Need advice - South Family Essex

[Lallygirl]

Hi
I am not sure where to put this question it involves an Essex Family but also sort of a military question.

I was recently in England and visited the Essex Record Office to do some hands on research. I only had 5 hours at the library and did not have time to sort my information out there just wrote everything down everytime I saw the South surname. I found out some interesting information and do not know if I can run with a hunch - or if I should wait to be proven beyond a doubt.

I found Daniel South married Elizabeth South in 1816 in Birch Essex ( I believe them to be first cousins. Daniels father being James and Elizabeths father being Daniel - who I think were brothers children of James and Mary - but that is another theory and another question for later)

Daniel and Elizabeth have 7 children that I know about.
James born 1817
Mary Ann 1821
Daniel 1823 died 12 weeks old
William James 1826
Elizabeth Frances 1831
Sarah1833
Daniel 1836

Here is where I need help I found a record for a Daniel South born abt 1797 who joins the 21st Regiment of Foot on 12 Aug 1817 at age 20. His records show that he was discharged on 2 Aug 1830. My problem is that he served in West Indies from 24 Apr 1918 - 28 Feb 1827. That would mean 3 children Mary Ann, Daniel and William James are not his and I found the baptism records that say for Mary and William baptised by mother Elizabeth South spinster.

Is this enough evidence to say that my 3 x great grandfather William James was most likely illigimate. On his police pension papers he records his father and mother as Elizabeth and Daniel.

Any advice would be appreciated.
thanks
Jackie

[robesur]

Is it possible that there was another Elizabeth South in the parish who gave birth to the children who have no named father? From what you say Daniel could not be the father and it is quite possible that Elizabeth strayed while he was away, but why did the Parish Register say that she was a spinster, when it is quite clear that she was a married woman. I presume that all these entries were in the parish of Birch.
From experience I have often found two women of similar ages with the same name in a village, although probably related. I think that you would need further evidence that all these children belonged to the one Elizabeth before you could say that they were all siblings. There could of course also be two Daniel Souths.
If a couple had two sons it would be normal for both of them to name a son after their father and a daughter after the mother. If they continued to live in the same village then cofusions would arise.
I notice that in 1841 an Elizabeth was living alone with daughter Elizabeth 10 and son Daniel 5. By 1851 it appears that Elizabeth was the wife of a William Faskin? and Daniel South 15 is called a 'son'. Even if Daniel senior is his biological father I presume that he was deceased before then and probably before 1841.

[Lallygirl]

I am convinced that James South b 1817 and William James b 1826 are brothers as William is the witness on James Marriage and the same on Williams marriage.

I have not been able to find a baptism for Elizabeth at all in any nearby parishes at the time she is said to be born according to the census.

Elizabeth is widowed by 1837 from Daniel I have his death certificate and then working as a housekeeper with the 2 youngest children by 1841 census. She ends up marrying 2 more times - I have both of these certificates.

[teaurn]

Is it not possible that during his time he would have had leave and visit home.