Frances,
This is very helpful, thanks. Can I just check that I have interpreted your abbreviations correctly!

John Caine's will 1788 names three sons - William Robert and Thomas. I presume the age 83 on MI is for John.

I expect you saw Stephen's post with the quote from a family letter which appears to confirm that Thomas and Robert both went to Liverpool as young men and ended up in the same line of business.

The second John, who died 1767 - not sure what you mean by "two later ua". I'm probably being a bit dim but...! Do you think he might have been father of John who died 1788?

This is looking like an exciting breakthrough for me - thanks for your help.

Oliver.