Left to right: James Polley, Mary Polley (nee Isaac), Katherine Polley

Roger wrote (May 2007): "..... c. 1860s, my maternal gt gt gt grandparents and the youngest of their two daughters, both born in 1804, who lived at Newland. Hunt & Co.'s Directory of 1849 lists James as beer retailer, carpenter & builder and boot & shoemaker - quite a jack-of-all-trades. His wife was Mary Isaac, hailing from Dunraven, S. Wales, who I think had a connection (ladies' maid perhaps?) to the Lady of Clearwell Castle, who came from Dunraven Castle. I like to imagine James meeting Mary, having been called up to the Castle on some carpentering job. The family story was that she spoke no English, which can't have made for an easy courtship! Many years ago, I spoke on 'phone to a Polley descendant (James had 3 sons), who still lived in Lydney, but with whom I've lost touch."

Katherine and James Polley (courtesy of Roger Dennis)