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I was at the BRO a couple of days ago (a long trip!) and looked up a Pangbourne marriage - 29 May 1679 - Mr John Brazier and a Mrs Breedon.  I looked at both the transcript and (a poor) microfilm and wrote the bride down as Mrs Mary Breedon. Was I right or was it a senior moment? I have since found some US material on the web that says she was a Bridget Breedon. Was there both a Bridget and a Mary who got married? I think the microfilm might be safer to check than the transcript which I am sure said Mary. Can anyone sort it out for me? Thanks

This is a bit of a big ask but any scrap of extra information might be a big help  I'm related to the Braiser family that were employed at Hackwood Park in the 1700s and early 1800s.  George (born 1745 Basingstoke), one of the gamekeepers, was my 3x great grandfather. His father and mother were John (died 1770 Basingstoke) and Anne (died 1784). I don't know where they were born.  There is also another John (called John jnr for a while) who was land agent for the park (born about 1732 don't know where, died 1805, buried Old Basing and married to a Jane).  I think he was probably George's older brother but might be wrong. I want to find out the relationship between the two and (a long shot) where the family came from originally. I've found entries for the family at Basingstoke, Old Sarum, Cliddesden and Winslade so far.  The other thing is there was a John Brasier who was mayor of Basingstoke in 1757/8 and I wonder if anyone knows which John it was, if either! It's difficult for me to visit the record office as I live in the midlands. I'd be very grateful for any help, thanks.

Perhaps I sound a bit of a nerd but it's quite exciting for me.  I thought I'd nearly come to the end of what I could find out.  I love the idea of a pony and trap!
I think I remember meeting Charles one Christmas when I was four probably -  which would be 1954 - for some reason he didn't have anyone to have Christmas dinner with so he came to our house - we lived with my grandparents and aunts and uncle -  (unless it was another uncle Charlie).  If it was him, he seemed a nice old man but quiet.  The men spent a lot of time talking about Christmas bus timetables! Must be nice to have met a greatgrandfather.  Loads of the Barters seem to have lived longer than average.
I'll tell you what I found out about Simon anyway - I only managed to find where he came from before Basingstoke by chance and because the unusual first name stood out (he got it from his maternal grandfather).  He was born in Collingbourne Ducis in Wiltshire in 1781.  He was christened, as Batter in the register, on 26th November, and his father was Edward Barter/Batter (b. 1736) and mother Jane Allen (b. 1739) .  By the time he grew up he and his siblings were signing themselves Barter - those who were literate.  He was the youngest of 5 as far as I can determine.  It was a very hard time for agricultural labourers there then, so he probably made a sensible decision to go into the communications/hospitality industry.  He also got done for poaching a hare near the village in 1815 - massive fine.  He lived at Whitchurch for a while and came back for weddings (he was witness at a few including his eldest brother William) then he came back for his own wedding.  (I can go back furtherwith the tree)
He married Catherine Cambourne (several spellings) on 5th Sept 1821 when he was 40.  She claimed to be of age but I think she was actually nearer 17 as her christening in Weston, Bath was in 1804 ( unless there was an older sister of the same name who died and then she was not christened herself or christened very late or something).  She needed to get married as quickly as possible though so it's not suprising.  She had already had a child by Simon christened in Evershed (close by and on the coaching routes) on 27th May - called Mary Ann (died 1908 I think).  I don't know nearly enough to say whether he ought to have been ashamed of himself, in the context of the time, but I can guess he probably did.....
I like the sound of Catherine though, she was a resourceful lady and kept things together.
Have you got a christening for their son Charles who was in the 1841 census?  I haven't managed to find that yet and I loose him later on.
Did you know Simon was landlord of a nice old pub - The Bell. London St. - when he died and that Hampshire record office have got the letter of administration Catherine had to get when he died?  Not much in the letter though. They've knocked the pub down of course.   
Hope it is 3 posts. Lots of questions I want to ask. 
Regards, Janet

Hi Ruby if you are still on this site sometimes -
I'm a Barter - well until I got married - & Charlotte & Catherine were great great aunts of mine.  I've been in touch with your cousin a bit & I've found Catherines marriage in the parish register at St. Mary's Paddington Green - 3rd April 1858. They were both listed as living in old church st, (round the corner) and parents as Simon Barter Innkeeper and John Feuester Gent! My great grandmother Frances Watson was one of the witnesses, she married my great grandfather William (Catherine's brother) the next year and they lived by the Green.  He was a builder and decorator so perhaps the 2 williams had worked together for a bit? I've got a not very good scan of the parish register entry if you want.  Don't know how to attach it to this!
Our Barters originated from Collingbourne Kingston Wilts.  I've got some details of them going back further if you want.
Regards,  Janet
(Living in Staffordshire -not very far away)