Sergt. Jacob FRENCH [Parents] ¹ was born ² on 16 Mar 1640 in Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States. He died ³ on 20 May 1713 in Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States. Jacob married ⁴ Mary before 1709.

Other marriages:

CHAMPNEY, Mary
CONVERS, Mary
MOORE, Ruth

Sergt. JACOB FRENCH (Lieut. William1), born in Cambridge, March 16, 1640; lived in Billerica, on the "east road," near his brother John. His house was one of the "garrisons" of 1675, and was probably the same venerable brick-lined building which was occupied by James Fletcher in 1879, and of which a cut is given in Hazen's History of Billerica. He was a sergeant in the militia. He married 1st, Sept. 20, 1 665, Mary Champney, daughter of Richard Champney, ruling elder of the Cambridge Church. She died April 1, 1681, and he married 2d, July 30, 1685, Mary Convers of Woburn. She died June 18, 1686, and he married 3d, Mary , who was drowned June 9, 1709. He married 4th, Ruth ,who died Nov. 6, 1780. He died May 20, 1713.

Mary died ¹ on 9 Jun 1709 in Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States. Mary married ² Sergt. Jacob FRENCH before 1709.

DEATH: Drowned

Sergt. Jacob FRENCH [Parents] ¹ was born ² on 16 Mar 1640 in Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States. He died ³ on 20 May 1713 in Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States. Jacob married Ruth MOORE.

Other marriages:

CHAMPNEY, Mary
CONVERS, Mary
, Mary

Sergt. JACOB FRENCH (Lieut. William1), born in Cambridge, March 16, 1640; lived in Billerica, on the "east road," near his brother John. His house was one of the "garrisons" of 1675, and was probably the same venerable brick-lined building which was occupied by James Fletcher in 1879, and of which a cut is given in Hazen's History of Billerica. He was a sergeant in the militia. He married 1st, Sept. 20, 1 665, Mary Champney, daughter of Richard Champney, ruling elder of the Cambridge Church. She died April 1, 1681, and he married 2d, July 30, 1685, Mary Convers of Woburn. She died June 18, 1686, and he married 3d, Mary , who was drowned June 9, 1709. He married 4th, Ruth ,who died Nov. 6, 1780. He died May 20, 1713.

Ruth MOORE died ¹ on 6 Nov 1730 in Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States. Ruth married Sergt. Jacob FRENCH.

John BRACKETT [Parents] ¹ was born on 7 May 1637 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States. He was christened on 7 May 1637 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States. He died ² on 18 Mar 1687 in Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States. He was buried in Mar 1687. John married ^{3, 4} Hannah FRENCH on 6 Sep 1661 in Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States.

Other marriages:

ELLIS, Ruth Nee Morse

Hannah FRENCH [Parents] ^{1, 2} was born ³ on 16 Feb 1644 in Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States. She died ⁴ on 9 May 1674 in Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States. Hannah married ^{5, 6} John BRACKETT on 6 Sep 1661 in Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States.

DEATH: Died in childbirth, baby daughter died also.

William ALDOUS [Parents] was born on 1 Jun 1748 in Fressingfield, Suffolk, England, United Kingdom. He was christened on 1 Jun 1748 in Fressingfield, Suffolk, England, United Kingdom. He was buried on 21 Feb 1827. William married Elizabeth COBB on 25 Apr 1769.

Elizabeth COBB. Elizabeth married William ALDOUS on 25 Apr 1769.

Samuel FRENCH [Parents] ¹ was born ² about 1648 in Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States. Samuel married ^{3, 4} Sarah CUMMINGS on 24 Dec 1682 in Dunstable, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States.

Sarah CUMMINGS. Sarah married ^{1, 2} Samuel FRENCH on 24 Dec 1682 in Dunstable, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States.

William WATKINS [scrapbook] was born about 1746 in Wales, United Kingdom. He died ^{1, 2} on 9 Apr 1805 in Banwell, Somerset, England, United Kingdom. William married ³ Mary FORD on 21 Dec 1772 in Banwell, Somerset, England, United Kingdom.

