A History of the Francome Family
See updated news at Update 2003, more updates at
Update 2006 and see
the very latest news at Update 2007.
Before anybody uses the following information as the basis for an academic text, I should point out two issues. Firstly, my personal knowledge of the history of the Francome family is limited to the briefest details as told to me by the previous generation. Specifically, this information is that the name Francome is derived from Old French and literally means 'free man' (i.e. not bound to any master). Furthermore, the Francomes were Huguenot refugees who were originally lace and fine textile makers who (although residing mainly in Wiltshire) remained French speaking well into the 19th century. Another story is that, late in the 19th century, a substantial house and lands (at Haydon Wick, on the north side of modern-day Swindon) were lost due to gambling by one Mark Francome. This may be true, although it may also have been concocted as a warning to later 'Mark Francomes' (of which I am one). My second caveat is that all the information below (as well as the section on famous Francomes) is based on trawling the internet. As Francome is such an unusual name it is fairly easy to pinpoint the relevant information. From the small amount of information that I've found on the web it would seem the family history previously described to me is fairly accurate, although there seems to be at least two different routes that the name may have taken.
Taking events in
chronological order, the name 'Franchomme' or 'Le Franchomme' (from
the Anglo-Norman French - 'franc' meaning free and 'homme' for man) is first
found in Huntingdon (near Cambridge) where Henry and Reginald Le Franchomme
held estates in the county in 1273. There are many commercial websites that
provide family histories and coats of arms. Most of these are simply stumped
if you enter a search for Francome. However
James Wolf Heraldry provides these details about Henry and Reginald and
a description of a family coat of arms as 'a shield divided per pale indented
gold and blue with six martlets countercharged' (a description that looks
to be taken from "Burke's General Armoury"). 
The
coat of arms itself is not shown, but, based on this description, I have created
the shield shown here. Martlets are heraldic devices that depict legless birds
and these are often added to the existing family shield to indicate the arms
of the fourth son of the family. 'Indented per pale' means a jagged line runs
down the middle and 'countercharged' refers to the two sides being mirror
images. James Parker's Heraldry Glossary (published in 1894) contains the
information used to construct the arms shown here and is an excellent reference
for anyone interested in the subject. View
the
here.
Parliamentary records for the year 1305 (held at the National Archives in Kew, London) show that a merchant from Bordeaux, named Pierre Francom, petitioned Edward I for payment regarding wine supplied for the king's use in London. Since the debt dated from 1294 one can only hope that Longshanks paid up promptly. He may have been the "Hammer of the Scots" but the Francom's were not going to let him get hammered for free! No mention is made as to whether Pierre was paid or not, nor do we know anything else about him.
Exactly what the link (if any) is between the original Anglo-Norman 'Le Franchommes' and our family is not clear, but there is an assumption that this name is the direct predecessor of Francome and many other similarly spelt names (the Francom family of North America claim this same ancestry). The trail goes cold here and there appear to be few recorded mentions of any (Le) Franchommes in Britain after this initial appearance. However, the name Francombe (and the variant Francomb) does appear in Gloucestershire in the 14th century. Indeed the mayors of Gloucester in 1461 and 1574 bore the name Francombe. The earliest mention of the name Francome (that I could locate via the Internet) appears from the 1522 Military Survey of Gloucestershire, where John Francome of Tormarton (or possibly Littleton or Acton Turville) is listed as able-bodied, worth £3 and to be in possession of a sword and bow. Moving forward to 1537, the will of William Throckmorton appoints one William Francome as his executor. Mr Throckmorton resided in Tortworth (South Gloucestershire). It seems probable that some of the Francombes of Gloucestershire simply began spelling the name as Francome (the name appears twice in the will, spelt the same both times and one would assume that if he was appointed an executor that he was literate). Whatever the origins of the Gloucestershire-based Francomes, it is highly unlikely that they were Huguenot; the initial influx of Huguenot refugees began in 1540 (3 years after the will was drafted) and these people settled mainly in Kent and Sussex. Hence we appear to have an 'older' branch of the family, predating the arrival of the Huguenots.
