Dear Hazel,

My mother has checked what she has at home and she says that all Robert and Martha's children were born at Puddeltown but that there is no Richard in that list. However I have the letter she received from her researcher (May 1986) in which the following appears.

"Will of Robert Amey of Islington, Dorset, yeoman. Dated 14th July 1789
(N.B. Although written here as "Islington", the hamlet of Ilsington, is in the parish of Puddleton).

To my wife Martha Amey, to be exrix.
To my children William, Richard, Robert, John, Thomas, Mary, Frances, Rachel (all under 24 years)
To my sister Mary Amey
To my dau Patty Ayres
To my son Joseph (mentions property at Ilsington)
Trustees:Mr Christopher Kellaway of Little Bredy and Mr Robert Henning of Woodsford Castle.
Witnesses: Charles Willis, John Groves. Proved 12 July 1790 by Mathra Amey"

Daphne (my mum's researcher )also at this time provides a listed of randomly collected Amey's which she had collected over the course of her years as a researcher. Included is the following entry.

"Robert c 1730 Ilsington, Puddletown Yeoman. Will 1790 shows sister Mary, wife Martha, chn. Joseph 1773, Patty (Martha) marr. Wm Ayres 1788, William b c 1765 Richard b c 1765 Robt, 1770, John 1773 d 1807(34), Thos. Mary m1792, Frances, Rachel b. 1782 .

Robert 1770 Ilsington son of Robt and Martha marr. 1791 at WK Susanna Salisbury, witness Wm Amey. 1851 census at WK aged 80 a widower.

William c1770 Ilsington son of Robt and Martha. b. 1765 onwards, marr. Betty Austin 1791 Dorchester Holy Trinity."

John and Thomas are all so mentioned but no more details. There was no Richard in the list that could match either this family or yours.

In a hand written letter to Mum I have the following reference - DRO Wills Index DA 33 Robert, Ilsington 1790 Located at DRO: DA50 Martha, Puddletown 1799 Located at DRO; DA9 Joseph, Puddletown (Admin) 1844 Located at DRO 1883/200 Richard, Blandford 1883 Located at DRO; 1937/83 Amanda, Blandford 1937 Located at the DRO.

We know William died 17/12/1836 aged 72 and Betty died 1838 aged 71. We believe William is buried in a Altar Tomb in the Church yard at Puddletown. We visited it in 1991 and I believe my father took a photo. This I will check when I visit mum in a couple of weeks. However my recollection as that he was a soldier.

I wonder if soldiering is the link. Your Richard as about 34 when he married if I remember rightly. Was this when he had sufficient money to afford to marry? John dies at 34 in 1807. This was the time of the Napoleonic Wars. Was there a military barracks at Blandford? I can find no Ayes, Shilters or House living in or around Blandford at the time but cannot. Was William Ayrs a fellow soldier that William Amey introducted to his sister?

I have emailed another distant relative who I think may live in London and who is a 21 year old male who might find it interesting to look for military ancestors. If the two families are linked then Justin would be about your 5th cousin while I would be your 7th. I will let you know if he shows any interest.

I hope this helps in your search,


Best Wishes Glenys Amey