Welcome to the January 2002 edition of our family newsletter. This is our anniversary edition. The first family newsletter was published in January last year. What a lot of water has gone under the bridge since then!

This month we will revisit part of the Castle Brangwin bit of the family. My thanks to Keith Hazell, Rosie Earl and Chris Rendle who kindly supplied much of the information. Unfortunately, there are still a number of loose ends which I would have preferred to have cleared up but some of my normal research places are closed for their Christmas break. This will give us a further chance to visit this part of the family.

• A profile of John and Nelda Brangwin
• Bob and Mary Barnett provided an insight into their family
• This month's Will is the 1854 Will of Richard Brangwin of Long Crendon
• Some more odds and ends

I hope you enjoy learning more about your extended family.

Contributions to the Newsletter are most welcome. If you find something that you would like to share please send it to me so that it can be included. My email address is lwuth@hups.net

Lorraine Wuth

Editor

From time to time we come across occupations that are no longer practiced. In this newsletter there is mention of the occupations of fellmonger, tanner and parchment maker. While the latter two are probably obvious, just what did a fellmonger do? Well, here is an explanation:

FELL MONGER
[1] A remover of hair or wool from hides in leather making.
[2] Dealer in hides and skins esp. sheep.

It is easy to see why a tanner might also be a fellmonger but a parchment maker? Much of the early writing material was not paper but treated skins. However, by 1881 paper was much as we know it today. So, fellmonger and parchment maker really is an interesting combination of occupations.

Oxford is divided into a number of parishes and each one is known by the parish church. There is Holy Trinity, St Barnabas, St Giles, St Pauls, St Peter le Bailey and many others. The parishes are known as Oxford Holy Trinity, Oxford St Giles, etc.

For background on the county of Oxfordshire see the July Newsletter.

In addition to the city parishes, quite a few other parishes are mentioned. Cowley and Iffley are both on the south east boundary of the city of Oxford. Wheatley, Cuddesdon and Great Milton lie a little further out of the city but in the same general south easterly direction. North Hinksey is west of Oxford just beyond the city boundary, while Eynsham is a little further out. Finstock and Charlbury are a few mile north west of Oxford. Headington is on the eastern boundary of the city. I cannot locate Binsey at all. It may well have been gobbled up by the city of Oxford.

Wiltshire parishes mentioned are: West Harnham - Harnham lies on the outskirts of Salisbury to the south west. Fisherton has gone missing!

"This county is situated in the province of Canterbury, in the diocese of Salisbury, and contains 29 hundreds, one city, 15 boroughs, and 10 other market-towns. On the north and west side of it lies Gloucestershire; its western boundary is Somersetshire; Dorsetshire confines its southern extremity; and Hampshire and Berkshire inclose it on the east. Its extreme length is 54 miles, and breadth 34, and its area measures about 878,000 acres. The air of Wiltshire like that of other counties, is various, according to the different parts of it, but on the whole it is agreeable and salubrious. On the downs and higher parts, it is sharp and clear; in the vallies mild, even in winter. Over the extensive wilds, called Salisbury plain, roam immense flocks of sheep, who with their shepherds, are the sole tenants, if the bustard, the wheatear, and a few other solitary birds be excepted, which avoid the haunts of men. The summer stock of sheep on these plains and downs, is computed to be 500,000. The rivers of this county are the Lower Avon; the Thames or Isis; the Cole; the Kennet; the Bourne; the Upper Avon; the Willey; and the Nadder."

(From Pigot & Co's London & Provincal New Commercial Directory, 1822-3)

Wiltshire contains an abundance of natural and man made history. Within the wide expanses of the Wiltshire Downs the ancient monuments of Stonehenge, Avebury Stone Circle and numerous White Horses carved into hillsides can be found. In the south, lies the magnificant Cathedral at Salisbury with its towering spire.

John and Nelda Brangwin

John is a cousin of Larry Brangwin, who was featured in the April newsletter. Larry is the genealogist in our family, so I’ll refer you back to the April 2001 newsletter for more information about our branch of the William Castle Brangwin family. Larry’s father, John and my husband’s father, Don, were brothers. Don left LeMars, Iowa (US) for Coast Guard Duty during WWII. Like many war vets, the spirit of adventure and maybe love as well, caused him to settle in the Seattle area, where he married Virginia (Dinny) Carlson, of Everett, Washington, in January, 1946.