Update 08/2006: the Hawkesbury Historical Society website is an goldmine of information and includes details of several early Gloucestrshire based Francomes (and many variations on Francome, including the superior looking "Ffrancome"). The Hawkesbury records have been added to my (thanks to Jim S. for the information).
Moving to the continent, by the mid 1500s, the 'Le Franchommes' (possibly the direct continental descendants of Henry and Reginald) were prospering as members of the Huguenot community in northern France and Belgium. The Huguenots (the name is of uncertain origin, but was broadly applied to all non-Catholic Christians) had suffered persecution by the continental state churches since they had emerged in the first quarter of the 16th century. By July 1561 this reached new heights when a Royal edict authorised imprisonment and confiscation of property upon all who attend any 'heretical' (non-Roman Catholic) worship service. This caused a renewed influx of refugees into south-east England from the Low Countries, Picardy, Artois and Flanders. It is only months after this event (25th October to be precise) that the name 'Francome' first appears on a British birth record. The parish register at Englefield, Berkshire lists two baby girls (Barbara and Jana, presumably twins) born on that day. The fact that Francome begins to take root as a family name in southern England from this point on and that Le Franchomme hardly appears again in British registers strongly suggests that Le Franchomme was anglicised to Francome during this cross-Channel migration. Conversely, Francome rarely appears outside of Britain (for several centuries, at least) and 'La Famille Franchomme' continues to thrive to this day in France and the Low Countries. The date of this initial appearance of the name on a birth entry, in conjunction with the location, would appear to fit in with the oral family history that was passed onto me and would indicate the second route that the name took as an alternative to the Gloucestershire origins.
If we were
Huguenots then what about lace-making? This suggestion neatly dovetails with
the Huguenots, who were known to have just such specialist skills. During
the 16th century the lace making industry was based in the town of Cambray
(south of Lille) which is now spelt Cambrai (and has also been known
as Kamerijk and Kambryk due to the Belgian 
influence
in the region). It is likely that the Francomes fled from here, over the Channel
and onto Canterbury (which became a focal point of Huguenot activity). This
forced migration introduced the word 'refugee' to the English language. However
the Huguenots, from such dire circumstances, quickly established themselves
as an economic force. Ironically the English had been trying to lure Huguenot
craftsmen over the Channel for some time. The English produced large quantities
of the raw materials that would then be exported for processing on the Continent
due to the lack of a skilled English workforce. This situation was quickly
resolved by the arrival of the Huguenots, with thread and lace makers becoming
quickly established in Maidstone. Huguenots also founded a glassworks in London
and, over the next 130 years, they provided many of the skills that laid the
foundations for the Industrial Revolution.
One of the problems we have, looking back, is that the family name seems to have fractured into so many variants. Not only is Francome described as a variant spelling of (or vice versa) Franchomme, Francom, Francombe, Frankham, Fransham or Framsham by the heraldry website, but a glance at the marriage licences issued by the Vicar-General of the Archbishop of Canterbury between 1694 and 1850 shows that there are additional listings for Franckham, Francom, Francomme, Frankam, Frankcom, Frankcomb, Frankcombe and Frankum. I know that I still have problems getting people to spell the name without putting a 'b' at the end (and the French are insistent that it is spelt Francôme) so it is little wonder that our partially literate ancestors, faced with two languages and various regional dialects, happened to vary the spelling. It should also be noted that many of the records transcribed onto the Internet-based databases have been copied from very old and faded parish registers. Quite possibly the transcriber has had to make an educated guess as to the spelling of a family name and a Francome has quickly become a Francomb (or, again, vice versa).
However, reconciling the two alternative origins of Francome is possible if we allow that the Francome variant spelling of Francombe emerged in Gloucestershire while, shortly after, the new immigrant Franchomme/Francome family settled in leafy Berkshire.
