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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

LEACH, Benjamin - Extra Data

 

(member of PARKIN's Party)

 

Family Search

 

Benjamin, son of Will. & Martha his wife baptised 1 Feb 1778 in St.Lawrence, Combe, Oxfordshire

 

Oxford History Centre

 

Benjamin LEECH and Elizabeth DOUGLAS were married by banns on 18 February 1811 in St.Leonard's, Eynsham, Oxfordshire

Both made their mark

Witnesses: Three illegible signatures plus Philip GARDNER, who witnessed all marriages on the page and was therefore probably a parish official.

 

Fanny daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth LEECH baptised May 17th 1812 in St.Leonard's, Eynsham, Oxfordshire (born May 6 1812) 
Died in infancy
 
Edward, son of Benjamin and Elizabeth LEECH, mason, Eynsham, baptised Sept 5th 1813 in St.Leonard's, Eynsham, Oxfordshire (born Aug 10th 1813)
Death Notice (Cape Archives) for Edward show that he did go to the Cape, though he is not on the list for PARKIN's Party. His mother's maiden name is mistakenly given as OXENHAM, which was his stepmother's maiden name)

 

Elizabeth LEECH buried 27 November 1814, aged 21, in St.Leonard's, Eynsham, Oxfordshire

 

Benjamin LEECH of this parish, widower, and Ann MIDDLETON of the parish of St.Giles, widow, were married by licence on the 7th August 1815 in St.Leonard's, Eynsham, Oxfordshire

Benjamin LEECH (X)

Ann MIDDLETON (signed)

Witnesses: Joseph WEST, Mary WEST (X) and Philip GARDNER

 

Ann was the daughter of Abraham OXENHAM of Devon, and her first husband, Richard MIDDLETON, also came from Devon. This may explain why Benjamin and Ann were part of PARKIN's Party.

 

South West Heritage Trust

 

Richard MIDDLETON and Ann OXENHAM were married by banns on 5 July 1800 in Fremington, Devon

Richard MIDDLETON (signed)

Ann OXENHAM (X)

Witnesses: Thos. MAY and Abraham OXENHAM (X)

 

Death Notice (Cape Archives) for Annie Amelia LEACH, who sailed with her parents on the Weymouth, suggest that she was born in 1818

Baptism not found but parts of Eynsham baptism register for 1818 are barely legible.

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