John is the oldest child of Don and Dinny, born on Dec. 3, 1946. A talkative kid, he’s remembered by many teacher’s as needing to spend less time making friends and more time studying. His friendly attitude is an important characteristic, for it led to a successful career as an envelope salesman selling to large banks, utility companies and large businesses in Washington, Hawaii and Alaska. He married Judy Smedley in 1973. He spent his Army days in Germany, where his son, John Michael Brangwin was born June 16, 1975.

Okay, now here’s where this branch of Brangwin family gets a little strange. When John and Judy divorced, they remained good friends. Such good friends that when we spent Christmas in Germany several years ago, Judy who lives there with her husband, Bob, baked Nelda’s birthday cake! Nelda and Judy have been to several parties together and finally gave up saying how they were related. Judy did keep the surname of Brangwin.

Nelda didn’t marry until she was 40. Having grown up in Colorado and teaching in the Vail school district, she migrated to Oregon and then eventually to the Seattle, Washington area where she is a school librarian. A true booklover, she attended a book club called “Single Book Lovers”---well, this group was way too academic for Nelda. Most club members spoke at least two languages. Several spoke English, Farsi, and Chinese. It was poetry night. Nelda was tired and when a man sat down beside her, and started whispering sixth grade limericks in her ears she found him far more interesting than the John Donne work being examined at the club. It was both John and Nelda’s first and last single book lovers meeting. They were married three months later and were featurd in the gossip column of the Seattle Times! Nelda has heard the saying that “You’re more likely to be on a hijacked plane, than to be married at the age of 40”. Sometimes she feels as if she married the terrorist! Life is never boring.

John retired from the envelope business, able to read the writing on the wall - or should we say email. With banks and utilities putting statements and billings on line and email cutting into the envelope business, will envelopes become as common as buggy whips? He now has fun driving a limo, and being introduced to the high school world of proms and activities. Great stories come out of his chauffeuring these young kids.

Nelda is an elementary school librarian and computer guru for a rural school. Well---it used to be rural! Now it’s a bedroom community for Microsoft employees. She loves her job. She’s been lucky to work in some travel with her teaching. She spent a summer in Zimbabwe developing a library for an orphanage. (Really, the library was just an excuse to go). With friends living there, it sounded like a cheap trick. The highlight of the trip was being bit on the behind by a cheetah. The cheetah later died. We hope there’s no connection. In 1997 she was part of the first group of US teachers selected to go to Japan for a Fulbright Memorial Fund Trip. This three-week trip allowed teachers to see Japan and to visit schools. Senator Fulbright believed that one of the best ways to promote peace is to provide educational opportunities for people. Japan’s leadership was educated by these scholarships to the US after WWII. When the American teachers found people bowing to them thanking them for the scholarships, we realized how money spent abroad can make a difference.

This past summer, Nelda was one of 16 US teachers awarded a six-week Fulbright Summer Seminar Abroad to Malaysia/Singapore. Wow, what an impressive country Malaysia is. Highlights included a week’s visit on Borneo with an overnight stay in the Iban tribal longhouses. Now these were the guys famous for their headhunting. Luckily, we all kept our heads on our shoulders! We visited schools throughout Malaysia. The trip took on added significance because of the Muslim national religion of Malaysia. We found wonderful, warm and strong Muslims. Many Muslim women hold high government positions. Little did Nelda realize than when she promised 6th grade girls at a Muslim school that kids in Washington state would write to the girls, it would take on new significance after Sept. 11. She also was surprised to find out that an angry parent of one of her students had reported her to the FBI for having kids write to Muslims! But Nelda’s escapade didn’t prove that interesting to the FBI. She does wish she’d gotten at least an FBI cap out of the deal. The FBI quickly realized neither she nor the Malaysian girls had any idea where Bin Laden was!

Bet you wonder why there’s not much news about John…well read on…We’ll assume that these characteristics came from the Swedish Carlson side of the family, not the Brangwins!