The following is a letter forwarded to me by my brother Ben:

David Cook
2139 S. Broadmoor Street
Salt Lake City, Utah 84109
Email: david.r.cook@m.cc.utah.edu
Phone: (801) 467-2576

Ben Farr Jr.
2915 Pioneer Road
Slaterville, Utah 84404

November 13, 1996

Dear Ben,

I received your address from your father.  I've been doing research on one of our common ancestors, William Watkins and Mary Ford and their family.  In my research the only family group sheet I found submitted at the genealogy library was by your father.  In talking with him mentioned that I should get in touch with you.  On the group sheet your father put as a source a Bessie Oram from Ogden #2 Chimes Circle. I have tried unsuccessfully to locate her also.

On the Ancestral Fite at the genealogy library, it lists the parents of William Watkins as Samuel Watkins and Elizabeth [Williams].  This genealogy is incorrect. A lady in Logan hired a professional genealogist who did some poor work.  I have been able to document that this Samuel Watkins and Elizabeth Williams are not the parents of William Watkins.  John Denhalter, who is also working on this genealogy has found the same.

Legend has it that William and some of his brothers came from Wales to England. William was married in Banwell, England to Mary Ford. Legend also has it that her father was a local vicar and that he worked for her father.  Apparently her father was against the marriage, but we know few facts about her family either. William Watkins did own a home in Banwell and had a large family.  I believe we both descend through his son Richard Watkins who maried Ruth Hamblin.

If you have any information on this family I would be most appreciative and would welcome hearing from you.  I will enclose a group sheet of the information I have. If you would like to know sources let me know and I can send them.

Sincerely,

David Cook

Subject:
Re: Trip
Date: Tue, 1 Dec 1998 17:59:33 -0700
From: "Dave and Krisitn Cook" dkcook@sisna.com
To: "Tim Farr" tf@srjh.emery.k12.ut.us
CC: "Rob and Becky Cook" robc@sisna.com

Tim,
The trip was good.  It was great to see all these cities. You asked about Edward Watkins, which Rob put under the caption of the picture of the Ships Inn. The tradition is as follows. Five brothers, William Watkins included, came from Wales to Banwell.  We know some of William such as he was a coachman and married his employer's daughter, Mary Ford and raised a large family in Banwell. We descend through his son Richard Watkins who married Ruth Hamblin. As I was researching land records in Banwell I noticed that around the same time period of William Watkins (he owned a house), an Edward Watkins is listed as paying taxes for a hotel called the Ships Inn. If you follow the tradition this would most likely be a brother to William. I have no solid proof other than the land records. Edward is also listed in some of the city records I believe as a warden and constable. The documentation is with the notes on William Watkins I previously emailed to you. We were surprised to see the Ships Inn still standing.  It has been in use from the late 1700s up until a couple of years ago.  It was boarded up but the signs are still outside. While in Banwell we asked around town about any Watkins but found no one with that surname. There was one lady but she had just moved there a couple of years ago. We also searched the parish cemetary, and found a few Ford's listed. Some more facts will have to surface before we can make a good match. None the less it was fun to see the town and meet some of the people.
Take it easy,
Dave Cook

Any more questions let me know. My cousin Rob has been working on the web design of the Watkins histories. They have been scanned and edited.  He should have them online before long. He is a photographer and does a great job with the pictures and web design. I also got an email from a descendant of William Watkins from Norfolk, England yesterday.  He had no new information but it was nice to hear from a relative.

