On 15th Feb 1796 our 3xGreat Grandparents Edward Catchpole and Elizabeth Wake were married in Fressingfield, Suffolk. Elizabeth was about five months pregnant at the time. They moved to the nearby village of Laxfield where Elizabeth had a boy in July 1796. They named him Righteous Wake Catchpole.

There are some interesting insights into Edward's life in his will. There are the usual small legacies to his daughter Elizabeth, and his son William. with the remainder going to Righteous.  There is no mention of his wife Elizabeth, but he did stipulate that his nurse Sarah Rose, the wife of a labourer John Rose, should have a decent suit of mourning to be made up at his expense in recognition of her care and attention prior to his decease. This is curious because Elizabeth seems to be still alive - they appear to have separated.  The will suggests that he was very weak hence the need for Sarah Rose to look after him. But he couldn't have been that ill because he lived for  another ten years. 

Edward also very sportingly left  twenty shillings to be shared five shillings each among the four public houses (The General Wolfe, The Kings Head, The Royal Oak and The White Horse) for the "Brother members" of his Club who attended the funeral. No doubt there was a good turnout!

We think  his Club is a friendly society or benefit club. These were clubs that met in public houses regularly for members to pay a subscription, and the money was used for assisting members who fell ill or on hard times. Very often a death benefit would be paid to assist with funeral expenses. In 1803 Laxfield had a friendly society with 41 members. This is probably it.

The final item of particular interest in the will is a codicil from 1840 which refers to Edward borrowing  £5 from a Benjamin  Baker, who becomes an executor to protect his interest. This confirms Edward's financial difficulties due to the decline in the Suffolk linen industry.