I'm revisiting one of my earlier brick walls. Maybe I'm just unable to find anything further because there's nothing further to find,but I'm hoping maybe someone can see something new here that I've missed.

The first reference to Richard STEPHENS in Awre (Blakeny Chapel) is the death of his daughter, Mary, in 1745. In 1746 he and his wife, Sarah, have another daughter, also named Mary, and in 1749, a third daughter, this one named Elizabeth. In 1754 Sarah dies, and he subsequently remarries, Mary LOVELL. Richard dies in 1805, at the age of 81.

There are two possibilities for his birth, in either 1728 or 1729, in either Lydney or Newland, if one is restricting the area to the F.O.D. (Anyone know where Pool Green was, exactly?) I haven't found anything promising in FreeReg regarding Richard's birth or first marriage either, and I searched the counties of Gloucestershire, Monmouthshire, Herefordshire and Somerset.

William STEPHENS, of Blakeney Lodge buried his wife, Damaris, and son John, in Lydney. Stephens seems to be a common name for Lydney. William remarries and goes on to have additional children with his wife Sarah MORSE (also of Blakeney Lodge), including sons William, Richard, and another William. Also buried in Lydney in 1790, William, son of William and Sarah of Blakeney Lodge, aged 34 years . . .

So both these possible births for Richard are a bit later than we would expect if he were 81 in 1805, so perhaps neither is him. The only link between his family and William's that I can establish is that they are both in Blakeney, and that William's second son is coincidentally named Richard.

I can find no records of Richard and Sarah's marriage, no record of the first Mary's birth either . . .

Richard's Clarke grandchildren between them seem to own a considerable amount of land in Blakeney. Considering Harriett Clarke's father died the year she was born, she ends up with a fairly sizable estate (her will, and that of her brother William, is included in the will section of this site.) Is this from the CLARKE side, the STEPHENS side or something I've overlooked completely?

Anyone have any suggestions on whether there are any leads here that will take me back earlier than Blakeney, 1745?

We've tried to find a link with our respective STEPHENS family from Lydney before -

as my x Great Uncle, the Rev W S WICKENDEN's Will in 1854 - talks about Clarks Pool Field or Meadow (now a conservation area) which he left to my x Grandparents.

and to re-cap - his mother was: Anne STEPHENS - daughter of Henry STEPHENS and Elizabeth JAMES - they married 21 May 1750 in Newent (both residence Newland) - Anne was christened in Lydney - 25 September 1757. Can't find Henry's baptism either.

'Henry Snr's Will 1793 does talk about a Denton JAMES living in his property at Newerne' Witnesses: to Henry's Will is Robert CARR?, Richard HOOK and Daniel PALMER

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http://www.forum.forest-of-dean.net/index.php?id=8200

Have started to use the Advance Search for witnesses: to see if they are any links -

When your Richard STEPHENS married Mary LOVELL - one witness was William MARSHALL - who is also a witness at a marriage in Newland 24 April 1760 - when Mary MARSHALL, married Richard MORSE - and again when James CLARK married Elizabeth PRITCHARD at Westbury on Severn 7 October 1797.

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Henry STEPHENS' eldest Son - Henry STEPHENS Will of 1800 - witnesses: Thomas BROWNING and Thos. VERRINDER

Children of Henry & Elizabeth at Lydney:

Susannah - 26 March 1752 - buried 30 August 1752
Henry - 16 July 1753 - buried 24 April 1800 (Will mentioned his wife Sarah) -no children
William - 9 July 1755
Elizabeth - 17 August 1759 - married Thomas MORRIS, and had a daughter Elizabeth (mentioned in Henry Snr's Will)

There is a 'tangle' here that may lead to some answers.

There are two possibilities for his birth, in either 1728 or 1729, in either Lydney or Newland, if one is restricting the area to the F.O.D. (Anyone know where Pool Green was, exactly?) I haven't found anything promising in FreeReg regarding Richard's birth or first marriage either, and I searched the counties of Gloucestershire, Monmouthshire, Herefordshire and Somerset.

