Hi Alun,
Thanks for your reply. There is a full (and fascinating) report of the Eleanor Harris Bigamy Trial at Bodmin on
http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/read/CORNISH-GEN/2007-11/1195607943. It says Thomas Urch is of Westbury. I have extracted all the Westbury baptisms for Urch & there are only two possible Thomas' at about the right time. 'Mine' and one bapt 17.3.1816, he is only 18 in 1834, the date of the bigamous marriage, Eleanor being 33. Also I think he married a Mary Mapstone at Bridgewater reg dist in 1840. 'My' Thomas would have been 31, a much better match for age, he died in 1856 at westbury, apparently still single, in his will he leaves his property between his siblings. As far as I can tell he is the unfortunate 'husband', probably put off women for life!
The trial report says that his parents went to see Hall the main prosecution witness in Bristol. This, & the fact that Thos had some siblings who also married in Bristol made me wonder if Richard Urch & Ann (Coombs) lived there for a while? However I think it unlikely.
I am descended from Fredk, son of John Urch. Fredk emigrated to MI, USA in 1876 leaving behind only his eldest son, my Gt Grandfather, hence I am in the Westcountry not in America!
I would like any details of descendants please. I have done some work on them, especially those in the US, but a double check would be good.
Many Thanks, Florence Urch