George and Rebecca Durman

George Durman (1694-03-18 – 1751-07-10) and Rebecca Kelsey (c.1690 – 1743-07-10) were my 7th-great-grandparents, probably, being the likely parents of John Durman. They lived and were buried in North Stoneham, England. Their marriage license is dated 1717-02-20.^⟮1⟯

Origins

George Durman was likely born (or at least baptized) in nearby Bursledon, the son of William and Mary Durman, although more evidence for this identification is sought. The baptism date is 1694-04-09. His gravestone says he died aged 56, near the age of 57 from this date.

Rebecca was the daughter of John and Mary Kelsey. Her gravestone gives her age at death as 53, from which we estimate her birth around 1690. Mary Kelsey, widow, buried 1730-12-28^{⟮2⟯FamilySearch (restricted)}, in her will dated 1728-10-12, names a daughter Rebecca wife of George Durman, and lists their children, the five below.

Family

These children are recorded baptized at North Stoneham and/or mentioned in George’s will:

Mary (β 1719-10-02), had an illegitimate daughter Mary in 1741, later married John Mason. The younger Mary is specifically provided for in George’s will.
John (β 1721-05-29 – ⊥ 1799-08-11), believed to be my ancestor; see his article for discussion. The year of baptism is obscured in the records but by process of elimination seems would have to be 1721.
Ann (* c.1723). No baptism record found but mentioned in her father’s will. She married to Thomas Edwards in 1744, both said to be of Martyr Worthy.^⟮3⟯ A child of Thomas and Anne is recorded born in North Stoneham months later.
Charity (β 1725-10-23), married William Cosens of Bishopstoke on 1744-11-12 in St. Michael, Winchester^⟮3⟯.
Martha (β 1727-10-08 – 1748-01-12), died unmarried age 20. She predeceased her father and is the only child not mentioned in his will.

I have had trouble tracing the fate of the other children.

Transcriptions of George and Rebecca’s graves at North Stoneham^{⟮4⟯FamilySearch (restricted)} give precise dates of death which can be correlated to their burial records.

George’s will

The will of George Durman of North Stoneham, yeoman, is dated 1749-11-22 and was proved 1751-09-25:^{⟮5⟯FamilySearch (restricted).}

In the name of God Amen I George Durman of the Parish of North Stoneham in this County of Southampton yeoman being of sound mind and memory do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form as following. That is to say, first, I recommend my Soul into the Hands of my Blessed redemer and Saviour Jesus Christ, hopeing through his meritts death and suffering to obtain forgiveness of all my sins and inheritt Everlasting life. And also my Body I desire my Executor herein after mentioned to bury it in a desent manner in the Church of North Stoneham near to my Chateau(?) as possable; with a gravestone over me. As to my worldly goods as it has pleased God to bless me with all I give bequeath and dispose of it as follows.
First of all I do hereby give and bequeath unto my Daughter Mary wife of John Masson the sume of Fifty pounds of good and lawfull money of of Greate Brittain to be paid her or her heirs within twelve months after my deces by my Executor herein after mentioned also I give her a fether Bed two pillows and a bolster 2 blancketts one sheet 2 pillows Tiesable(?), green rug and bed two curtains green trimd with red which is now all together also the chest of drawers that was her mothers with the glass that is in them.
Also I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Ann wife of Thomas Edwards(?) the sume of one hundred pound of good and lawfull money of Greate Brittain to be paid her or her heirs within twelve months after my deces by my Executor herein after mentioned also I give her one Fether Bed which is cad(?) the narrow striped Bed with two pillows one Bolster two blancketts one sheet two pillowtys(?) and the best green run and bed steed(?) and old green curtains an the chest of drawers called my chest also two nob ended silver spoons also one looking glass.
Also I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Charity wife William Cussens the sume of fifty pounds of good and lawfull money of Greate Brittain to be payed her or her heirs within twelve months after my deces by my Executor herein after mentioned also one Fetherbed which is in the half headed Bedsteed up in the Goarrett(?) with two pillows one bolster two blanckets one old rug red(?) one sheet two pillowtys(?) two of the smallest silver spoons also the looking glass in the kitchen also the Leef(?) drawers that came from Rumsey.
Also I give and bequeath unto my Eldest Grand Daughter Mary Durman the Daughter of my Eldest Daughter now Mary Mason the sume of fifty pounds of good and lawfull money of Great Brittain to be paid her on the day of marriage or when she is of the age of one and twenty years by my Executor herein after mentioned the money is to remain in my Executor's hands for order(?) to breed her up unless she should go to service then the money to continue(?) in my Executor's hands pay the sayd Mary Durman my Granddaughter lawfull intrest for the same as long as she continues in service. Also one bed two down pillows one bolster two blancketts one rug spoted green and white one holen(?) sheet two pillowtys Bedsteed with old green curtains.
Also I give and bequeath all the rest and residue of my goods chattells credits and personal estate whatsoever unto my son John Durman whom I make and order sole Executor of this my last will and Testament in witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and sele this the twenty second day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty nine.

The witnesses were John Chilver, John Vine, and Sarah Draper.

Ancestry of Rebecca

Rebecca Kelsey