Thomas Savery

Thomas Savery married Frances Gibbins in St Nicholas Church, Gloucestershire on 26 April 1748. His wife, Frances Gibbins, was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Gibbins (or Gibbons). John Gibbins was the miller in Cowley, Gloucestershire, and therefore was of some importance in the village. (John was the son of another John Gibbins of the same mill). The mill was situated in the stream just below St Mary’s Church,  Cowley.

The Mill no longer exists, but the site can be traced to the spot in the grounds of Cowley Manor, where the two lakes join. The mill probably disappeared when the old manor was ‘restored’ and the grounds landscaped. 

Although Thomas was described ‘of Cowley’ at the time of his marriage there is no mention of his name in the Cowley Manor Records until 1748, when it appears for the first time in an entry dated 24th October of that year. He listed among “all those that owe suit and service at this Court Leet and Court Baron“.

It appears highly likely that at some stage Thomas Savery took over his father-in-law’s mill, as at the time of his death in 1757 (aged about 31) he is described as “Thomas Savery of the Mill”. The died intestate worth £18.7.6 (approximately £2,741 in 2025) (Note after Thomas, the name was spelt Savory).

Thomas and Frances had three sons and two daughters. Only two sons survived beyond infancy and both are referred to in Frances’ Will dated 24 April 1771, in which she left “my house at Stroude during the lease I have of it…” to her son Thomas. There is no indication as to how she acquired this property. Stroud is about ten miles south west of Cowley. In her will she also ordered her eldest son, John, “…to give my son Thomas sufficient wearing apparel during his apprenticeship”.

Subsequent to her husband’s death, Frances had an illegitimate daughter, Patient who died within a year. 

Frances died, aged 43, in Cowley in 1771,  naming (in her Will) her “kinsman Thomas Gibbins to be trustee and guardian over my children”.