I suspect there is something wrong with my tree. I'll start with my great great grandfather George Alfred Smith 1856-1936. A bit of luck here because 1881 census he his his father living with him and he died the same year. George James Smith 1819-1881, cordwainer from East Knoyle Wiltshire found his way to London. Here he married Elizabeth Mason in 1842. I have found some banns for 1839 without parental information. I think they were null because the bride was under age, Family search gave her parents as James Hawes Mason 1799-1860 and Elizabeth Walton. James Hawes being a cordwainer or bootcloser seemed I was on track. His father was James Mason 1767-1839, his mother Mary Ann Hawes. His father Robert Mason 1730-1824. This is where I get suspicious Robert Mason has 9 children. One of these was Robert Mason 1757-1849 who went to America and fought for the rebels earning the nickname 'The Patriot'. American contacts and trees I have seen have his mother as Elizabeth Dudley, I cannot find a marriage of a Robert Mason to a Dudley. I have a marriage 1749 to Elizabeth Lee. My ancestor James Mason b. 1767 and the Robert 1757 were both baptised St. Mary Whitechapel, Parents Robert and Elizabeth of Rosemary Lane, Sarah Mason 1755 in Rosemary Lane, Other children, William Mason, b. 1750 of Robert & Elizabeth Mills Yard. Elizabeth Mason 1759, Robert & Elizabeth -----Yard. John Mason b. 1761 of Robert & Elizabeth, White's Yard. Ann Dudley Mason b,1762. Whites Yard'. Charlotte Mason b. 1765, White's Yard. Charles Mason 1770 Whites Yard. Could it be that there are two different families here ? Where the Americans get Elizabeth Dudley from I don't know. Maybe some clue in Ann Dudley Mason.
