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The Couch Family Journal: New England Section By: Nicholas Barratt

Prologue
My name is Nicholas Barratt. I grew up in Warwick, Rhode Island. My father was David Barratt Sr and my mother was Lynn Gerry. I was the youngest of four, the eldest David Barratt Jr, Anthony Barratt, Alexia Barratt, and (me) Nicholas Barratt. I moved around often and ended up living in; Florida, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. I knew very little about my family, and wasn’t ever told much. Around 16 years old things changed, I started to grow curious. I wanted to know more about where I came from and who I was. Little did I know, I would uncover some hidden gems in our family’s history. This book will be a guide for future generations of our family and others. It’s contents hold precious information slowly forgotten over the years. All accounts of statistics and information will be cited to the best of my ability. Anything that is uncertain will be marked as so. I would also like to thank a few people for the information that helped me write this book; Lynn Mulvey, Donna Rae Barratt, Bonnie Trefton, Stephanie Torrance, Thea Dionne, and everybody included in the family. The lack of available information on my family was surprising. This made me feel inclined to write such a work. Hopefully, you find it as useful and interesting as I did.

==Getting Started==

The surname Couch or “cooch” is said to be derived from Cornish roots. Translating to “cough” or (red). There are many possible ways to pronounce the last name, the Cornish pronunciations are; Coch, Cogh, Cooch, Cough, Cuche, or Cowche. The English variants are; Coucha, Couche, Coucher, Couchman, and Cowcha. It was said to have been a nickname for men that are redheads. (Couch Surname). The variant used by our family is “Couch” when referencing members. The Couch’s have a rich heritage within their bloodline. The majority live in the; Southern United States, Eastern United States, England, and Australia (Couch Bill). The chapter we will be talking about is the one that settled in New England. Before coming to the United States, the family possibly worked as Millers in Couch’s Mill; a well known Hamlet in Cornwall, England (Landmark Visitors). Unfortunately, this next part is of “oral tradition”. There is no evidence yet to support these claims. However, this information comes from reliable and mentally sound people. Donna R. Barratt, my grandmother had told me the story of our family, She said;

“[Great Great] Grampa couch’s Parents [owners of] couch county, England[.] he was a[n] elite furniture craftsman[,] duke and duchess and owners of that county[.] they sent Grampa and his brother to the USA and started a tool and dye coming in Manchester NH[.] [H]e met Gra[ndma] when his was in world war 2 he got shot by a sniper and Grammy was his nurse in the hospital” Donna explains here that my great great grandfather was a duke in England. It can be inferred that at some point he was married and his wife became duchess.“The duke” sent his two sons to the United States. After they arrived, they started a tool and dye company in Manchester, New Hampshire. My great great grandmother was his nurse in WWII and that’s how they met. There is no evidence in the peerage of Britain, Ireland, or Scotland of a duke that had the surname Couch. Despite this fact, there could still be truth to this claim. The title could be held under another name or the story could have been misinterpreted over generations. In order to shed light on this situation and gather information I turned to another source, my grandmother's sister. She was happy to hear from me and was glad to tell me anything I needed to hear. I messaged her via Facebook and said,

“Hello, I have been meaning to message you. I’m doing a family tree and it turns out you're my grandmother's sister. I’m looking to fill in some missing spots and learn more about our family. If you could message me whenever you get this I greatly appreciate it.”

She was quick to respond and eventually told me her story, she said,

“I'm afraid [I] will know less than her. I know our family was linked back to Couch county England through your great great grandfather[,] Raymond Couch. I think aunt Tia would have some information to help you, do you have her on Facebook… I don't know about a mansion. I know our family was contacted asking if someone would move back to the county way back I think in the 60s or early 1970s… If your ever in Rochester nh go to the cemetery on whitefield road Raymond and Margaret Couch are buried there in a family plot you might come up with some names there”