Okay, okay, maybe it’s not all true! John does enjoy travel. His gregariousness leads to many new friendships in travel. We both enjoy our membership in Affordable Travel Club. This is a great program where members provide room and breakfast for other members traveling in their home area. We’ve spent Christmas in east Germany and Hong Kong. Before hearing from Lorraine, we spent time in Wales looking for Brangwins. Of course we didn’t find any, but we had a great time doing the looking. We love London. John can get more theatre in a week’s vacation than most people. He’s enjoying his retirement. Retirement suits him well. He loves to cook, and Nelda loves that! He’s an amateur magician and loves working with kids at school. He also prepares the high tea for kids who have done outstanding reading. We’d both love to have any of you stop in if you are in the Seattle area.

John and his son, John Michael taking the Thanksgiving turkey out of the fryer. We enjoy our trips to Wenatchee, Washington where John Michael and his wife, Anne, live. We don’t see much snow in the Seattle area.

John and Nelda Brangwin
16715 SE 34th Street
Bellevue, Washington USA
Phone:425-746-3028

nelda@mail.halcyon.com

If you go back to the April Newsletter there is an article on the Castle Brangwin line. There are a couple of corrections to be made to what appeared in that article. Firstly, Margaret and I have already confessed to the problem we believe we have with the William Castle part of the family. We are still working on this one. Keith has pointed out a couple of errors, too. The marriage date for Hannah Brangwin and John Earl ws 1835 (not 1853).

This month we will be taking a look at the descendants of Hannah Brangwin and James Crook. This is the part of the family to which Rosie Earl belongs.

Generation 1

Hannah "Ann" Brangwin was baptised on September 28, 1794 at Charlbury, OXF. Evidence has it that she was born at Finstock, OXF. She was the tenth child of John Brangwin and Martha Langford.

The church at Cuddesdon from the north west

Photo courtesy of Robert Palmer

She married James Crook February 4, 1811 in Cuddesdon, OXF. According to the marriage entry they were both of Wheatley at the time of their marriage.

James was born about 1784. According to the 1841 census he was not born in OXF. He was a fellmonger and tanner. For several years he was also a parchment maker.

Hannah and James had 10 children:

1. Ann Crook, born about. 1812 (more later)
2. Matilda Crook, born 1814, (more later).
3. Martha Crook, born about 1817 at Wheatley, OXF. She was baptised on January 12, 1817 at Wheatley, OXF
4. James Crook was born in 1819 at Wheatley, OXF where he was baptised on October 31, 1819. At the time of the 1881 census he was living at 8B Little Cross St, Islington, MDX. He was 61 years old and a beer seller. Also at this address was his wife, Mary A, 65, born at Bury, SFK.
5. John Castle Crook, born about 1822 (more later)
6. Robert Crook was born in 1826 at Wheatley, OXF, where he was baptised on December 28, 1826.
7. Thirza Crook was born in 1826 at Wheatley, OXF. She, too, was baptised on December 28, 1826. At the time of the 1881 census she was living with her brother John at West Harnham, WIL. Her age was given as 53 and she was an annuitant. She was unmarried.
8. Harriet Crook was born about 1829, Wheatley, OXF; She was baptised at Wheatley on February 10, 1839, along with her two younger siblings. She was buried on July 8, 1842, at Wheatley.
9. Henry Crook was born about 1834 at Wheatley, OXF. He was baptised on February 10, 1839. At the time of the 1881 census he was living at 11 Ivy Place, Salisbury St Edmund, WIL. He was 46 and a parchment maker. Also at this address was his wife Eleanor, aged 47, Fanny Sturgess, 18, step daughter and Charles Lucas, 3m, grandson, all of whom had been born in Salisbury.
10. Elizabeth Crook was baptised on February 10, 1839, Wheatley, OXF

Generation 2

Ann Crook was the oldest child of Hannah Brangwin and James Crook. She was born about 1812 in Wheatley, OXF. She was baptised on June 21, 1812.

Ann married John Buckland Earl on July 27, 1835 in Oxford St Giles, OXF.

At the time of the 1881 census, the family was living at 49 St Giles St, Oxford St Giles.

Ann died in November 1859 in Berry's Yard, Oxford St Giles and was buried on November 20, 1859, at Oxford St Giles.

