I am not from the area of East Dean therefore finding it difficult to research the JAMES family. Thomas died in Leamington, Warwickshire and is known, according to his will, to have family in Blakeney Hill East Dean he was born in 1800 and died aged 65 (in 1865 of Thyphus) he is buried in one of our our local churchyards and was obviously a beekeeper, hence my interest in trying to find out more about him. His gravestone has a carved skep (beehive) on it and he left a cottage in his will called "Honey Bee" to his daughter Mary James, his wife had the same name and a son called Thomas James. I have his death certificate and his will. There is more information in his will if anyone can assist I would be grateful.
Mick Smith
Beekeeper
Kenilworth
Warwickshire

If you could give us more information from the Will this could be useful....

???

1861 Census Warwickshire, Leamington Priors

6 Clarendon Square

Thomas JAMES - married - 59 - footman, born Glos. Blakeney
Thomas was Footman, to Louisa CHEAP unmarried age 49 Fundholder born Bengal, and her sister Clara CHEAP, age 48, born Bengal

----

1851 Census, Sussex, Hastings Street
Mary Magdalene

Thomas JAMES - married - 49 - footman, born Glos. Blakeney

again Footman to the CHEAP family

Arabella - 73
Louisa - 40
Clara - 38

------

If Thomas worked for the CHEAP's for many years, could explain the gravestone.

----

???

FOD records, baptism at Blakeney Chapel - 18 August 1799

Thomas JAMES, father's surname: John, mother's surname Elizabeth (nee DAUNCEY) Spinster

Memoranda : (1) S (on) (2) b (or) n Aug (ust) 9

Chapel: Awre

If Marilyn has found the correct baptism for Thomas this appears to be the marriage of his parents:

Record_ID: 67000
Entry_Number: 258
Year: 1786
Month: May
Day: 11
Grooms_Surname: JAMES
Grooms_Forenames: John
Grooms_Age:
Groom_Condition: Batchelor
Grooms_Occupation:
Grooms_Residence: of this Parish
Grooms_Fathers_Surname:
Grooms_Fathers_Forenames:
Grooms_Fathers_Occupation:
Brides_Surname: DAUNCEY
Brides_Forenames: Elizabeth
Brides_Age:
Brides_Condition: Spinster
Brides_Occupation:
Brides_Residence: of this Parish
Brides_Fathers_Surname:
Brides_Fathers_Forenames:
Brides_Fathers_Occupation:
Licence_or_Banns: Licence
Date_of_Banns:
Signature_or_Mark: Both mark
Witness_1: Jas Cox
Witness_2: Sarah Dancey
Other_Witnesses: Mary Wanklyn
Officiating_Minister: Charles Sandiford Vicar
Event: Marriage
Memoranda:
Notes: BTs state both of the Parish of Awre Brides surname shown as Dancey a Widow
Register_Reference: P30 IN 1/3
Page_Number: 66
Parish_Chapel: Awre
Soundex_Groom: J520
Soundex_Bride: D520

Just an outsider to consider!

Record_ID: 187101
Entry_Number: 11
Year: 1798
Month: Apr
Day: 15
Parents_Surname: JAMES
Child_Forenames: Thomas Denton
Fathers_Forenames: Richard
Mothers_Forenames: Elizabeth
Mothers_Surname:
Residence:
Occupation:
Officiating_Minister: Wm. Jones Curate
Event: Baptism
Memoranda: Son of
Notes: Any abbreviated forenames have been expanded to the full name
Register_Reference: P209 IN 1/2
Page_Number: 69
Parish_Chapel: Lydney
Soundex: J520

Dont know if you are on ancestry but someone is researching him. Mostly they have his ancestors not his descendents and his father Phillip married Mary Wanklyn.

May be of some assistance. Even if you arent a member.

Rita James
NZ

If you could give us more information from the Will this could be useful....

???

1861 Census Warwickshire, Leamington Priors

6 Clarendon Square

Thomas JAMES - married - 59 - footman, born Glos. Blakeney
Thomas was Footman, to Louisa CHEAP unmarried age 49 Fundholder born Bengal, and her sister Clara CHEAP, age 48, born Bengal

----

1851 Census, Sussex, Hastings Street
Mary Magdalene

Thomas JAMES - married - 49 - footman, born Glos. Blakeney

again Footman to the CHEAP family

Arabella - 73
Louisa - 40
Clara - 38

------

If Thomas worked for the CHEAP's for many years, could explain the gravestone.

----

???

