James & Ann COWMEADOW & Family, Ruardean c1760s (General)

by Carole Lewis , Saturday, July 30, 2011, 16:55 (4869 days ago) @ Jefff

Hi there Jefff,
I believe that the earlier James and Ann are the parents of my James Cowmeadow. I have a copy of both the James's wills. Senior left his property between James and William and there was a great deal. Excellent provision was made for his wife, Ann. Most of the property was in Tibbs Green but he left William an orchard in Herefordshire. Junior James left his property between his sons, again provision for his mother appears excellent but nothing for his wife Mary.
Following the death of Elizabeth the family become quite notorious and most of the children appear in court mainly for stealing food. Mary and her daughter Eliza appear accused of stealing geese but are acquitted. There are physical descriptions. You will find information about William,Cornelius and Josiah Cator Cowmeadow in previous threads on this site with all the details of William's transportation. Through Ancestry I discovered one of his daughters married the son of a slave trader! There is no end to it.
The real mystery for me is how this apparent "comfortable" family should become so destitute. Junior James was even able to sign his name on his will although Mary Tingle was illiterate. The only child of the family who steered clear of the law appears to be my greatx3 grandmother Hester who later married John Morgan a neighbour in Moorwood.
Carole