John was born about 1811 in Oxford, OXF the son of Thomas Earl and Mary Buckland and baptised privately on September 8, 1811 at Oxford St Giles. As the third son of Thomas Earl, cordwainer, he was made a Freeman of the City of Oxford on September 21, 1832. He was a tailor by trade and this is the profession that is listed againt the baptism records of all of his children. In later life it appears that he became a publican, running the Easgle and Child public house in St Gils. After the death of Ann he married a second time, Rebecca Hope of Camberwell, SRY, on October 26, 1870. He died in May 1885 in Oxford, OXF and was buried on May 27, 1885 at Oxford St Giles.

Ann Crook and John Earl had eight children:

1. Eliza Earl was baptised on July 24, 1836, Oxford St Giles, OXF.
2. Henry Earl was baptised on December 2, 1838, St Giles, Oxford, OXF and died in August 1848, Berry's Yard, St Giles, Oxford, OXF.
3. Emma Earl was born about 1841 in Oxford, OXF.
4. Ann Earl was born about 1845 (more later)
5. Elizabeth Earl was born about 1848 (more later)
6. John Henry Earl was born on September 15, 1850 (more later)
7. Harriett Earl, born about 1853 (more later)
8. Tom Earl was baptised on April 27, 1855, Oxford St Giles, OXF and died in March 1861 at Berry's Yard, St Giles, Oxford, OXF. He was buried on March 31, 1861 at Oxford St Giles.

Matilda Crook was the second child and second daughter of Hannah Brangwin and James Crook. She was born in 1814 at Wheatley, OXF, where she was baptised on November 27, 1814. She married William Mitchell on August 23, 1841 in Great Milton, OXF. He was born in 1815 at Islip, OXF, and was a grocer and baker. He died in March 1879 and was buried in Wheatley, OXF on the 14th.

At the time of the 1881 census, Matilda was living in High Street, Wheatley. She was a widow, 66, and a grocer. Also at that address was her son, James.

Matilda was buried on November 12, 1885, at Wheatley, OXF.

Matilda and William had two children:

1. William Mitchell born about 1844, Great Milton, OXF, where he was baptised on February 4, 1844. In 1881 he was living in High Street, Wheatley with his wife Elizabeth. He was 37 and a butcher and grocer. He died in 1923 and was buried at Wheatley, on December 3. Elizabeth was born about 1845 in Cuddesdon, OXF and died in May 1917 at Wheatley.
2. James Mitchell was born in Wheatley and was baptised there on October 17, 1847. In 1881 he was still unmarried and living with his mother. He was a grocery assistant. He died in 1897 at Wheatley where he was buried on February 10.

John Castle Crook was the fifth child and second son of Hannah Brangwin and James Crook. He was born in Wheatley where he was baptised on March 17, 1822.

At the time of the 1881 census he was living in West Harnham, WIL, with his wife Eliza and their children Harriett E and Sidney. He was 59, and his occupation was given as fellmonger and parchment manufacturer employing 7 men and 6 boys. He gave his place of birth as Thames, OXF. Eliza was born about 1830 in Beddington, SRY. Harriett was unmarried, 27 and born in Fisherton Anger, WIL. Sidney was also unmarried, 23, a parchment maker who had been born in West Harnham.

Generation 3

Ann Earl was the fourth child and third daughter of Ann Crook And John Earl. She was born in Oxford and baptised on January 12, 1845 at Oxford St Giles. She married William Henry Doe on September 16, 1875 in Oxford St Giles. He was born in Oxford in 1851 and baptised on November 30, 1851, Oxford St Giles.

At the time of the 1881 census, they were living at The Perch, Binsey Village, OXF. William was listed as a printer and publican.

Ann and William had at least three children:

1. Mary Evelyn Doe was born about 1876 in Oxford. She was baptised on March 30, 1876 at Oxford St Paul, OXF
2. Winifred Ann Doe was born in 1877 at Oxford. She was baptised on September 16, 1877 at Binsey, OXF
3. Frederick William John Doe was born in 1878 at Oxford. He was baptised on June 10, 1878 at Binsey, OXF

Elizabeth Earl was the fifth child and fourth daughter of Ann Crook and John Earl. She was born about 1848 in Oxford was baptised on May 14, 1848 at Oxford St Giles. She married John Alsford on January 1, 1874 in Oxford St Giles. He was born about 1847 in Fisherton, WIL, and was a boot and shoe maker. At the time of the 1881 census the family was living at Mission House, Canal Street, Oxford St Thomas, OXF, and Elizabeth was listed as a dressmaker. They had at least three children:

1. Vernon Alsford, born about 1875 in Oxford.
2. Percy H Alsford, born about 1878 in Oxford.
3. Edith Alsford, born in 1880 at Oxford.

