1. Edward Burcher or Bezer Earl Of Bath was born about 1575 in Bath, Somersetshire, England. He was christened on 1 Mar 1590 in , HALSTED, Essex, England. He died on 2 Mar 1636 in , Tawstock, Devonshire, England. He was buried in , Tawstock, Devonshire, England.
Between 1620 and 1627 an Edward Burcher emigrated to the Plymouth colony, from the county of Surrey, Parish of Southwark, England. He sailed on the "Little James" (Lynn Massachusetts also mentioned). ["Top. Dict. of 2885 Eng. Emmigrants to New England 1620-1650" by Char. Edward Banks] .
===========================================================================
[I have not been able to pull this family of Watertown Mass together with the family of Chester County PA]
=======================================================================
1614.. .Archdeaconry of Sarum, in which the parishes of Tisbury, Chilmark and Dinton are located- Registery of Probate, (Wiltshire), V111. 224.) In Mathew Maihew's Will, of Tisbury, we find John Bracher and Edward Bracher of Tisbury, Wiltshire, witness to Thomas Maihew's "will".
...The researcher of "English Ancestry of Gov. Thomas Mayhew" made the following observation:"As of possible collateral interest it may be noted that John & Edward Bracher (Brasier, Brazier-his note) overseers of the will of Matthew Mayhew, are names found later in Charlestown and Watertown (MASS), whither Thomas Mayhew emigrated. It is to be further noted that Thomas Mayhew was a merchant bred in England "as I take it in Southampton and the records of the Massachusetts Bay Company contain entries of the purchase of supplies from "Mr. Maio" (sic). Southampton,(Hampshire Co., England), which is about 35 miles from Tisbury, (Wiltshire, England").
(The Genealogical Advertiser, Vol 1V, Mar 1901, No. 1)The advertiser goes further in explaining that the Quaker Church records were often found in an adjacent locality, to where the people lived. That being the Church seat.
This Edward Burcher arrived in Charlestown Massachusetts about 1623. He came from England, exactly where was not given. A Massachusetts book states that he left Charlestown area about 1624 and it was not known where he went. From a report of "Brashear (s), Brazier" prepared by "Roots Research" of New York, we have the following family given."His (EDWARD'S) children were (1) Thomas, (2) Elizabeth, (3) Abigail, (4) Abigail, and (5) Sarah. From a Lineage book of Massachusetts we have the following: Edward Brasier (Sp-etc.), Edward left a will-his wife Magdalen was adm. chh. (1) Charles b 9 (6) 1656; (he was admin) 29 (5) 1658. Ch. Thomas bapt. 29 (2) 1660, Abigail b 18 Dec 1664.
Edward (1) and wife Mary did not remain long in the Plymoth colony but left there about 1624 [insert]
============================================================================
*** I do not know if I can prove this connection but sure feels right ***There is an Edward Bourchier (Earl of Bath), on the 1994 IGI file. He must be son of William Bourchier (Earl of Bath). An Edward's children became Quakers and are found in the Wiltshire Quaker Records using the name Bezer.
The Colonel Edward Bezer of London was seen as "Beker" (Welsh influence?). His possible Father (it appears), John Brosher of London, married a Houlton desc. of Isaac Self family who bought the Manor house from Henry Brounker (Bourchier). Edward's father William Bourchier, was of London and New Sarem in Wiltshire Co. , England. (notice the "K" used in this spelling of Bourchiers (Brounker) of Wiltshire Co. , Eng) (Wiltshire notes & Quiries). By using the common ancestor "Selfe", I believe this will work out to lead us to Sir Jn Bourchier (Earl of Bath), who's probible son also married into the Selfe family. John Bourchier and Henry Brounker were different lines of the old William Bourchier (1300ish). Notice the "K" in Brounker. "K" having the same phonetic sound as the "Ch" in Chin, makes it seem logical the "K" in Beker (Bezer) must transmute to "Bourchier", in the same manner.
===========================================================================
A note: 1640ish...Now here is a real interesting item in the early settlers of "Accomack" county Virginia. One Edward Beckler (sic) was hanged as a pirate and other crimes. There are extensive land grants for an Edward Brayer, in King William Co., VA, which seemed to be the same person. It is probably the same Colonel Edward Bezer (Beker), of "His Most Royal Majesty's Military" under (William) Beverly.The Bourchiers were related to Oliver Cromwell (spouse Elizabeth Bourchier), having followed Cromwell against King Charles (1). The Bourchier's Estates were conviscated after the Cromwellian downfall (1660). Edward probably, because of persecution became a "Pirate", or adventurer on the high seas out of self defence. (speculation
) His possible descendant John Bezer (Brazier) b Bishop Cannings, Wiltshire Co., Eng, later of Chichester , Delaware, PA (if this is right connection?) and VA, also was a shipowner and merchant but seems to have salvaged his reputation.
