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The Hope Families of Oxfordshire/Gloucestershire were first recorded in Wick Rissington in 1512. I have a transcript of the will of Arnold Hope born arround 1540 which was proved at Stowe on the 17 September 1612. At this time the family were farmers. However their trade changes to Stone Masonary and the family and its branches are recorded as Stone Masons in various West Country locations from Shipton Under Wychwood to Monkton Coombe and Weston Super Mare.
Bob Hope the Actor demonstrates many of the traits of the Oxfordshire Hopes which are Longevity (80 to 90 years is very common) even 400 years ago. Bob Hopes Grandfather (James Arthur) was a Stone Mason in Weston Supermare. He was born in 1844 he died in the US at the age of 99. My own family were at the same time (1800 to 1850) stone Masons in Monkton Coombe near Bath (They are recorded in adjacent cottages in the 1841 and 1851 Census's. My Great Great Grandfather Arnold Charles Moved to Battersea in London as did many of the Hope Clan from the West Country including Bob Hope's Father William Henry born in 1870. I have not as yet been able to connect Bob Hopes Family Tree back to my own but have the following theorey. A
The only other Townsend Hope I can trace lived in Virgina USA in 1860 and New York 1900 this may be a brother of Bob hopes Great Grandfather. Any Information would be welcome.
From a genetic point of view, if you look at Bob Hopes features you can see the resemblance to my Father and his Father etc.
My Father, George Alfred Hope Died im may last year on his 86th birthday, he had led a very eventful life sharing a council flat of two rooms with his Mother Father and Brother in the early 1920's. Fighting through North Africa and Italy (He was at the battle for Monti Casino)during the second world war and then working for the Southern Railway for over 40 years. He is greatly missed by his three sons. Roger, Peter and Simon.
I hope this story can help fill in the Gaps in the family trees of other Hopes from the South (as opposed to Scottish and Irish clans).
PETER HOPE
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