Hi Gill,

I'm researching the Aston Family also. My 4G Grandmothers are Amelia Aston(married James Darby) & Charlotte Aston (married Milo Williams). Both are mentioned in the 1829 will.

Have transcribed the Richard Aston will of 1829 and follows at the end of this.

Have not been able to work out which of the two Richards born 1745 is mine.

Regards

Glenn Robertson

6th July 1829 (Dated March 1827 (crossed out))

Will of

Richard Aston
Late of
Saint Briavells

..del'd to Emanuel Aston (9566 )Executor's (Thomas Aston 9571) Brother
3 July 1830

This is the last Will and Testament
Of me Richard Aston of Broadwell in the
Hundred of Saint Briavells in the County of Gloucester
wood-cutter. First, I will and direct all my just
debts funeral and Testamentary expenses to be paid
by my Executors. I give and devise the house
wherein I now dwell with the gardens and
appurtenances thereto belonging unto my son
Thomas Aston and his heirs for ever Subject to
And chargeable with the payment of Two pounds
And ten shillings to each of my daughters -
Elizabeth Davies, Amelia Darby, Charlotte Williams,
Catherine Harris and Hannah Anthony and
Ann Smith within twelve months after my death
I give and devise the house now in the possession
of my son Emanuel Aston and the pigeott garden
and appurtenances thereto belonging unto the
said Emanuel Aston and his heirs for ever
Subject to and chargeable with the payment
of two pounds and ten shillings to each of
my daughters Elizabeth Davies, Amelia Darby,
Charlotte Williams, Catherine Harris and Hannah
Anthony and Ann Smith within twelve months
after my death. I give and devise the patch
of ground situate below my garden in the
Forest of Dean and one moiety of the pleck of
ground adjoining to the said garden occupied by
my son Emanuel, unto my daughter Ann Smith
and her husband Jeramiah Smith and the
survivor of them for and during their natural
lives and the natural life of the survivor of
them and prior and after the decease of such
survivor.

Survivor. I give and devise the same unto
Edward Aston illegitimate child of my said
daughter Ann Smith and his heirs for ever
I give and devise the remaining moiety of
the said pleck of ground adjoining the garden
occupied by my son Emanuel unto the said
Jeramiah Smith and his heirs for ever Subject
to and chargeable with the payment of ten
pounds to my daughter Maria Jones within
twelve months after my decease. I give and
bequeath unto the said Ann Smith my best
bed bedstead linen and furniture thereto -
belonging and the warming-pan. I give
and bequeath unto the said Elizabeth Davis my
pewter plates and dishes. I give and bequeath
unto my said son Emanuel my other bed bedstead
linen and furniture thereto belonging. All the rest
and residue of my goods chattels and personal
estate and effects whatsoever I give and bequeath
subject to the payment of my debts Funeral
and Testamentary Expenses unto my son Thomas
Aston. I nominate and appoint my said
son Thomas Aston Executor of this my will
and I hereby revoke and make void all former
wills by me at any time heretofore made and
Declare this to be my last will and Testament
In witness whereof, I the said Richard Aston
the Testator have to this my last will and
Testament set my hand and seal this
the thirteenth day of June One thousand eight
hundred and twenty seven.

Signed and seal by )The mark of
the above names Richard ) X
Aston and by license published )Richard Aston
and Declared as and )

for his last will and )
Testament in the presence )James Hawkins
of us who have hereunder )
subscribed our names as )Elizabeth Hawkins
witnesses in his presence and )
in the presence of each other )Sarah Powell
first having been read over to the )
said Testator who appeared to )
understand the same )

6th July 1829
The within named Thomas Aston
the sole Executor was duly Sworn
before me John Bishop
Under 200 pounds.

I'm researching Aston descendent's that have moved to the United States.

I believe my line is
Richard 1745 - Susanna Evans 1750
Son of Richard: Emanuel 1787 - Elizabeth Rudge 1874
Son of Emanuel: Henry 1832 (who moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and then Mason County West Virginia)

I also believe Henry's two brothers Emanuel 1822 & Thomas 1834 also moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and then Mason County West Virginia.

Other than lots of coincidences, I have no "proof" that my Henry Aston is from this family. From what I've found, there is no mention of these brothers after the 1851 UK Census. Does anyone have any further information? Also, in this Census the family is woodcutters, but the Aston's that moved to the US are miners.

Also, is this Richard of 1745 the same one that was sent to Sidney as a convict in 1800? I find it hard to believe as it appears he has a lot of wealth as reflected in his will.