It made the story more structurally sound to get somewhat similar responses from both of them. They both mention “Couch County”and after research, it seems either they are referencing what is now “Couch’s Mill” or it was named something else. There is no independent county in England with the name “Couch County”. She also mentions someone tried to contact the family to get someone to move back to what can be assumed, England. Lastly, Bonnie relays the burial spots of my Great Great Grandmother and Father. David Barratt Jr my eldest brother played a part in my findings as well. My mother Lynn tells me about a letter my brother got when he was a child. It was referencing some kind of “royalty” she says. It had a stamp in the middle of the letter, I assume it was a family crest. The exact memory of what it said had slipped her. However, she said it came from out of the county for him when he was less than two years old. The letter served as a greeting if she recalls correctly. When I looked into this matter, I did not find much. I am still in search of the letter and where it came from to clarify things. Shortly after the letter my mother was invited to meet with some people about my brother. She recalls a lawyer, priest, my grandmother, and David jr being with her. An important looking man was chatting with the lawyer and said “ he had to make a phone call…” My mom said he thinks he called out of the country, and was speaking about my brother. She had no idea what was going on, and was filled in very little. David Barratt Jr wasn’t actually my Dad’s son. This somehow affected the situation and the conversation on the phone. It abruptly ended and a fuss was made about the legitimacy of the child. After this point, the contact with my brother ceased. I assume because he was not blood related to who was after him.

Note: this picture shows an area around couch’s mill,.

Family tree

Note: this is a first copy of a rough draft that depicts my family tree. It starts from the newer to oldest generations (I-VI).

Chapter Two: Family Relationships and Info

David Barratt Sr- Son of Donna Barratt and David Buckley, brother to Stephanie Torrance. He was a respectable and hard working man. He worked as a metal plater in Providence, RI. He met my mother as teenagers and they had two full blooded children together. All together though he raised four, though which included my brothers and half sister. He loved and cared very much for his kids. Sadly, he passed too early on Oct 30th 2012, in his mid 40’s. His sons David Barratt, Anthony Barratt, Nicholas Barratt, and his daughter Alexia Barratt received most of his belongings. Lynn Gerry- Daughter of Joanne Gerry and William Gilbert. Sister to Aaron Simas, Jamie crum, and Danielle Simas. She is creative and a loving person. She works as a Private Investigator and freelances creativity on the side. She has four biological children; Nicholas Barratt, Alexia Barratt, David Barratt, and Anthony Barratt. She also adopted three children from bad homes, Lilly Mulvey, Brooklyn Mulvey, and Serenity Zeda Dream Ruth. She in 2020 is married to Charles Mulvey. He has 7+ children of his own. David Barratt Jr- Son of Lynn Gerry and William (?). half brother to Alexia Barratt, Anthony Barratt, and Nicholas Barratt. He has two children of his own Aiden Kenneth Dionne Barratt and Iris Lee Barratt. He worked at “Sig”, a gun manufacturing company in NH. He also worked as a tree service worker in Rhode Island. He was married to Thea Dionne before getting divorced a few years later. Thea and David had a boy, Aiden. Stephanie Pezarcka was David’s spouse and they had Iris lee Barratt together. Anthony Barratt- Son of David Barratt and Lynn Gerry. Brother to Nicholas Barratt, half brother to David Barratt, and half brother to Alexia Barratt. He has one child Gavin Yanez-Barratt. He works as a tree service worker. He was a temper driven young boy. However, he grew into a respectable and mature man. His son's mother is Selena Yanez. Alexia Barratt- Daughter of Lynn Gerry and Luis Ortiz. half sister to Nicholas Barratt, Anthony Barratt, and David Barratt. She always has had great artistic talent. Married to Kevin Pexito at 21. She’s worked in food, retail, security and other service jobs.

Nicholas Barratt- Son of David Barratt and Lynn Gerry. Brother to Anthony Barratt, half brother to David Barratt, and half brother to Alexia Barratt. He works as a pianist. He also taught/teaches at Barrington Music Studio in RI. He studies Music Education at CCRI. Donna R. Barratt- Daughter of Shirley Couch and (?). Sister to Corrina Lavirtue, Bonnie Trefton, Mary Tibetts and Loretta lavirtue (dame). Mother to Stephanie Torrance and David Barratt. Her occupation is a nurse. She currently lives in New Hampshire.

