Hi Jasper,
I read Henry Bridgens' age as 23 on the 1871 census, so don't think he could be the same one in 1861 census aged 22 married to Clara.
The order of the children on the 1871 suggests that John Bridgen aged 11 is the son of perhaps a brother of Henry, and that only Thomas Henry is Henry & Sarah's son.
Possible parents for John, he is not with them in 1871:
1861 RG9/2162 fol.75 p.13
William & Martha Bridgins with children
James H 9, Richard 7, George 5, John H 1
I wonder if Sarah died, and this could be Henry in 1881, remarried to a Mary Jane, with the Edgley children John & Harriet taking his name
RG11/3029 fol.110 p.9
2 Ct, 8 House, Richard Street, Aston
BRIDGENS
Henry head 33 Glass Blower Birmingham
Mary Jane wife 32 Wife of " "
John son 16 Gun Barrel Filer "
Harriet dau 12 Scholar "
Thomas son 11 " "
Mary Maria dau 7 " "
Benjamin son 6 " "
Elizabeth dau 5 " "
Maria ALSOPP m.in.law wid 50 Bridle Stitcher Walsall, Stafford
A couple of certificates needed here I think, I'd start with Louisa Edgely's birth
Mar 1870 Aston 6d 305
- or Thomas Henry Bridgens - Mar 1871 Aston 6d 346
then you'd know for certain what Sarah's maiden name was.
Maybe the older Edgleys were children of Sarah before Sarah & Henry's marriage - as he would only have been abt 15 when Sarah Edgley was born.
Hope this helps,
Barbara
