The following was recorded in the Yatesbury Church newssheet in 1995.

Chance encounter in the Churchyard.

On Tuesday 18th July Fred Goddard was tidying up the churchyard whe n he was
approached by a stranger who was looking for information toadd to hi s family
tree. He introduced himself as Michael Caswell, and said his great uncle had
been the village baker and shop-keepr in Yatesbury. He had also been the
churchwarden.
Fred showed him where the family graves were, and told him that his father had
been a family friend of William Caswell. In fact, William had asked him to see
to his wife's funeral arrangementd if he was to die beforeher. This happened
in due course, but before she died Mrs. Caswell gave Fred'sfather th e family
bible.

"The wonderful thing was" said Fred, "that I was able togive back to Michael
Caswell the family bible which has handwritten familyinscriptions in side. It
was a very emotional moment for Michael when he held in hishands a piece of his
family history".Michael has lived in America for manyyears, and by n ow is back there and, no
doubt, showing this very precious possession to his family.

In a book entitled 'A Wiltshire Village' by Al WIlliams, a Pheobe Ferris is
mentioned. Phoebe Ferris is stated to be the only daughterof the lock-keeper,

John Ferris, who, in and around 1891 lived at th elock-house on the
canal through the village. (It doesn't say so, but this was the Wilts &
Berks canal).

It gives no other information about her, but says she hadthree
brothers, Shadrach, Meshach and Frank. The latter twohelped their
father with lock duties, but Shadrach couldn't because hewas blind.
Nevertheless he became a skilled wood turner and carpenterand
repaired agricultural machinery, then later spent timebeing educated
and went on to run his own business as an electrician!.

John Ferris and his wife (not named) moved into Swindonlater, but
ended up in the workhouse.