where did the large debt arise - the mortgage held by John was for £18 or so - I can't see any other mortgage let alone one for £240 wch was a very large sum at that time unless dates from well before James (none I can see in Old Morts )- any suggestions from Constance ? (my copy of book is back in UK)

yes you are prob correct re Cath Crow's illeg child - but who were the Edward + Ann having children upto early 1740's ? - yes PC Edward could well have been 90 - the reg noted the more interesting fact of his length of service - what age was his 2nd wife ?