James Hewer (1763-1824)
On 24 September 1799, a James Hewer was committed to Marlborough Bridewell for trial on the oath of Ann Legge with ‘having gotten her with child which is likely to become chargeable to the parish of Castle Eaton’. The case was discharged and the order made on 8 October.
Source: Calender of Prisoners; Wilts. A1/125/46S; Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, Chippenham
As yet, it has not been possible to identify precisely who this James Hewer was, where he came from or whether, for certain, he was James Legg alias Hewer’s father or not. What seems clear is that James Legg was certain of his parentage and alternated use of both surnames throughout his life.
James Hewer (1763-1824) of Kempsford, Gloucestershire, is the best lead as to the identity of our James Hewer:
- Ann Legg, a widow by 1799, originally came from Kempsford, was roughly the same age as this James Hewer and they quite likely knew one another.
- There was a Hewer-Legg marriage in 1770 in Castle Eaton: a John Hewer of Kempsford married a Margaret Legg of Castle Eaton. So the families were known to one another.
- While there are many popular Hewer first names in Kempsford, such as Jeremiah and John, there is only one James of the right age – this one.
- Kempsford is the next village to Castle Eaton, over the border in Wiltshire.
- It is likely that Ann named her illegitimate son after his father.
On the assumption, for now, that we have the correct James Hewer, here is information which may relate to him.
1763
On 27 February 1763, James, son of Thomas and Mary Hewer, was baptised at Kempsford.
Source: Kempsford parish records, Gloucestershire Archives
1783
Bastardy Bonds/Examinations: Kempsford
20 October 1783:
Sarah Redford, wife of Isaac Redford of Kempsford, labourer (who has been absent from her for about 9 years) at Lady Day last was delivered of a male bastard child and James Hewer of Kempsford, labourer, is the father.
10 November 1783:
Sarah Redford on 25 March last delivered of a male bastard child at Kempsford and James Hewer of Kempsford, labourer, is the father
Source: Gloucestershire Archives, Overseers of the Poor, P189a OV 5/1/10 and 5/1/11
1787
On 15 July 1787, James Hewer, widower, married Mary Collet, widow, at Kempsford, in the presence of Robert Church and Grace Hewer X. Grace was James’ sister, born in about 1761 to Thomas and Mary Hewer.
Source: Kempsford parish records, Gloucestershire Archives
No previous marriage for James Hewer is recorded in Kempsford parish records so, if indeed he was married before, it must have been out of the parish. Nor are there any baptisms citing James as the father.
1799
On 24 September, James Hewer is accused of being the father of Ann Legg’s child (see above).
1824
On 15 June 1824, a James Hewer was buried at Kempsford, aged 62.
Source: Kempsford parish records, Gloucestershire Archives