James MacKenzie Fooks

#185, (7 December 1780-22 October 1824)
FatherWilliam Fooks (c 1760-Sep 1844)
MotherAnn Williams MacKenzie (c 1759-Oct 1832)
ChartsBarbara Nicholson - ancestors
Last Edited15 Oct 2022
WikiTree ID:https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Fooks-114.
James Mackenzie Fooks
     NOTE: The information on this page is my research to date and is subject to change as I become better informed. I very much welcome any corrections or additional info you might have - my email address is at the bottom of this page. Whilst historical facts are not copyright, my writing about these facts are. If you wish to use any text from this site on Ancestry or on any other website, please ask me first - Tim Hill.
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James was born on Thursday, 7 December 1780 at Melcombe Regis, Weymouth, Dorset.1,2 He was the son of William Fooks and Ann Williams MacKenzie. James MacKenzie Fooks was baptised at All Saints on Sunday, 7 January 1781 at the village of Wyke Regis near the town of Weymouth, Dorset.3,4 After an extensive education James made a living as an architect and builder.5

He married Jane Berjew, daughter of Samuel Berjew and Catherine Wiltshire, by licence in a Church of England ceremony by Reverend Edward Matthew West at St. Mary's on Tuesday, 2 March 1802 at the village of Bradford Abbas near the town of Sherbourne, Dorset. He was 21 and his wife Jane was 23. Jane was the daughter of a Rector. The wedding certificate was also signed by Mary Ann Barbara Berjew. Others who may have attended the wedding include Catherine Wiltshire as mother of the bride, Samuel Berjew as father of the bride, Ann Williams MacKenzie as mother of the groom and William Fooks as father of the groom. James and Jane went on to have nine known children together.6,7,8,9,10,11It isn't clear why they were married in Bradford Abbas, Sherbourne, Dorset. Marriages typically happened in the bride's parish, but Jane's father was a rector at Cerne Abbas, seventeen kilometres away, before and after the marriage. The vicar who married then had been the incumbent at this church for 25 years; he would have no doubt known Jane's father. People with the name of Fooks were witnesses to marriages before and after this wedding, but none apparently closely related to James.12At the time of their wedding, Bradford Abbas had a population of about 480, with 82 small cottages, the church, a school and three or four public houses; economic conditions for the villagers was poor.13 James and Jane lived at 8 St. Thomas Street, Melcombe Regis, Weymouth, Dorset.5

On Friday, 1 January 1808 leasehold premises 10 Royal Crescent, Weymouth, Dorset, were assigned from James Hamilton to James MacKenzie Fooks.14

On 30 January 1809 Thomas Gear leased "2 pieces of land, part of a garden and timber yard" at St. Thomas Street, Melcombe Regis, Weymouth, Dorset, to James for 99 years.15

James MacKenzie Fooks assigned the leasehold premises an unknown place to Felix Calvert Ladbroke on 1 June 1809.14

In a land tax document for Weymouth, Dorset, a James Fooks seems to have owned a number of properties (although he rented a property from Eliza Friend.)16

On April 28th 1811 their nine day old son, James' name-sake, died. This must have been deeply distressing to James and his deeply religous wife.17 Just nine months later their first daughter Catherine died, whilst Jane was about six months pregnant. When he was born this child, also called James MacKenzie Fooks was to only live eighteen months. Jane was pregnant again soon, but this son, also with the same name, only lived seventeen months. Of their five children so far, only the first two sons were still alive.5 James (and presumably his spouse Jane) lived in 1814 at Melcombe Regis, Weymouth, Dorset.18

James's child James received his baptism on Sunday, 30 January 1814 at the village of Up Cerne near the town of Cerne Abbas, Dorset. His family travelled at least 15 miles - a journey of several hours - so he could be baptised in the church his mother's father was rector of.19,20

James apparently drew up some plans to enlarge the church of St. Mary the Virgin in Cerne Abbas; his father-in-law was the rector at nearby Up Cerne.21

James, aged 41 and Jane Berjew, aged 43 became the parents of Rev. Samuel Berjew Fookes on Tuesday, 27 August 1822 at Weymouth, Dorset.1,22 James MacKenzie Fooks was a builder on 30 October 1822.23

