Did Francis Hodson, co-founder of the Cambridge Chronicle, have a brother James?

[donnamarcus]

Francis Hodson (~1740-1812) was co-founder and longtime owner of the Cambridge Chronicle and Journal newspaper (see obit below). James Hodson (~1750–1812), of London, was a master printer (stationer) and ordained minister in the New Church (Swedenborgian). Evidence indicating some type of close relationship between them includes: they shared the same surname and trade; in 1770 James is indentured to Francis’ future business partner (Thomas Fletcher) in London; Francis’ son, Edward, becomes indentured to James in 1783; James’ daughter, Harriett Clarkson Hodson (1796-1839), marries Francis’ grandson, Harry Hodson (1794-1821), in 1818. Were Francis and James brothers?

[bedfordshire boy]

Have you found their baptisms? That's probably the only way to prove it definitely, unless their father left a will naming both of them as his sons. But to find a will you need his name....

[donnamarcus]

Nope, I haven't been able to find either baptism.

[bedfordshire boy]

Where did they each marry? Was a parish of residence other than otp shown?

[trish1120]

Not sure if you have these;
Christenings and some exact Birth Dates;
St Michael, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire to FRANCIS/ANN Hodson;
EDWARD, 6 May 1768, Birth 23 Nov 1767
MARY, 18 March 1772, Birth 21 Nov 1768
ANN SMITH 18 March 1772, Birth 21 Nov 1768 (Twins)
FRANCIS, 21 Dec 1774, Birth 12 Oct 1774
KEPPEL, 20 April 1778, Birth 11 Feb 1778
SOPHIA, 17 Marc 1782, Birth 15 Feb 1782
NATHANIEL SHIRLEY HARNESS, 22 Feb 1784
CHARLOTTE, 3 April 1785
JAMES, 1 Oct 1786
WILLIAM HENRY, 6 Jan 1788
JOHN CHARLES ALLEMARLE MILLER, 14 Jan 1789
CHARLES ROBERT, 23 Sept 1804, Birth 18 July 1791
JOSEPH, 23 Sept 1804, Birth 18 Feb 1794

Burials;
FRANCIS 26 April 1771
WILLIAM 17 July 1778
SOPHIA 9 Sept 1781
JOHN CHARLES 1 Jan 1790, infant
WILLM HENRY 19 Oct 1795 age 8
All have Parents as Francis/Ann or Anne
Also;
ANNE, Wife of Francis, 26 Feb 1804 age 54
FRANCIS 21 Oct 1812 age 73

I noticed a Tree didnt have Anns name;

Francis HODSON, Bachelor of Cambridge, Married Anne SMITH, Spinster, 20 January 1768, St Edmund, Downham Market, Norfolk
By Licence

All on FreeREG.

Trish

EDIT, have added other Children Ann Smith and John..., which on FreeREG have Father as FRANCES!
This at least confirms the Marriage.

[donnamarcus]

Yup, Trish, that is the correct Francis and thanks for posting that data.

Unfortunately, they both marry relatively late in life or we might get more information from those records. Francis is well established in Cambridge before he marries Ann Smith in Hockwold, Norfolk in 1767 and they both live in Cambridge the rest of their lives.

James is married in St. Andrew, Holburn, London in 1788 long after I already have him well established in London. The earliest record I have for James is his indenture to Thomas Fletcher in London in 1770, age 17.

So, if they are from the same family, it is likely they were raised in Cambridgeshire, London, or, possibly, Norfolk.

[Dave Jones]

Not the answer to your question but may help your search..
Cambridge Chronicle & Journal 13th September 1816
Died – On Sunday last, at Islington, in the 79th year of his age, highly respected, William Hodson, formerly an eminent merchant in Lothbury, and eldest brother of the late Mr F Hodson, proprietor of this paper.

[donnamarcus]

Dave,
That is extremely helpful and has quickly given me a number of new leads to work. If, in fact, they are brothers, among other things it implies they were born in London and Francis moved to Cambridge, rather than the family being from Cambridge and James moving to London.
I'll let you know what I find.
Marcus

[donnamarcus]

BINGO!

From the will of William Hodson, brother of Francis Hodson, co-founder of the Cambridge Chronicle: ". . . to my sister-in-law Harriet Hodson widow of my late brother James Hodson . . . ."

Pretty strong evidence Francis and James were brothers!

Thanks again for the great catch Dave!

Marcus