I am a descendent of Samuel Woolcock, so was very interested to read the Woolcock / Gambrill discussion.
Samuel Woolcock married Harriet Bailey 29 Aug 1853. The marriage certificate confirms a number of comments in the discussion:
Samuel Woolcock mariner, father James Woolcock mariner.
Harriett Bailey, father Daniel Bailey labourer.
A Mary Brayley is one of the witnesses. (Bailey – Bayley – Brayley ?)
I would be interested to know Samuel’s other siblings (ie. James Woolcock and Sarah Gambrill’s children). From the discussion trail and my limited research:
?? 1818-
Samuel Woolcock abt 1825-1898
Edward Woolcock 1827-
William Woolcock 1829-1934
However like you, I have found Samuel’s father James Woolcock to be pretty elusive. I would also be interested to know if you made any progress confirming James birth, marriage, and death dates and any other life details?
Certainly the Cornwall link seems likely at some point in the past, given the name is far more frequent in Cornwall than Kent, as well as the fact the family are all mariners.
But perhaps this happened further in the past. Parish records on Ancestry note a marriage licence for Jas Woolcock and Jane Robinson both of St Marys Dover dated 8 Apr 1761.
Also the comments on Woolcocks in the workhouse is also something I was not aware of. But I since spotted this on the website
www.doverhistory.co.uk/workhouse/vestryminutes :
30 Jun 1836 That Mr Boyce provides the boy Woolcock with a pair of shoes.
Any comments most welcome!
Many thanks.