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Cock Road was, in the 18th Century, a tiny hamlet on the outskirts of Bristol, within the lawless Kingswood Forest. Though a small area, the exploits of the inhabitants brought it to the attention of the authorities of Bristol, Gloucestershire and Somerset. It was claimed that a criminal gang, unmatched in notoriety, came from Cock Road. In reality, anyone committing a criminal act who lived in the forest was tarnished as a member of the gang. They were engaged in horse stealing, burglary, highway robbery and, possibly, the first ram raid. They even had a structured protection racket, where farmers paid according to the size of their estate. They had links in the area, as well as up and down the country. Generations of the same families were hanged, transported and imprisoned. It took the full force of the authorities and the undermining of their way of life to stop the gang.
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Robert Caines
My grandfather hails from Bristol and I believe he may be related to the Cock Road Gang. Any information you might provide would be so helpful. Thanks
Bob
Julie
My great grandmother was Mary Caine’s her dad Robert Caines wonder if we are related. her mother was Mary Ann Jefferies.
bryan isaacs
my name is bryan isaacs I live in Australia but was born in England came to austraia 1952 born 7/11/1943 lived in shortwood my daughter holly clark is married and is doing the family treeshe gave me a book to read that is called the cock road gang samual isaacs1742 married mary webbmy father was albert isaacs grandfather luther isaacs his father wasjohn isaacs but thy are related back to the cock road gang the auther was ian someone if you forward a postal address I can send a copy of the family tree so far
didi magnin
My maiden name is Lewton-Brain! I thinnk some of my naughty ancestors were part ofthe infamous Cock Road gang….
Mike laws
I have also have the ancestry bug, having lived in Hanham and kingswood in the 50’s & 60’s. I believe a number of my past relatives have been interwoven in the cock hill road gang and events. Also possibly with one of the authors Brian Iles, of one of these books on this webpage and I would like to hear from him to confirm this. My great grandfather Ernest Iles, was a police constable in kingswood in the 1890’s living in st. George. Further back in 18 & 19 centuries living in Hanham road and cock road including Brittens and Frys. I would like to piece together some gaps and hopefully can do the same for others. Also grandmother Olive Iles and husband Harry ran a pub the forge and hammer on LAwrence Hill in the 1950’s &60’s until it was pulled down in 1965.
Norman Fry
I am a Fry and have been doing my family history. I am almost sure that there is a direct line from my family to the Frys in Cock Road. My father’s line all came from the Bristol area. I understand that my gt grandfather John Fry ran the Antelope pub (now demolished) .
Norman Fry
Steve Hards
Mike, your grandmother must have taken over the Forge Hammer pub from my father’s aunt and uncle, Fred and Flora Bennett who ran it from 1937 to 1950 (see ) Both my father and his sister Phyllis lived with them (and worked in the pub!) for many years when their mother was ill with TB.
Nick Lear
I traced my family ( Lear ) back to Bitton, and I believe one or two members were acquaintances of the Cock Road Gang.
Dee Hillier
Hi
Is there a way to purchase the Cock Road Gang book or find it somewhere? Also is there a contact for Steve Mills?
Roger
You can find out where to buy our publications here.
Julie
My Ancestors were Caines and listed in that town. My great grandmother was Mary Caines. Her dad was Robert Caines and his dad George and traced back to Thomas b 1774.
Looking forward to finding out more..thank u Julie
Lorna
My GG Grandmother was Mary Caines one of Samuel Caines 3 daughters. Samuel was transported to Australia in 1832 and never returned to England. I would love to know if he has any descendants living in Australia.
Maree
Hello Lorna
Samuel Caines & his Wife Hannah Lovell are my GGG Grandparents. Their other daughter is Eliza married Henry Coles which led all the way down to me lol. Your GG Grandmother is Mary Ann and she married William Skuse. Their other daughter is Ann and she married William Sheppard.
Cheers, Maree
gabrielle bishop
My ancestors are caines, my GG grandmother is lydia caines and my G grandfather was Robert England. Looking forward to finding out more
Robert Leatherby
Hello everyone, i,m a direct decendant through my mother of caines cock road gang members.
Any info is welcome. Rob
Glenn pow
Hi everyone I believe one of my ancestors was a member of the gang has anyone got names of the prison escape, thanks Glenn pow
Gaileen
My Great Grandmother was Elizabeth Caines and she is a direct decendant to the Cock Road Gang.
Simon Townsend
My paternal family tree traces back to the Bitten area and through Ancestry.co.uk I have DNA in Australia from the 18th,19th centuries. Simon Townsend .
Leigh Dennis
My G Grandmother was Mable Cains, then 6th GGrandfather was Benjamin Cains, 7th G Grandfather was Samuel Cains. So from research seems we are direct decendants of the Cock Road Gang.
I now know why my families are Australian. We always thought my GGrandmother was from a well to do family, guess we were wrong. I am now the decendandant of convicts on 2
sides of my family.
It is interesting and hillarious (now) finding these things out.