Robert Jeffreys and Elizabeth Cooke were married on 25 October 1762 in Blunsdon St Andrew, Wiltshire, which is about seven miles from Highworth, Wiltshire, where they baptised ten children.
| Susannah | Born 19 August 1763 and Baptised 18 September 1763 | ||
| Michael | Baptised 1 February 1765 | ||
| Hannah | Born 17 December 1768 and Baptised 29 January 1769 | ||
| Ann | Born 4 January 1771 and Baptised 13 January 1771 | ||
| Sarah | Born 27 April 1773 and Baptised 9 May 1773 | ||
| Harry | Born 26 March 1775 and Baptised 30 July 1775 | ||
| Elizabeth | Born 2 November 1775 and Baptised 22 November 1775 | ||
| Cornelius | Baptised 1 November 1778 | ||
| Aaron | Baptised 10 November 1780 | ||
| Moses | Baptised 18 July 1784 |
During the period from 1763 to 1784, when Robert and Elizabeth were building their family, Robert worked as a labourer, his home being given as Eastrop, which is an area on the south-eastern edge of Highworth village associated with Eastrop Farm and Eastrop Grange. This means that he was, therefore, working at the Farm or the Grange at this time.
At some time, presumably after 1784, Robert must have established settlement at Kingston Lisle, Berkshire, because on 9 December 1790, an order was issued for the removal of Robert and his family from Highworth to Kingston Lisle, as shown in the Berkshire Overseers' Papers Vol 8 Faringdon Union -
Date: 9 Dec 1790 Removal Order Robert JEFFERIES with Elizabeth his wife and their six children - Hannah aged 20 years, Harry 16, Elizabeth 14, Cornelius 12, Aaron, 8 and Moses 6 years from Highworth, Wilts to Kingston Lisle JPs: T G VILLET and Amb GODDARD
According to the Memoire of Moses, mentioned in the section about Henry's parentage, Robert died when Moses was six years old, ie shortly after the resettlement. It may be, therefore, that the family was relocated because Robert was no longer able to work to support them.
There is, however this burial entry in the IGI -
Robert Jeffrys - buried 15 November 1793 in Highworth, Wiltshire.
Despite what the Moses Memoire says, I am pretty certain that this is "our" Robert. It also goes some way towards explaining why Elizabeth was in Highworth in 1799, to be relocated to Kingston Lisle again -
Date: 2 Oct 1799 Removal Order Elizabeth JEFFERIES from Highworth, Wilts to Kingston Lisle JPS: Robert WILSON and W JONES
It is not known at the moment what became of the other three children, Hannah, Cornelius and Aaron, who were with Robert and Elizabeth at the time of the relocation in 1790. (But see page on Henry's Parentage with regard to Aaron)
We do not know when and where Elizabeth died and was buried. The burial was certainly not recorded in the Kingston Lisle parish registers and so far no suitable burial has been found in the IGI.
At the moment, we have no definite idea about Robert's ancestors, but there follows some interesting snippets.
In the IGI, are these two baptism records -
Robert Jefferies baptised 7 May 1732 in Milton, Berkshire by Robert and Mary Jefferies
Milton is about three miles south of Abingdon and about seventeen miles from Highworth. This Robert would have been aged thirty at the date of Robert and Elizabeth's marriage, perhaps a little old, as he would have been about 52 when the youngest son Moses was born.
Robert Jefferies baptised 21 September 1746 in Bisham, Berkshire by John and Mary Jefferies
Bisham is in the Windsor and Maidenhead area and is therefore a considerable distance from Highworth. This Robert would have been aged about sixteen at the date of Robert and Elizabeth's marriage, which is perhaps a little young, although not too young.
Three earlier Robert Jeffries in Highworth
There are three earlier Robert Jeffries in Highworth-
Robart Jeffries baptised 20 February 1592 by Richard Jeffries
Robert Jeffaries baptised 9 September 1627 by Robert Jeefaries
Robert Jeffries baptised 5 October 1695 by Robert Jeffries
There is an entry in the Berkshire Overseers' papers which refers to Robert Jeffries baptised 5 October 1695 -
Date: 18 Mar 1733/4 Copy Examination of Robert JEFFERIS, cordwainer before JP: Raufe FREKE that he was born at South Marston in the Parish of Highworth, Wilts and believes that in 1697 at about 16 years of age he was put apprentice by Robart JEFFERIS his father to William PHILLIPS of Wantage, cordwainer, for 1 whole year and no more on condition that his father was to pay William PHILLIPS £10 to discharge Robert JEFFERIS, at the end of the year. Agreed and the £10 was paid. When Robert JEFFERIS had served 9 months, smallpox broke out very hott in Wantage and William PHILLIPS agreed to discharge Robert on payment of 20/- more. Robert JEFFERIS, then worked as a journeyman in several places about the country and has not gained legal settlement since. Letter addressed to Mr Alex BOOTE Attorney at Law Wantage Highworth 19 April 1734 Communicated the same to the gents of Highworth a copy of Robert JEFFERIS Examination and the aggrement in writing is not found. They can prove by living evidence the Apprenticeship and you acknowledge he lived with his master 9 months. Your advice is taken in the proper sense and you undoubtedly designed to prevent charges to both Parishes. They have taken councells advice and will plead for Highworth if the case comes to Tryal. Berkshire Councells in no way affect Wiltshire, and if you do not give an immmediate satisfactory answer this family will be removed to Wantage. Ja POTTS [+] [Note: It is not clear in the document whether Robert JEFFERIS was born in 1697, or was aged about 16 years in 1697.
Nothing concrete can be obtained from these snippets, but it does show that there were several people called Robert Jefferies in Highworth in earlier times, and that the last of them had a connection with Wantage in Berkshire.
We know of some ancestors of Elizabeth from Adrian Hall. These have been added to the Family Tree section, although with question marks.
Elizabeth's parents were Samuel Cooke and Sarah Hughes who married on 3 January 1736 in Castle Eaton, Wiltshire. They had six known children, all baptised in Highworth, Wiltshire -
Nothing else is known about Sarah Hughes.
Samuel's parents were Samuel Cooke and Elizabeth Burge who married on 23 June 1696 in Cirencester, Wiltshire. They had two known children -
The elder Samuel's parents were possibly Gabriel and Margaret Cooke. The younger Samuel is their only known child and he was baptised on 26 April 1674 in Cirencester, Wiltshire
Elizabeth Burge's father was John Burge, but nothing is known about her mother. Elizabeth is John's only known child and she was baptised on 7 November 1669 in Cirencester, Wiltshire.