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From: Tony Pottrell <>
Subject: [Ess] Brothers/Cousins
Date: Fri, 05 Oct 2007 14:54:56 +0100


Hi all,

Just wondering if someone can help me clarify the legal definition of
brother and cousin in/around 1700?

What's got me thinking is that around 1700 my family has 3 distinct
branches (I cannot link them as the records only go back as far as
1680). I have found a will of a Richard Pottrell that refers to "my
Three Brothers Francis, Henry and Thomas" and "my Sister Mary Brice" as
some of the beneficiaries.

There is a record of a William Brice and Mary Pottrel marrying in the
parish in 1702. There is also a baptismal record for a Mary Pottrell in
1681 (making her the perfect age of 21) whom I have previously linked
into my direct tree. That places Richard in my tree nicely, despite
there being no record of Richard's baptism. There are a couple of large
gaps between siblings which could suggest missing people. (1676, 78, 81,
83, 87, 89)

However, from the baptism records I can only find one candidate for the
three brothers in the will, namely Thomas. There is no record at all of
any Francis Pottrells in the register so can only assume he wasn't
baptised. There are some Henrys', but they are on the unlinked branch.

Would it be outrageous for me to make an educated guess that Richard,
Mary and Thomas had another two brothers called Francis and Henry? Or
does the term 'brothers' also apply to cousins?

Thanks,

Tony

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