Have since discovered some old notes, concerning baptisms at Langtree, Devon. Sent to me by someone researching their own tree. He also was assisted by
beharu@bcglobal.net I believe will do searches for a small fee! anyway:
COUCH James to John & Margette, Jan 10, 1750
COUCH John to John & Margarett, Apr 22, 1754
COUCH Thomas to John & Margaret, Dec 22 1755
The spelling of Margaret is probably a corruption of the name, quite common at the time!
COUCH John to Thomas & Dorothy, Feb 14, 1787. tax paid 3 pence.
COUCH James to Thomas & Dorothy, April 1789. tax paid 3 pence.
COUCH William to Thomas & Dorothy, Aug 14 1791. tax paid 3 pence.
COUCH THOMAS to JAMES & DOROTHY, Jan 28 1798COUCH William base to Mary, May 15 1808.
I assume 'base' refers to 'bastard' as no father is given!
Cooch Dorothy to James & Dorothy, Feb 11 1781
Cooch John to James & Dorothy, Sept 28 1783, born Sept 13.
I'm sure Cooch is a corruption of Couch, the child Dorothy, may have died aged 13 see below.
As, Thomas was born to a Dorothy in 1798 I assume this was the child. This may also answer my question to why none were named Dorothy, clearly there was! Of course this is assumption, however with the size of the popultion of Langtree at the time. I consider it a safe bet all are related.
Burials
COUCH Richard, Mar 5 1758
COUCH Dorothy, June 20 1794, a pauper.
COUCH Catherine, Nov 15 1810
COUCH John LITTLEJOHNS Margaret, July 16 1751.
It does however seem to confirm James & Dorothy as parents of Thomas 1798!