I have used two main sources to compile the list of Francome ancestors. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints provides a comprehensive database that lists registry entries (births, christenings and weddings only) from 1500-1850. Another site, freebmd.rootsweb.com, neatly dovetails with these earlier records as they contain transcripts of the England & Wales Civil Registration Index (1837-1900). Be patient with the search engine as it is a very popular site. Both sites allow narrowed down searches to be done, e.g. you can search on Francome with a specific family name for the spouse. I have compiled a combined list from these sources which can be viewed (will open in separate window). As stated above, the earliest occurrence of an officially recorded Francome birth (one, at any rate, located by me via the Internet) relates to the birth of Barbara and Jana Francome on 25th October 1561. This was in Englefield, Berkshire (just west of Reading) and the relatively eastern location, together with the proximity of this date to the banning of non-Catholic services in France, lends weight to the view that these were Huguenot immigrants. Over the next 15 years there are a further 4 girls born in this location, possibly sisters, but there do not appear to be any later ties to this location (nor does Berkshire figure greatly in the early Francome history). The Gloucestershire 'branch' of the name Francome appears across in Olveston where, in 1566, we find an Alice Francome being christened. This is in a district where the name Francombe is frequently found at the same time and this would suggest that the name in that area was indeed 'descended' from the spelling that included the rogue 'b' (and predates the Huguenots). Wiltshire chips in with their first two Francomes (girls!) in 1577 and 1583. In fact the first 9 births were all female, which does not bode well for the survival of the family name. Luckily we find a John Francome born in 1585, could he be the patriarch that every British Francome is descended from? There are two entries for this name in 1585, they possibly relate to the same person - the birth is listed in Brentford and the christening is in Trowbridge. However babies were usually christened on the day that they were born and so it is possible that they were not one in the same (either that or he was born on the London-Bristol coach).
In the early 1600s Chippenham appears to have had at least 2 different Francome families, but the Francome birth rate remains very low, somewhere in the region of pandas. It is clear that the records are not complete (there are plenty of male Francomes who appear on marriage certificates but do not have corresponding birth or christening entries) and the listings are undoubtedly altered by the confusion over spelling. The name spreads to Worcestershire (along with appearances in Bedford, London and Berkshire) during the early 1600s and frequently crops up in the towns of Kingsdon and Broomfield in Somerset. However, it is clear that Marshfield in Gloucestershire is the main centre of the Francome clan during this century. Bristol then becomes an important provider of Francomes (in the first third of the 1700s) but it is from this point on that Wiltshire cements it's position as the location central to the development of the family tree (although Somerset and Gloucestershire also remain important). Multiple birth entries for Purton, Lydiard Millicent, Rodbourne and (much later) Highworth would also give weight to the story about a house and farm at Haydon Wick. Even the spelling of Haydon Wick is not consistent, two Francome brides listed their birth place as Hadenwick when marrying in Berkshire. In the last decades of the 1700s the Francomes hit a productive peak and averaged more than one new Francome per year (although the rural population was booming at this time, so we should not get too excited about this).
Returning back to France, the persecution of the Huguenots continued, interrupted by periods of peace enforced by various treaties and edicts. This came to a head in October 1685 with the revocation of the Edict of Nantes by King Louis XIV. Following the revocation some 80,000 French manufacturers and workmen fled to the British Isles, although there seems to have been minimal impact on the numbers of British Francomes. The industrialist Abraham Darby is known to have travelled to Europe in the early years of the 1700s to recruit skilled metalworkers for his new production plants (initially in Bristol, which would tie in with the increase in the number of Francomes there in the early 1700s). He referred to these workers as "Dutch" but it is believed that this description was frequently used to describe those from the general region of the Low Countries. The Francomes are listed as one of the families migrating to join this new enterprise, which set the pace in the emerging industrial revolution (for details see "Keynsham in Grandfather's Day", Michael Fitter, Ammonite Press, 1994). This presents us with a third possible route for the family name to have made the jump from the continent to Britain. Life for these immigrants was not without its problems, not only were they faced with a new language but the hardworking, frugal Huguenots came into direct competition with the local citizens. King William III recognised this growing ethnic problem and offered free passage to the American colonies in 1700. It is clear that the family 'lost' members as emigration to North America (and, at a later date, to South Africa and Australia) began to have an impact on the British population as a whole and on nonconformist religions in particular. It is quite possible that some families moved to England from the continent and, within a generation or so, relocated to other countries or colonies.