FOD records, baptism at Blakeney Chapel - 18 August 1799

Thomas JAMES, father's surname: John, mother's surname Elizabeth (nee DAUNCEY) Spinster

Memoranda : (1) S (on) (2) b (or) n Aug (ust) 9

Chapel: Awre

1841
Arabella Cheap abt 1781 Middlesex, England St Marylebone, Middlesex
Louisa Cheap abt 1811 St Marylebone, Middlesex
Clara Cheap abt 1811 St Marylebone, Middlesex
Ann Clark abt 1801 Middlesex, England St Marylebone, Middlesex
Madianna Pettet abt 1821 Middlesex, England St Marylebone, Middlesex
Maomi Warren abt 1816 Middlesex, England St Marylebone, Middlesex
Catherine Fawkes abt 1811 Middlesex, England St Marylebone, Middlesex
Thomas James abt 1801 Middlesex, England St Marylebone, Middlesex

--
Ἀριστοτέλης A Gloster Boy in the Forest of Dean ><((((*>

Fantastic amount of information guys, if it is genuine and can be substantiated that would be amazing. I don't have a subscription to Ancestry.com but have subscribed to findmypast.com for a few years, I can, however search ancestry at Warwick County Records Office. On the face of it, it would appear to be my Thomas JAMES. The story so far is, that whilst attending a local village end of summer fete with my bees I got talking to a local resident who asked if I was aware of a beekeeper's grave in the churchyard. After the fete I went to have a look and found this lovely OLD gravestone tucked away in a remote corner of the churchyard. On subsequent investigation it transpired that the grave predated the current church and I found a bit of info at the county records office. I applied for and received his death cert which gave the cause of death as typhus, so he was very quickly buried. This year's weather being so bad I haven't yet managed to get to the church to tidy up the grave and try to decipher all of the writing. It reads as far as I can see "In affectionate memory of Thomas James"
In his will which is again difficult to read it is as follows,

This is the Last Will and Testament

Of me , Thomas JAMES of Blakeney Hill in the Township of East Dean a Servant. First I will and direct that my just debts and funeral expenses to be payed by my Executors hereinafter named 2ndly I ?? devise and bequeath to my Wife Mary James whole of my real and Personal Property and everything of which I am proposed after the liquidation of my lawful debts and funeral expenses with exception hereinafter named to be held and enjoyed by during the term of her life but not to sell or Mortgage or otherwise dispose of it or any part thereof. 3rdly I will?? and bequeath to my son Thomas James after the death of my wife Mary James the Cottages and Ground and all?? appertaining to at present in the occupation of John Bailey and Mrs Jones also ?? ???- her ward stands at the top of the ground in the ????? that divides said two plots of around near the three old Cottages and the new one whilst ? originate on Blakeney Hill in the Township of East Dean that same to him his heirs and assigns for ever. 4thly I will bequest and bequeath to my daughter Mary James, the Cottage called “Honey Bee” and the ground attached thereto situate on Blakeney Hill, in the Township of East Dean and at present in the occupation of William Kear to hold the same to her, her heirs and assigns for ever. 5thly I will devise and bequeath to my Sister, Eliza Ball the Cottage and the ground attached to it, at present in the occupation of Thomas Caunmor? And situate on Blakeney Hill, in the Township of East Dean to hold the same to her, her heirs and assigns for ever. Lastly I nominate and appoint James Davis and William Kear to be EXECUTORS of this my last will and testament revoking all others by me at any time heretofore???? In witness whereof I have set my hand this seventh day of September, One thousand eight hundred and fifty eight -------------- THOMAS JAMES--------------------
Signed sealed and declared by the Testator as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request have subscribed our names as witnesses----JAMES DAVIS---- WILLIAM HILLETT---

Hope this hasn't bored you all, I'm just so pleased that I was minded to contact you and so grateful for the information that you have all given to me, my quest goes on!! I hope to write a short article about him for our local beekeeping magazine.
Gratefully yours
Mick Smith

This is the Last Will and Testament
3rdly I will?? and bequeath to my son Thomas James after the death of my wife Mary James the Cottages and Ground and all?? appertaining to at present in the occupation of John Bailey and Mrs Jones also ?? ???- her ward stands at the top of the ground in the ????? that divides

1861 Lensbrook
John Bailey abt 1802 Awre, Gloucestershire, England Head Awre, Gloucestershire
Elizabeth Bailey abt 1803 Lydney, Gloucestershire, England Wife Awre, Gloucestershire
Sarah James abt 1830 Lydney, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Awre, Gloucestershire
Eli William James abt 1859 Awre, Gloucestershire, England Grandson Awre, Gloucestershire

1851
John Bailey abt 1803 Awre, Gloucestershire, England Head Etloe, Gloucestershire
Elizabeth Bailey abt 1804 Lydney, Gloucestershire, England Wife Etloe, Gloucestershire
William Bailey abt 1829 Awre, Gloucestershire, England Son Etloe, Gloucestershire
Sarah Bailey abt 1840 Awre, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Etloe, Gloucestershire