John Henry Earl was the sixth child and first surviving son of Ann Crook and John Earl. He was born on September 15, 1850 at Berry's Passage, Oxford St Giles. He was baptised on December 8, 1850 at Oxford St Giles. He married Eliza Cooke on June 29, 1870 at Oxford St Barnabas. She was born February 17, 1853 in Plantation Road, Oxford, baptised on March 27, 1853 at Oxford St Giles, died on September 27, 1921 at 59 Aston Street, Oxford and was buried at Rose Hill Cemetery, Oxford.

In 1881 the family was living at 3 Juxon Terrace, Oxford St Giles. John was 30 and a tailor.

John died on June 1, 1933 at 59 Aston Street, Oxford and was buried on June 6, 1933 at Rose Hill Cemetery, Oxford.

John and Eliza had sixteen children:

1. Albert John Cooke Earl was born on September 28, 1870 at Oxford, OXF. He was baptised on November 15, 1870 at Oxford St Barnabas. He became a butler. His wife was Anna. They had four children who were all baptised at Cowley SS Mary & John, OXF.
   • Mabel was born on December 20, 1985 at Oxford and baptised on January 23, 1896.
   • Albert Percy was born on September 9, 1899 in Oxford and baptised on November 23, 1899.
   • George was born on December 4, 1901 in Oxford and baptised on December 17, 1901.
   • William, the twin of George, was also born on December 4, 1901. He, too, was baptised on December 17 and died the following day. He was buried at Cowley on December 21, 1901.
2. Sidney Tom Earl was born on April 2, 1871 in Oxford. He married Annie Webb on April 10, 1894 in Cowley SS Mary & John Parish Church, OXF. They had five children all of whom were baptised at Cowley SS Mary & John Parish Church:
   • Cyril married Galdys May and had one child, Ann, who died on December 14, 1995 at Hammersmith Hospital, London. Ann was buried on December 22, 1995 at Headington Cemetery, OXF.
   • Elisie was born on July 11, 1894 at baptised on November 18, 1894.
   • Olive was baptised on January 23, 1896.
   • Alice was born on October 22, 1899
   • Edward Sidney was also born on October 22, 1899.
3. Lillian Ann Earl was born in 1873 in Oxford. She was baptised on November 2, 1873, Oxford St Giles. She married Albert Dubber on February 4, 1896 at Cowley SS Mary & John. He was born about 1873 in Oxford, OXF. He was a grocer. They had at least one child: William Charles Percy who was born on August 16, 1899 at Oxford and baptised on September 17, 1899 at Cowley SS Mary & John.
4. Henry Charles Earl was born in 1875 at North Hinksey, BRK and was baptised on May 2, 1875 at St Aldgate's, Oxford. He married Rose and had at least one child: Charles who married Eileen.
5. Rhoda Eliza Earl was born on June 8, 1876 at Thames Street, North Hinksey, BRK and was baptised on July 5, 1786 at Oxford St Aldgate's. She married twice. The first marriage was to Stephen Augustine Lay. They had four children:
   • Violet Gwendoline Lay born on Mary 25, 1896 and was baptised on September 23, 1896 at Oxford Holy Trinity. She married someone called Jennings and had at least one child: Keith.
   • Florence May Lay was born March 31, 1899 and baptised on June 8, 1899 at Cowley SS Mary & John.
   • Stephen John Henry Lay
   • Sidney Thomas Lay was born on April 7, 1902. He was baptised on May 25, 1902 at Cowley SS Mary & John. He died in October 1902 and was buried on October 25, 1902 at Cowley SS Mary & John.
   The second marriage was to someone named Williams. They had four children, too:
   • Ivor Williams
   • Olivier Williams
   • Idress Williams
   • Dennis Williams
6. Percival Vernon Cooke Earl, born 1877, 27 Juxton Street, Oxford, OXF and was baptised on January 6, 1878, Oxford St Paul's. He married Cecil Margaret Wakeman on January 19, 1903 at Cowley SS Mary & John. She was born about 1881. Percival died in 1966. They had six children:
   • Roland Percival Earl
   • Vernon Stanley
   • Gordon Harwood Earl
   • William Gerald Earl
   • Richard James Earl
   • Winifred Joyce Earl who was baptised on May 22, 1920 at Oxford St Clement's
7. Arthur Earl was born on November 3, 1878 at 27 Juxton Street, Oxford, OXF was baptised on December 25, 1878 at Oxford St Pauls. He was a tailor by occupation and died in 1964. He married Edith Annie Vinner daughter of James and Sarah Vinner. She was born in 1878 at Eynsham, OXF. Arthur and Edith had six children:
   • Ernest Charles Redvers who was born on December 9, 1900 and baptised on February 3, 1901 at Cowley SS Mary & John Parish Church. He died in 1984. He married Ethel Victoria Prince in 1942. She was born in 1900 and died in 1976.
   • Ivy Gwendline Earl was born in 1902. She married John Owen Manners in 1925. He was born 1900 and died 1984. They had two children: David A Manners who was born in 1933 and married Catriona Bean and Michael F J Manners who was born in 1938 and married, firstly, Kay Cox, and then Estelle.
   • Their third child was Queenie May Earl who was born on December 27, 1906. She married Percy Reginald Cooper in 1933. He was born in 1907 and died in 1987.
   • Elizabeth Maud Earl was born in 1911 and married Harold John Erhardt in 1945. He was born on August 8, 1899 in the USA and died in June 1982.
