Garry
In answer to part of your letter regarding a Caswell being a slave trader.
This could well be John Casswell, born abt 1594, (my 8th gt gramp) who
married Joan Ponting.
His father was Robert CASSWELL, surveyor General to the King. He lived in
Yatesbury.
John was mentioned in Robert's will, as being a captain. (I was never sure
of what, - until now!). This would account for your concern as to where he
got the money
to run a slave trader operation. The Yatesbury CASSWELL line has always
been fairly well off. You need to visit the church to see the beautiful
tomb of William an Ann. Also visit our webpage @
http://www.moonrakers.com/repair.htm ( I had it restored with the help of
your cousins).
It would appear that MOST of the wealth of Robert went to the Trowbridge
line, and a Richard Caswells tomb can be seen in St James church (I had
that one restored too!). The family owned several farms around the Westbury
area, and they were sold off in the 1860s when the entire line (sick to
death of Wiltshire - I suppose) left for Upper Canada, where they had all
sorts of adventures. (See my book entitled - How Richard Henry Gunstone
Gibbs Slade CASSWELL got His Name.)
Your thoughts on the CASWELL name being of Welsh origin (shiver me timbers!
:-) ) may have some merit, but the Carswelle's were in Yatesbury in the
12th century. Hugh de Carsewelle and Iodonea, his wife, being my first
record.
I was aware of Cadwallader, but have never seen a connection.
I'd love to know where you found out about the jousting tournament.
BTW The common link we have is to Timothy and Jane (Wakefield) who are the
1st Caswell blacksmithing line.
Hope to hear from you soon.
You can see the family tree - on line @:-
www.redsuspenders.com/~caswell/caswell
Mike Caswell
4336 Route 31
Palmyra, NY 14522-9719 USA
Voice - (315) 597-5140 Fax - (315) 597-1457
Business -
http://www.caswellplating.com mike(a)caswellplating.com
Genealogy -
http://www.moonrakers.com mike(a)moonrakers.com
ICQ - 2550955