1841 ??
John Bailey abt 1801 Gloucestershire, England Lydney, Gloucestershire
Elizabeth Bailey abt 1803 Gloucestershire, England Lydney, Gloucestershire
William Bailey abt 1829 Gloucestershire, England Lydney, Gloucestershire
Sarah Bailey abt 1830 Gloucestershire, England Lydney, Gloucestershire
John Bailey abt 1832 Gloucestershire, England Lydney, Gloucestershire

--
Ἀριστοτέλης A Gloster Boy in the Forest of Dean ><((((*>

4thly I will bequest and bequeath to my daughter Mary James, the Cottage called “Honey Bee” and the ground attached thereto situate on Blakeney Hill, in the Township of East Dean and at present in the occupation of William Kear to hold the same to her, her heirs and assigns for ever.

1861 Blakeney Hill
William Kear abt 1817 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Head East Dean, Gloucestershire
Elizabeth Kear abt 1822 Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England Wife East Dean, Gloucestershire
James Kear abt 1845 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean, Gloucestershire
Mary Kear abt 1849 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
Ann Kear abt 1851 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
George Kear abt 1856 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean, Gloucestershire
Hemma Kear abt 1859 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
Fanney Kear abt 1861 Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire

1851 New Road, Blakeney
William Kear abt 1817 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Head East Dean, Gloucestershire
Eliza Kear abt 1822 Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England Wife East Dean, Gloucestershire
William Kear abt 1836 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean, Gloucestershire
James Kear abt 1846 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean, Gloucestershire
Mary Kear abt 1849 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
Phillip Young abt 1832 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Lodger East Dean, Gloucestershire

--
Ἀριστοτέλης A Gloster Boy in the Forest of Dean ><((((*>

3rdly I will?? and bequeath to my son Thomas James after the death of my wife Mary James the Cottages and Ground

a possible ( but much more work to do)

1861 Blakeney Hill
Thomas James abt 1830 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Head East Dean, Gloucestershire
Eliza James abt 1834 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Wife East Dean, Gloucestershire
Jane Harding abt 1854 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Stepdaughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
Elizabeth James abt 1858 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
Harriett James abt 1860 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire

--
Ἀριστοτέλης A Gloster Boy in the Forest of Dean ><((((*>

England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administration)

CHEAP Louisa Grace
Effects under £25,000

3 February 1865

Letters of Administration (with the Will annexed) of the Personal estate and effects of Louisa Grace CHEAP formerly of Holles-street Cavendish-square in the County of Middlesex, but late of Clarendon-square Leamington Priors in the County of Warwick, Spinster deceased who died 16 December 1864 at Leamington Priors aforesaid were granted at the Principal Registry to the Reverend John Erskine Clarke of Derby in the County of Derby Clerk the Reverend Alured James Clarke of Elvington in the County of York Clerk and Louisa Margaret Boville (Wife of Edward Clarke Boville Esquire) of Clevedon in the County of Somerset the Nephews and niece and three of the Persons entitled in Distribution to the Personal estate and effects of the said Deceased they having been first sworn.

and

CHEAP Clara - 26 August 1864
Effects under £14,000

Administration (with Will) of Goods unadministered passed at the Principal Registry March 1865

The Will of Clara CHEAP formerly of Holles-street Cavendish square in the County of Middlesex, but late of 6 Clarendon-square Leamington Priors in the County of Warwick, Spinster deceased who died 29 July 1864 at Clarendon-square aforesaid was proved at the Principal Registry by the oath of Louisa Grace CHEAP of 6 Clarendon-square aforesaid Spinster the Sister the sole Executrix.

---

? wonder if they caught Typhus as Thomas JAMES - what date in 1865 did he die? -

Ancestry:

Death registration

Thomas JAMES, April/May/June Qtr 1865 - District : Warwick, County: Warwickshire

Thomas JAMES - Will dated 7 September 1858

'I will device to my sister Eliza BALL the Cottage and the ground attached to it, at present in the occupation of Thomas CAUNMOR?'

---

FOD records

Marriage at Gloucester St Mary de Lode

16 May 1835

John BALL residence: Holy Trinity

married

Eliza JAMES - residence Awre

by Licence

---

Looking at GloucestershireBDM - for Ball, mother's maiden name: JAMES

Mary BALL 1838, Westbury on Severn, Newnham

---

FOD records

Baptism at Awre - 23 September 1838

Mary BALL, father's name: John, mother's forename: Elizabeth

residence: Ealcomb (?) [GATCOMBE]

father's occupation: Sailor.

