Hi, I am Diana Kennedy and I co-ordinate the Sewell name for the Sole Society. My main area of interest for Sewell is Suffolk.
I have traced my Sewell family back to the marriage of John Sewell who married Sarah Newson on 15 July 1749 in Carlton near Kelsale in Suffolk, (now know as Kelsale-cum-Carlton). John and Sarah had three daughters followed by son John born in 1759 in Kelsale. John married Elizabeth Kent and they had six sons and two daughters born either in Kelsale or neighbouring Snape. I have traced all eight children and their descendants.
My problem is who was the father of John? The first mention of the Sewell name I can find in the area is Thomas Sowles mentioned in the Kelsale Parish Records as a parishioner in 1709 and again in 1711. Thomas died in 1728 in Kelsale. The next mention of a Sewell is Bennett Sewell who was buried in Kelsale in 1776. Then there is a James Sewell who married Hannah Cheston in 1764 in Kelsale. I believe Bennett was the father of James as one of his grandsons was also named Bennett. But was Bennett also the father of John. I can find no evidence that James and John were brothers. There is evidence that both John and James owned land in the Kelsale area, but no evidence to actually link them. But I will go on searching!