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Hodges Branch |
Nancy (Ann) Hodges was the wife of Isaac Pullen junior. That she comes from Dymock is shown by her father William Hodges' will from 1799. This refers to his daughter Nancy the wife of Isaac Pullen. They married at Bishops Frome in Herefordshire, she was referred to as Ann Hodges. It appears she may have been buried in Dymock too
Most of these families are from Dymock, though the Puckmores are from nearly Pauntley. The Hodges are mostly yeomen.
The most useful resource is the Forest of Dean Website http://www.forest-of-dean.net
John Hodges will of 1658 may be see at that site here.
Wills
Will of William Hodges of Dymock Gloucestershire 1799
Will of John Hodges of Dymock 1658
Will of Hannah Hodges of Dymock 1797
Will of John Wheeler of Newent 1730 Inventory of John Wheeler Mason of Newent 1730
Will of William Hodges Genlteman of Dymock 1790
Will of William Puckmore of Pauntley Yeoman 1730
Will of George Hill of Dymock 1723 Yeoman
Will of Alice Hodges widow of Dymock 1569
Hannah Taylor as above has now been identified
Hannah Taylor was born in Newent, Gloucestershire. Her father was William Taylor a carpenter, and mother was Martha Wheeler. William Taylor was son of Edward Taylor, another carpenter. This Edward died fairly young in 1702. From his gravestone it was known his father was Edward also and another Carpenter. Edward senior was the head workman on the rebuilding of Newent Church in 1697. Edward senior's gravestone can be seen below, this also includes Ann his wife, John his son and Elizabeth John's wife.
In Memory of Edward Taylor Senr of the Town Carpenter who was the Head Workman contriving and rebuilding the roof of This Church in the year 1679 He departed this life the 11th Day of Feb1721 aged 87 years Also Ann the wife of the Abovesd Edwd Taylor who was buried July 24 1733 Agd 84 also John Taylor the Son of the abovesd Edward Taylor died April 3 1767 aged 92 also Elizabeth the wife of the abovesd John Taylor died March 18 1764 aged 92 years
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Edward Taylor's grave at the front of the church is about 3 feet tall |
Edward senior was reported to have worked under Sir Christopher Wren. Apparently King Charles II gave 16 tons of oak from the Forest of Dean for the repairs. The roof was said to be the largest unsupported wooden roof in the country.
A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects contains the following entry for Edward: -
TAYLOR, EDWARD (c.1635-1722), of Newent, Glos., was as stated on his table-tomb in Newent Churchyard, 'Head Workman in contriving and rebuilding the roof of the Church in the year 1679'. He was a carpenter by trade, and had worked in London under Sir Chrisopher Wren before retiring to his native town. His part in rebuilding Newent Church is described in a manuscript written by Walter Nourse early in the eighteenth century.1
The old church of Newent fell down January 18th. 1673, which was built up again in six years time. . . .The first stone [was] laid in the foundation July 31st. 1675 by Francis Jones of Hasfield who was the head workman, 2 likewise three pillars of Freestone were being built answering to the three pilasters. Francis Jones and another were to have the pillars 25£ each (into 75£). When the pillars were built halfway, some Gentlemen coming in to take a view of the Building (I think Mr. Kyrle of Ross was one) they mightily disliked these pillars and would have them taken down by all means. They said the pillars would take up too much room in the church which they thought was too little for so large a parish. Edward Taylor Carpenter of Newent, [now] in his 85th. year of his age 1719, hearing of this came to the Gentlemen and proferred to build the rest of the church and they should take down the pillars. They asked him how he could do it, he told them that when he was at work in London, after the Fire he saw at St Bride's and at some other places such Blades3 as would run up this Building. The Gentlemen desired to see a draft of it which he drew and they liked it well enough but thought they had better shew it to somebody that understood it. Old Edward desired to send it to his old Master in London who was accounted the best carpenter there.4 Capt. Woodward when he went to London carried the draft to Edward's master who liked it very well and told Capt. Woodward that he need not fear the building and sent a letter to Edward Taylor to put a double buttiment in every pair of blades and then it would be a firm piece of work. When the wall were put up some way it was time to look after the timber, which they considered must be the best the country could afford and likewise a large quantity. This made a great many repent that they had let the pillars be taken down, [but] the timber was soon found in the Lea Bailey which is the King's Wood. This put the parish in hopes of having it for nothing, to obtain which they made friends to acquaint the King of it. The case was fully drawn out for his Majesty to know that the parish had been at so great an [expense] and was not able to buy the timber . . . Edward Taylor went to look it out and being felled was hauled home with great strength of cattle, he and his workmen got it up that summer. The Blades 7 in number they hauled up with a great cable containing 4 Tons in timber which is accounted 6 Tons in weight. Mr. Greenbank of Worcester was the plumber, the church being leaded with 2 sorts of lead Mendip and Derbyshire.
1 Printed from a copy of the original made by Edward Conder in 1898.
2 Elsewhere in the MS. it is stated that the 'head workmen' were Francis Jones of Hasfield and James Hill of Cheltenham, masons, some account of whom will be found in this Dictionary under their respective names.
3 i.e. beams
4 Perhaps John Longland, master carpenter at St. Paul's, who built the roof at St Bride's.
(Bob Douglas note - I renumbered the footnotes as the article spanned two pages and was 1 & 2 on both pages)
It is likely that the 1719 date above refers to the writing of the story, and the age Edward was at that time. Despite the above story it is not known where Edward was born.
Edward Junior's gravestone can be seen here, this includes two grandchildren
In memory of Edward
Son of Edward Taylor
who was here interred
Feb 3 An 1702 Eta 33
As you are now so once was I
As I am now so will you be
Prepare yourselve to follow me
Also William and Mary Son &
daughter of William Taylor
She buried Ap 9 1725
He buried Feb 13 1727
The Wheelers were masons of Newent and Dymock.
St Mary's Newent |
Market Hall Newent, built 1668 (maybe the Taylor family had a hand here?) |
St Mary's Dymock Exterior and Interior |