From Dave and Kristin Cook's Blog @ https://dkcook2.wordpress.com/2013/05/05/a-quest-for-the-parentage-of-william-watkins-b-abt-1750m-1772-banwell-somerset-d-1805-banwell-somerset-and-to-correct-a-false-genealogy-2/
Clues to his real parentage:
1) The tradition states he was from Monmouthshire….so continued searches there are warranted.  This tradition comes from a talk by a great-grandson, Richard Charles Watkins, given in 1933.  In the same talk he mentions he came with 5 brothers from Wales to Somerset.
2) He was not educated. He signed his marriage record with an X, meaning he could not read or write. Richard Charles Watkins mentioned he was a coachman.
3) I believe William Watkins brothers or dad might include the names Charles and John (assumption)….this is based on their thirteen children and naming patterns…many of which are easy to trace to the Ford side of the family…but Charles and John seem to stand out as possible Watkins names…especially Charles.
4) The 5 witnesses on William and Mary’s marriage sources are leading to some interesting clues from NicolaP (see comments below this blog post, she has done some nice research):
Witness #1 is named Joseph Hemens. Nicola poses the question: Could Joseph Hemens from Winscombe who married Christian Watkins in 1758 be William’s (b.1750) step-father? Is Christian his mother from her first marriage?
There are two Joseph Hemens from Winscombe which creates some challenges.
Joseph Hemens #1 – I don’t believe this is the one on the marriage certificate Joseph Hemens (of Winscombe) married Ann Beachum (of Banwell) 26 Mar 1776 in Winscombe.
Children: born to Joseph and Ann Hemens
William 02 Apr 1777 Winscombe
James 23 May 1781 Winscombe
Sarah 03 Aug 1783 Winscombe
Death (could be either #1 or #2):
26 Jan 1783 – St. James the Great, Winscombe, Somerset – Joseph Hemens (Burial)
20 Nov 1803 – St. James the Great, Winscombe, Somerset – Joseph Hemens (Burial)
Joseph Hemens #2 – He married Christian Watkins (widow) 28 March 1758 in Yatton. He was a widower. Below is a copy of this marriage document (FHL 1526805 Yatton Parish Records Item 26-35).  The signature of Joseph Hemens on this marriage records matches well to the witness on the marriage record of William and Mary.

Joseph and Christian had the following children christened in Winscombe (William Watkins and Mary Ford’s first two children were born in Winscombe). I double checked the baptisms of Joseph and Christian against the Winscombe Parish Registers (FHL: 1526766 Item 15-21)
Elianor Hemens bapt 9 Jan 1759 Winscombe 
George Hemens bapt 6 Dec 1760 Winscombe 
Eli Hemens bapt 24 Apr 1763 Winscombe 
Charles Hemens bapt 10 Jun 1765 Winscombe 
Charles Hemens bapt 13 Nov 1768 Winscombe (born Nov 1767 – note on christening about being 12 months previous) 
Hester Hemens bapt 18 Oct 1770 Winscombe
There is a marriage of a William Watkins and Christian Moore on the 8 July 1747 in Bedminster which looks like it could be Christian’s first marriage. Looked at Parish records and there is not much additional information other than they were married by license (see Bedminster Parish Registers 1849424 Item 7-13). Could not locate the bonds and allegations on a cursory look – the bonds and allegation if found usually have more information.
Death (could be either #1 or #2):
26 Jan 1783 – St. James the Great, Winscombe, Somerset – Joseph Hemens (Burial)
20 Nov 1803 – St. James the Great, Winscombe, Somerset – Joseph Hemens (Burial)
Witness #2 is named Sarah Coombs, nee Watkins – NicolaB presents the question could this be a sister to William Watkins?
NicolaB writes…Sarah Watkins (born 1754 – based off being 60 when buried) married William Coombs at Cheddar 4 Aug 1772 (I was able to verify the transcription against the Bishop’s Transcripts films (1278917 Item 22-24). I did not have access to the Parish Registers) They had the following children all born at Cheddar (which I double checked against the Bishop’s Transcript):
Hannah bapt 9 Jan 1774
Betty bapt 19 May 1776
Sarah bapt 18 Jan 1778
Ester Coombs 18 July 1780
Hester bapt 30 Dec 1782, apparently born 1780
William bapt 30 Dec 1782 privately
Lucy bapt 31 Dec 1784
John buried 1 May 1788, no bapt found yet
John bapt 9 Nov 1788
James bapt 19 Jan 1791, buried 21 Jul 1791
James bapt 14 Feb 1793
Mary buried 17 May 1795, no bapt found yet
Mary buried 12 Nov 1797, no bapt found yet
Sarah Coombs nee Watkins buried 15 Dec 1814 aged 60 years. This would put her birth at 1754. No Sarah Watkins born in Cheddar area. There is a Sarah baptized at Yatton in 1754 to William and Christian Watkins.
They are potential parents but this has been hard to substantiate (see notes section below) and isn’t right in line tradition that has William Watkins from Banwell coming from Wales. Could he have been from Somerset and his father from Wales?
William Coombs the husband was buried 20 Oct 1808, likely born 12th February 1748, William, son of William and Sarah Coomes (sic)
Witness #3 – Edward Tuckey 
(who was the parish clerk and witnessed a number of marriages for obvious reasons)

