London Gazette - October 27 to October 30, 1707 (Part 1)

Several years ago, I purchased a battered copy of a 1707 London Gazette.  It’s been kept in an archival sheet ever since. 

Online newspapers have been of great help to me with my own genealogy, so I’m sharing this in hopes that someone will find it of help with their own research.  I am attempting to transcribe it, as it is very difficult to read in some parts.  I’ve started with the local news on page 2.

The first article is regarding a burglary.  Unfortunately, it does not name the victim.  However, it does mention an attorney, Thomas Woodford.

On Monday Night, the 27th of this Instant October, some Persons broke into a Cellar of a House at Peckam in Surrey, and stole thence Two Silver Salvers, One large Pair of Candlesticks, One lesser Pair of Candlesticks, One Pair of Snuffers and Snuff Dish, Seven Spoons, One Pair of Buckles, Two Salts, Eighteen Knives, Maple-Hafts,  12 Forks, Maple-Hafts, a black Cloth Coat, a light Cloth Coat, a black Campagne Peruke, One Huckaback Table Cloth &c.  If any Person discovers the Offenders to Mr. Tho. Woodford, Attorney, in Threadneedle street, he shall receive a Reward of Ten Guinea’s.

The second article is about horse racing and does not contain any surnames, but is still interesting nevertheless.

U’on Epson Downs in Surrey, on the first Tuesday in December next, a Plate of 20 l. in Money will be run for, by any Horses that never won above 50 l.  The Horses to be at New Stables, or some other Contributor’s Stables 14 Days before; and 7 Days before, paying 3 Guinea’s, or paying of 5 Guinea’s, at any time; the Weight 10 Stone; not less than 3 to start.  The Day following a Plate of 5 l. by Galloways not exceeding 12 Hands 3 Inches;  the highest Weight 8 Stone; Weight for Inches allowed to all under that Size;  Stakes 20 s. to be paid 3 Days before, or 27 s. at any time; to be entered at the New Stables.

Next, there are a series of bankruptcy notices.  I’ve transcribed the first two so far.  The first is for Thomas Mathews of Newbery.  The second is regarding John Coppin of Norwich.

A Commission of Bankrupt being awarded against Thomas Mathews, late of Newbery in the County of Berks, Distiller; and he being declared a Bankrupt, is required to surrender himself to the Commissioners, who will sit on the 11th of November next, and the 5th of December next, at 3 after Noon, at the Globe Tavern in Newbery aforesaid.  On the first Sitting all Creditors are to prove their Debts, pay their Contribution Money, and chuse Assignees.  And all Persons that have any Money, Goods, or Effects of his, are not to pay or deliver the same but by Order of the Commissioners.

A Commission of Bankrupt being awarded against John Coppin, of the City of Norwich,  Worsted-Weaver; The Commissioners intend to meet at the Fleece Tavern in Norwich on Friday the 14th of November next, at 4 in the Afternoon; where the Creditors are desired to come prepared to prove their Debts, and pay their Contribution, or they will be excluded from any Dividend by the said Commission. 

It gets more difficult to read from here!  I will be posting some more in the near future.

~Kathy

Planting Your Family Tree

Hello again! 

I mentioned last time that our photo restoration started from a shared love of genealogy.  Kathy and I, the owners of River Bend Photo Restoration, have spent many long nights tracing both of our family lines.  It’s an exciting and frustrating endeavor.  To have any hope of keeping your facts straight and your notes clear, you need a good family tree program.  We use Family Tree Maker from Ancestry.com.  (That is a non-compensated endorsement!)  Even for a technology novice, it is easy to use.  All you have to do is start typing names into the field and it builds the tree for you.  It also calculates each ancestor’s relation to you.  I don’t think it would have been possible for us to compile our research without it.  

One of the best things about genealogy is that you are bound to learn more about your family than you ever hoped to know.  For instance, my maternal grandmother was adopted.  I was able to finally discover the name of her birth mother, which had been unknown for nearly 90 years. 

On my father’s side, my great, great, great, great grandfather fought in the American Revolutionary War.  Researching his life uncovered something amazing.  In his later life, he had sought to get benefits he had been entitled to as a veteran.  This meant providing meticulous details about his time in the war, including his duties, commanding officers, and various locations where he served.  I found that he had defended Philadelphia, and had also been sent to Valley Forge.  It then made even more sense why his son was named after George Washington!  Suddenly, this man was not just a name and a date.  He was a man with a rich life.  These finds make it all worthwhile.  

If you’re interested in Family Tree Maker, follow this link:
http://www.ancestry.com/cs/apps/p-5194 

~Chris