Year: 1729
Month: Nov
Day: 3
Parents_Surname: STEPHENS
Child_Forenames: Richard
Fathers_Forenames: Thomas
Mothers_Forenames: Eliz
Mothers_Surname:
Residence: Pool Green
Occupation:
Officiating_Minister:
Event: Baptism
Memoranda:
Notes: Compiled from Latin PRs and BTs
Register_Reference: P227 IN 1/2
Page_Number: 160
Parish_Chapel: Newland

Pool Green is near Coleford http://www.geograph.org.uk/showmap.php?gridref=SO5711

http://www.forum.forest-of-dean.net/index.php?mode=thread&id=12708

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&rlz=1T4GGHP_en-GBGB464GB465&q=%22pool+green...

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

The first reference to Richard STEPHENS in Awre (Blakeny Chapel) is the death of his daughter, Mary, in 1745. In 1746 he and his wife, Sarah, have another daughter, also named Mary, and in 1749, a third daughter, this one named Elizabeth. In 1754 Sarah dies, and he subsequently remarries, Mary LOVELL. Richard dies in 1805, at the age of 81.

1805 - 81 approx 1723/4

so 4 or 5 miles the other side of Lydney from Blakeney

Year: 1724
Month: May
Day: 3
Parents_Surname: STEPHENS
Child_Forenames: illegible
Fathers_Forenames: James
Mothers_Forenames:
Mothers_Surname:
Residence:
Occupation:
Officiating_Minister: Robert Griffith Rector
Event: Baptism
Memoranda: son
Notes: Corner of page discoloured unable to read forename
Register_Reference: P376 IN 1/1
Page_Number: 14
Parish_Chapel: Woolaston

Year: 1716
Month: Mar
Day: 19
Parents_Surname: STEPHENS
Child_Forenames: not stated
Fathers_Forenames: James
Mothers_Forenames:
Mothers_Surname:
Residence:
Occupation:
Officiating_Minister: Robert Griffith Rector
Event: Baptism
Memoranda: Old style date 1715/16 son
Notes:
Register_Reference: P376 IN 1/1
Page_Number: 12
Parish_Chapel: Woolaston

possible burial
Year: 1728
Month: Apr
Day: 1
Surname: STEPHENS
Forenames: James
Residence:
Age_at_death:
Officiating_Minister: Robert Griffith Rector
Event: Burial
Cause_of_death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register_Reference: P376 IN 1/1
Page_No: 29
Parish_Chapel: Woolaston

a second family - is Rachel used in your line ?

Year: 1726
Month: [illegible]
Day: [illegible]
Parents_Surname: STEVENS
Child_Forenames: illegible
Fathers_Forenames: William
Mothers_Forenames:
Mothers_Surname:
Residence:
Occupation:
Officiating_Minister: Robert Griffith Rector
Event: Baptism
Memoranda: son
Notes: Corner of page discoloured unable to read date. Any abbreviated forenames have been expanded to the full name
Register_Reference: P376 IN 1/1
Page_Number: 15
Parish_Chapel: Woolaston

Year: 1729
Month: Jun
Day: 7
Parents_Surname: STEPHENS
Child_Forenames: Rachel
Fathers_Forenames: W[illia]m
Mothers_Forenames:
Mothers_Surname:
Residence:
Occupation:
Officiating_Minister: Robert Griffith Rector
Event: Baptism
Memoranda: daughter
Notes:
Register_Reference: P376 IN 1/1
Page_Number: 16
Parish_Chapel: Woolaston

Year: 1731
Month: Feb
Day: 3
Parents_Surname: STEPHENS
Child_Forenames: William
Fathers_Forenames: William
Mothers_Forenames:
Mothers_Surname:
Residence:
Occupation:
Officiating_Minister: Robert Griffith Rector
Event: Baptism
Memoranda: Old style date 1730/31 son
Notes:
Register_Reference: P376 IN 1/1
Page_Number: 16
Parish_Chapel: Woolaston

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

There is an additional Morse link in that Richard STEPHENS' grandaughter, Ann CLARKE married George MORSE. The Morse family also lived on Blakeney Hill, and own a number of lots abutting those owned by various and sundry Clarkes.