Stephanie Torrance- Daughter of Donna Barratt and (?). Mother to Angel Barratt, Hector Guzman, Nadia Guzman, kelen, and Benjamin. Married to Ben Torrance.

Angel Barratt- Son of Stephanie Torrance and (?). Father of Myra Barratt. Brother to Nadia Guzman, Hector Guzman, Benjamin (?), and Kelen (?).

Hector Guzman- Son of Stephanie Torrance and (?). Brother to Angel Barratt, Nadia Guzman, Benjamin (?), Kelen (?).

Nadia Guzman- Daughter of Stephanie Torrance and (?).

David Buckley- Son of Pearl Stacy and (?). Father to David Barratt Sr.

Shirley Couch- Daughter of Raymond Couch and a Margaret Beauchanine. Mother to Donna Rae Barratt and three other daughters.

Raymond Couch- Born 1933 estimate, Lived in NH?

Margaret Beauchanine- (Couch), married to Raymond.

Chapter Three: Titles

My grandmother Donna R. Barratt also informed me of a possible title that is passed down through family. She said,

“The title of the first born grandson is master until manhood. He was titled master David Kenneth Buckley. Dennis was his step dad and [had] no Barratt Bloodline. You're dad's biological father was a Buckley. His dad owned New England homes a house building company until he passed...Until you own property and business status  you kids titles and Are master and mistress you are master Nicholas Buckley Barratt”

Presuming she is correct, that would give these titles, Master Mistress Master Nicholas Barratt Mistress Alexia Barratt Master David Barratt Jr Mistress Nadia Guzman Master Anthony Barratt Mistress Kellen Torrance Master Hector Guzman Mistress Stephanie Torrance Master Angel Barratt Mistress Donna Rae Barratt Master Benjamin Torrance

Master David Barratt Sr

If it applies to my sister, Mistress Alexia Barratt, it would in theory apply to my Father's Sister as well. That would mean she is a Mistress Stephanie Torrance and her children under the same title, Master/Mistress.

Chapter Four: The Downs Family

One particular family my Grandmother talked about was the Downs Family. This is what she said,

“Lexi is Mistress Alexia Rae Buckley Barratt. Property and status in couch county England  Grandpa's sister married a Downs and the Downs children have inherited All couch county and family mansion...So we will also remain masters and mistresses unless one of you kids go to England and marry one of them Downs and get it and back. I met them once when I was around 10 when they came to visit Grandpa. After Grampa s sister passes never heard from them”

I have extensively searched for the Downs Family in the area of Cornwall we lived in England and have found very little. However, they had contact with my grandmother's generation so someone could possibly know where else to look.

A possible connection that might be is another family surname, the Fortescue Family. They lived in Boconnoc Estate which includes Couch's Mill. It could be that the last name has changed, but there are no records at the moment that support this theory.

Chapter Five: Heirlooms

Our family has had many things passed down to us from previous family members. In order to keep them safe this chapter is dedicated to their whereabouts and owners.

Person Item Value Anthony Barratt Bebe gun, Fishing Clock, Elephant Tables, Marble Table, $1000+ David Barratt Dads Leather Bag, Dads Passing Pillow Case, Priceless & Sentimental Alexia Barratt Smurf Setup, Dads Items Sentimental Nicholas Barratt All Photos and documents suitcase, Ranaldi Box, Joannes Porcelain Dolls, Desk, Gold Vanity, green bag, Nanas watched, Nanas gold Timepiece (neck), Priceless & Sentimental Donna Barratt Dads Baby Books, Dads remaining items, Priceless & Sentimental Lynn Gerry Father's Day Plate, Photo Albums, Davies address letter, Priceless & Sentimental Unknown Family Tree Plaque Sentimental

