Cragg and Fordyce details - Unst

[marshsparrow]

Hi, I am looking for information about my direct ancestor Richard Cragg, Richard married Margaret Fordyce in abt 1810 (location not known). Margaret was born in 1794 in Unst, Richard was born 1776 in Mobberley they had their first child George in Unst around 1811. They then moved back to Richards home town of Mobberley in Cheshire. Richard died around 1830 in Mobberley and Margaret abt 1877 in Mobberley. Information we have about Richard says that he was a pensioner of the Peninsular wars.

We have, despite our best research efforts (including the wonderful bayanne site), been unable to find Richards parents and are looking for clues anywhere we can. We were hoping that there may be information about Richard and Margaret's life in Unst, their wedding or the christening of son George or any other information in Unst that may point to his next of kin etc. or indeed how Richard found his way up to Unst.
Regards
Tony

[Annette7]

Familysearch pilot site shows Richard Cragg bp.10/11/1776 Mobberley, Cheshire son of Catherine Cragg so would appear he was illegitimate.

Annette

[Annette7]

Unst baptisms are on Scotlands People and there's no sign of a christening for George Cragg there.

Annette

[marshsparrow]

Thanks Annette7 for the information.
I am sure you are correct about Richard Cragg, its sad to have a direct line come to an end, however we will turn our attention now to Richard's mother Catherine. Its still a mystery how Richard got to Unst from Mobberley. I now have details of Richards extensive military career and this may shed a light on the mystery.
Regards
Tony

[SDCragg]

Do you have any links to anyone in Norfolk? Cragg, Heanes, Spinks, Howitt, Chapman are some possible names...

[marshsparrow]

No, sorry....Tony

[sixtiestek]

It's a bit late I know but did you find Catherine's grave at Mobberley?

She married Jonathan Barlow 26 Jun 1782 at Mobberley and is buried there under that name 11 Jun 1796 aged 36 with son Richard buried Mar 4 1830 aged 55. It appears she was only about 16 years old when Richard ws born.

HTH,
Martin

[marshsparrow]

Thanks for the reply. We did see Catherine's grave in Mobberley once we realized she had married Jonathan Barlow.

We also acquired Richard's military discharge papers, which described his career, appearance & injuries - very interesting. The most interesting item that his commander was Lieutenant Bruce from Unst, which likely explains his meeting and subsequent marriage to Margaret Fordyce from Unst.

Thanks, Tony

[sixtiestek]

Hi Tony,
I think we may have exchanged e-mails earlier on this. Did you find Catherine's origin?
She remains a mystery to me but it's likely she belonged to the large Hulse/Mobberley clan for which there is a number of wills available from 1676 onwards. My lot came from Tabley and Lower Peover but I suspect there is a link between the clans going back to the early to mid 1600's.

Best wishes,
Martin