There is a very sad story from family records that James became estranged from his daughter, Marianne, over her marriage in 1814 to Job Meek, the son of a farmer. Job met Marianne when he was a tutor at the school run by James. Much to James' displeasure, a romance developed and the couple eloped. Apparently, her father disowned Marianne, being of the opinion she had married beneath her. He removed her name from all family records. It is said that Marianne went to visit her father on his death bed but he refused to see her, saying "I have no daughter, Marianne". Interestingly, there appears to be no record of Marianne's baptism at Holy Trinity, Bungay, where James was a Churchwarden and all Marianne's siblings were baptised. With thanks to Leslie Meek (my 4th cousin twice removed) for this information. |