devon census

[Dave Francis]

Excellent news Lynn!

I think we can now start to pull the threads together.

We previously established that Samuel was born in the early part of the 1840s.  Indeed, we found the birth records of a Samuel Josiah Bennett (parents Nathaniel John Bennett and Mary Ann Wright) dating from 1842.  I think this is very likely to be your man, so you might think about getting the birth certificate from the reference provided earlier.

We also found a Samuel Bennett (father Nathaniel and Mary Bennett) in the 1851 & 1861 Censuses.  However, this one had the middle initial ‘N’ and was a little too young.

So let's work with this one instead ...

1851 Stoke Damerel (Morice) Devon
HO107/1882 folio 188 pp38-39

14 Gronby Street
Nathaniel Bennett, head, 62, shipwright for K [something], Cornwall
Mary Ann, wife, 51, Devonport Devon
Jane, daur, un, 24, Devonport Devon
Nathaniel, son, 19, apprentice boot closer, Devonport Devon
Sarah, daur, 14, plain work charwoman, Devonport Devon
Ellen, daur, 13, scholar, Devonport Devon
Selina, daur, 11, scholar, Devonport Devon
Samuel Bennett, son, 9, Devonport Devon

[Dave Francis]

This appears to be Samuel’s mother in 1861.  Note that she is now a widow.

1861 Stoke Damerel (Clowance) Devon
RG9/1449 folio 17 page 29

“Luke[?] H Building”
Mary Ann Bennett, head, widow, 61, Devonport Devon
Thomas N., son, 30, boot and shoe closer, Devonport Devon

I wouldn’t mind betting that ‘Thomas N’ is actually ‘Nathaniel’ junior from the previous census.

[Dave Francis]

Sorry - I can't find Samuel in 1861!  (And you already have him in 1871 & 1881)

[brendan]

Firstly thank you so much for all your help.
My samuel named his daughter selina.....
looking through bmd i found a marriage for mary wright and nathaniel bennett in 1842 ??
lynn

[Dave Francis]

looking through bmd i found a marriage for mary wright and nathaniel bennett in 1842 ??

It may be a coincidence, or you may have one of those families where the parents don’t get married until later on.  Or it may be that the IGI entry is wrong and that the person who made the submission jumped to the wrong conclusion when they saw that marriage reference.

Best bet would be to get a copy of Samuel’s birth certificate to find out his mother's maiden name.

This appears to be the family in 1841.

1841 Stoke Damerel (Morice) Devon
HO107/273/2 folios 23-24 pages 41-42

Gronby Street
Nathl Bennett, 50, shipwright
Mary, 40
Eliza, 20
Jane, 15
Emma, 15
Mary, 12
Nathaniel, 10
Sarah, 6

All recorded as born in Devon (even though Nathaniel snr was born in Cornwall according to the 1851 Census).


PS: I wonder where Ellen (3) and Selina (1) were?

[brendan]

the whitnesses at samuels wedding were john fawcett and george gay  i searche weddings in freebmd and interestingly found georg gay marrying a selina bennett in whitechapel 1868. samuel married 1866 algate

[Dave Francis]

Looks like your suspicions may be correct ..

1881 Old Mile End Town, London
RG11/486 folio 68 page 59
15 St Thomas Road
George A. Gay, head, 39, painter, Whitechapel Middx
Selena, wife, 38, Devonport Devon
Selena, daur, 11, scholar, Whitechapel Middx
Alice, daur, 10, scholar, Whitechapel Middx
George, son, 8, scholar, M E O T
Annie E., daur, 6, scholar, M E O T
Emma J., daur, 3, M E O T
Daniel Ragan, lodger,widr, 27, tarpoline maker, Limehouse Middx

It's possible that Selina's age was actually 8 in 1851 (not 11) which would explain her absence from the 1841 Census.

[brendan]

Thank you
yes i found a selina born 1841 but  i wonder where ellen was is 1841 she would have been 3
lynn

[krisesjoint]

Fabulous work going on here I see.  Lynn I have a sneaky feeling that that marriage in 1842 is the other Nathaniel and Mary Ann I found earlier who also happened to have a son Samuel.  Same names in the same area, I wouldn't be surprised if they will all end up connected back another generation or so......Kris