Research Forum

 On the 3^rd February 1819 William HASE married Rebecca MILLARD in St James Church in the Horsefair in Bristol.  Rebecca’s father James MILLARD was a Coach driver on the Bristol to Exeter stage coach route which passed through Cross near Axbridge.  Rebecca was born in either Cross or Compton Bishop and was christened at Compton Bishop Church as Rebecca Parfrey MILLARD on the 17^th December 1801 d/o James & Jane MILLARD.

James MILLARD had married Jane PARFREY on the 14^th October 1787 in the Parish Church in Axbridge and appears on the 1841 census as an 80 year-old farmer living at Cross with Elizabeth aged 60 who is actually a later wife who he had married 19^th September 1832 in Compton Bishop.  Jane had died in 1809.  When James MILLARD died in December 1845 his death was registered by a neighbour, Rebecca CAPLE.

Rebecca CAPLE, née SELWOOD, the wife of William CAPLE, was born in Compton Bishop in 1784, the daughter of John SELWOOD and Grace PARFREY who were married in Compton Bishop in 1781.  Is this a coincidence or was Grace PARFREY related to Jane PARFREY – sisters perhaps? - which would make Rebecca CAPLE née SELWOOD a niece by marriage to James MILLARD

Just to confuse the issue! - a year after Grace SELWOOD (mother of Rebecca) died in 1786 her widower John SELWOOD married Ann PARFREY who was the daughter of a William & Grace PARFREY!  Were Jane, Grace and Ann sisters?  I can only find a christening in Badgworth for Ann.

I cannot be sure of the parents of either James MILLARD or Jane PARFREY.  Can anyone help?