Hi Simon & Slowhands

I think I have a connection here.

I have a Mary Rudge, daughter of George Rudge who married Samuel Meredith born 1847, they had 4 children Timothy, Obedia, Anne & Jane :

1901 Census East Dean
Samuel Meredith abt 1845 East Dean, Head East Dean
Mary Meredith abt 1844 East Dean, Wife
Obed Meredith abt 1873 Normanton, Son
Annie Meredith abt 1876 Normanton, Daughter
Jane Meredith abt 1883 East Dean, Daughter
Mark Bracey abt 1876 Viney Hill,Visitor Head
Florie Bracey abt 1877 East Dean, Wife
Timothy Bracey abt 1900 East Dean, Son
Annie Davis abt 1883 Newnham, Servant
As you know, ages are invariably inaccurate. Note the Normanton connection.I have the image if needed.

Samuel Meredith was the son of Thomas Meredith bapt 23.1.1820 & Elizabeth Trigg bapt. 31.1.1819. Elizabeth is daughter of Benjamin Trigg 1787 & Mary Marfell.

Regarding the baptism of George Rudge 1813, shown as parents John Rudge & Eleanor. I have a John Rudge 1781 married to Eleanor Marfell baptised 4.1.1778, daughter of John Marfell & Lucy Meek. Before Eleanor married John Rudge 3.12.1800, with whom she had 6 children, she had an illegitimate son Josiah Marfell bap. 5.4.1799, who married Sarah Morris.
You might find my notes for Josiah Marfell interesting :

1841 Census Lydbrook
Josia Marfell 35 Coal Miner
Sarah 30
Ann 6
Elizabeth 4
Jane 2
Elizabeth Cooper 15

Will for Josiah MARFELL 27th October 1849
Sarah MARFELL of Newland Bridge, widow, appeared personally and said she had been at the signing of the Will by James LODGE, Henry HARRIS and John MORRIS.

Will states...give and bequeath to my beloved wife Sarah MARFELL all my real and personal estate and if necessity require shall sell all or any part of my real or personal estate and provided she does not sell or dispose of my house and garden in her lifetime then it shall descend to my son John MARFELL his heirs, executors etc for ever.

...I nominate my wife Sarah MARFELL whole and sold executrix of this my last Will...

Signed by Josiah and the witnesses.

=========================================================

Josiah was a manager of a coal mine in the Forest and he did as was the custom of the day, worked young children in less than desirable conditions. When situations like this occur it definately causes rifts between different sections of the families, these rifts although well hidden with time sometimes still come to the surface.
Josiah is mentioned in the book, "Highest Point Of Dean" page 36, Old Indusries of Dean
Strip And At It was carried on by John HARRIS of Lydbrook and managed by Josiah MARFELL. men & boys sometimes worked 10 - 15 hours a day to earn their keep in a seam only 20 inches thick, and the boys growth was stunted by the confined space.
He is also mentioned in the 1842 Royal Commission Report on Children working in the mines of Gloucestershire.
Strip And At It Works, Suridge Green, carried on by Mr John HARRIS. Mr Josiah MARFELL, age 42, underground
manager.