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« on: Tuesday 02 November 10 22:31 GMT (UK) »
Re: Wiltshire - not really - still puzzling over the George and Mary Ann marriage. But am leaning more (on instinct) towards Mary Ann Dixon. In regard to George and Elizabeth in Middlesex and Kent: I have pretty much established an outline story of events. George was not originally a gardener, but a labourer. The Monken Hadley/Enfield period centred on Enfield Chase and the common fields. All the MH baptisms of the first children state Enfield as the abode. Around 1819 George was given the position of steward or bailiff at Down Hall, Downe, Kent. His employer was Sir John Johnson, a retired East India Company Officer. The second batch of children were born there, as you know. In 1836 Johnson prepared to sell Down Hall, before emigrating to Canada the following year. He laid off staff, including George, who had no option but to return to Enfield with his family. I believe that George had rights of common there. However, by the time of the 1841 Census much of the commons was sold off for development, and George was once again jobless.
I dont know if you are aware of 'Paris' George's book, published in 1864? 'Indian Gleanings and thoughts of the Past'. This has frequently been wrongly attributed to another George Waters who was an army surgeon, but it is definately my gt gt grandfather. (Even got his signature on the front, beneath a photographic portrait!) In his book, George makes several references to his family, and to Enfield Chase and Downe. He refers to his older brother Charles, and to his favorite sister Matilda ('Tilley') who died aged eighteen. Its an awesome read, and confirms many loose ends in my own research into his life. The book is available for free download on Google Books.
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