Witness #4 – Nancy Selway 
– Nancy married Thomas Horsington in Banwell in 1779. Interestingly, Thomas Horsington was one of the witnesses to Elizabeth Watkins’ marriage to Thomas Harris. Its likely she may have been a friend or relative.

Witness #5 Joseph Wood – 
can’t find anything on Joseph Wood but there are other Wood entries in the parish transcripts
Some Research notes on the Witnesses:
FHL 1526805 Yatton Parish Records Item 26-35) – done (Looked for marriage of Joseph Hemens and Christian Watkins – found). Need to look at Burial record of William Watkins 4 Dec 1757 in Yatton (St. Mary the Virgin)
Bishop’s Transcripts films Cheddar (1278917 Item 22-24). Found Marriage of Sarah Watkins and William Coombs 4 Aug 1772 and records for their children. Not much detail in these records. Did not find any parish records.
Winscombe Parish Registers (FHL: 1526766 Item 15-21 – in process – found children of Joseph Hemens (#2) and Christian Watkins. Need to look into Joseph Hemens (#1) marriage and family. 26 Mar 1776 Marriage of Joseph Hemens and Ann Beachum Winscombe · William 02 Apr 1777 Winscombe· James 23 May 1781 Winscombe· Sarah 03 Aug 1783 Winscombe.
Bedminster Parish Registers 1849424 Item 7-13

Mary FORD [Parents] [scrapbook] was christened ¹ on 7 Dec 1753 in Duntisbourne Rouse, Gloucestershire, England. She was buried ^{2, 3} on 10 Feb 1827 in Banwell, Somerset, England, United Kingdom. Mary married ⁴ William WATKINS on 21 Dec 1772 in Banwell, Somerset, England, United Kingdom.

Banns of Marriage Somerset, Banwell, England Dates 1770-1810 Marriages, Source No. 1597208 Item 9, the banns read, "Marriage of William Watkins and Mary Ford both of Banwell" and is signed by a Reverend and a doctor. The marriage is also found in this source and reads similar to the banns.

Burial 1813-1866 of Banwell, Somerset, England Source No. 1517682 Item 3, the record reads "Mary Watkins, abode Banwell Feb 10th, 1827 Age 77."  Bishop Transcripts 1814-1836 Banwell, Somerset, England Source No. 1278896 items 15-17, record also places death at Age 77.

Notes on a pedigree chart for her son, Charles Watkins and Sarah Whitney, it states that Mary Ford lived at Max-Mills near Winscombe Somerset England. Legend also has it that when she married William she was disinherited by her father. William was employed by her father as a coachman. Her father was a vicar.

Mary Ford (Watkins) (1753 – 1827) – A successful quest to find her siblings, her parents and birthday by David and Kristin Cook

