Hi! I'm looking for any information regarding the ancestry of the novelist, William Makepeace Thackeray. Thus far, William was born in 1811 in Calcutta, India to parents Richmond Thackeray (who worked for the East India Company) and Ann Becher. Richmond's father was also named William Makepeace Thackeray (b. 1749, also worked for East India Company)and his mother was Amelia Richmond Webb (b. 1757). William Makepeace's father (great-grandfather of the novelist) was the Archdeacon Thomas Thackeray (b. 1692) who married Ann Woodward (b. 1709). The area of residence for most is listed as Yorkshire.
According to some references, family tradition states that the "Makepeace" name is derived from an ancestor "who had been a protestant martyr in the days of Queen Mary." Through process of elimination, I believe this person to be Richard Makepeace of Chipping Warden, Warwickshire. Richard was born in 1516 and died in 1584 (both in Chipping Warden) and was among the church parish of St. Peter and St. Paul. There is a monumental brass inscribed for him and his wife, Dorothie Warner at the church.
I've attempted unsuccesfully to link William Makepeace Thackeray and his known ancestors to Richard or any other Makepeace. Can anyone help?? Thanx in advance!
Brittanie Wittmer