Hi Arranroots.
Read with interest your query re. Hermon Hookings, supposed illegitimate son of John Ferris Tozer. We have been researching our family roots in Exeter (Tozers) and have come across JFT senior and junior. They were both organists at Exeter Cathedral, JFT senior was a professor of music (piano) at Exeter, hence the musical talent of HH. We can trace JFT back to William Tozer and Richorde Ferris (hence the middle name) William and Richorde married in Harford, Devon, JFT senior's father, also John, son of William and Richorde, was christened in Harford and was a builder in Exeter. JFT Senior's uncle, Stephen Tozer drove the mail coach from Exeter to Bristol.
JFT senior is my husband's 1st cousin 4 times removed according to the kinship report on my Family Tree Maker.
We have tried and tried to find birth dates and parentage of William Tozer and Richorde Ferris without success. The only thing we have is a record of their marriage in Harford on 21st April 178, so we assume their birth dates to be around 1760.
You say that you have Hermon's birth certificate, is the father named on it? would it be possible to attach a copy of it and let me have a look? I would be very interested to hear from you and to know whether you have ever heard of Richorde Ferris or her family.
Both the JFT's were composers and organists, apparently there are papers about JFT in the archives of Exeter University
All the best, Peggy Tozer