Person:Thomas Cockram (1)

Thomas Cockram's origins have yet to be established. His first confirmed sighting is on on 9th December 1774, when he was married at Thelbridge in Devon to Elizabeth Veysey. At the time of their marriage she was described as living in Thelbridge, whilst Thomas was living in the nearby parish of Templeton. Thomas and Elizabeth both signed the marriage register, showing they were literate.

After their marriage Thomas and Elizabeth settled in Templeton, where they had one daughter, Mary, baptised on 23rd April 1775. She appears to have been their only child.

Elizabeth died when Mary was eleven years old. She was buried at Templeton on 13th November 1786.

In February 1794 Thomas was living at Cruwys Morchard, immediately south of Templeton. He was described as a yeoman, and took on an apprentice called William Hunt for a ten year period.

Two months later, in April 1794, Thomas's daughter Mary married a farmer named Robert May at Cruwys Morchard. Thomas became a grandfather later that year when Mary and Robert's first child was born. Thomas lived to see four grandchildren, including a grandson named Thomas and a granddaughter named Elizabeth, presumably named after him and his late wife.

Thomas died in 1803, having outlived Elizabeth by over sixteen years. He was buried at Templeton on 19th March 1803.

1. ↑ Church of England. Templeton Parish Registers. (Exeter: Devon Heritage Centre).

   Thomas Cockram buried March 19th 1803

2.   Registers of Duties Paid for Apprentices’ Indentures 1710-1811 (The National Archives, Kew).

   25 Feb[ruar]y [17]94 / Master: Tho[ma]s Cockram, Creweys Marchard, yeoman / Apprenticed: W[illia]m Hunt, 10 y[ea]rs