From: Kenneth Peter Hyde
Date: Monday, August 13, 2001 6:28 AM

Hi. 

I have records of John Seward bap. 2 May 1619 at Axmouth, Devon. He was the 
son of Thomas Seward of 'Downlands' Axmouth, Devon. This John probably 
inherited 'Downlands' from his father as he was "of Downlands esq." in 1647. 
(Axmouth PR). 

John Seaward married abt. 1645 Eleanor Drake (bap. 1625 dau. of William Drake 
of Yardbury, Colyton esq, the second son of John Drake of Ash.) They had one 
dau. Ann bap. 16 Apr. 1647 at Axmouth. 

John Drake of Yardbury, Colyton gent. in his Will dated 27 March 1649, and 
proved the following December, mentions, "my niece Ann daughter of Mr. John 
Seward of Downlands esq." 

Thomas Seward the second son of Thomas Seward of Downlands, esq. bap. 24 Aug. 
1620, married at Axmouth 5 May 1651 Mrs. Jane Drake (bap. 1630 at Colyton), 
she 
was also a daughter of William Drake of Yardbury, Devon esq. 

Hope this is of some interest to you? 

Kenneth Peter Hyde 

Hello Roy. 

Thanks for your reply to my small contribution to the Drake family of 
Devon.Of course you may post it on your Drake Web site, I am very pleased to 
know you found some interest in my notes. 

My connection to the Sewards comes thru my Great-grandmother Emma (Cross) 
Hyde, she was the wife of Charles Hyde of Martinstown, Dorset, farmer. Emma 
(b. 11 Oct. 1858 at Axmouth) dau. of Joseph Jefford and Elizabeth Love 
(Dampier) Cross of Axmouth, baker & mundic merchant. Joseph's grandfather 
(also named Joseph Jefford Cross), married 30 Nov. 1773 Mary Seward (b. 5 
Jun. 1748) dau. of James and Susannah Seward of Axmouth, hence my somewhat 
distant attachment to the Seward's. 

Other Cross connections to some Devon families include: 
Jefford; Sampson; Rocket; Love; Dampier; Major; French; Orchard and Keat, 
many of whom lived during the 17th and 18th century in and around: Axmouth, 
Musbury, Colyton, Whitchurch, Lyme Regis, Hawkchurch, Wambrook and Thorncombe 

Regards, 

Kenneth 
(Kenneth Peter Hyde)