Despite persecution, and making the assumption that it really is the original source of our family name, the name Franchomme has survived in France and spread well into Belgium and the Netherlands. In fact, continental Franchommes outnumber current UK Francomes by a factor of 10. The most famous bearer of the name was the cellist and composer Auguste-Joseph Franchomme (1808-84). The name also appears in the Carolina Land Grants when Charles Franchomme was given 600 acres on 16 April 1685, an unusual achievement for a Huguenot. Even today, the name Francome hardly ever appears in continental Europe, giving credence to the theory that it is the anglicised equivalent of Franchomme. In a contemporary example of the names being interchangeable, Dr Pierre Francome (a pioneering French authority on aromatherapy) is listed on many websites as Dr Pierre Franchomme.
Returning to 18th century Britain, records of Francomes during this period include an entry in the "Stranger's Guide to London" of 1722; 'Samuel Francome - Victualler - at the sign of the horseshoe' in West Harding Street. This street is still there (although very small) and is just north of Fleet Street (off Fetter Lane). This is just around the corner from Dr Johnson's House and, although 1722 is a bit early for Dr Johnson to have been drinking in Samuel's establishment, it is nice to think that, in later years, the 'good doctor' enjoyed a pint supplied by Mr Francome of West Harding Street. In 1772, a poll of Wiltshire freeholders was held to elect a Knight of the Shire (won by one Ambrose Goddard Esq.) and here we find a vote cast by Richard Francome of Purton. Although Richard Francome appears well documented when it comes to his birth and marriage, Samuel would have been 67 years old (by 1722) if he is the same Samuel that appears on our list (born in Broomfield, Somerset in 1655). In another example of the spelling variations, it seems that Richard's family switch from using Francome to spelling the name as Frankam or Frankham (in the 1760s) and then back to Francome by the mid 1770s.
Moving into the 19th century we find affluent Francomes in the Bourne Valley (which runs north from Salisbury - one of the villages there is called Porton, not to be confused with Purton near Swindon). The Francomes of Porton must have been doing all right as you can see at Tom Barnett's page where three gentlemen by the name of Francome paid £3 and 3 shillings each for game licences in the third quarter of 1807. Thanks to the Bourne Valley Historical Society for transcribing these local historical records.
Another excellent site relates historical information on villages in the South Cotswolds. Specifically they have listings for all christenings in Tormarton (Gloucestershire) and here we find Charles Francome born to Edith and Samuel Francome in 1824. Unfortunately Charles seems to be the only local Francome, although there are plenty of Francom, Francomb, Francome, Frankcom and Frankcomes here and in the neighbouring village of West Littleton. Charles has been included in a list of the descendants of Stephen Francomb (born 1650) and it appears, locally at least, that this Francome was a corruption of Francomb. In addition to this, the inscriptions inside the church at West Littleton indicate the presence of an affluent Francom family in the district. In the Gloucestershire town of Poulton, the national census of 1851 lists Thomas C Francome, aged 35, as a draper and grocer (along with his wife, Emma, two young daughters and his widowed sister, Anne). The census of 1861 lists John Francome as living in nearby Ampney St Peter, a quarryman and widower with one young daughter. And the Glamorgan Constabulary directory lists William George Francome of Bristol as a labourer, although I have no idea why the police would be interested in one of us. And, as an example of an early sporting Francome, we find J.S. Francome who played (and lost) for the British Lions against Australia in Sydney in 1899.
During the 19th century there is evidence of Francomes migrating to the USA (specifically Utah, where many members of the Francom family also moved to), Canada (mainly Ontario) and Australia (originally to Victoria). Indeed, the Francomes of Australia appear to be doing pretty well for themselves and seem to have colonised most of the major cities of Australia (I wish I'd have known, I could have saved a fortune in hotel bills). And it is the Australian branch that provides us with the only Internet-based references to military Francomes, supplying men for both the First and Second World Wars.
