknor and Aston Rowant. His name was Richard Davis and he was a topographer. He built himself a house in Aston Rowant called Grove Cottage (circa 1793). It was sold to the Clarke-Browne family in 1832. We did tour round the area trying to find the house. I would be grateful for information on its location.

Richard's daughter Caroline was my great great grandmother and married a Henry Dixon. I am interested in the rest of the family. Richard had the following other children:

Charles Henry
Elizabeth (who married a Francis Pyner)
Sophia Mary
John Edward
Thomas Richard

I believe Thomas managed the estate after his father's death until it was sold.

When I made a brief visit to the church the other day I saw a noticeboard, one signatory of which was Charles Davis. Could this be Charles Henry? And does history relate what happened to him? Do you have any Davis gravestones in the churchyard?

Obviously any information on Richard's family would be of interest to me. I have also been unable to trace his family backwards, so I am rather hoping some modern day Davis might have been able to do just that.

Fleet. Mike Fleet writes: I'm currently researching my family history and it appears that my ancestors originate from 'Aston Rowant' and 'Kingston Blount'.

My earliest known ancestor was George, who was born in 1819 in Kingston Blount (I'm fairly certain that he was my g.g.g.Grandad, although this has yet to be verified for sure!). It would seem from the 1901 census that he was widowed at this time and lived with his son Clement (b.1854) at the 'Royal Oak' beer house in Aston Rowant.

To date, it would appear that George had three sons, being Clement, George (b.1846) and Arthur (b.1851, my g.g.greatdad).

I'm hoping to visit the area in the very near future and would appreciate any information or assistance that your readers may have, in particular whether the pub building still stands and advice on whom to contact for inspecting the church records. Any information would be gratefully received.

Gibbs. Graham Gibbs. Graham Gibbs writes: Hello I am researching ancestors all around the Chinnor area including Gibbs, Sewell, King, Walker, Flitt and Eustace.

Surman. Paul Irving writes: in researching my ancestors, I've found a Lydia Surman born in Aston Rowant ca. 1852. I've tentatively traced her ancestry back to Samuel Surman, married to Jane (who?), before 1772, via Edward Sermon (spelling wasn't exactly consistent back then), 1780 - after 1828, married to Mary something, Thomas Sermon (ca 1814 - 1885), married to Maria. Can anyone help me fill in more details?

Lambourn. Peter Vaughan writes: I am trying to trace ancestors of mine,

I have Jessie Lambourn (or several variations on those names; e.g. Jesse Lambourne) who was christened in Aston Rowant on 18th December 1842.

I have his father and mothers name (John and Mary) from the IGI but can get no further than that. Can you be of any help. e.g. did John Lambourn come from that area? Any help would be gratefully received.

Atkins. Jen Tranter writes: I have recently started research on my Atkins line which I have traced to Lewknor. Would love to hear from anyone interested in the same.

Woodbridge. Mike Woodbridge is researching his family tree. He writes: We are currently searching details of my great, great, great grandfather, a George Woodbridge whose birth certificate was dated 1841 at Lewknor, mother Maria signed the certificate with a cross but no father recorded. In 1861 George married a Mary Helen ........? (No idea of maiden name) but this time his father signed the marriage certificate, his name being James Woodbridge - we have no other records of James. Is it possible that you may have any more details than we have? Very many thanks if you can!

Wallington and Jeskins. Alec Wallington writes: I am researching my GGGGGGetc Grand Parents Edward Wallington who married Cassandra Jeskins at Aston Rowant 16 October 1792. I have been unable to find any information on either of them prior to that date. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

White, Croxford and Britnell Sandra French (formerly Croxford) in Australia writes: I have just found your web site and would like to add my interests. I have 3 families that were in the Lewknor, Aston Rowant and Kingston Blount areas, they are White, Croxford and Britnell. I am descended from all these families and would love to exchange my data with any researcher.

Brian Martin is also researching Croxford. He writes: My Croxford family are in Lewknor in the 17c. This family starts in Sydenham/ Lewknor/Aston Rowant/Upton cum ChalveyBKM/Eton/London. John Croxford = Rachel Towne abt 1638 marriage and births not found. Their son Robert Croxford b abt 1642 = Mabel Filbie 1668 Thame . Both died in Lewknor and had their 9 children there.

Todd Stiles is also researching the Britnells. He writes: I have just purchased a property called Aston Cottage in Aston Rowant. I understand the Britnells may have lived here during the 1700 and 1800's for a period and specifically a Sophia Britnell between 1799 and 1887. I saw your post in the Lewknor Genealogy page and thought you may have some information. I would appreciate any information you can pass on regarding the Britnells or Lamberts. I understand during this period the house was owned by Sir Henry Lambert as was most of the lands around here.

Matt Kirkham writes: I have been using the net to look into my family's tree and have come across lots of Lewknor / Aston Rowant / Sydenham families. My great great great great grandparents were John White and Rosannah or Rosahannah Filbee, born around 1813/14. Their forebears include folk with names such as Scholes, Dytton/Dutton, and Croxford.
If there's any sources of further info about these familes I'd really appreciate knowing about them

Scholes. Glenn Robertson writes from Sydney: Picked up your Lewknor website while planning my trip there in July 2003.

I have traced my Scholes ancestors from 1671 back to the 1500s at Lewknor and I would like to hear from anyone who has Lewknor Scholes in their family.

Kerry: Margaret Kerry (nee Beaver) is researching Skeeler and Beaver: In the history page with information about St. Margaret's Church, you mention the memorial in the church to Thomas Skeeler, vicar (d. 1736); I believe the death date should actually read 1763. (He is a ggggf to my wife).

His son-in-law, James Beaver, was the curate of Lewknor who died in 1777. We would love to know where he is buried!

