Author Topic: SMITHs of Ipsden  (Read 1460 times)

Offline supermoussi

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SMITHs of Ipsden
« on: Wednesday 24 February 10 16:23 GMT (UK) »
In the 1861 Goring census there is a James SMITH, shoemaker, b.abt.1813 Ipsden, visiting a Charlotte HARRIS & family.

In 1844 a William HARRIS married a widow called Mary SMITH at Henley. I believe that she was born c.1792-5 in Ipsden also.

Does anyone know in what way, if any, James and Mary SMITH were related?

Offline rreadings

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Re: SMITHs of Ipsden
« Reply #1 on: Saturday 27 February 10 14:09 GMT (UK) »
I believe Mary Street (possibly Mary Streak bapt. 31 July 1796) married shepherd John Smith on October 21st, 1815 at Ipsden.

Son Henry was bapt. Aug. 4 1816, son Joseph on Mar. 14, 1819 and daughter Anna (Hannah?) on  Nov. 24th, 1822 - all at Ipsden - with Mary and daughters Anna and Sophia appearing on the 1841 census living together in the hamlet.

I can't find a burial record for John in the surrounding villages, but there are a number of candidates on FreeBMD in the Wallingford area. Nor can I find a baptism record for James Smith, although 1813 would put him before Mary's marriage if he was their son.

Mary's second husband William Harris is shown as having been born in Ensham on the 1861 census which is at the other end of the county. I am not sure you implied a link between Charlotte Harris and William Harris, but Charlotte Harris's daughter Anna was baptised at Checkendon on Nov. 7 1858 and her parents were recorded as being John Henry (a Baker) and Charlotte. Charlotte is still shown as married and living in Hammersmith in the 1871 census, although in both Goring and Hammersmith husband John doesn't appear on the scene.

For all that it is quite possible that James Smith is the son or a close relation of John Smith's family, but in the absence of a baptism record it is going to be quite difficult to prove. It doesn't help that there are least three Smith families living in Ipsden in the early 1800s.

Some additional information:

James Smith shoemaker, Ewelme married Elizabeth Bryant at Woodcote chapel on 24 Nov. 1838. Unfortunately, no father is show for James.

In the 1841 census it shows them living in South Stoke with James's date of birth shown as 1821, although we know that can be inaccurate. (Source Citation: Class: HO107; Piece 880; Book: 10; Civil Parish: South Stoke; County: Oxfordshire; Enumeration District: 21; Folio: 12; Page: 19; Line: 4; GSU roll: 474573.)

Something of a ramble I'm afraid, but I hope some of this is of some use!

Offline supermoussi

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Re: SMITHs of Ipsden
« Reply #2 on: Saturday 27 February 10 18:51 GMT (UK) »
Hi rreadings,

William Harris b.1783 Eynsham was either Charlotte's grandfather-in-law or step grandfather-in-law; I am not sure which. I am also only 90% sure that the William Harris that married Mary Smith in 1844 was William Harris b.1783 Eynsham; he fits the bill but is there any definitive proof?

If James & Mary Smith of Ipsden really were close relatives it would certainly strengthen the theory that William Harris of Eynsham did marry Mary Smith of Ipsden and, hence, James Smith was not just visiting Charlotte Harris by chance but he was an in-law of hers.

Offline rreadings

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Re: SMITHs of Ipsden
« Reply #3 on: Saturday 27 February 10 22:06 GMT (UK) »
The 1861 census shows William Harris of Ensham (retired mason) living with Mary (from Ipsden) in Wallingford in 1861 and living with his granddaughter from Crowmarsh in St John Road, Wallingford in 1871. Interestingly a William Harris s. of stonemason William marries a Sarah Bitmead in Crowmarsh in October 1844.


Offline supermoussi

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Re: SMITHs of Ipsden
« Reply #4 on: Sunday 28 February 10 09:42 GMT (UK) »
As I said, it "fits the bill" but is not proof.