During the 20th century the family name has moved to Scotland (particularly Aberdeenshire), the East Midlands (Luton and surrounding towns) and various towns in the West Midlands. However, the name continues to be found most frequently in Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Avon. In the last few decades of the 20th century the family connection with the Haydon Wick has been recognised by way of a road named Francomes. You may not find this on every map as the cul-de-sac is rather small, just like the family itself, fortunately it is included in the latest Swindon A-Z (marked with a red star on both maps, just south of the B4534);
The location of this cul-de-sac would appear to be very close to the site of the large Francome house. In addition to this my father found the grave of a Mark Francome in a nearby churchyard and the dates would correspond with the card playing fiend of legend.
Update 1 - The Francomes of Haydon Wick (Added 28-08-2003)
I recently re-visited the Church of Latter Day Saints website and it appears that they have been adding us Francomes at a rapid rate. However, the basic picture remains much the same with the family name found mainly in Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Somerset and (last and least) in Berkshire. Many of the original records have now been linked together so that you can see how the individuals are related. In addition to this they have added more details from the 1881 British census. I have also managed to obtain a family tree which was researched by a cousin on his frequent visits to Somerset House. This family tree is the first non-Internet based' information that I have used herein and, together with the census information, the Francomes of the late 19th century become a little less mysterious ...
The 1881 census lists one Francome household in Bristol; Caleb Francome (born 1816, his job is given as a railway labourer) married Hannah (also born in 1816) and their child, Albert, was born in 1856 and he became a boot maker and married Ann. Other Francomes listed in the census are Sarah, born 1851 in Poulton and now (i.e. in 1881) a servant and Edward H Francome, a ten year-old resident pupil at "The High School" in Bath Road, Swindon. But two households stand out as of particular interest. Henry Edward Francome was born in 1852 at Rodbourne Cheney, Wiltshire and lists his occupation as "farmer of 110 acres at Haydon Farm". He also lists himself as the head of the household and was married to Alice. Together they had (at least) three sons, William (born in 1872), Francis (1874) and Robert (1876). Nearby is the household headed by Luke Francome (born in 1856 at Haydon Wick) who is a "farmer of 178 acres at Manor Farm, Haydon." He married Fanny and they also had three sons living under the same roof, Arthur E. (born in 1877), Mark (1879) and Henry (1880). Manor Farm was also home to a servant, Paul Francome (born 1833), and the widow Priscilla Francome (born 1827) who also lists herself as head of the household (perhaps herself and Luke could not agree on that issue).
The researched family tree casts further light on the family of Henry Edward and Alice Francome. The boy at the school in Bath Road appears to be the elder brother of William, Francis and Robert, and these siblings were later joined by Luke Charles (born, after the census, in 1882) and Sidney (birth date unknown). The young scholar, Edward H Francome, appears to be my great-grandfather. As for the elusive Mark Francome (of "Haydon Wick, lost the family fortune on a hand of cards, etc." fame) we appear to have nailed our man. Mark Francome, born 1879 and son of Luke and Fanny, looks to be responsible for losing the grand house, the farm (reputedly Wiltshire's largest) and 178 acres of land that were one part of the family legacy. Although that does not explain what happened to the smaller farm (unless he also managed to lose that one as well on the next hand of cards).
Update 2 - Miscellaneous (Added 20-08-2006)
I recently visited
several graveyards in the Swindon area and took a large quantity of photos
of Francome graves. Although this is not the way everyone would choose to
spend a free Saturday afternoon it was, in fact, a very calming day. Churchyards
such as that at All Saints in Lydiard Millicent are very serene places
and wandering around the headstones whilst doing a quite bit of detective
work is very rewarding. As soon as I find more time I will post some of the
pictures, although some of the graves almost defy photography due to the weathered
condition of the stones. One such headstone was for "John Elborough Francome
- Son of Richard & Sarah Francome d. July 21st (?) 1837, aged 1 yr 7 mnths."
Moving on from
sombre thoughts in the graveyard, Pat A. from New Zealand has forwarded a
transcript that was made by Richard C-Z. of Canada (both being keen Francome
genealogists) which, in turn, is taken from Wiltshire Notes and Queries
-VOL. IV (1902-1904). This article details the provenance of the Francome
name (which, Pat tells me, became Frankcom in New Zealand). Although we still
don't get any answer as to the "Gloucestershire versus Huguenot"
issue, there are many fascinating details included. The unclaimed Francome
legacy of £60,000 (left by Samuel Francome, in 1841) indicates that
some members of the family certainly had better luck than Mark.
