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Hi, I have done extensive research on my grandfather x 4, George Cookson, who was an Excise Officer in the early 1800's.  I have tried to research his origins hoping I have been on the right track.  George died in Penrith on 08/01/1823 and was buried there on 11/01/1823 aged 45.   I found a baptism for George on 25/01/1778 at Troutbeck to parents George Cookson and Jane.  George married his first wife Jane Bradshaw on 25/11/1806 by licence in Kendal.  I obtained a copy of this licence and it indicates that George was living in Halifax and his bondman was George Cookson Husbandman of Applethwaite.  I requested the Will of George Cookson Sen Husbandman of Undermillbeck dated 30/05/1803.  His Executors were John Braithwaite and William Fisher both yeomen and from Applethwaite.  His beneficiaries were his wife Jane, sons George and Robert, spinster daughter Jane and married daughters Ann (married to Joseph Ellis of Ambleside) and Mary (married to Miles Walker of Applethwaite).  Also his granddaughter Jane (married to John Bigland previously of Cartmell Fell - George did not think much of his granddaughter's husband by what is mentioned in the Will).

I was puzzled by the mention of a granddaughter.  George Senior married Jane Martin by licence dated 20/02/1776 and there is no mention of him being previously married.  He is aged 35 and an husbandman of Troutbeck.  John Borwick was his bondsman a gentleman of Borwick Ground in the Parish of Hawkeshead.  John Borwick was also a witness at the wedding.  Jane Martin was a spinster of Belmount in the Parish of Hawkeshead. 

I hope this information may be useful and perhaps someone may be able to provide some answers.