Powers family of Combrook and Compton Verney (Compton Mordack)

[mercian41]

I have been tracing the history of my family in these parishes for about 15 years.  Several family members were employed on the Compton Verney estate, owned by the Verney family (Lords Willoughby de Broke) throughout the 18th and early 19th centuries.  The family's history in Combrook  is reasonably secure from 1725 - the date of marriage of William Powers to Ann Wills of Brailes.  Several family members appear in the parish register from c.1660 onwards, but it has been very difficult to place these individuals securely in the family tree.  Also, there are significant gaps - 1700-1716 - in the registers.

When I first began my research I was informed by an assistant at Warwicks.  CRO that records for Combrook appeared in the registers of Kineton, the mother parish of Combrook, and also in the Lighthorne register, but I've found these records not particularly helpful.

As I no longer drive following eye surgery it has not been possible to travel to Warwicks. CRO, so I would be grateful for any assistance from those who are familiar with these parish registers. 

[Jeal]

Hello,
Sorry I cannot help with your research but I do have an indirect interest in the Powers family of Combroke. My 3xg grandfather was Joseph bap 16 Jan 1816 at Ufton the illegitimate son of Sarah Powers. She was the widow of John Powers bap 3 Sep 1778 at Combroke and buried 3 Feb 1813 at Ufton. So as Joseph was not descended from the Powers family I have not researched them further.
Sarah remarried in 1823 to William Raven and in later life Joseph preferred to use his step father's surname although I have no proof he was his father. In fact it is unlikely as there is a note by the vicar in the  Ufton parish register at the burial of Joseph's infant son , John Raven, that the name is properly Powers though his father(ie Joseph) goes by the name of Raven.

I note from my list of Warwickshire parishes that Warwick Record Office only appear to have Combroke registers back to 1701 and these would appear to be on Ancestry. Prior to this there are some Bishops Transcripts for the seventeenth century which are held at Worcester.
I hope you get a reply from someone with knowledge of the early records.

[mercian41]

Hi!

Thanks very much for your reply.

I have the background to Sarah (Oakes) Powers relationship with William Raven, but have not pursued Joseph's later history. 

I am unable to get to Warwicks. RO, as, following eye surgery, I no longer drive.  I'm entirely reliant on what I can access online and any assistance I receive from others such as yourself.

I've been unable to ascertain why Sarah's first husband, John, died at the comparatively young age of 36. In the absence of other information, I have had to conclude that he was probably a victim of one or other of the epidemics of the period, or that he died as the result of an accident.

Regards

Geoff

[Jeal]

Hi Geoff
Unfortunately I have no further information on John Powers death only his burial date. I do go to Warwick occasionally but usually rely on the registers available on Ancestry. However these still appear not to be complete and my list of things I want to check at the Record Office keeps growing.

I don't know if you have Sarah Raven nee Oakes death certificate?
She  died on 5 May 1849 at Ufton aged 70 years from disease of uterus, not certified. She was the widow of William Raven, labourer (he had died in 1836) The informant was Mary Powers who was present at the death. No address or relationship is given but I assume this would be her daughter in law , the wife of Thomas Powers.
I have followed John and Sarah' s children coming forward but I expect you have all of that and I cannot help going back. I do have more information on Joseph Powers Raven if you are interested.
Best wishes, Moira

[mercian41]

Hi, Moira!

Thanks for these snippets of information.  Thomas and Mary (Malin) are my great-grandparents. (My father, born in 1876, was 65 when I was born).   

There are a number of individuals in this period for whom I don't have death/burials; I've tended to be a bit lazy about collating this info., always wanting to push things further back in time, and have tended to neglect data that did not pertain to my own line. I need to revisit the censuses, in conjunction with FreeBMD, and plug some of the gaps.  Of course, as well as FreeBMD, one would like to have sight of the actual parish register entry too - much easier after the introduction of the new register format.

Regards

Geoff