Hello Donna,

Yes, I am very excited by this development and waiting on tenderhooks for a response from Stephen! Particularly because of the portraits he has, which I find brings a family tree to life!

We established from the inscription on his headstone that Thomas Cain(e), being 58 on 16 Apr 1814, must have been born between 17 apr 1755 and 15 apr 1756. He mentions a brother William in the IoM in his will. The most probable candidate I have found is Thomas christened 11 Apr 1756 Kirk Michael, son of John Caine and Catherine Corlett. They also had children John 1745, William 1751, William 1752 and Robert 1763. The second William could be the brother mentioned in Thomas' will and Robert is probably the tailor of Lord St Liverpool who wouldn't have been mentioned in Thomas' will because he died in 1838.

Robert married Jane Gifford Allen on 23 Feb 1797 Holy Trinity, St Anne St Liverpool and they had 6 children: Ann 1798, Jane 1800, John 1802, Robert 1805, Sarah (possibly named in honour of brother Thomas' first wife?) 1807, and Catherine 1809. He died 2 May 1838 Liverpool and his headstone gives his age as 74, which fits with the christening for John and Catherine's son (16 sep 1763) and raises the probability that they are the right parents..... I'd be fascinated (and bitterly disappointed) if you have contradictory info!

Don't know anything about the other brother, William.

Ann Sproston was daughter of Nathaniel Sproston (Hatter and Hosier) who died 1792 Birmingham. His father was (I believe) John Sproston who's family were from Chester. Her mother was Ann Harris, who married Nathaniel 29 Apr 1764 St Philips, Birmingham.

It sounds like Stephen has more details "up his slieves" so it will be particularly interesting to hear more from him.

Best wishes,

Oliver