Thomas Goss 1762

[Maid of Kent]

Thomas  1762 Chatham, Kent
and Theodosia Goss 1756 Gillingham, Kent
 were my 5grt grandparents, they were both born in the Medway towns, Kent. but they left for Bedminster, Somerset in around 1804, their son James was baptized in Uphill Somerset in 1804. Has anyone any ideas why they should move to Somerset please? They has no relatives there as I can tell and the only reason I can think of is work.

[ShaunJ]

What was his occupation?

Are you sure there were no relatives in Uphill? There are Goss marriages, baptisms and burials there before 1804.

[Maid of Kent]

dont know his occupation, and havent found any connection to the Goss's already in Somerset

[teragram31510]

The Wikipedia article tells us there were 18 coalfields being exploited in the Bedminster area in the early 19th century and also the New Cut was dug to improve shipping possibilities. Your ancestor could well have gone there for the work possibilities - and possibly also because he already had relatives there to help house him.