Hi
I will have to go myself to the NA in respect of a possible relative SAMUEL ASTON and thought you guys may be able to give me your observations
I know Samuel Aston appears in parliamentray papers of 1815 where he is a permit writer and may also be receiving a pension. By 1817 it appears he may have died. From what i see he was employed by Excise for 49 years.
I have him in Lancashire in the late 1760's and it appears he is in Shropshire for 1770's/1780's
I think he may have been in Birmingham in c1773....that's the most important piece of information i need along with where he died
From what i have written above do you think there may be hope i could find this information at the NA, (or anywhere else).
Reading the Rootschat posts, people say the minute books take an age to go through as it takes a long time to look at them, (due to only 3 items allowed to be given out at a time). I think the index now may be viewable via the NA site?
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r/18?_q=index%20to%20names&_hb=tna&_ser=CUST%2047&_srt=1&id=C5623 Looking at the index's i see there is a Samuel Aston mentioned on 2/3 occasions.
The only other source i could think of finding Samuel Aston as an Exciseman was a Directory. I know Skelchers Directory (Birmingham area 1770), had Excisemen listed. I cannot find a 1773 copy though. Do you know of any other Directories that may have Exciseman listed down?
Basically, any tips at all would be most welcome!!!
Thanks for reading this
Best wishes
Eric