The Quest to find her parentage:
Summary: For some time descendants have looked for the parents of Mary Ford.  Below is the story of how we found her parents Edward and Elizabeth Ford.  The effort involved will research, traditional research, collaboration from many researchers, and serendipitous miracles. At first it was felt that her parents were Thomas Ford and Elizabeth Wise who turned out to be her grandparents.
I. Background: The family tradition about William Watkins and Mary Ford came from a transcript of a family reunion in 1933 where Richard Charles Watkins (a great grandchild) stated: “William Watkins, I think, came from Wales [My grandfather told me that he came from Monmouth, Wales with 4 or 5 of his 8 brothers to find work.] to Taunton or perhaps Banwell, Somersetshire, and was there employed as a coachman. He married his employer’s daughter, which caused much family trouble to the extent that the daughter was disinherited.”
For years we searched around Banwell and surrounding towns for her birth. Various theories of her birth were identified but none were founded in solid facts or primary sources.
II. Found siblings Edward, Ann, and nephews: Then the first of various miracles, in September 2010 I received an email from Tim Farr, a family historian and descendant of Mary Ford where he forwarded an email from Annie Lotocki in Australia. She was researching a surgeon named Edward Ford’s second wife, Henrietta North. She was looking at the will for Edward Ford, Surgeon (1747-1809), proved in London and had come across the name of “Mary Watkins.” from Banwell. She did some internet searches and found Tim and my posts about the Watkins in Banwell.  Here we found a brother of Mary Ford Watkins! I began a correspondence with Annie and also began transcribing the will. The will talks about two sister Mary Watkins from Banwell, Somerset and Ann King (no location given). It also mentions three nephews, Thomas Copeland, Edward Copeland, and William Copeland. It appears Edward Ford had no children as no children are mentioned in the will, except a child from Henrietta’s first marriage. All of a sudden we were starting to put Mary Ford’s family together. She has a brother named Edward Ford, a sister named Ann, and likely another sibling from which the Copeland nephews come.
A snippet of the will is below:
This snippet says: “thereof I give unto my Sister Mrs. Mary Watkins of Banwell in the County of Somerset widow the sum of three hundred pounds I give to my nephew Mr. (side note: Thomas Copeland the sum of three hundred pounds I give to my nephew) Edward Copeland the sum of three hundred pounds I give to my much esteemed friend Mr. John Adair Hawkins of Great Marlboro Street Surgeon the sum of fifty pounds. I give to Mr. William Clifton of Great Newport Street Soho apothecary and my nephew Mr. William Copeland of Chigwell in the county of Essex apothecary my trustees”
In addition to Edward’s will mentioning Mary Watkins from Banwell, we also found Henrietta’s will which mentions Mary Watkins and leaves money for Mary. The body of Henrietta’s will was written in December of 1825 and Mary Ford Watkins died in Feb 1827.  The exact wording in the will is as follows:
I give to Mary Watkins of Banwell near Bristol an annuity of fifteen pounds during her life by half yearly payments to be made to Mr. Emery of Banwell for her not as long as he will receive and apply and apply the same for her benefit and afterwards to be paid into her own hands by weekly payments I also direct ten pounds to be applied towards the burial of the said Mary Watkins I also give the said Mary Watkins five pounds for mourning
III. Thomas Ford (Not a parent – He is a grandparent): There is much written about Edward Ford, the surgeon (1747-1809), and brother of Mary Ford, even a Wikipedia page. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Ford_(surgeon). This Wikipedia page, His obituary, and other sources, lists a father for Edward (and I thought Mary also) as Thomas Ford, the prebendary of Wells and vicar of Banwell. This is incorrect! This Thomas Ford turned out to be Edward and Mary’s grandfather. Edward and Mary Ford’s parents died when they were very young it is easy to see how this error was made.
