Francis Kervil - our oldest known Ancestor

The theories as to his origins

The oldest known grandfather of us all. But where did he come from?

 

The surname is not shown in any local West Sussex records prior to Francis "appearing" in first Chidham(1687), and then Bosham(1693) where he married, firstly, Mary WILES and, after a 5-year marriage and Mary's death, Elizabeth CUPIN.

 

Discovery of land rentals by Francis in early 1700s at Bosham indicates that he was involved in agricultural/smallholding activities in an area of the County that was rich agricultural land and may give us a reason for him coming to Chidham/Bosham area in the first place

 

The same and similair sounding surnames are recorded during the 16/17th century in:-

 

Sussex

names such as Karvell, Carvell and Carvill are recorded

 

Hampshire

particularly in South Hampshire at Romsey, Twyford, Hursley, Bishopstoke, Eling, Millbrook, Beaulieu, Fawley, Wellow, Upham where Kervil is often seen - but no likely Francis birth yet found

 

Isle of Wight

several parishes, but a search of all parish records has not revealed a Francis. Unfortunately many records on the Isle have not survived

 

Kent

isolated entries in Canterbury

 

Suffolk

isolated entries in Lowestoft. 17th century herring fleets were known to trade from East Anglia to the South Coast

 

 

 

 

 

 

and what might he have looked like.........?

but how and why might he have arrived.....?

agricultural worker circa 1700

continued