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GSSA
The 1820 Settler Correspondence
 as preserved in the National Archives, Kew
 and edited by Sue Mackay

Additonal Information

This is pre 1820 information mainly taken from actual images of UK parish registers and other primary sources which I have personally researched. Further information about the settlers and their families once they reached the Cape can be found at https://www.1820settlers.com/

Sue Mackay

EDKINS, John - Extra Data

Written by Sue Mackay on .

 

(member of William SMITH's Party)

 

Death Notice (Cape Archives) says he was born in Reading, Berkshire, the son of John and Elizabeth EDKINS

 

Berkshire Marriage Index

 

John EDKINS married Ann BINFIELD by Licence on 25 May 1815 in St.Laurence, Reading

Both signed

Witnesses: Thos. EDKINS, Benj. BYRON and Mary EDKINS

 

National Archives, London RG4/489 Registers of Broad Street Independent Meeting House In Reading, Berkshire

 

John son of Mr. John EDKINS and Ann his wife was born in the parish of St.Lawrence, Reading, Berks and was baptised in public on the 21st day of April 1816 
[Dateof birth left blank. Death Notice (Cape Archives) says he was 72 when he died on 31 October 1886]

Thomas Binfield EDKINS son of Mr. John EDKINS and Ann his wife was born on the 20th day of Octr. 1817 in the parish of St.Lawrence, Reading, Berks and baptised in public on the 25th day of Decr. 1817 (presumed to have died in infancy)

 

Death Notice (Cape Archives) for son Joseph says that he was born ca 1819 in London, the son of John EDKINS and Ann Binfield EDKINS

 

Family Search

 

Ann BINFIELD daughter of Richard and Sarah BINFIELD baptised 26 April 1790 in St. Lawrence, Reading

 

Berkshire Marriage Index

 

Richard BINFIELD married Sarah KNIGHT by Licence on 18 June 1788 in St.Laurence, Reading

Both signed

Witnesses: Jas. KNIGHT and Jas. PHILLIPS

 

Children of Richard and Sarah baptised in St.Laurence, Reading (information from BTs obtained from internet posting)

Ann 26 April 1790 (private baptism)
Mary 8 February 1792 (died, buried 10 July 1794)
William Henry 11 November 1793
Mary 1 January 1796
Sarah 23 February 1798
James 6 January 1800 (died, buried 18 September 1800)
Martha 11 August 1801 (died, buried 29 September 1802)
Charlotte 18 August 1803
Martha 2 January 1806

 

Berkshire Record Office

Will proved in the Archdeaconry Court of Berkshire on the 9th May 1815, dated 24th June 1811, starts “I Richard BINFIELD of Reading in the County of Berks Tallow Chandler ….”
continues
“………Upon trust to permit and suffer my wife Sarah BINFIELD to exercise and carry on my trade (and) business of a Tallow Chandler and Soap Boiler and have the use of my household furniture plate linen and china and receive take and enjoy the interest and dividends of all and singular my estate property and effects for and during the term of her natural life (if she shall so long continue my Widow and unmarried) for the support of herself and the maintenance education and bringing up of my children Ann BINFIELD, William Henry BINFIELD, Mary BINFIELD, Sarah BINFIELD, Charlotte BINFIELD and Martha BINFIELD until they shall severally attain the age of twenty one years……”

The will was not proved until after the death of Richard’s widow, Sarah, in 1815, so she may well have been carrying on the business. The will said the business was to be sold up upon her death or remarriage. In the death duty registers, re Richard's will, in the list of legatees (Ann) BINFIELD has been struck out and replaced by EDKINS.

Burials in St.Laurence, Reading

Richard BINFIELD, Reading, Feby 24th 1813, Aged 44,
Sarah BINFIELD, Fisher Row, Feby the 19th 1815, Aged 47

 

Fisher Row was off Broad Street in Reading, where the children of John EDKINS and Ann BINFIELD were baptised

Berkshire Record Office catalogue, ref D/EX 258/23: 
Year 1763
Assignment of mortgage by Richard FISHER of Reading, innholder, to James KNIGHT of Reading, tallow chandler, of 2 messuages in the parish of St. Lawrence, Reading, one in the street called Fisher Row and one in Toothill or the Butter Market.

 

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