Hi all,
I had a previous thread on my great x5 grandfather, thanks to the help of members on here there were a couple of leads so thanks for that. I've looked in to the leads and now need some more advice.
My great x5 grandfather was William Masters, a blacksmith who married in Southampton in 1802. We never knew where he was born (aside from in the county of Hampshire), or who his parents were. Age given as 81 upon death in 1858...
Two leads on the previous thread (
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=725577.0 ) were a census entry in 1851 for a William Martin which looks very much like our William, aside from the surname. Everything fits, so I suspect this is an enumerator error. This gives a birthplace of Brockenhurst, Hants. I know there are lots of Masters who were blacksmiths in Brockenhurst, so makes sense.
The second lead was a marriage for an Elizabeth Blowmasters in Southampton in 1782. Thought nothing of it until we saw a 1779 baptism for a baseborn son, William, in Brockenhurst, to 'Betty Blowmaster'. Again, thought it was a weird surname but didn't really think it was linked.
Then we see a settlement examination in 1763 for Nicholas Masters, blacksmith of Brockenhurst, his wife Christian and children, including daughter Elizabeth Blow Masters, aged 8...
I suspect Elizabeth Blow Masters, born around 1754/55, was the same as the 'Betty Blowmaster' who had William baptised in 1779 in Brockenhurst, and then married in Southampton 3 years later stated as 'Elizabeth Blowmasters'.
So I'm happy with that being the case. But then what of son William? Is he my great x5 grandfather? Some mentioned on the other thread to check bastardy bonds - no luck.
We know our William ended up in Southampton in 1802 when he married, and lived there until he died 56 years later. But was he the one born to Elizabeth Blow Masters? Did he go with her to Southampton, or did he stay with his family in Brockenhurst, hence becoming a blacksmith like his grandfather and many Masters before him?
I started this new thread just in case there was anything we've missed... Always think it's good to get a fresh perspective. Many people have been incredibly helpful with this, but just thought I'd do a new thread, hope that is ok. No luck with bastardy bonds, apprenticeship forms... I've a good feeling about it, but need to prove it!
Russell