Reverend Dr. David Francis and Eliza Sockett

[jknancy09]

I have not been able to trace the children of David Francis, except for my ancestor, thank you for finding Eliza, as I said any clue helps. And yes I did assume that David had died in 1824. Interestingly enough I have a WILMOT/WILLMOTT on my father's side but don't know where they came from, as its in a collateral line from my direct ones.

Living in the US, I have limited access to UK records (FamilySearch only) and limited funds in which to send for records and greatly appreciate the help with digging and research.

Jackie

[jknancy09]

Do you know what the 'D.D.' after David's name stands for?

[jrc11]

David Francis, age 65, denomination Congregational, was buried on 10 April 1835 @ Wheathampstead.

[GrahamSimons]

DD = Doctor of Divinity.

From Wikipedia, which is probably right on this one: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_of_Divinity

[jknancy09]

Makes sense, that seems to fit with what his granddaughter's bio said about him, which wasn't a whole lot. Its definitely the right family i.e. the Willmott marriage because one child of Abraham and Eliza was named Abraham David Francis Willmott. I'm going to try tracing David and Eliza Francis' other children, Maria (or Mary), David, Lydia, William and Decima if possible. As mentioned Harriet Sockett Francis is my 4th great-grandmother, who married Reverend John Wilkins who was also a mason.

[jknancy09]

Hereford Times 15th August 1846
Married
August 8, at Ross, Mr A T Wilmot, surgeon, to Eliza, fourth daughter of the late Rev. David Francis, D.D., of Wheathampstead, Herts.


Is the 'Herts.' in the mention of Eliza's father referring to Hertsfordshire, or Herefordshire, I'm asking because I had come across a David Francis who was BORN in Datchworth, Hertsford, England in 1776 to a Charles and Martha Francis and am wondering if perhaps those are his parents. Just curious

[jknancy09]

Okay, through the old FamilySearch website I've found four possible birth dates and places for David Francis but am not really sure which one is correct or at least close to accurate. Here's what I found:

about 1774 in Bath, Somerset, England

about 1774 OF Welshpool, Montgomeryshire, England

about 1776 Bridgworth, Shropshire, England

and the last is a christening date 11 August 1776 for Datchworth, Hertford, England; now this last one is the one that goes with possible parents for David of Charles Francis and Martha Chapman.

Also with the one for Welshpool and Bridgworth, his wife is listed as Eliza Sockett or its 'Unavailable' the one for Datchworth lists his parents.

Since I live in the US, all the places in England are a little confusing to me. I understand that Hertford or Hertfordshire is the county and that Datchworth is like the city.

I've also got a death date for David Francis of April 1835, or at least a burial date and a location, Wheathampstead if that's of any help. I'd appreciate some advice on separating the many David Francis's from mine.

Jackie

[jrc11]

Bit confused here. Your opening post said he was born in Ludlow but Ludlow does not feature in your last post. Bridgworth appears to be an area of the town of Bridgnorth about 20 miles from Ludlow. Is the Ludlow birth incorrect?

[jknancy09]

That's just it, I don't know if Ludlow is correct, I apologize for omitting that one in the choices of his birthplace. However, upon looking David up on the newer FamilySearch website, it is his SON that was born in Ludlow which just brings about more confusion.

My logic in placing David Francis Sr. in a birthplace is that since he died in or near Hertfordshire and is buried in Wheathampstead I am going on the assumption that he was born in Hertfordshire which would make his birthplace or at least the logical one Datchworth and his parents Charles and Martha. But that is just me going with logic.