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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Somerset => Topic started by: DSR on Monday 14 September 09 16:35 BST (UK)
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Someone might have the missing clue for this :
I have all but finished my Durston line complete with an history profile that would make a great ITV drama.
But I have links with the John Durston of Langport that settled in Catcott in 1573.
His son ( John Durston and his son Thomas Durston........... ) took part in The battle of Sedgemoor. ( James II - Usual battle of religion ).
Refs found in the SRO and many, many, mannnnnnnnnny other places have given me a complete history of what Thomas Durston ate the night before the battle, how many times he wagged his finger and the state of his fingernails. I know more about this era of Durstons then my own children.
BUT !
The trail goes dead between a Thomas Durston being buried in 1688 in the family grave in Moorlinch Somerset and a John Durston being born 1707 in Catcott.
I cannot find any record, parish or otherwise prior to John Durston b1707 or any record forward from Thomas Durston d1688.
Humour me on this, the link is there ( I just dont want to clog the forum up with reams of paperwork ), but I cant find any BMD entry in any form.
Is anyone else stuck around these era on the Durstons from Catcott circa late 1600's, early 1700's ?
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Sorry, no answers, but I have exactly the same conundrum. I have tracked back to John Durston 1707 but have nothing concrete thereafter. Incidentally I am not aware of any evidence that his birth date was 1707 but suspect it was someone's guess at some stage. If you have validated that date I would be very interested.
There is a thread on Ancestry that suggests that Thomas Durston (died 1741) and Elizabeth (died 1734) were John's parents, but I do not know why that conclusion should have been reached - there are references to them on Familysearch but nothing definitive. I imagine the Thomas Durston died 1688 who you refer to may be the gentleman who set up the Durston Trust in Catcott (will dated 1686) for poor descendents of his grandfather, who was also Thomas Durston - I wonder if we qualify for a payout!
I agree there must be a connection that will take this tree way back, but a lot of people have been interested in this and I do not know that anyone has cracked it so here's hoping!
Best Regards, Brett
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There is another two of us working on this and its looking pretty positive at the moment.
But your correct in that I'm trying to link Capt Thomas Durston buried 22 June 1688 with John Durston. Family rumours tell of a link.
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I have just joined RootsChat and am interested in your family connection to John Durston. I am a direct
descendant of the John who married Betty Hooper in 1770 and am confident that his parents were
John Durston and Francis Carver. However, I too have been unable to to prove the 1707 birth date as the Parish Records are undecipherable and have been trying to make the link with the "Thomas Durstons" of Moorlinch also John of Langport who died in 1572.
I would be extremely interested to hear about your links and whether you have any idea of the source of the information regarding the Durston's participation in the Battle of Sedgemoor.
I am afraid that I was landed with the same name that crops up the most in this research.
Looking forward to your reply
John
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Hi John
I'm still working away on this. All the parish records have so far been inconclusive.
However, if you're directly related to Christopher Durston ( m Sophia Rouse ) then you have direct lines back to the Normans and William the Conqueror.
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Thanks for the reply. I haven't found a link with a Christopher Durston and regrettably so far have been unable to prove that my roots extend any further back than the middle of the eighteenth century.
Oh well keep on looking eh?
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Christopher married Sophia Rouse who was from a very well connected family - there is some suggestion that he was in service to her so married the boss! As DSR says, Sophia's line runs and runs. Sadly I am not connected with Christopher/Sophia either and have a similar line to you.
Christopher was, in fact, a son of John Durston (1707?) and brother (I think) of John on your line. My line is through Henry Durston, half brother of these two. Unfortunately this does not give us a connection to Sophia Rouse :-(
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Sometimes I think the medieval links are a pain in the backside.
However, it's fun looking at the tombs in many of UK's cathedrals and thinking ' I've found my 28th Great Grandfathers gravestone' without getting wet, muddy , being called a goth or wearing my grave robbers outfit !
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I don't suppose I qualify only being a descendant of Christopher's sister Sarah who married John Grant.