Note: This map is accurate as of May 4th, 2020

Chapter Six: The Boconnoc Estate

Sir William Mohun in 1579 was said to have bought the property from Francis Russel, the 2nd Earl of Bedford. The Earl had been granted Boconnoc as a part of the Earldom of Bedford and for crushing the Prayer Rebellion Book in 1550. Sir William was said to have rebuilt the estate upon his purchase; which was named the “Tower of Boconnoc” in the 13th century (History). The current owners are the Fortescue family; they operate a website on behalf of Boconnoc. They quoted this for how they came to own the Estate,

“He passed it to his son, Sir Reginald Mohun, who was made a Baronet in 1612. In 1644, the Earl of Essex for Parliament, marched into Cornwall followed by the armies of Charles I and his nephew, Prince Maurice. The King made his headquarters at Boconnoc. The Royalists defeated the Parliamentarians in Cornwall, but after the final victory of Cromwell and the Parliamentarians and the execution of the King, Warwick Mohun had to pay over £2,000 to retain Boconnoc. It remained in the family until Charles, 4th Baron Mohun was killed in a duel with the Duke of Hamilton in 1712 (Boconnoc).”

The current owners explain that there was a battle in which the royalist defeated the parliamentarians. However after the final victory of Cromwell and the king was executed, Warwick Mohun had to pay a large sum of over $2,000 to keep the Estate. The lavish hike remained in the family until Charles, 4th Baron of Mohun was killed in battle. It was a duel between the Duke of Hamilton and the Baron of Mohun in 1712. The fortescue family goes on to say,

“Baron Mohun’s Estate passed to his second wife, who in 1717 sold it to Thomas Pitt, late Governor of Madras, for £54,000. He raised the purchase money from the Pitt Diamond bought in India in 1701 – which he sold to the Regent of France for the sum of £135,000 to be set in the crown of Louis XV for his coronation. It was subsequently set in the hilt of Napoleon’s sword, which is now on view in the Louvre in Paris. Thomas Pitt remodelled the main East side of the house and the gallery wing, facing south, was built by his great grandson, Thomas, in 1771. In 1804 the heir, Thomas Pitt, was killed in a duel with Captain Best. The Estate passed to his sister, Anne Pitt, who married William Wyndham, Lord Grenville, later the Prime Minister who was famous for abolishing the slave trade. In 1864 on Lady Grenville’s death the Estate was bequeathed to George Matthew Fortescue, younger son of Lord Grenville’s sister, Hester, who married the first Earl Fortescue of Castle Hill, Devon. It has remained in the Fortescue family ever since.”

The connection to the Couch family seems tiny, if any. The mention of the surname Downs was not mentioned. So, until further evidence is brought to light it is unclear whether the Downs and Fortescue family have any kind of connection.

“In 2000, Anthony and Elizabeth Fortescue embarked on an ambitious renovation project to restore the main house to its former glory, and at the same time impart a magnificent new contemporary feel to the Estate (Boconnoc).”

Note: this is an image of the Fortescue family crest. Heir Apparent: John Andrew Francis Fortescue (Earl Fortescue).

Note: This image was taken from a Wikipedia page on Cornwall. It speaks of a manor, Luxulian. There could be a possible connection between this name and our family as well (Cowche).

Work Cited Page

Couch, Bill. “COUCH.” Couch Family Charts, couchgenweb.com/allcouch.htm.

“Couch (Surname).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 20 Dec. 2019, en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Couch_(surname).

“Landmark Visitors Guide Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly.” Google Books, Google, books.google.com/books?id=6f9Rq0SHAMEC&pg=PA46&lpg=PA46&dq=couchs%2Bmill&source=bl&ots=MUkdfWVXpf&sig=ACfU3U3ee8-o7AW7gxKvhDviY-ibDbo9cA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjF8OvU5uHoAhVVmHIEHZ6qDRU4KBDoATAEegQIAhAB#v=onepage&q=couchs%20mill&f=false.

“History.” Boconnoc House & Estate | Wedding Venue and Accommodation Cornwall, www.boconnoc.com/history/.

Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_Fortescue#Earls_Fortescue_(1789).

Cowche Name Meaning, Family History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms.” Google, Google, www.google.com/amp/s/www.houseofnames.com/amp/cowche-family-crest.