   • Phyllis Mabel Earl was born in 1914. She married Sidney Albert Day in 1936. He died 1993. They had two children: Richard E Day who married Gillian Phipps and Terence J Day who was born in 1943 and died in 1960.
   • Reginald Arthur John Earl was born in 1922. He married Frances Rosanna Simons in 1949. They have two children: Michael who married Linda Godfrey and Gillian.
8. Mabel Earl was born in 1880 in Oxford She married Ernest Clark on February 12, 1903 in Cowley SS Mary & John. He was born about 1878 in Cowley, OXF and baptised on May 12, 1878 at Cowley, St Mary & John. He was a college servant. Their son, Ernest Clark, was born in 1903 and baptised on July 26, 1903 at Oxford St Clement.
9. Mildred Earl was on born March 4, 1881 in Oxford and baptised on May 15, 1881, Oxford St Barnabas. She married Albert Rowles on May 6, 1903 at Cowley SS Mary & John. He was born about 1877 in Oxford and a compositor by trade.
10. Frederick Earl was born on January 12, 1883 in Oxford and baptised on April 12, 1883 at Oxford St Barnabas. He died in 1884 and was buried on April 7, 1884 at Cowley SS Mary & John.
11. Fred Earl was on born January 31, 1885 in Cross Street, Cowley Road, Oxford and was baptised on March 30, 1885 at Cowley SS Mary & John. He married Florence Violet Bickerton on April 16, 1906 at Oxford St Algate's. She was born on September 16, 1883, baptised on October 17, 1883 at Oxford St Aldgate's and died June 30, 1963. They had four children:
    • Constance Florence Violet Earl was born on October 25, 1906. She married twice.
      (1) Stanley Edward Bedford on September 26, 1929. He was born on July 11, 1901 and died on November 25, 1942 in St James's Hospital, London. They had a daughter, Diana Constance Bedford who married James Ernest Smith.
      (2) William Green on June 19, 1954. He was born on February 8, 1906 and died August 17, 1956.
    • Ronald Leslie Earl. He married Doris Oliver. They had a child: Doreen who married Norman Ellis.
    • Fred Richard Henry Earl was born on July 17, 1912 at 52 Hurst Street, Cowley, OXF. He died on November 6, 1981 at Entrance to John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OXF. He married Stella Irene Matthews on May 21, 1934 at Cowley SS Mary & John. She was born on August 16, 1910 in Charles Street, Iffley Road, Oxford, OXF and baptised at Cowley SS Mary & John. Fred and Stella had 4 children: Keith Edward Leslie who married Jean Boyles; Christine Jennifer who married Terence John Northover and died on December 17, 1978 in Oxford. She was buried on Rose Hill Cemetery, Oxford; Pamela Irene who married Derek Humphrey Thompson: and Rosemary Elizabeth.
    • Linda Muriel Earl was born on January 21, 1920. She married
      (1) Leonard Elms [children: John who married Phillipa Collier; David who married Etta; Jill who died around 1954 and Richard]
      (2) Harold Charles “Phil” Phillips.
12. Ada Earl was born on September 18, 1886 at 17 Pensions Gardens, St Clements, Oxford and was baptised on December 25, 1886 at Cowley SS Mary & John. She married Arthur Sooby Searle on March 27, 1909 at Oxford St Peter le Bailey, OXF. He was born about 1885. He was a clerk. They had two children: Phyllis Mabel who was born in 1915, died on July 24, 1995 and married Frederick Pritchard [children: John and Nicholas]; Anthony who was born on May 1, 1915 in Oxford and baptised on May 18, 1915 at Oxford St Peter le Bailey.
13. John Buckland Earl was born on February 8, 1888 in Oxford and baptised on March 20, 1888 at Cowley SS Mary & John, OXF. He died on January 7, 1947. He married Marion Ethel Pickett on November 9, 1908 at Oxford St Algate's. She was born on May 20, 1887 and died on December 7, 1976. They had three children:
    • Mildred E R who was born on May 28, 1910 and died on May 18, 1996. She married Bernard Maycock on August 26, 1933. He was born on November 19, 1908 and died on July 20, 1996. Children: Beryl Mary married Pater Mawson; and Martin married Sandra Adams.
    • John Buckland Earl was born on December 21, 1919 and died in 1978. He married Jean White in 1945. She was born January 1925. Children: Jennifer and Mark
    • Bernard Anthony Earl was born on January 8, 1930. He married Julie Saunders. Children: Janice and Stewart.
14. Gertrude Emily Earl was born in 1889 in Oxford. She was baptised on May 26, 1889 at Cowley SS Mary & John.
15. Walter Earl was born in 1890 in Oxford, OXF and baptised on 1890 at Oxford St Clement's.
16. Dora Earl was born in 1891 in Oxford. She was baptised on September 27, 1891 at Oxford St Clement's. She married twice:
    (1) Edward Eyles the son of Joseph and Esther Eyles. He was born about 1882 and died on February 12, 1917 in France, aged 34, and buried at Hem Farm Military Cemetery, Hem-Monacu, Somme, France. [According to information supplied by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Edward was a Private in the 1st/4th Battalion, Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry. He was the son of Joseph and Esther Annie Eyels of Swindon, Wilts; husband of Dora Higgins (formerly Eyles), of 7 King's Rd, Rushden, Northants.] Child: Mollie born about 1915 and died August 1995.
    (2) Charles Higgins. Child: Basil

