Whitminster / Wheatenhurst (General)

by Bradley Tingle, Canada, Thursday, May 01, 2025, 03:14 (14 days ago)

I'm curious to know the reason that Whitminster records are included in the Forest of Dean FHT indexes. I know that there will be a good reason but not being a local, I need all the help that I can get to understand the connection. I know that Whitminster was across the river Severn and that there would have been boatmen in those days but what are the chances that a corn miller in Blakeney would be meeting or courting a woman from Whitminster about 1570?

My William Bradley baptised in 1543 at Awre, was a corn miller in Blakeney. I have found the baptism of his son William in 1571 in Awre but can't find the marriage of William Bradley prior to the baptism. I suspect that the bride was not from the parish of Awre as those church records have survived. From William Bradley's will I know that his wife's name was Ann and that they were still living in Blakeney in 1588.

I'm wondering what the chances are that William Bradley's marriage is the one from Whitminster 6 January 1576 with the marriage of William BURDELEY to Agnis Fords. I believe that Agnis is an interchangeable first name with Ann so in that sense, it fits.

I'm aware that few church records exist for the 1570s and that the marriage could well have taken place in a nearby parish in the FOD where records have not survived or that the young couple may have lived as man and wife without actually marrying in a church.

I don't want to add this marriage to the family story unless it seems plausible. And if it does seem plausible, I will use 'weasel words' to describe the possibility that it is their marriage. What do you think about the marriage and what was the connection between the FOD and Whitminster?

Thanks for any help you can share.
Donna