This
family, which appears to have been of Old Sodbury, Glouc., during the16th
Century, was for many succeeding generations in North Wilts. Richard,
John and William Francome, of Old Sodbury, were assessed in bonisfor a subsidy
14 & 15 Hen. VIII (P.R.O.). Richard
Francome, assessed in bonis, was one of the three inhabitants of Old Sodbury
taxed for a subsidy 26 Hen. VIII (P.R.O.). At
Worcester is recorded the will of R. Francome, of Sodbury, 1539, (Bigland). Richard,
Thomas, & William (Senr. & Junr.) Francome of Old Sodbury wereassessed in
bonis for a subsidy 37 Henry VIII (P.R.O.). William
Francome of Old Sodbury, was assessed in bonis for subsidies 3 & 4Ed. VI
(P.R.O.). William
Francome, de le hyll, Old Sodbury, was ass[ess]ed in bonis for asubsidy
4 and 5 Phil and Mary (P.R.O.). [no
name] Francome of Old Sodbury, was assessed in bonis for a subsidy 1Eliz.
(P.R.O.). Philip
and Francis Francome, of Old Sodbury, were assessed in bonis forsubsidies
39 Eliz. (P.R.O.). Francis
Francome, of Old Sodbury, was assessed in bonis for subsidies 7 and18 Jas.
I (P.R.O.). He died 1630, and his will (at Gloucester) dated 29thOct. 1629,
was proved 10th Sept. 1630. He mentions his daughter Elizabeth, wife of
Peter Bendrie, and her children [?] all, Richard, John, Johan, Jane, Elizabeth,
Margaret and Susan. His daughter Margaret, wife of William Cambridge, and
her children William, Francis, Phillip, Elizabeth, Agnes and Johan. His
godson, Francis Francome, son of his son John. Son John Francome. Son Richard
and his two daughters and son James. Godchildren Francis Browne,John Aburse
and Margaret [?Boles]. Poor of Old Sodbury. Son Richard,executor; John Burton
and Nicholas Frend of Old Sodbury, overseers. His son John is probably identical
with John Francome, of Charlton, near Malmesbury, Yeoman, who was assessed
for a subsidy 18 Chas. I. He appears to have been the first of his name
(which does not appear in subsidies 7 and 21Jas. I and 3 Chas. I) at Charlton.
He
died 22 Oct 1670, and his will (Arch. Wilts. Som. Ho.), dated 20th June1670,
was proved 2 May 1671. Son Francis £10 and all Testator[']s goods goods
[sic] in Francis' House in Garsdon. Francis' dau. Mary £?? when 21. Son
William[']s daus. Mary and Katherine £20 a year when 21. Deceased sonThomas'
wife lease of the living in which she dwells, and after her death to 2 of
her children. Son Thomas' children Thomas[,] Katherine[,] Alice, Ann, Sarah,
Elizabeth and Grace £20 a year - Katherine in two years [,]others when 21.
Son Richards' [sic] children John[,] Richard, Francis,Robert & Elizabeth
house and three grounds and orchard in Pinkland where their father dwelleth.
Deceased son Georges' [sic] dau. Sarah the Coffy lease. Son William £10.
Son Richard £10. Katherine dau. Of Wm. Blanchett,£20 when 21. Son Richard's
son John bedstead, table and Joyne form in hisfather[']s house. Poor of
Garsdon, Charlton. [sic] Minety, Ledbury (sic) and Old Sodbury 20s each
town. Remainder to son John -- appointed executor. John
Frankham (the son) Yeoman, [?] living at Minety in 1662 (Hearth TaxGlouc.
