Thos Stephens (1798)

Born 1798 in Coleford, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth (James) Stephens — married 1816 in Newland

Descendants

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Biography

Thomas (or Thos as he appears in the records) was the son of John and Jane (Gwilliam Young) Stephens. He was christened in Coleford on 10 February 1798.(1)

He, along with his brothers George and Moses, was a free miner which gave him the right to mine coal and iron ore anywhere in the Forest of Dean. To be granted such status miners had to be born and to live within the St Briavels Hundred ( which shared its boundaries more or less with the Forest of Dean); to be at least 21 years old; and to have worked a year and a day in a coal or iron mine within the Hundred. In 1841 he was granted an equal part with his brother Moses and 2 others in the mine (or 'gale") Farmers Folly. (2)

Thomas married Elizabeth James from Newland on 18 October 1816 in Newland.(3) The census of 1841 shows them and their family living in Short Standing in the Forest of Dean(4)

Sources

(1) "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JW23-4RD : 30 December 2014), Thos Stephens, 10 Feb 1798; citing COLEFORD,GLOUCESTER,ENGLAND, reference ; FHL microfilm 991,280.

(2) Thomas Sopwith (Commissioner), "The Award of the Dean Forest Mining Commissions as to the Coal and Iron Mines", John Weale, London, 1841, p 56

3) Forest of Dean Family History Trust; Forum; Parish Records; Record ID 150041; 15 Oct 1816; Reg Ref.: P227IN1/11; p.56; Newland (http://forum.forest-of-dean.nut/parish records)

4) Thomas Stephens; England and Wales Census, 1841; Name Thomas Stephens; Event Type Census; Event Date 1841; Event Place Dean Forest, Gloucestershire, England; Residence Note Short Standing; Gender Male; Age 45-49; Age (Original) 45; Birth Year (Estimated) 1792-1796; Birthplace Gloucestershire; Registration District Monmouth; Parish Dean Forest; County Gloucestershire; Page Number 8; Registration Number HO107; Piece/Folio 364/31; Affiliate Record Type Household.