Harriett Earl was the seventh child and fifth daughter of Ann Crook and John Earl. She was born about 1853 in Oxford, OXF and baptised on October 9, 1853 at Oxford St Giles. She married Theodore Witcombe, a stonemason, on April 15, 1876 at Oxford St Ebbe's. He was born about 1854 in Dorking, SRY.

At the time of the 1881 census Harriett and her children were staying with her sister Ann at Binsey

Children of Harriett Crook and Theodore Witcombe:

1. Ethel Anne Earl Witcombe born on July 9, 1877 in Oxford and baptised on August 20, 1877 at Oxford St Giles, OXF
2. Osborne John Earl Witcombe was born in 1878 at Oxford and baptised on November 24, 1878 at Oxford St Giles.

Just before Christmas I received the following email from Bob and Mary Barnett which they have agreed to share with the family.

Dear Lorraine & Trevor

We hope the year 2001 has been a good one for you. Needless to say, this has been a tragic year in the States since 9-11. Many people are being laid off because of the economy slow-down. We surely hope the terrorist attacks are over.

Your web site is so much appreciated . It is amazing the amount of information that you have shared and the time that you certainly have put into it. We especially enjoyed the wedding pictures.

All in all, Mary & I are in reasonably good health as we are active in yard & garden work.

The hi-light of the year for us - our daughter Jayne's family, Dick, Robbie, & Addie, moved to Bluffton from Tuxedo Park, N.Y.. Having a family near is a joy. They are adapting to small town life and plan to build a new house here.

