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Hello Everyone

I am looking for the birth of my great great grandmother Sarah Penny. I believe I have at last found her marriage  in 1820 at Hornsey Middlesex to George Bass (he came from Bishops Stortford Herts).  They subsequently lived in Red Lion Hill Finchley Middlesex where they reared at least six children.  The census returns show that Sarah was born in Henley on Thames Oxfordshire around 1796.  I cannot  be sure of the actual date as believe it or not I cannot find her death so do not know her age on demise.

The last record I can find of Sarah was in the 1871 census where she is shown as a small shopkeeper  (no doubt small referred to the shop rather than Sarah's stature!  ) in Red Lion Hill. Her husband George was by that time  living in the almshouses in Red Lion Hill. He died two years later at the age of 83.

I should be really grateful for any help you could give me as I have been stuck for a very long time.

Hopefully  Ferreter

Thanks for your reply Michael. Why do you say doubtfully masonic?  Do you think the letters at the top are GH? It is difficult to tell.  Also do you think that there are letters D something either side of the cross.  All in all it is a rather  weird object is it not?  What purpose would such an item serve?  My cousin who lives in Africa sent the photo to me.  Apparently it was found in his Mother's house when she died.  Our mutual Grandfather died before either of us was born.  Would it be worth me contacting any of the organisations you mention?  Seems a bit of a mystery   Thanks for your input 

Hi everbody just so you know latest Jenbram's reply to me and my response are pasted below cheers
Velcro

Only Offer in the book is Robert, here goes.

Account of Live & Dead Stock of Each inhabitant of Westerleigh, 2 January 1804

(ten people are listed, Robt Offer is the fourth)

Robt Offer: 3 Cows £27 0s 0d. 3 Heifers 2 years [old] £18 0s 0d. 1 Yearling £2 0s 0d. 2 piggs £6 0s 0d. Total £53 0s 0d.
In case it's of interest the other people are as follows
William Harris total £221 10s 0d
William England total £45 12s 0d
Mrs Mary Wright total £213 10s 0d
Robert Offer (as above)
John Croome total £333 0s 0d
Thomas Sherbourne total £660 0s 0d
Mrs M & Robert Hathaway total £33 0s 0d
Mrs Mary Gibbs total £152 10s 0d
Mr J Holloway total £107 0s 0d
Mr J Poole, Senior £132 4s 0d


Hi Jen
Thank you so much for the information you found  in your book about the livestock owned by Robert Offer.  Can you confirm that this information was a survey done on the possessions of living people in 1804 and not as probate for wills.   The two Robert Offers in my family both died at 80 years old one in
1816 and the other (a feltmaker) in 1847.  I believe the person mentioned to be one of them as I cannot find a reference to any other Robert offer either in Westerleigh or Frampton Cotterell. 
Thank you again,  that book of your great aunt's must make fascinating reading. I am so glad she kept it. That sort of information helps to bring family history alive.  Hard to believe that Hester Offer, Granddaughter and Daughter respectively of the above left such an extremely rural life and when grown up was running an oil-shop business with her husband and young family in Bunhill Row, Old Street just outside the city of London! One of the busiest and most densely populated areas of London. Her  children did seem to go and stay with their grandparents from time time probably to get some good Gloucestershire air.  I am now going to send off for wills for the Offers from Gloucesterdhire County Archives and will post to this site.
I am pasting your reply to me and this response on the main public board so that people who have been following the story will see it. Best wishes    Ferreter 

Hi
That is really great Linda Thank you.  I love the mixture of Pawn Broker and Grocer.  Times were much harder in those days.  I expect some poor people had to pawn belongings just to get a few groceries. I have heard of somebody pawning their Sunday suit and then getting it back when thery were paid in time to  wear it to church on Sunday, but cannot verify this.
Bye the way I think you "fashion sense" is great I used to be dressed like that!
Thanks  Ferreter