The Thompson Family of Burwash, East Sussex

[1982FordEscort]

Hi all, my name's Jack, and I am new here. Anyway, I have recently been tracing the ancestry of my great-great grandmother Miriam Ellis (nee Thompson-Skinner). I have traced it as far back as 1795, when William Thompson married Mary Skinner in Burwash. I was wondering if anyone could help trace the Thompson line even further back.

Apparently, William Thompson was born in 1774 in Burwash and died in 1855 in Burwash, but only the latter of which I have found records for. I have also been told that W. Thompson's parents were William and Ruth Thompson (both born 1752), but I cannot find any records for either of them (aside from an 1809 burial record for a Ruth Thompson, who I am presuming is the right person).

If anyone could help me out, I would greatly appreciate it! Also, if anyone wants to know more, I'll be happy to answer any questions the best I can.

Thanks in advance,
Jack

[Comberton]

There is this baptism
William Thomson
born 31-1-1774
baptised 10-3-1774
Burwash
Denomination Calvinist
no parents listed on image

possible siblings
1775 Zachariah Thomson
1779 Elizabeth Thomson
1784 Ruth Thomson
all Burwash/Calvinist/no parents listed

[Comberton]

There is this burial
William Thomson
born 1752
buried 17-7-1822
Burwash
and from the newspaper February 1823
Notice for debtors & creditors....
William Thompson, late of Burwash, stonemason & bricklayer

The 1809 burial has the note  wWilliam

[1982FordEscort]

Thanks for your help, Comberton!

[jonw65]

Welcome to Rootschat,  Comberton!
Don't forget Rebecca!

[trish1120]

Possible Marriage;
25 Oct 1772, St Mary Magdalene, Whatlington
Willm THOMSON to Ruth MEPHAM
Both of the Parish
Witnesses, William CROUCH/Thos. THOMSON/Walter BAILEY


There is a Ruth MEPHAM Bapt 28 Oct 1748, St Dunstan, Mayfield to JOHN/SARAH

John MEPHAM of Mayfield** married Sarah PARKER of Buxted, 24 Aug 1735 St Giles, Dallington

All on FreeREG

Trish

[1982FordEscort]

Possible Marriage;
25 Oct 1772, St Mary Magdalene, Whatlington
Willm THOMSON to Ruth MEPHAM
Both of the Parish
Witnesses, William CROUCH/Thos. THOMSON/Walter BAILEY


There is a Ruth MEPHAM Bapt 28 Oct 1748, St Dunstan, Mayfield to JOHN/SARAH

John MEPHAM of Mayfield** married Sarah PARKER of Buxted, 24 Aug 1735 St Giles, Dallington

All on FreeREG

Trish

Thank you Trish. The time frames add up, so it certainly could be them. Just a couple of questions:

1. Could the Thos. (Thomas) Thomson listed in the marriage record be William's father or brother?

2. Ruth Thompson's 1809 burial record states she was buried on 4 Jan 1809 aged 57, thus would make her birth year either 1751 or (less likely) 1752. If the two Ruth's are the same person and Ruth Thompson was indeed born Ruth Mepham in 1748, was it common for women to understate their age by three years?

Thanks again,
Jack

[Pheno]

You have to remember that it wouldn't have been Ruth Thompson supplying those burial details.  The person who did may not have known exact details and made a guess so quite common for ages to be out in burial records.

Pheno

[1982FordEscort]

You have to remember that it wouldn't have been Ruth Thompson supplying those burial details.  The person who did may not have known exact details and made a guess so quite common for ages to be out in burial records.

Pheno

That's true, but since her husband William was still alive (died in 1822), wouldn't he have supplied the details? Maybe even he didn't know his wife's exact age, or Ruth herself didn't know it and thus could never tell him.

Nevertheless, what you say makes sense, and I believe that what Trish has posted is for the right couple.

Jack