It took some time to find their actual parents. Upon early investigation it seemed unlikely Thomas Ford from Wells could be their father because he died at age 74 in 1 Sept 1746 before Edward was born 12 Feb 1747.
With the help of my sisters Katie and Sherrie we had searched the parish records for Wells, Somerset but found no Fords born in the 1750 time frame. We were still at a loss to the parentage of Edward Ford, Mary Ford, Ann Ford King and a  Ford Copeland. In our searches in Wells, Somerset we did find Edward Ford’s burial. He was buried in the same burial plot as Thomas Ford [his grandfather]. Below is from a book on the burial plot in Wells Cathedral, Somerset, called Wells Cathedral: It’s Monumental Inscriptions and Heraldy By Jewers Arthur John page 93 and is accessible on books.google.com.
IV. Found another sibling Sarah (and then siblings Elizabeth and Thomas): We continued our search for the siblings.  I found two books that mentioned the William and [Sarah Ford] Copeland family.  The first book I found was “Northamptonshire and Rutland clergy from 1500” page 245. See image below
This Northampton book lists their mother’s name as Sarah, which fits into the family tradition. I had previously thought Mary had a sister named Sarah because William and Mary Watkins named their one of their children “Sarah Ford Watkins.”
In addition to this book I also found the will of William Copeland – which I transcribed. William Copeland died in 1787 and at the end of the will I found an addendum which I presume was written when Sarah Ford Copeland died in 1814 (We’ve yet to find Sarah Ford Copeland’s burial date). Nevertheless in this addendum it looks like the estate was given to her youngest daughter Anna Maria Copeland (Chetham). I did some Internet searches on “Anna Maria Chetham” and found another family history researcher in Australia named Diana . She has been doing family history research for 20 years and was researching Anna Maria. She was thrilled with the will transcript as it opened up her Chetham line wider.
The second book I found on the Copeland family was a list of Monument Inscriptions. The Copelands, although married in Oxfordshire, settled in Byfield, Northampton, where William Copeland (the dad) was the curate (also listed as reverend or clerk). The book is entitled “The history and antiquities of the county of Northampton” by George Baker. The book is also known as “Baker’s History of Northamptonshire.” It was published London: J.B. Nichols and Son, 1822-1841 and is a two volume set. This is page 489.
I began some research on the Copeland family and found a few additional items but I was still no closer than I was before to finding Mary’s parents. After a trip to the family history library I came home discouraged and perplexed. I had made a little progress but was I now at a dead end again. I had promised to send Diana the page about the Byfiled, Northampton monument inscriptions, so I set about to do so. Assuming that if I wasn’t going to find much more success at least someone could. She emailed me back expressing gratitude and included the following note,
“Hi David, Many thanks for the monumental inscriptions, wonder if they are still in the church at Byfield, must find out!! Also did you see the previous m.i. to Elizabeth Banks she was the sister-in-law to William Copeland. …..sincerely Diana
See the Monument Inscription picture above. In the left hand corner it mentions Elizabeth Banks who is a sister in law to the Rev Wm Copeland. Eureka!! Another miracle. Here is another sister to Mary, Edward, Ann, and Sarah. According to the monument inscription she was born in 1744 and would have been an older sister to Edward and Mary. I began some research into Elizabeth Ford Banks and found that she was married to a John Banks in 1773 in London. John Banks died in 1775 and Elizabeth Banks died the following year in 1776. I found the will for John and Elizabeth Banks. Her will is very interesting as she was pregnant at the time it was written. It also mentions two brothers, Edward Ford and Thomas Ford. The Edward is the same as mentioned above. This Thomas is new and the will says, “my Brother Thomas Ford now or late in the Said Service of the East India Company” Here we have another brother named Thomas! The will goes on to mention an uncle Dr. James Ford. It also mentions a cousin Gilbert Ford, son of Dr. James Ford and another cousin, Thomas Ford, who was a doctor of divinity. I was really intrigued by this because the Reverend Thomas Ford, prebendary of Wells and Vicar of Banwell had a son who was a doctor named James Ford. He was very prominent and had a son named Gilbert and also had a son named Thomas, who was the vicar of Melton Mowbray. A nice fit. I had spent some time researching the Reverend Thomas Ford family (b. 1673-d.1746), who was the Prebendary of Wells.  