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A staymaker of Maidstone

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Paul Barton, Special Agent

Paul Barton, Special Agent Report 13 Jun 2010 20:27

Thanks Gwynn - that's where I found out about Thomas's freedom.

Gwyn in Kent

Gwyn in Kent Report 13 Jun 2010 19:52

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mrawson/free.html

Liz 47

Liz 47 Report 13 Jun 2010 19:19

If he was made a freeman of Maidstone, perhaps the local council or library could help you, or tell you where you could find more details.
Liz

Researching:
Dad and Aunty Dolly with Grandad WW1

Paul Barton, Special Agent

Paul Barton, Special Agent Report 13 Jun 2010 18:12

My ancestor Thomas Wilmshurst (1735-1818) was apprenticed to staymaker Harrington Pain (1707-1780) in Maidstone, learning the art of corsetry. On completion of his apprenticeship in 1757 at the age of 24 he became a freeman of Maidstone.

Thomas Bensted was also made a freeman three years later, apprenticed to the same Harrington Pain, so undoubtedly it was he who introduced Thomas Wilmshurst to his wife Mary Bensted. They married on 12th October 1858, at All Saints Maidstone, having a daughter, Elizabeth the following year. She was followed by Stephen in 1760 and William in 1762, all children born in Maidstone.

The family subsequently returned to Thomas's birthplace in Cranbrook, but it's his time in Maidstone I'm interested in. Can anybody flesh out more detail for me please??