The only other connection being Julia Hooper married John Rouse Durston. Julia being sister of my 3xGrt Grandmother. It would be great to go so far back in History.
Syljun
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I don't suppose I qualify only being a descendant of Christopher's sister Sarah
Syljun
You would need the blood link to Sophia Rouse ( Christophers wife ).
But I think there is an hidden gem if this Durston link can be made ;)
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Christopher Rouse Durston was the son of Christopher Durston and Sophia Rouse so tantalisingly close, but no cigar unfortunately!
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John Durston of Langport (Will) 1572 married Marie? They had 6 daughters and eight sons.
Son John Durston ( I shall name as John Durston 11 married Katherin Moore about 1573. They had two sons of which I am aware.
Thomas Durston 1 Gentleman married Joan Roe , he was buried at Moorlinch Church 25 Jun 1665( Will) He had a brother Robert.
Thomas Durston 11 Gentleman married Katherine Tuxwell 19 Nov 1621. Thomas was buried at Moorlinch 8 Dec 1630 (Will).
Thomas 111 Gentleman/Captain married Edith, he was buried at Moorlinch 22 Jun 1688 (Will). His Charity Number is 226224.
The three Thomas' were buried in one large grave at St. Mary the Virgin, Moorlinch. By the laws of primogeniture the family inheritance transferred to Thomas's cousin Charles (the elder) who married Grace as instructed by Thomas Durston 1 because Thomas D 111 had no sons. This is where it is difficult to establish an ongoing line and records are missing.
Thomas Durston (111) took part in the battle of Sedgemoor. His pistol is held at the Taunton Museum, Somerset, England.
It is very difficult to find all the necessary references to prove what is necessary. I have done so much by obtaining the relevant Wills from the National Archives at Kew.
I would appreciate you advising how you found out what Thomas ate before the battle, etc. Any extra titbits would be great to add.
Llysycoed
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I would appreciate you advising how you found out what Thomas ate before the battle, etc. Any extra titbits would be great to add.
Llysycoed
This is a blast from the past. Its now six years on and I'm afraid the link between John Durston b1707 and Thomas Durston is still illusive. The primary issue is a damaged BMD microfilm that appears to have John Durston b1707; however, much of it is unreadable.
The historic accounts of Thomas [and his eating habits] should be held at SRO, and are often cited in many books detailing events at Sedgemoor. Its been many years since I carried out the research and I no longer have the information to hand. I'll see what I can find when I next dive into the basement of my computer.
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Just a thought. My link to the Battle of Sedgemoor was Thomas Place who was a Quaker (for a while) and some of his vital records (kids bapts) are in their records. He was from Edington.
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Hi I'm late to the Battle I know, but I have been researching Durston family of Catcott, Somerset, for about 2 or 3 years off and on.
1. John Durston 13 SEP 1707 St Peters church, Catcott, is the son of John Snr (1685-1741)marr. Joanne Capper or Cupper (1685-1753). Bapt. record image on Ancestry.com.
The month in the image is indescipherable so I have averaged it to September.
I am a direct descendant of Christopher and 2nd wife Sophia Rouse (daughter of the Rev. Ezekial Athanasius Rouse, rector of Othery) through there son William John Upjohn Durston and Sarah Annie Wall, both who migrated under the bounty system to Tasmania, as Agricultural servants.
2.Bear in mind that these parishes (Moorlinch, Bridgewater, Ashcot etc) are all in close proximity and it is quite conceivable that siblings and cousins ended up in surrounding towns, due either to employment or even marriage.
3. Looking for background on Catcott, I came across the reference to Capt Thomas Durston gave poor relief (in his will 1686) to the poor descendants of his Grandfather Thomas Durston. The recipients in 1825 included John Durston, the parish clerk of Catcott. This reference leads me to the conclusion that there is a positive family connection to the family at Catcott and Captain Thomas. I have only discovered this hint tonight and did no know of the existence of the Captain. I guess I shall have to brush up on my battles! More and more records are being released each year so possibly they were not available when you originally searched.