This Thomas turned out to be the grandfather of my Mary Ford.  He had six sons and likely two daughters. He had a son named Edward Ford that seemed like a possible match as the father of Mary.
I now had another sibling to research. In summary we have Elizabeth Ford (Banks – b. around 1744), Edward (b. between 1746 and 1750), Mary (b. around 1750), Sarah Ford (Banks), Thomas, and Ann Ford (King). I began to research this new brother of Mary Ford Watkins named Thomas and found his will. This will was written in 1782. In his will he mentions that he has three sisters and a brother (remember Elizabeth had deceased at this time). It also mentions his youngest sister is Ann Ford. It also mentions an Aunt named Frances Ford. His brother Edward Ford of Golden Square London (the same surgeon mentioned above) is the executor of this will.
V. Could the Father be Edward Ford, Eureka!!: I began to research Edward Ford, the son of Thomas Ford, who was a teacher and reverend (not to be confused with the Edward Ford surgeon above).  From one source I found that he received a BA in 1733, MA 17 Feb 1736, and BD in 1744. From this record it appears he was a rector. I found his name with an Elizabeth in the book, Glouscestershire record series Vol. 8 on Google books page xiii. From this record it appears he was a rector in Duntisbourne.
I searched the Duntisborne parish registers and found the birth records for all the siblings except Elizabeth the oldest!! I had found them!! I now knew the parents of Elizabeth, Edward, Mary, Sarah, Thomas, and Ann were Edward Ford (b. 1715, died d 1761) and Elizabeth (d. 1763) of Duntisbourne Rouse. Edward Ford and Elizabeth had the following children christened in Duntisbourne Rouse, Gloucester.
8 April 1746 – Sarah Ford daughter of Edward Ford and Elizabeth (Duntisborne Rouse, Gloucester)
12 Feb 1747 — Edward Ford son of Edward Ford and Elizabeth (Duntisborne Rouse, Gloucester)
19 Aug 1749 – Gilbert Ford son of Edward Ford and Elizabeth (Duntisborne Rouse, Gloucester)
Gilbert died 1 June 1750
31 Aug 1750 James Ford son of Edward Ford and Elizabeth (Duntisborne Rouse, Gloucester)
James died 24 Sept 1750
31 Aug 1750 Robert Ford son of Edward Ford and Elizabeth (Duntisborne Rouse, Gloucester)
Robert died 30 Sept 1750
7 Nov 1751 – Thomas Ford son of Edward Ford and Elizabeth (Duntisborne Rouse, Gloucester)
7 Dec 1753 – Mary Ford daughter of Edward Ford and Elizabeth (Duntisborne Rouse, Gloucester)
1 Mar 1755 – Anne Ford daughter of Edward Ford and Elizabeth (Dunitsborne Rouse, Gloucester)
Upon searching the Duntisbourne Rouse parish records a few more facts were found.  He signed the parish registers  as minster or rector starting in 1745.  He signed these registers until he died and was buried on the 10th Oct 1761.   His wife Elizabeth Ford was buried on Dec. 19th 1763.  Hence, the parents of this young family died and many of  the family returned with grandma Elizabeth Wise Ford and possibly an aunt our uncle to Somerset.  Grandpa Thomas Ford, the prebendary, had already passed on in 1746.
The only child we didn’t find was Elizabeth (oldest child of Edward and Elizabeth).  I assume when we find the marriage of Edward and Elizabeth we will find her birth shortly behind. 
Another piece of evidence: I also found the will of Gilbert Ford who is an uncle to Mary Ford Watkins.  He was the attorney general to Jamaica from England.  In his will, which was written in 1768 in Jamaica where he died, he leaves money to his two nieces Elizabeth and Sarah Ford daughters of his deceased brother Edward Ford.  This is another piece of evidence that links this family.
Conclusion: Don’t give up ever! It often just takes time.  Still much to learn, but making progress.