Jayne had the honor to sing the soprano solo for the Bluffton College Choral Society's production of the Messiah. The society consists of seventy five choral and twenty orchestra members. Needless to say, we were proud of her performance . Following is her Bio.

JAYNE BARNETT McGARRITY, a Bluffton native, received a Bachelor of Music Degree from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati and a Masters Degree from Columbia University in New York. While in New York, Jayne appeared on Broadway in "Angel" and presented a solo recital at Carnegie Hall. She has sung many opera roles with companies such as the New York Lyric Opera, St. Paul Opera, Providence Opera Theater, Bel Canto Opera and Wolf Trap. Jayne toured the US in several musical theater productions with Columbia Artists and she sang on cruise ships in the Caribbean.

Jayne lived in Mexico City for more than 4 years with her husband, Richard, and their sons, Robert & Addison. While there, Jayne toured with a musical revue and directed community theater. She recently produced a CD of religious music called "Make a Joyful Noise."

Our son David is an engineer for General Electric in Schenectady, NY. Our other son "Jim" is also an engineer and works for Carrier Air Conditioning in Syracuse, N.Y. We made our annual summer trip the Adirondack Mountains in up state N.Y. to be with our family for a week. This year, there were 17 of us to participate in family festivity, hiking, boating, swimming, etc.

We have an interesting Christmas display in front of our house during the holiday season. It is one that my neighbor designed and which I helped to assemble and set up. It is an animated bell choir of animals which are activated by a computer to move their bells in tune with the music that is picked up with the car radio. It attracts a lot of attention and as a result we get a lot traffic during the Christmas season.

Crop yields were excellent on the farm this year but grain prices are again low.

We send our best wishes for health. Happiness, and a New Year of peace & goodwill.

With love, Mary & Bob Barnett

Dated: August 10, 1854

This is the last Will and Testament of me Richard Brangwin of Long Crendon in the County of Buckingham Yeoman, First I will direct that all my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses shall be fully paid and satisfied by my Executor hereinafter Named as soon as conveniently may be after my decease, I give devise and bequeath unto Richard Dodwell of Oddington in the County of Oxford my Trustee, All and singular my real and personal estate goods Chattels and effects whatsoever and wheresoever of which I am now seazed or possessed or may hereinafter acquire To hold the same to himself the said Richard Dodwell his heirs executors and administrators Upon trust to sell and convert such part thereof as may not consist of money into money in such manner as he may deem expedient And to stand possessed of the proceeds to arise from such Sale and conversions Upon trust in the first place to pay thereout all my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses, And if there shall be any residue then to pay and divide the sum between my two sisters Mary Miller of Marlow Bucks and Elizabeth Dodwell of Oddington, and also my brother William Brangwin of Marlow Bucks in equal shares and proportions share and share alike as Tenants in Common, And I appoint the said Richard Dodwell to be my said Trustee of this My Will and I hereby revoke all former and other Wills by me at any time heretofore made, In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 10th day of August One Thousand eight hundred and Fifty Four

Richard Brangwin

Signed published and declared by the said Richard
Brangwin the Testator as and for his last Will and
Testament in the presence of us William Winter and
Mary Spencer at his request in his presence and in the presence
of each of [blot on paper] us have hereunto
subscribed our names as Witnesses

William Winter
Mary Spencer

1854 December 5th Richard Dodwell the Executor according to the tenor of the above written Will
was sworn as usual and that the personal estate of the deceased is under the value of
One hundred pounds Before me
Frederick Cox
Surrogate

Proved the 5th December 1854 before the Reverend Frederick Cox Clerk surrogate by the Oath of Richard Dodwell the Executor to whom Administration was committed he being first sworn duly to administer.

[Richard Brangwin was born in 1815 at Long Crendon, BKM, son of Richard Brangwin and Elizabeth Winter. He died on August 24, 1854 at long Crendon, aged 39. He was a cattle dealer according to the 1851 census.]

I hope you have found this edition of the Brangwin Family Newsletter of interest.

I would like to thank Nelda and John for their profile. Also, thank you to Keith, Rosie, Chris, Bob and Mary for their input, and Margaret for the Will transcription.

That's it for this month. Next month we will look at another part of the family. There will be another family member in the spotlight. And who knows what else will be featured!

If you have anything you would like to contribute I would like to hear from you.

Until then next month

Lorraine