=========================================================================
Again ...back to Mass: From "Roots Research": Thomas Brasier, only son of the immigrant Edward (of Tisbury?), (1996-proven son of George Bourchier sic Bunker) left issue at Charlestown, Mass., by his wife Elizabeth of 5 children viz Thomas, Edward, Elizabeth, Benjamin, and Mary. The descendants of this line are numerous, all three sons of the first Thomas of Charlestown having left sons in that place and in Boston Massachussetts. (...so where are the descendants of John, Edward's brother, of Tisbury, England.It is not probable this Edward (son of George) was father of Edward, William and John Bezer of the "First Claimants" of William Penn.
However our Bezers of Chichester, Chester, Pennsylvania, were children of Edward Burcher (Bourchier), and wife Jane Lawrence. (Bristol Marriages). We must look back another generation for his father.
Edward married (1) Dorothey Saint John daughter of Oliver Saint John Baron Of Bletsoe and Dorothy Read on 14 Jul 1623 in of, Halstead, Essex, England. Dorothey was christened on 17 May 1601 in Bletsoe, Bedford, England. She died on 20 Aug 1632.
They had the following children:
2 F i Elizabeth Bourchier Countess Of Den was born in 1624 in of, Tawstock, Devonshire, England. She died on 22 Sep 1670.
Line 49 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long:
TITL [COUNTESS of Denbigh]/Elizabeth married Basil Fielding. 3 F ii Dorothy Bourchier was born in 1626 in of, Bath, Somersetshire, England. She died about 1657. Dorothy married (1) Thomas Grey about 1646 in , Bath, Somersetshire, England. Dorothy married (2) Gustavus MACKWORTH in , , , England. 4 F iii Anne Bourchier Lady was born in 1628 in of, Bath, Somersetshire, England. She was buried on 9 Sep 1662 in St Giles-n-the-f, Middlesex, England.
Line 80 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long:
BURI PLAC St Giles-n-the-field, Middlesex, EnglandAnne married (1) James CRANFIELD on 3 Mar 1646 in St Bartholomew, London, Middlesex, England. Anne married (2) Chichester WREY. + 5 M iv Edward Burcher 6 M v John Burcher was born on 20 Feb 1630 in of, Tawstock, Devonshire, England. He was christened on 20 Feb 1630 in of, Tawstock, Devonshire, England. He was buried on 5 Oct 1631.
This John Burcher was a good candidate to be the John whose descendants were located at Tisbury, Wiltshire, England. Begining about 1700 a John Borshier took a lease on land to last 99 years. The names of William, John, Edward are and Samuel are prolific in the land records up until after 1800.A William Burcher was Stewart of the lands in Amesbury. Probably the same person as William who was Justice of Cirencester, Co Gloucester England. I believe John stayed in England and Edward (poss Pirate etc) is progenator of the "Bezers" of early Eastern shore of Maryland and the Edward with the Welsh colonists before Wm Penn arrived in Chester Co. PA.
This may be same Col. Edward Beeker a cousin to a John Brosher (Bezer) being the persons mentioned by the Houltons & Selfe family in Wills of Wiltshire. [Notes & Queries of Wiltshire pg ??? Vol ???-insert]. The Selfs and Holtons,
made the removal with the Quakers to PA.
Updates 1998: I have been looking at Castle Combs 1600ish, Wiltshire, England. There was a William Beser who left scant records there. The names Fry, Martin, Combes, Lawrence are heavily associated in the early records also. [insert doc].
In looking at Bristol England marriages, I have found the same families as those named in Castle Combs. There are many marriages including Edward BEZER and Jean Lawrence (our end of line ancestor).
QUESTIONS:
So ...Is this Edward the same Edward who appears on the Feet of Fines in Wiltshire? Historians said he was first into the area???
Is this the Edward who became "Earl of BATH?"
Is this the Edward who donated the Bell to St. Thomas, Wiltshire (Bell's of Wiltshire about date ???).
Is the William Breachear (Burcher?) who donated the Bell to St. Thomas, Wiltshire, 1700 of Tisbury William BEZER.
Are they descended from the William Burcher who donated the Bell to St. Thomas 1612 (of Tisbury).
Is this William BURCHER, stewart of Cirencester, Somerset?
Is William BURCHER, stewart of Tisbury, over heirs of John, the same William?
Is this William Beser of Castle Combs?John married Unknown.
Edward married (2) Anne LOVET daughter of Robert Lovet Knight and Anne Saunders about 1634 in of, Liscombe, Buckinghamshire, England. Anne was born about 1600 in Of Liscombe, Buckinghamshire, England.