The Wickendon family lived directly across the street.

The year is certainly the best fit, in relation to his being 81 at the time of death. If Richard and Sarah had had sons (that we know about), or if he and Mary LOVELL had had children, the names might have provided a useful hint . ..

Blakeney Woodside having been extra parochial, the Clarke's attended Newland parish some of the time, and William STEPHENS family attended Lydney parish while living at Blakeney made those seem somewhat more likely, but require a huge leap of faith.

There aren't any other Rachel's in the immediate family tree.

Blakeney Woodside having been extra parochial, the Clarke's attended Newland parish some of the time, and William STEPHENS family attended Lydney parish while living at Blakeney made those seem somewhat more likely, but require a huge leap of faith.

There are a couple of proably Richard STEPHENS/STEVENS events recorded in Alvington in the late 1600's - I hate big assumptions / leaps of faith too, but some times you must look laterally for clues ( and often discard them !! )

i.e.

Year: 1671
Month: Apr
Day: 30
Surname: STEAVENS
Forenames: ___ard
Residence:
Age_at_death:
Officiating_Minister:
Event: Burial
Cause_of_death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register_Reference: GDR V1/7
Page_No:
Parish_Chapel: Alvington

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

Family grouping needs a sort out!! as these MORRIS/MORSE/WICKENDEN - keep popping up

FoD records - Marrriage at Lydney - 22 December 1807

22 December 1807

George MORSE - bachelor of this Parish, married Ann MORRIS* - Spinster of this Parish

by banns

witnesses: William MORRIS and Susanah WICKENDEN - Who was the daughter of John & Ann (nee STEPHENS) WICKENDEN, christened 24 March 1787 at Awre.

*Ann(e) could possibly be the daughter of Thomas & Elizabeth MORRIS (nee STEPHENS) - christened 1784 in Lydney -

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Marriage at Awre - 2 May 1837

Phillip MORSE, residence: Forest of Dean

married

Susanna WEBSTER - Awre

witnesses: Charles MORSE, Alice WICKENDEN

??

1851 Census, West Dean, Yorkley

Philip MORSE - 45, Yeoman, born West Dean Glos. (possibly christened 5 May 1805 Lydney, George & Elizabeth)
Susanna MORSE - wife - 61, Awre

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1841 Census, Yorkley

ANCESTRY - surname spelt MARRE

Elizabeth - 75 - Farmer - Y
Phillip - 35 Hallier
Susanna - 50
Isaac - 20

next door

John MORSE - 50 + family

Susannah WICKENDEN, first married Thomas WEBSTER at Awre - 14 July 1811

1747 -- William STEPHENS to Ann WILLIAMS -- Wollaston

1748 -- John STEPHENS to Mary BUTLER -- Awre

1750 -- Henry STEPHENS to Elizabeth JAMES -- Newland/Newent
1752: Susannah (Lydney)
1753: Henry (Lydney)
1755: William (Lydney)
1759: Elizabeth (Lydney)

1753 -- Rich STEPHENS (not my Richard) to Mary JAMES -- Newland

1756 -- Richard STEPHENS to Mary LOVELL -- Awre (wit: John Sandler, Wm Marshall)

1756 -- William STEPHENS to Sarah MORSE (Blakney Lodge) --AWRE wit:Richard Williams, THomas Keare

This is William's second marriage. The first was to Damaris. William and Sarah had the following children:
1756 William (Awre)
1758 Thomas (Lydney)
1759 Sarah (Lydney)
1763 Henry (Lydney)
1767 Richard (Awre)
1769 William (Awre)

1758 John STEPHENS to Elizabeth BAKER (Newland)Wit: John Rannell, Richard Williams
One child:
1760 John (Coleford/Newland)

1767 Thomas KEAR to Sarah JAMES witnesses: John Hayward, Richard Williams

I'm still filling in children, so there will be a few more edits.