P.R.O.). A churchwarden there in 1667. He had issue by Alice his wife (I)
John, (II) Francis bapt. Minety 1665. Died 23 Oct. 1686, was proved [sic]
20th Ap. 1687. Wife Alice all household goods in house where he lives.Son
John and his heirs after wife's decease (1691) house and grounds at Minety
called the new enclosure, provided he pay £100 of Testator[']s debts.Son
Francis leshold [?leasehold] at Pinkland, in Charlton, provided he [pay]
rest of debts, which £100 will not cover. Son Francis leasehold in Bradon
[sic, for Braydon], which John Powell holdeth. Three grandchildren,Katherine
Blanchatt, John Smith and Alice Smith, 10s each. Poor of Minety10s, Rest
of Goods to son John appointed executor[.] Personal estate £309 17s 6 d.
His
son, John Freancome, of Minety, mar[ried] 29 Dec. 1685, Bridget Pannell,
of that parish, [sic] They had issue (I) Elizabeth, bapt 1686 d. 1690; (II)
John; (III) Alice, b. 1689; (IV) Joseph and Benjamin, twins b. 1690 d.1691;
(VI) Thomas, b. 1693; (VII) Phebe. B. and d. 1695; (VIII) Richard,born and
bapt. 8th Sept. 1696. Wife died 1696. He
died 1705, intestate, goods being administered by nephew John Smith, of
Purton, William Pleydell, of Wootton Bassett, and Edward Foyle, of Somerset,Keynes
[sic, for Somerford Keynes, Wilts., RHBC, ed.], and by Thomas Francome,
Minety. Caveates [sic] were entered on behalf of creditors for debts amounting
to £350. (Bonds, Arch. Wilts. Som. Ho.)[.] Richard
Francome (his son) of Minety, mar.[ried] in 1726 Anne Hawkins, of that parish
(born 1704, d. 1743). They had issue (I) Alice b. and d. 1727;(II) Betty,
b. 1730, d. 1742; (III) Richard; (IV) Alice, b. 1741 d. 1742. Richard
Francome was baptised at Minety 19 Feb, [sic] 1736. He married (I)Francis
[sic] Templar, of Lydiard Millicent, in 1759, and had issue twosons, who
died in infancy. She died 1762 (aet 22) bur[ied] at Minety. Hemarried (II)
17 Oct. 1765, Jane dau[ghter] of Edward Byrchall, Gent., ofOverstratton,
Stratton St. Margaret (Will 1759, Arch. Wilts, Som. Ho.)[.]She died 23 March
1777 (aet 30) bur. at Purton. He married (III) JaneHiscock. He appears to
have gone to Purton circ. 1760, and the followingentries in the register
there relate to his family:- BAPTISMS BURIAL Richard
Francome, of Purton, Gent[.], died 20 Nov. 1797, and was buried at Minety.
His Will (Arch. Wilts., Som. Ho., ) dated 13 July 1791, was [proved]18 Dec.
1797. Son Richard, tenement and farm with 5 closes belonging,situate at
Purton, commonly called Constables, 3 pieces of land in Ca[?]tleFiled, 21/2
acres, also 2 grounds called Cob Hills 12 acres, all in Purton. Also to
son Richard, tenement with garden, orchard and other hereditaments at Minety,
Glouc. now occupied by Thomas Masey. Charge same with £200 towards portion
of son Joseph. Son Ricahrd, eight day clock and silver pintcup. Son Edward
7 closes of grounds at Bagbury, Purton. Charge same with £100 towards portion
of son Joseph. Son Edward a half pint silver cup and silver tea pot. Daughters
Anne, Mary and Jane 3 grounds in Purton called Pannells, Packhorse and Cress
Lane Ground, lately rented by Anthony Bathe, John Mathews and Richard Morse,
also ground called Gallens at Cricklade St.Sampson[']s. Son Joseph a further
£100 to be raised out of Testator[']s personal estate. Dau. Mary £50 out
of personal estate three months after Testator's decease. Daus. Anne & Jane
£50 each when 21. Eldest son John[,]Mahogany dining table, mahogany bureau,
dial and silver tankard, he being well provided for by a settlement previous
to Testator[']s marriage with John's mother. Wife Jane, bed, bedstead and
bedding in room where Igenerally lie, best chest of drawers and set of china.
Remainder to sons Richard, Edward and Joseph and daus. Ann, Mary and Jane
in equal shares. Richard
Francome had issue by Jane his 2nd wife:- Richard
Francome had issue by Jane his 3rd wife:-
