Garry
I THINK your John Caswell is on my database. His parents were Joseph (a
blacksmith)
& his mother Harriett Potter. He was born in 1867 in Ogbourn St George.
This was from a LONG line of blacksmiths.
Could you please send me all the information you have on your line as soon
as possible, and I'll add it to my database and send you an updated copy.
Where do you live in the UK?
BTW - You have LOTSA cousins around the world!
You account is extremely interesting, and I have forwarded it to our
CASWELL listserver.
I'm sure the Ruth you mention is indeed your Gt Gran. We need someone to
help us through the Marlborough records to pick up the pieces.
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From: Garry Caswell <lithowipe(a)dial.pipex.com>
To: mike(a)moonrakers.com
Subject: Search For John Caswell, Marlborough c 1860-1910
Date: Tuesday, March 24, 1998 5:34 PM
Hi
My name is Garry Caswell and I am currently trying to find some information
about my great grandfather John Caswell, and as I know that you have and
are previously researching the Wiltshire Caswells, I would be interested to
know if you have found any information regarding him.
Background:
I am unsure as to the place of birth of John, but he was known to have been
resident in Marlborough during his married years. By profession he was a
master blacksmith and farrier, and it is known that while working as a
farrier in the pre WW1 period he was kicked by a horse and subsequently
died in his ?40's. His son, my grandfather Reginald, born in Marlborough
entered the Navy and fought in the Battle of Jutland on the Kings Flagship
under Admiral Jellicoe. This ship was called HMS Marlborough and at the
time was the pride of the British fleet and was manned by, what the British
forces call, 'chosen men'. It is known that his father, John, had died
before he entered the Navy. Reg was born in 1897 and as the age entry
requirement for the Royal Navy at that time was 16, we presume that he
entered the Navy in 1914. This would have given him the time necessary to
have been promoted to Battleship/Flagship crew standards. Anyway, that
would suggest that John was killed prior to 1914, and by supposition, that
he was born around 1860 in the Marlborough area.
John was married to Ruth Caswell, who lived in Marlborough until her death
in the 1950's. I believe that your research has already found a Ruth
Caswell who is buried in St. Marys churchyard in Marlborough. I believe
this may be my Great Grandmother. As background to Ruth, she was known to
be living at 34 Laneys? Close during the first world war, and possibly may
have lived there until her death.
If you have any information about John or can point me in the right
direction I would be grateful if you could get in touch.
In addition to the above, I would be interested to hear if you have ever
heard of anything similar to the following during your research:
the following stories have been handed down through the family over a long
period of time and obviously they may be complete rubbish, but what the
heck...
1) during some time in the C17 or C18 a member of our direct line went to
sea from Bristol? and became a trader in slaves from the West African Coast
to the Caribbean. As part of the process of slaving many slaves were given,
or took, English names, and this is the reason why there are a large number
of African American, and European men with the Christian name 'Caswell'. I
do know that quite a large number of slaves brought back to England during
the C18 where called Caswell 'whatever', but can find no suggestion of a
member of our family either 1) being involved in 'trading' or 2) have
accumulated the kind of wealth that would be expected of a slave trader.
2) An even older legend that has passed down says that a member of our
family took part in what would have been the equivalent of the national
games in the C13. He is supposed to have been a common man that was for
some reason forced into taking part in a jousting competition with the
English Knights of the time. Even though he was a common man is supposed to
have beaten the knights and during the final joust (some form of knockout
process was in place), he is supposed to have beaten the leading knight and
broken the sword/lance he used in one hand as some form of protest or
victory celebration. After this, as champion, he was knighted, granted
lands and title and later followed the King into Battle. The king mentioned
is always Edward II and emphasis is always on the defeat of the English
Knights suggesting a foreign origin. This would also tally with a general
understanding that we come from a Welsh line derived from North Wales.
Edward II was a welshman, born in Cearnarfon, North Wales in 1284
(Suggesting this legend is based during the reign of Edward the II
1307-1327), and there may somewhere be the possibility that this 'Caswell'
was brought in by Edward to show up the English Knights.Certainly the basic
history of this legend fits. It is known that Edward had a deep respect for
the welsh knights, who under LLewellyn had defeated his father who honoured
Llewellyn by making Llewellyn Prince of Wales.
Further to the above there has also been a suggestion that the family was
in some way linked with Henry VII and came to England during the Wars of
the Roses and fought at Bosworth Field in 1485. I'm not sure how mush of
the dark age history of Britain you know, but Henry VII was descended from
a welsh knight, during LLewellyns time, who was called Cadwalladr. In welsh
this is pronounced 'katswoll-arter'. There is an obvious resemblance to our
name, and the presence of Cadwalladr was only found during my own research
when I was at college, and I find it unlikely that my Grandfather, who had
little education and never visited Wales, would of known of his existence.
If you have heard any similar legends I would be interested to hear from
you.
Thanks in advance for any help you can give.
Yours,
Garry Caswell.
lithowipe(a)dial.pipex.com