James MacKenzie Fooks was likely a witness at the wedding of Lazarus Roberts and Mary Fooks at the parish mother church of St. Mary's on Thursday, 6 March 1823 at Radipole, Weymouth, Dorset. They went on to have a dozen children together..24 James MacKenzie Fooks was a builder on 21 July 1824.25 James was employed by the Borough as Surveyor at Melcombe Regis, Weymouth, Dorset, on 17 September 1824.26

At age 43 he made a will on 18 October 1824. He made the will four days before his death. The entirely of his estate was left to his wife, although he asked that she also make funds available for the "support, maintenance and education of his children". He also nominated some prominent citzens as trustees and willed that the interest and dividends from his estate be used for their benefit. Further, when his children became 21 (or married) they were to get an equal share of the estate.. His wife Jane Berjew was named as the sole executor. (an unknown value.)27,28

James died on 22 October 1824 at Weymouth, Dorset, at age 43 of 'a sickness' but he had been seriously injured when his gig overturned some days beforehand..1,29,30,26 His body was interred at All Saints on 28 October 1824 at Wyke Regis, Weymouth, Dorset.29,31

His will was probated on 16 April 1825.27

Timeline

DateEventPlace
Family
1780BirthMelcombe Regis, Weymouth, Dorset1,2
1781Baptism at All Saints in the village of Wyke Regis near the town of Weymouth, Dorset3,4
OccupationWeymouth, Dorset5
1802Marriage at St. Mary's in the village of Bradford Abbas near the town of Sherbourne, Dorset6,7,8,9,10,11
Residence8 St. Thomas Street, Melcombe Regis, Weymouth, Dorset5
1808Note memo only CR CR10 Royal Crescent, Weymouth, Dorset14
1809Note memo only CR CRSt. Thomas Street, Melcombe Regis, Weymouth, Dorset15
1809Note memo only CR CR14
1810Note memo only CR CRWeymouth, Dorset16
1811Note memo only CR CR17
1812Note memo only5
1814ResidenceMelcombe Regis, Weymouth, Dorset18
1819Note memo only CR CRSt. Mary the Virgin, Cerne Abbas, Dorset21
1822Occupation23
1824Occupation25
1824EmploymentMelcombe Regis, Weymouth, Dorset26
1824Will-new27,28
1824DeathWeymouth, Dorset1,29,30,26
1824BurialWyke Regis, Weymouth, Dorset29,31
1825Probate-new27

