Notes for Thomas NUNN

Thurtell and Related Families Thurtell and Related Families

Notes for Thomas NUNN

Information received from Peter Murray in 1997 shows that The Nunn family connection with our Thurtell/Murray family was only discovered recently (in 1985). Instead, the `Thurtell Pedigree' compiled by Herbert and Ada Murray ca.1930 and the family tree done by Harriet Thurtell about 1900 state that Winifred, the wife of James Thurtell, was a Woods of Blundeston, Suffolk. The earliest information on this pedigree probably came from the recollections of Walter Thurtell, a grandson of James and Winifred. But the birth and marriage dates given for Winifred did not fit the period of residency in Blundeston of either the Woods or Thurtell families. Discovery of their marriage record finally confirmed her maiden name as Nunn, not Woods, and there is some possibility that it was instead Elizabeth, the second wife of James Thurtell, who may have been a Woods of Blundeston Hall (if so it was her third marriage: Elizabeth Atkinson married James Thurtell in 1797).

Nunn families are quite numerous in Norfolk and Suffolk, and some lines have been traced back to the 14th century. At present, nothing more is known about our branch except a few entries in parish records, and so any connection with other families of the name remains to be discovered. They were established in Norwich, where James Thurtell, the husband of Winifred, also first appears. The following account is based on a preliminary examination of microfilmed parish records by Mrs. Pamela Cole, a descendant of James and Winifred, and testamentary information obtained from the Norwich Record Office obtained by another descendant, Errol Thurtell.

Information received from Peter Murray in 1997 shows that Thomas Nunn was a worsted weaver in Norwich, Norfolk, England. His records show that Thomas Nunn (c 1715-1767) and Winifred Duckett (c 1721-1787) were married January 11,1736, in the Cathedral Church in Norwich, Norfolk County, England. Thomas Nunn, a married man, aged 52 yrs, was buried at Norwich St. Julian January 9, 1767, therefore born ca.1715, and his wife Winifred Nunn, aged 66 yrs, was buried there November 16, 1787, therefore born ca.1721 (parish register). Judging from her marriage date she may have been older. The parentage of Thomas Nunn is not clear since his christening has not been found. An earlier christening is recorded 9 Jan.1686 in the Church of St. John de Sepulchre, Norwich, of a Thomas Nunn (a possible father of ours?), son of Jeames Nunn (no mother's name given). Thomas Nunn, worsted maker of Norwich, made his will 12 Dec.1766 (MF340#2 at Norfolk Record Ofc), and signed it with his mark. This will was indexed in 1767 (when presumably it was proved?). In it he bequeathed to his wife Winifred his messuages, lands and tenements situated in the city of Norwich, the witnesses being John Freeman, Thomas Watson and William Forster (Jr). No children were mentioned in the will, but two children of Thomas and Winifred Nunn appear in the parish records screened so far:

1a. Winifred Nunn (our ancestor), christened in St. Etheldreda Church, Norwich, March 15, 1740, daughter of Thomas Nunn and his wife Wennefrat (an original spelling of Winifred!).

2a. Thomas Nunn, christened December 31,1742, in St. Etheldreda Church, Norwich, son of Thomas Nunn and Winifred Duckett. No further record of this Thomas has yet been found.

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