BURIAL: Age 77.

William HAMLIN [Parents] was christened ¹ on 11 Jul 1756 in Clevedon, Somerset, England, United Kingdom. He was buried ^{2, 3} on 14 Mar 1828 in Wrington, Somerset, England, United Kingdom. William married Mary "Molly" in 1778 in Clevedon, Somerset, England.

There is no proof that William's wife Mary was a Williamson. The christening of a Mary Williamson doesn't prove that she is the Mary that married our William Hamlin. Creech Saint Michael is over 10 miles from Clevedon which makes is highly improbable.

Mary "Molly" was born about 1758 in England, United Kingdom. She was buried ^{1, 2} on 21 Jul 1822 in Wrington, Somerset, England, United Kingdom. Molly married William HAMLIN in 1778 in Clevedon, Somerset, England.

There is no proof that William's wife Mary was a Williamson. The christening of a Mary Williamson doesn't prove that she is the Mary that married our William Hamlin.

James BARTLETT Jr was christened ¹ on 30 May 1804 in Wrington, Somerset, England, United Kingdom. He died on 8 May 1871 in Wrington, Somerset, England, United Kingdom. He was buried on 14 May 1871 in Wrington, Somerset, England, United Kingdom. James married ^{2, 3} Ruth HAMLIN on 30 Apr 1838 in St John Baptist, Bristol, England, United Kingdom.

James resided ⁴ in 1851 in Wrington, Somerset, England, United Kingdom. He resided ⁵ in 1861 in Wrington, Somerset, England, United Kingdom. He resided ⁶ in 1871 in Wrington, Somerset, England, United Kingdom. His will was probated ⁷ on 5 Sep 1871 in Bristol, Gloucester, England, United Kingdom.

Ruth HAMLIN [Parents] [scrapbook] was born on 4 Nov 1792 in Clevedon, Somerset, England, United Kingdom. She was christened ¹ on 25 Nov 1792 in Clevedon, Somerset, England, United Kingdom. She died on 21 Apr 1871 in Wrington, Somerset, England, United Kingdom. She was buried on 30 Apr 1871 in Wrington, Somerset, England. Ruth married ^{2, 3} James BARTLETT Jr on 30 Apr 1838 in St John Baptist, Bristol, England, United Kingdom.

Ruth resided ⁴ in 1841 in Wrington, Somerset, England, United Kingdom. She resided ⁵ in 1851 in Wrington, Somerset, England. She resided ⁶ in 1861 in Wrington, Somerset, England. She resided ⁷ in 1871 in Wrington, Somerset, England.

Other marriages:

WATKINS, Richard

RUTH HAMBLIN WATKINS' CONVERSION TO THE L.D.S. CHURCH

She had been deaf for three years when the Elders came to her home and asked if they might use her home for holding a meeting. After explaining who they were and that they had a message for the people, she said yes she liked anything that was good and would open her doors and invited the neighbors to hear what they had to say. They asked her to take a front seat; because of her deafness, they thought she might be able to hear some of their talk. After the meeting was over, the Elders asked her if she had heard any of it, and she said, "I have heard every word distinctly," and asked for baptism. Her husband was afflicted with paralysis and was forced to use crutches, and when he was converted and asked for baptism, the Elders told him that he could not expect to be healed and made well unless he had sufficient faith; so when he was ready for baptism, they ordained Ruth Hamblin's son an Elder. He was by a former husband named Richard Watkins, my great-grandfather so he would be able to help in the baptism because of ____ condition. After the baptism, they brought him his crutches. He walked out of the water and all the way home without the aid of anyone or the crutches. Next morning he walked down to his shop; he was a cooper by trade. He made a bucket and carried it in his hands and swung it around and declared to all the people that he had been healed by the power of the Lord and through his faith. Through this testimony many people in England were converted to the Church.

Scanned and edited by David Cook and Sherrie Markman, Sept 1998.

RESIDENCE: Ruth Bartlett age 40, husband James Bartlett age 35. Children: John Watkins age 12, Thomas [Henry] Watkins age 10 and Charles Watkins age 9.

George ROLFE. George married Sarah Ann WATKINS on 16 Jan 1844 in Banwell, Somerset, England, United Kingdom.

Sarah Ann WATKINS [Parents] was born on 1 Jun 1817 in Rickford, Somerset, England, United Kingdom. She died on 8 Sep 1859 in Bristol, Somerset, England, United Kingdom. Sarah married George ROLFE on 16 Jan 1844 in Banwell, Somerset, England, United Kingdom.

Isaac BATH. Isaac married Mary Ann WATKINS.

Mary Ann WATKINS [Parents] was born in BET 20 APR 1820 AND 1827 in Wrington, Somerset, England, United Kingdom. She died on 2 Aug 1892. Mary married Isaac BATH.