Suzanne Packman would like to hear from anyone regarding Bowler. She writes: My sister and I are tracing our BOWLER ancestors who lived in Crowell. We had a g.g.grandfather who had the Catherine Wheel retail ale house in Crowell around about 1880, Frederick BOWLER. The present landlady of the pub (now called the Shepherd's Crook) kindly showed us a copy of the book 'At the foot of the Chilterns' by Di Eaton and Jan Gooders. I understand that this book was privately published and we would very much like to buy a copy - we tried the bookshop in Thame but they couldn't trace it. I see from your website that you have helped someone else to obtain a copy - can you do the same for me?

Newell Grant Newell writes: My own family were all blacksmiths, which I have traced back to 1624 predominately in Brightwell, Baldwin and Cuxham. Many of the blacksmiths in the family subsequently moved to other villages such as Stanton St John, Crowell, Littlemore, Marsh Baldon, Chinnor, Ipsden, Bledlow and Britwell Salome. I have been lucky in tracing over 30 blacksmiths in the family and my own direct line have been blacksmiths for 8 continuous generations.

I am interested in finding out more about a branch of the Newell family ( Ref; ' A History of The County of Oxford Vol. VIII, Lewknor and Pyrton Hundreds', Oxford University Press 1964 ; p7,8,10,14,15.) that occupied Pophleys Manor throughout the 18th Century. Could you please help me with ANY information on the history of Pophleys. This branch eventually left Pophleys Manor and moved to Adwell.

Any information or possible sources would be very much appreciated.

Edwards. Elizabeth Edwards writes: Hi there ! I live in Exeter nowadays, but have researched a great deal of my late husband's Edwards' family...They arrived in Lewknor 1917 and Grandpa Edwards bought the Leathern Bottle pub, he also started the local post office and had his daughter, Mabel, to run it...also he opened a garage. Grandpa Edwards lived in Azile House, now demolished, and a cul-de-sac of modern houses are there...Many of my Edwards are buried in the St. Margaret's graveyard, including my husband, Aubrey John Edwards, died 1969. This is only a very brief history of their story, but I am quite willing to provide more information..my phone number is 01392 683739, or you can email to me. They have all gone now from Lewknor. I believe a Mr.Peter Cockton is enquiring about his great grandfather, William Edwards, born 1873 in Walworth, Southwark, but moved out to Lewknor in 1917. Yes, they did have a watercress farm. My husband's uncle, Uncle Victor Edwards, born 1917, lived at Azile House until his death, Sincerely, Elizabeth Edwards.

Peter Cockton is searching for some relatively recent information on his family. He writes: My Great Grandfather used to live in Lewknor. I believe he had a water cress farm, and part of his estate included a chalk pit. My father has some old postcards depicting men harvesting cress which are from the late 1930`s. His son Victor Edwards was alive in the mid 1960`s, but had kidney failure. Can you shed any light on this?

Sue Singh is also researching Edwards, but also Gifkins. She writes: Hi, I am searching for information on both the Gifkins and Edwards families who lived in Lewknor. My great-grandfather was William Gifkins who was a carter on farm, 1901 census puts him at age 32, married to Fanny my great-grandmother, aged 28, maiden name Edwards, from Chilton, Bucks. They had several children Dorothy, Emma (my grandmother), Hannah, Mary, Daisy, Ellen, Arthur, Sidney, George, Frank. My great-grandmothers sister was Harriet Gifkins (nee Edwards) married to Fred they had a sons George and Henry and daughter Elizabeth, maybe more? In my grandmothers book there are also the names Albert Loveless who was her nephew, Ada, Lional and Thomas Coombe, Gladys Biddle, Maude Street, Walter Sheppard and Lottie Sheppard, who I think were friends or family. If anyone knows of these two families before 1901 CENSUS I would love to hear about them.

Blundell. John Buchanan writes: In case anyone visits your site looking for descendents of John and Sarah Blundell of Lewknor, I am descended from them through their daughter Martha Blundell, born in Lewknor in 1726.

She married Richard Charge in 1747 in Aston Rowant.

I am also descended from Thomas Rakestraw, who married Elizabeth Davy in Aston Rowant in 1731, but I am descended from his first wife, Mary West.

The families merged when Richard Charge (son of Richard and Martha) married Elizabeth Rakestraw in Radnage in 1772.

John Buchanan

from the Buchanan family of Billericay, Essex, England

Finch. Ian Tompkins writes: I have Postcombe ancestors called Finch. I hope you can include this information in your website. In some instances they are listed as born in Lewknor and in some as Postcombe. In the 1881 and 1891 censuses Postcombe loses its own identity and the properties appear as in Lewknor

I am the great grandson of Ann Finch, born in Postcombe in 1847. She married George Tompkins of Houghton Regis, BDF, where she lived the rest of her life. She was one of at least six siblings: James, Ann, Susanna, William Samuel Burges, Anna Elizabeth, and Meretta. James and William both migrated to north DBY where they worked on the railways. Meretta married William Baigent of HAM and died in Aberystwyth in 1901. I have traced at least one descendant in Aberystwyth. Susanna appears on the 1871 census in Houghton Regis as nursemaid to her sister's son, but I have not been able to trace her after this. Two of the six are baptised in Adwell - I would interested to know of any similar cases.

The parents of the six siblings were James Finch, born in Postcombe in c1815 and Anne White of Frome, SOM. James is shown on the 1851 and 1861 censuses as a coachman and I assume that they met on his travels. His parents were also called James and Ann. Ann (family name not yet traced) is shown on the 1841 as a publican in Lewknor. This must be the Feather Inn, for in 1871 James her son is shown as the publican (in 1881 and 1891 he is shown as a coal dealer). The inn was recently renamed the England's Rose.