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Somewhere, sometime I read about serving soldiers,sailors and airmen, getting easy divorces from adulterous wives while they were away from England fighting. I have a vague recollection that it was called a "pay-packet divorce" or something like that.

I can't find anything on this, but I really hope I'm not dreaming.

Can somebody please help?

Ta. I did have a gander at the Boer War records, but couldn't find a match.
Would he have shown on the census if he was in prison?

Thank you so much for all the wonderful info. on Thomas Bewers. It is such a great feeling when you can 'get in touch' with family history this far back.

All the later references to my Bewers relations come from the Maldon area and it seems from these details that there was nothing to keep them in Copford. Presumably the grass looked greener in Maldon. The family never rose to great prosperity but they survived, thankfully for me.

Kriti

I am currently researching my Spurgeon family who lived in the Copford/Stanway area.

Yesterday I visited the churches of Copford and Stanway. There were several grave markers with name Stevens. The next time I visit I will note them and post the details on this site.

I visit the Essex Records Office regularly and will look up this family in the Parish records.
In return I would appreciate if anyone out there would pass on any info on my Spurgeon family.
The Joseph Spurgeon I mentioned earlier was born 1805, in Stanway, as the illegitimate son of Franci/es Spurgeon and John Ling. She had been working for a Joseph Rod in Stanway between 1796 and 1800. John Ling was described as late groom to the Marquis of Douglas. That is all I know of him. A Joseph Spurgeon died aged 55 in 1810 in Copford. This may be the father of my Franci/es. I do not know where she was born or where she was between 1800 and 1804. She does not appear in the Copford or Stanway Parish registers.

Hope my info is of help.
Marie.

Hi Marie
If you are visiting Copford parish church would you do me a BIG favour and see if there are any BEWERS's around. I have some living there mid C18. but my info. is patchy.
 I have Sarah Bewers (Bowers?) baptised October 1734 in Copford and I think her father was called Thomas Bewers/Bowers.
 Then I have a batch of Bewers in the 1760's who are all children of Thomas and Jamimy (sp?) Bewers and they tie in to my direct tree just fine.
I'm trying to tie the Sarah of 1734 and her family to the family of 1759-1772

I need  Sarah to have a brother called Thomas.
Can you find him in the graveyard or the register? It would be great to have ANY pre 1760 Bewers.
Ta ever so
Kriti

That's very kind