May be it would be worth ordering some earlier Wills (say Lydney/Newland etc) from the Gloucestershire Records Office between 1725-1780 to see what names are mentioned which would help solve this puzzle, but would have to decide which to order.

e.g

Will of James STEPHENS - 1728 - Lydney/Alburton
Will of William STEPHENS - 1781 - Woolaston

There is only one Will listed in Newland - Elizan STEPHENS - 1724.

At least with the Gloucestershire website, one can get an idea where the STEPHENS were located.

http://ww3.gloucestershire.gov.uk/genealogy/Search.aspx

That is an inspired idea!

Put your thinking cap on - suggest a couple of possibles - I don't mind sending for them. However, if they turn out to be in Latin - I'll need help!

I've come up with a list of eight potentially useful wills in sorting out the Stephens family, perhaps we can target some as being more beneficial than others? (Slowhands, care to weigh in on this?)

Here they are;
1691 -- Thomas STEPHENS Awre 1691/155
1718 -- Henry STEPHENS Yorkley 1718/214
1724 -- Elizan STEPHENS Newland 1724/48
1725 -- John STEPHENS Woolaston 1725/43
1728 -- James STEPHENS Lydney/Aylburton 1728/455
1766 -- John STEPHENS St. Briavels 1766/6
1781 -- William STEPHENS Woolaston 1781/129
1789 -- Betty STEPHENS St. Briavels 1789/132.

You already have the two Henry's from Lydney. . . 1794/113 and 1800/152.

Perhaps if we can find some clarification on the Woolaston births that might also help in the search.

I've come up with a list of eight potentially useful wills in sorting out the Stephens family, perhaps we can target some as being more beneficial than others? (Slowhands, care to weigh in on this?)

Here they are;
1691 -- Thomas STEPHENS Awre 1691/155
1718 -- Henry STEPHENS Yorkley 1718/214
1724 -- Elizan STEPHENS Newland 1724/48
1725 -- John STEPHENS Woolaston 1725/43
1728 -- James STEPHENS Lydney/Aylburton 1728/455
1766 -- John STEPHENS St. Briavels 1766/6
1781 -- William STEPHENS Woolaston 1781/129
1789 -- Betty STEPHENS St. Briavels 1789/132.

You already have the two Henry's from Lydney. . . 1794/113 and 1800/152.

Perhaps if we can find some clarification on the Woolaston births that might also help in the search.

Some may tie in to these :-

Year: 1695
Month: Apr
Day: 29
Surname: STEPHENS
Forenames: Thomas
Residence: Yarkle [YORKLEY]
Age_at_death:
Officiating_Minister: Rich[ard] Bell Curate
Event: Burial
Cause_of_death:
Memoranda: Son of Henry
Notes:
Register_Reference: P209 IN 1/1
Page_No: 76
Parish_Chapel: Lydney

Year: 1717
Month: Mar
Day: 13
Surname: STEPHENS
Forenames: Henry
Residence: Extraparochial
Age_at_death:
Officiating_Minister: Tho: Parsons Curate
Event: Burial
Cause_of_death:
Memoranda: Mr.
Notes: Old style date 1716/17
Register_Reference: P209 IN 1/1
Page_No: 89
Parish_Chapel: Lydney

Year: 1723
Month: Oct
Day: 4
Surname: STEPHENS
Forenames: John
Residence:
Age_at_death:
Officiating_Minister: Robert Griffith Rector
Event: Burial
Cause_of_death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register_Reference: P376 IN 1/1
Page_No: 28
Parish_Chapel: Woolaston

Year: 1724
Month: Mar
Day: 18
Surname: STEPHENS
Forenames: Eliza-Ann
Residence:
Age_at_death:
Officiating_Minister: Tho: Gwillim Vic[ar]
Event: Burial
Cause_of_death:
Memoranda: wid[ow]
Notes: Old style date 1723/24
Register_Reference: P209 IN 1/1
Page_No: 95
Parish_Chapel: Lydney

