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Author Topic: COMPLETED- Seeking the widow Mary Richardson re-marrying 1788  (Read 1806 times)

Offline Kylie B

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COMPLETED- Seeking the widow Mary Richardson re-marrying 1788
« on: Thursday 04 February 10 08:03 GMT (UK) »
Hello
I have found the marriage of my ancestor- George Hawkins aged 22, marrying Mary Richardson aged 24 in Tilney cum Islington at All Saints church.

According to the marriage licence, Mary was aged 24, of Tilney and a widow...

So what was her name then- was Richardson her married/widowed name, or her own maiden name?
How do I find out who she actually was??

This is my first widow marrying INTO the family- and I have no idea how to go about determining her identity- HELP!!

Many thanks
Kylie

Offline Sally P

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Re: Seeking the widow Mary Richardson re-marrying 1788
« Reply #1 on: Saturday 06 February 10 22:55 GMT (UK) »
Hi Kylie

I have found the marriage for George & Mary at Tilney All Saints Church (the Church at Tilney Cum Islington is St.Mary's).

30th July 1788 by licence
Groom: George HAWKINS of Kings Lynn
Bride: Mary RICHARDSON, widow of this Parish
Witnesses: -
Sarah HAWKINS
Frances WINDER
Wm WINDER
Mary WHELPDALE
Rachel? PURSEGROVE?
The groom, bride & witnesses all signed.

Looking at the register for Tilney All Saints I find that women who re-married seem to have done so in their late husband's surname. I could not however find a marriage in this parish for a male (or female) RICHARDSON marrying at all in the 1700's until this one in 1788.

The only male RICHARDSON in the burial register was a William in Sep 1700 so no possible first husband there.

No baptisms of RICHARDSON children either with a mother called Mary.

Sorry I couldn't be more help
Regards
Sally

Offline Kylie B

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Re: Seeking the widow Mary Richardson re-marrying 1788
« Reply #2 on: Sunday 07 February 10 05:24 GMT (UK) »
No Problem Sally- I have solved the riddle!

Mary and George's children were not on Freereg, but I found them amongst the non-conformist records, so I went there looking for Mary Richardson.

I found 2 children born to Mary and Aaron richardson in Norfolk- Robert Pursglove  born 1779 and Rachel Isabel born 1780. Robert the son and Aaron both died in Norfolk in 1780.

So based on the witness of the marriage to George Hawkins- Rachel Pursglove, I took the chance this was the right girl.

Found a will on NOAH for Robert Pursglove in 1813- turns out he was Mary's brother, and his will confirms she was Mrs Richardson, and then became wife of George Hawkins.

So the riddle is solved in so far as I have her true identiy now.
Just have to find her marriage to Aaron Richardson pre 1779 now!
Many thanks
Kylie
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