---

1841 Census, Chepstow, Monmouthshire

John GWATHIN - 52 - Builder - all born in County
Elizabeth - 53
Eliza - 22
John - 15 - Joiner
Susan - 14 ****
Mary BALL - 3 - not born in County

1851 Census, Chepstow, Monmouthshire
John G WATKINS - 61 - Carpenter - born Chepstow, Monmouthshire
Elizabeth - 65
William DUNSTONE - Grandson - 5
Mary BALL - Niece - 12 - born Gloster Ayre

---

****

GWATKIN

Baptism at Chepstow - 22 October 1826

Susan - GWATKIN - parents John (Joiner) & Elizabeth

residence: Back

---

FOD records, Marriage at Chepstow - 6 August 1817

John GWATKIN - batchelor of this Parish
married
Elizabeth BALL - Spinster of this Parish

by licence:

witnesses: William GWATKIN & illegible GWATKIN

It seems very likely that Thomas JAMES could have caught Typhus from the sisters he died after them and appears to be in a lodging house near Leamington, perhaps he had moved there after the death of the sisters, not sure if he was working there or perhaps lodging there. His death was witnessed by the lodging house keeper, Reuben WATTS of Church Hill, Old Milverton, Leamington. The death occurred on June 10th 1865 and was registered on 12 June 1865. Cause of Death, Typhus about 4 weeks, Congestion of Brain Certified. I had wondered if there was a connection in the Typhus infection and I was going to apply for the Death certificates of the sisters.

You really have come up with an enormous amount of Information for which I am extremely grateful and it is ongoing I can't believe how much of an obsession this is becoming for me, just a chance meeting at a village fete with a lady who asked if I had seen the beekeeper's grave. WOW what a journey!!

Follow the thread, so interesting, I can't believe it, everything is falling into place so nicely.

Could there be a spelling mistake here? DANCY or DAUNCY

Hi, Don't suppose you know who is researching Thomas JAMES? It would be good to make contact for exchange of information. I don't have subscription to Ancestry.com only Findmypast.com

Michael

Just having a look at the 1861 census with William KEAR and Elizabeth + siblings etc.

Looking at Gloucetershirebdm - with is free on the net

the children's mother's maiden name was JAMES.

I do belong to Ancestry and most contributors on the FOD site, help as much as possible

Think this is the Marriage at Hewlesfield

3 June 1841

William KEAR, Widower, Stone Mason - residence: Old Furnace Bottom

father: George KEAR - stonemason

married

Eliza JAMES - age Mino, Spinster, residence: Old Furnace Bottom

father John JAMES, stone mason

witnesses; James SMALLWOOD and Ann KEAR

----

Old Furnace Bottom is Blakeney, - pics of this on the FOD photos.

---

1851 Census, East Dean

KEAR

William 34 - born East Dean
Eliza -29 - born Cheltenham
William - 15
James - 5
Mary - 2
Philip YOUNG, 19, Lodger

Looks like they were all related then, it is interesting to note that Thomas JAMES gravestone is beautifully carved and NOT in local stone, one wonders therefore, if it were done by a family member, I did notice before that there were stonemasons connected to the family, so sad that we can't ask them isn't it? I have just applied for the death certificates of the CHEAP sisters to see if their deaths were related to Thomas's i.e. Typhus, they died just a few months before him and quite close together.

Just a snippet of information, Clarendon Sq Leamington is where they filmed The last two series of Upstairs Downstairs.

I have today discovered that the sisters did not have Typhus the younger one Clara died on 29th July 1864 at 6 Clarendon Place Leamington, cause of death was Endocarditis and other things aged 54. The older sister Louisa Grace died, rather strangely at the same address as Thomas JAMES in a lodging house on Church Hill, Old Milverton,a village which lies about 3 to 4 miles distant. Both sisters deaths were witnessed by Ellen SWIFT, perhaps she was a nurse, both sisters appeared to have suffered ill health for a number of years. Rather strangely their father is listed as John CHEAP of the Bengal Civil Service, I have found a George Charles CHEAP in Bengal, who was a judge but no metion so far as I can see of John CHEAP. Oh well the search goes on!!

Thomas JAMES - worked for a very illustrious family

http://elvingtonhistory.org.uk/clarkes_family_tree.htm

In this particular website, the census records with the family + Thomas JAMES are listed.

Hello
I am absolutely enthralled by all this new information about the Cheap family and of course Thomas James
I run the Elvington History website which m p griffiths kindly posted a link too
I have lots more information on the Cheap & Clarke family
Both families were originally from Scotland Boith if them lived and worked in India
They also have strong links to the village of Elvington near York and many of them are buried here
If you would like to know more there is a contact email on my website http://www.elvingtonhistory.org.uk

Shelly