Year: 1728
Month: Apr
Day: 1
Surname: STEPHENS
Forenames: James
Residence:
Age_at_death:
Officiating_Minister: Robert Griffith Rector
Event: Burial
Cause_of_death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register_Reference: P376 IN 1/1
Page_No: 29
Parish_Chapel: Woolaston

Year: 1771
Month: Nov
Day: 3
Surname: STEPHENS
Forenames: William
Residence:
Age_at_death: [not stated]
Officiating_Minister: Rich[ar]d Thomas Curate
Event: Burial
Cause_of_death:
Memoranda:
Notes: Any abbreviated forenames have been expanded to the full name
Register_Reference: P376 IN 1/2
Page_No: 41
Parish_Chapel: Woolaston

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

I have ordered the six STEPHENS Wills, excluding the St Briavels ones - See what turns up.

Have typed out the Wills (1793) (1800) of Henry STEPHENS of Lydney as much as I can read, photocopying dark round the edges, and some words difficult to read ) - and sent today to the FoD website.

Henry STEPHENS (Snr) 1793 (my x Grandfather)
Henry STEPHENS (Jnr) 1800

In Henry's Will 1800 - he talks about paying for a flat stone to be placed on his Father's and Mother's grave in Lydney Church with their ages.

Did try to find this grave last year to give Henry Snr's age at death- but this is a large churchyard, with an overgrown section - and some headstones badly worn.

Perhaps we should also look more closing at the Gloucestershire Archives: Online Catalogue and find some answers.

This would seem to be 'my Henry Snr. & Jnr. STEPHENS'

1. Deputation to Wm. STEPHENS* to act as gamekeeper for Lydney by Benj. Bathhurst Esq. lord of the manor, made 6 November 1740, registered at Quarter Sessions 10 November 1740

2. Deputation to Henry STEPHENS to act as gamekeeper for Lydney and Aylburton by Thomas Bathurst, Esq, lord of the manor, made 5 September 1749, register at Quarter Sessions 2 March 1749

3. Deputation to Henry STEPHENS junior to act as gamekeeper for Lydney, Allaston, Nass and Purton by Thos. Bathhurst, Esq. lord of the manor, made 22 July 1782, register at Quarter Sessions 1 October 1784

4. Deputation to Henry STEPHENS to act as gamekeeper for Lydney by Ann Bathurst, widow, lord of the manor, made 10 May 1793, registered at Quarter Sessions 20 July 1793.

? Is William a brother or father

Henry STEPHENS Jnr Will 1800 - left Guns
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John WICKENDEN (Henry STEPHENS' grandson - was also a Gamekeeper working in Coln St Aldwyns)

Sandra

The Wills arrived today - scanned/sent

1691 Will - Thomas STEPHENS of Awre (made 1685) - mentions only his daughter MARY and wife (but can't make out the name)

1718 Will - Henry STEPHENS of Yorkley - says in the Parish of Newland, mentions his wife Elizan, Son : William, daughter Anna

1724 Will - Elizan STEPHENS of Newland, mentions a son (can't make out the name, looks like Arilm (probably William STEPHENS - - makes her Son William Sole Executrix - mentioned Grandsons, William & Henry STEPHENS and grandsons, William & George PRITCHARD, and grand-daughter, Anna PRITCHARD, son in law James PRITCHARD, daughter-in-law, Mary STEPHENS. Leaves land etc.

1725 - John STEPHENS - Woolaston (just an Inventory)

1728 - James STEPHENS of Aylburton (a longer Will - land/timber) etc. Wife Sarah, Sons: John & Thomas, daughter Elinor

1781 - William STEPHENS of Woolaston - Obviously had died before this - as Elizabeth HARRIS, wife of William HARRIS of Brookend, Woolaston - was his widow - GRO says this was the best available copy - very faded original, will have to have a closer look. Had a son William STEPHENS

In the process of transcribing the Stephens' wills. It will likely take a bit of time, but will hopefully be done fairly quickly.