Family

Jane Berjew (26 Dec 1778-15 Apr 1875)
Children

Citations

  1. [S806] Jane Fookes,"Extract from Jane Fookes' bible," Bible extract, vital dates , n.d.. Currently held by unknown repository, unknown repository address (for date).
  2. [S1394] The Roberts Family (https://sites.google.com/view/therobertsfamily/home) Ann Williams Mackenzie (1759-1832) https://sites.google.com/view/therobertsfamily/…
  3. [S561] Dorset Online Parish Clerks (http://www.opcdorset.org/) Wyke Regis - BAPTISMS 1731 to 1790 - Church of England- Church Records- Church of England Parish Church of Wyke Regis - Bishop's Transcripts 1731-1880. BFA Film 1239262.
  4. [S463] Family Search (A service provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) (https://familysearch.org) indexing project (batch) number: C02139-4 system origin: England-EASy source film number: 1239262.
  5. [S274] Grahame R. Fooks, The Fooks Family Records p.3.
  6. [S574] England Select Marriages, 1530-1973 Ancestry.com, (www.ancestry.com) Name: James Mackense Fooks; Gender: Male; Marriage Date: 2 Mar 1802; Marriage Place: Bradford Abbas, Dorset, England; Spouse: Jane Berjew; FHL Film Number: 1279482.
  7. [S463] Family Search (A service provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) (https://familysearch.org) Indexing project (batch) number: M15812-1, system origin: England-VR, source film number: 1279482.
  8. [S806] Jane Fookes,"Extract from Jane Fookes' bible," Bible extract, vital dates , n.d.. Currently held by unknown repository, unknown repository address (for date and place).
  9. [S561] Dorset Online Parish Clerks (http://www.opcdorset.org/) Bradford Abbas including Clifton Maybank: MARRIAGES & BANNS 1801 - 1812 + MARRIAGES 1813-1830 (https://www.opcdorset.org/BradfordAbbas/…).
  10. [S256] Grahame R. Fooks, The Fooks Family, 1780-1980 p.2 (for vicar's name).
  11. [S1403] Eric Garrett Bradford Abbas: the History of a Dorset Village p.71 (for details of Rev. E. M. West).
  12. [S1403] Eric Garrett Bradford Abbas: the History of a Dorset Village p.71.
  13. [S1403] Eric Garrett Bradford Abbas: the History of a Dorset Village p.33-36.
  14. [S1396] Mangnall and Coggins Porter,"Porter, Mangnall and Coggins of Dorchester, Solicitors.," Document, various . Currently held by Dorset History Centre, Bridport Road, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1RP Deeds and Documents relating to 10 Royal Cresent Weymouth https://archive-catalogue.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/records/…
  15. [S1397] Various,"The Finn Collection," Miscellaneous, various , 1809-1832. Currently held by Dorset History Centre, Bridport Road, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1RP Lease. 1 Thomas Gear of Weymouth, gent. 2 James MacKenzie Fooks of Weymouth, builder. 30 Jan 1809 https://archive-catalogue.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/records/…
  16. [S1110] England, Dorset, Land Tax Returns, 1780-1811 Ancestry.com, (www.ancestry.com) Tenant: Jas Fooks; Proprietor: Eliza Friend; Year: 1810; Residence: Weymouth; Year Range: 1780-1811; Call Number: Ode (L) 58/1-30.
  17. [S274] Grahame R. Fooks, The Fooks Family Records p.3, 6.
  18. [S1170] Dorset, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1906 (www.ancestry.com) Name: James Mackenzie Fooks; Baptism Date: 30 Jan 1814; Baptism Place: Up Cerne, Dorset, England; Search Photos: Search for 'Up Cerne' in the UK City, Town and Village Photos collection; Father: James Fooks; Mother: Jane Fooks.
  19. [S1107] England, Select Dorset, Church of England Parish Registers, 1538-1999 Ancestry.com, (www.ancestry.com) Name: James Mackenzie Fooks; Baptism Date: 30 Jan 1814; Baptism place: Up Cerne, Dorset, England; Father: James Fooks
    Mother: Jane Fooks.
  20. [S463] Family Search (A service provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) (https://familysearch.org) Indexing project (batch) number: C02899-7, system origin: England-EASy, source film number: 1279490.
  21. [S1395] Incorporated Church Building Society Lambeth Palace Library, (https://images.lambethpalacelibrary.org.uk/luna/servlet) Identifier: ICBS00107; Title: CERNE ABBAS, St. Mary; Creator: ?James W. FOOKS; Description: groundplan; Date: 1819; Source: ICBS 107.
  22. [S274] Grahame R. Fooks, The Fooks Family Records p.5.
  23. [S338] Ancestry.com.au Ancestry.com, (http://www.ancestry.com.au/) Dorset History Centre; Dorset Parish Registers; Reference: PE/MCR.
  24. [S1394] The Roberts Family (https://sites.google.com/view/therobertsfamily/home) Mary Fooks (1801-55) https://sites.google.com/view/therobertsfamily/…
  25. [S1211] UK, Articles of Clerkship, 1756-1874 Ancestry.com, (https://www.ancestry.com) Name: William Samuel Fooks; Father: James Makenzie Fooks; Other: John Henning; Residence: Weymouth and Melcombe Regis Dorset; Other: 21/07/1824 (21 Jul 1824).
  26. [S274] Grahame R. Fooks, The Fooks Family Records p.4.
  27. [S781] England & Wales, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills Ancestry.com, Name: James Mackenzie Fooks; Residence: Weymouth, Dorset, England; Probate Date: 16 Apr 1825.
  28. [S1399] Various,"Poole and Melcombe Regis Deeds," Miscellaneous, various , various. Currently held by Dorset History Centre, Bridport Road, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1RP Weymouth.. 1702-1905 (1922) https://archive-catalogue.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/records/…
  29. [S1108] England, Dorset, Parish Registers, 1538-2001 (familysearch) Name: James Margin Fooks [James McKenzie Fooks]; Death Age: 44; Birth Year: abt 1780; Burial Date: 28 Oct 1824; Burial Place: Wyke Regis, Dorset, England.
  30. [S1394] The Roberts Family (https://sites.google.com/view/therobertsfamily/home) James Mackenzie Fooks (1780-1824) https://sites.google.com/view/therobertsfamily/…
  31. [S561] Dorset Online Parish Clerks (http://www.opcdorset.org/) Wyke Regis - Burials for the Parish of Wyke Regis in the County of Dorset - 1812-1825.