Hi Graham,
I have been to the records office, and I am sorting though what I have found, unfortunately I didn't have time to go through all the Microfische at Colebrooke (oldest five yet to go - but I will do them next time)
I beleive there are only two possible's; according to the parish records there were only two Williams' who were shoe makers in Colebrooke. I understand from the other lady that I have been intouch with that Elizabeth Medland was by quite some way his junior by about 20 years! And I have found that William was a batchelor according to the records for their marriage. His first child in their marriage was baptised in 1832 and the last in 1839.
It is possible of course that William had a child out of wedlock.
The Other William who married Sarah Smith had children baptised between 1809 and 1827.
I supose again he could have been unfaithful! I know this doesn't help a great deal, but I think it maybe one of those that you will never find out the truth. In the meantime I will continue looking.
By the way I have copies from the parish records, that confirm your message about William Arscott the Miller at Ford, falling into the water and drowning. He was Parish clerk for over 25 years, and they not only put a note under his burial entry, there is a seperate note, with regard to his death and of course his replacement as Parish Clerk.
Sorry it's not more possitive news, If I can help with any other info let me know, and in the meantime I will keep hunting!
All the best
Gill
Quote:
Originally Posted by navigator1952
hi gill
i too have a distant relative called arscott.Do you know of him???
I wrote to the OPC at colebrookeas follows.
There was some uncertainty about the father of John Conibeer's wife, so I sent for the marriage certificate, and was surprised to find that John Conibeer, b.1815 Colebrooke , base son of Elizabeth (Betsy) Conibeer
>>>> has named William Arscott, shoemaker, as his father on the certificate.
>>>> I have found two shoemaker William Arscotts born about 1785-1790 in >>>> Colebrooke, in the 1841 census - one with wife Elizabeth at Coleford,
>>>> and one with wife Sarah at Colebrooke
>>>> I have spotted the possible marriages - on 9 May 1831 to Elizabeth
>>>> Medland, who may be one candidate for the wife in Coleford - with the
>>>> age difference though that looks like it might be a second marriage
and an earlier Wm Arscott marriage - to Sarah Smith in Colebrooke on 28
>>>> Feb 1809. Was really just wondering if you have any knowledge of the
>>>> families?
the OPC repiled
I think either one would fit the bill.
>>> William Arscott 1779-1843 who married Sarah Smith,was the son of
>>> William the miller at Ford Mills, Colebrooke. For some reason he never
>>> followed his father into the milling business but became a shoemaker.
>>> His younger brother Hannanias and his family carried on the business
>>> after the old man died rather tragically. William snr had been the
>>> parish clerk for many years and despite failing eyesight went to church
>>> every Sunday. He was returning from church one dark October evening in
>>> 1828 when he apparently lost his way and walked into the mill leat at
>>> Ford and was drowned. he was 79. His position as parish clerk was taken
>>> on by his nephew, the other William Arscott who I believe had probably
>>> been assisting the old man as his sight deteriorated.
>>> This William 1784-1858, son of Richard, was very religiously inclined
>>> and married Elizabeth Medland, over 20yrs his junior in 1831. As far as
>>> I know this was his only marriage. He and Elizabeth had at least eight
>>> children including twins, of which only the first three were baptised C
>>> of E. Around 1840 William became interested in the work of a travelling
>>> evangelist from Barnstaple, Robert Gribble. Gribble, closely aligned to
>>> the newly formed Plymouth Brethren had made his way from Barnstaple
>>> during the previous few years setting up meeting places as he went, some
>>> of which still survive. With Arscotts help he began the little chapel in
>>> Coleford which is still going today.
>>> Unfortunately this apparently did not meet with the approval of the
>>> vestry committee and he had to resign as parish clerk. his position
>>> being taken by yet another Arscott, his younger brother Richard. also a
>>> shoemaker.
>>> When he died William was buried at another little chapel which
>>> he and Gribble had set up. Coombehead Chapel halfway between Colebrooke
>>> and Spreyton now sadly closed and used as a builders store. The
>>> graveyard contains two other headstones besides Williams and probably
>>> about twenty five unmarked graves. Sadly no records exist of who was
>>> buried there.
i hope you can help shed some light on this
regards garahm
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