Charles Machin (aka Meachen)

Charles was born in March 1714 at Crownthorpe, Norfolk, to parents Robert & Margaret Machin.

On 9 December 1735 he married Elizabeth Beales, a widow (her first husband John Wicks died in 1726), at Crownthorpe: they had 5 children, but 2 died young. Elizabeth died soon after the birth (& death) of their last child.

In 1745 Charles remarried and had another 3 children with Frances Adcock: Margaret, Ann, & Mary.

Charles was a wealthy farmer in Yaxham, Norfolk. He died on 21 June 1790. Shortly before, on 6 June 1790, he wrote a detailed will, which was subsequently proved on 23 July 1790. In his will he assigns his son Charles Machin & son-in-law Christopher Cody as executors, & leaves his estate to his wife Frances, & after her death to his sons Charles, Robert, daughters Elizabeth, Margaret, & Ann, and son-in-law Edward Frost (Edward's wife Mary died earlier the same year).

The inscription on his grave at Yaxham reads: 'To the memory of Charles Meachen who departed this life June 21st 1790 aged 75 years. Oh cruel death that would not spare, A loving husband and father dear, Great is the loss of those he left behind, We hope in Heaven he can comfort find, Gravestones and tombs are trifles spent, A mans good name his monument.'