4. I have found Free Reg a useful tool for finding family in Catcott, Somerset. There are a lot of incorrect trees for this family on the net! It is frustrating when with a little bit of sleuthing I have been able to dispel myths. So "Prove all things" as Wordsworth said. I would love to hear from you on your discoveries or if you require help. I have been researching since about 1985, It the constantly changing software which challenges me! Oh and don't forget to look at records on Family Search Family Tree. email colblue@live.com.au
Regards, Colin Bluett. Western Australia
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Hi Cousins,
I am too a direct descendant of Christopher and Sophia living in Melbourne Australia.
I and many others have had trees on the Durston's for years and yes many errors in lots of trees.
So I would assume that many of you have confirmed by now by way of DNA tests to confirm the connection with each other.
I would love to be able to confirm with all of you a connection by way of Gedmatch so I will leave my number here and hopefully you will all do the same.
My number is (A492768).
With the few Durston 1st cousin Marriages and similar naming practices there will always be errors and those errors will be copied into other tress unless we all help each other correct those errors instead of sitting back complaining.
I will be the first to say there are errors in my tree and for those who have the access to records within easy reach or the funds to spend endless dollars on getting those records maybe help out those that are not so fortunate just a little to correct those errors.
Of course you all know this puzzle will never end there is always more to know and future generations will want to know this (please pass your trees on) ;)
Craig Plunkett
cplunket@bigpond.net.au
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Hi! Not sure if this chat has gone silent . I might have the answers to the rest of the Durston family line!
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There is a will of John Durston of Langport (PCC). It is indexed
as Dunston but in the text it is clearly Durston.
Will of John Dunston (Durston), esquire of Langport, Somerset
29 October 1572
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D959791
Son John
Marriage between Katherine Moore and son John
Wife Mary
Son William
Daughter Joan
Daughter Eleanor
Daughter Elizabeth
Daughter Christian
Son Humphrey
Sons Ambrose, George, Richard, Andrew
Brother Christopher Durston
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I think I have found a possible candidate for the father of the eldest John Durston (PCC will 1572). I know this is an old thread that no one is following, but once the hound gets the scent...
John in his will mentioned a brother Christopher Durston. He also mentioned property in and around Taunton, near Wilton: in Codlake (Codliffe) and Trull.
https://swheritage.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/WILTON-Intro-for-webpages-work-in-progress.pdf
On 1 September 1558 Christopher Durston, the son of Christopher Durston, was baptised at Wilton St George.
https://www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/5d64f8cef493fdcc81ff16e6/chr-isto-ues-durston-baptism-somerset-wilton-1558-09-01?locale=en
In Common Pleas in 1536 William Durston was the plaintiff versus John Wyllys, of Wylton juxta Taunton, yeoman and Henry Wyllys, junior, of Wylton juxta Taunton, yeoman, for defamation. The quote: "Thow art an arrant thyfe & a recettor of thyfes."
Index:
http://aalt.law.uh.edu/Indices/CP40Indices/CP40no1088/CP40no1088Pl.htm
Original:
http://aalt.law.uh.edu/H8/CP40no1088/bCP40no1088dorses/IMG_3543.htm
This is probably the same William Durston who was a plaintiff in Kings Bench in 1543:
Soms. William Durston versus John Smyth, of Busshoppys Hull, miller, trespass. (Bishops Hull is about a mile from Wilton.)
https://waalt.uh.edu/index.php/KB27/1126
In 1549, seven acres of land in Wilton was sold to William Durston the elder, a Wilton clothier.
https://swheritage.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/WILTON-Landownership-for-webpages-work-in-progress.pdf
So I think William Durston of Wilton was the father of Christopher Durston of Wilton and of John Durston of Langport.
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In the 1700’s the Durston family immigrated to Canada . I am a granddaughter .
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I have the family tree information after 1700’s
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I am new to this family heritage tacking , but I do believe I am a descendent of the Durston family that is mentioned . I know the family history up until the 1700, but information gets sparse because of it being in the UK and I know they immigrated to Canada in the 1700’s.
If someone wanted to fill me in with the ancestry they know in the UK that would be helpful.