The Diary of Nathaniel Bryceson Revisited

[Ruskie]

Thanks for the detailed response Jo A. It is interesting to see where you fit into the family.

Through our discussions we have worked out some details of the Lea family, and if you like, we can try to fill in any of your missing links. There is the small mater of locating the Lea information hidden amongst all the other subjects we discussed.

Are you saying that Nathaniel's grandmother 'Granny Shepard' (Mary Lea) had 11 children? We only know of two - Nat's mother Mary and her brother John. Finding the other 9 could be a new challenge for us.

Thanks once again. 

[Jo A]

Yes, Nathaniel says 'my grandmother, who had 11 children..' in talking about how everyone used to get smallpox.

[Jo A]

I've been reading through the message boards and note that Mary Shephards brother was Charles Lea, 1776 1836.  I think this is the same C Lea I have the burial bill original document for except the year reads 1838 as far as I can see. Also that Thomas Lea gives them some coal.

[Ruskie]

Well knowing that Granny Shepard had 11 children has got me very curious now. I feel I should take some time to search for them. 

When you mentioned C Lea, I thought it must be Charles Lea, but wasn't sure which C Lea - but yes, it is likely to be the same chap.

I'm not sure if I mentioned that a descendant of the Leas did join our discussion at one stage, in one of the later threads I think. Something else I need to 'look up'  - you two must be related.

[Jo A]

Well, I hope your hunt is successful and rewarding!  I will let you know when I hear back from Westminster.

[Ruskie]

Yes, please do let me know how you get on with WA.

Re: finding 9 more children for Granny Shepard - I had a quick look yesterday, but didn't have a chance to finish the search, so have no possibilities to report as yet.

I will post here if, or when, I do find any. 

[Ruskie]

posted in error ...

[Malcolm33]

  This sounds something like "Richard Doyle's Journal, 1840" which I have as a hard back book.  It was first published in 1980 and is fascinating as it is in a written script and teems with Doyle's sketches.    He kept the journal throughout 1840 when he was a 15 year old, before going on to become three years later an illustrator for Punch and eventually one of England's leading illustrator's.    The journal does mention a variety of people, though I have never thought to find out who they really were.

[Ruskie]

  This sounds something like "Richard Doyle's Journal, 1840" which I have as a hard back book.  It was first published in 1980 and is fascinating as it is in a written script and teems with Doyle's sketches.    He kept the journal throughout 1840 when he was a 15 year old, before going on to become three years later an illustrator for Punch and eventually one of England's leading illustrator's.    The journal does mention a variety of people, though I have never thought to find out who they really were.

That sounds interesting Malcolm. Since reading Nathaniel's diary I've gone on to read a few more, and have a couple that I have yet to read. I love the way that diaries give such insight into past lives land times, and I love the banality of them. The only disappointment is that unlike a novel which usually has a satisfactory ending, diaries just come to a sudden stop which I don't find satisfactory. 

PS. I see that you can read Richard Doyle's book online.