Henry Hobden, Sussex

[Manjo]

Hello,

I have had some great help from members. I am stuck with Henry Hobden. I have information about him from 1854 onwards but am finding it difficult to trace his birth.

I have the marriage certificate of Henry Hobden and Ellen Stapleton, 16 May 1854. Henry's address is the same as his father, Jonathan - 3 Portland Street East Brighton. Henry's occupation is a 'flyman'. He was 22 when he got married.

Jonathan married Sarah Cheeseman in 1804 in Brighton and they had children including a Henry who died as an infant and a daughter, Christiana. There is evidence of  Kate born 1833 and Henry in census records but I can't find either of the births. Christiana also disappears after 1841.

I'd be grateful for any advice on where to go now.

Mandy

[groom]

Hi Mandy

How certain are you that Jonathan and Sarah are Henry's parents and not his grandparents? The reason I ask is that you say they married in 1804, but Henry wasn't born until 1832.

The 1841 has the family at Portland Street with Henry born about 1829.


The 1851 has them also at Portland Street with  Jonathan 72 and Sarah 62. With them are two daughters Christiana 42 and Kate 18. Given the large age gap I wonder whether Kate and Henry are Christiana's children and if he named Jonathan as his father on the marriage certificate to cover up the fact.

Christiana also disappears after 1841.

Christiana is with her parents in 1851  Piece: 1644 Folio: 278 Page: 1     

Jan

[trish1120]

Looks to me that Kate Hobden age 18 in 1851, supposed Daug of Jonathan/Sarah, is under Kate RAWSON in 1841 Census.

[Manjo]

Hi Jan and Trish,

Thanks for that. I also wondered if Kate and Henry are with grandparents and that Christiana is their mother.

Any ideas on how I can confirm? I have looked at the Sussex Family History baptisms and burials database and their marriage records CD and not found anything.

Mandy

[Daisypetal]

Hi,

Christiana seems to definitely be Kate's mother,

Marriages for Kate;

Kate RAWSON    Jun Q 1855    Brighton    2b  289   
Thomas James WHITING on same page.


Possible death for Thomas,

Thomas James WHITING    Sep Q 1858    Brighton    2b  138



Remarriage for Kate,

Kate WHITING    Mar Q 1860    Brighton     2b  245
Alfred John OTTAWAY on same page.

3 Mar 1860
Brighton, Sussex
Kate WHITING
Age: 26
Father: Christopher RAWSON
Alfred John OTTAWAY
Age: 25
Father: William OTTAWAY 

Whether she made up Chrisopher as her father's name is yet to be discovered.



In 1861 Christiana is living as RAWSON,

RG9/595  f.156  p.7  Brighton
37 Lodon Road

Christiana A RAWSON    Serv    W    50    Nurse    Sussex, Brighton

Living in the household of Robert P BROOKE



In 1871 Christiana is living with her daughter Kate,

RG10/1632  f.176  p.43  West Ham, Essex
Town: Plaistow
92 Balaam St (Cape Farm)

OTTAWAY
Alfred J      Head    M    36    Merchant's Clerk       Devon Marldon
Kate           Wife    M    36                                Sussex Brighton
William        Son           10                                      "        "
Christina     Daur           7                                 Middlesex Hackney
Jemima       Daur           4                                      "        "
Harry          Son           12 Days                        Essex Plaistow
Christina RAWSON  Mother-in-Law    W    58         Sussex Brighton
Tom WHITING  Stepson  14    Merchant's Clerk          "        "

 

Christiana is still with the family in 1881,  RG11/1721  f.110  p.1 a 65 year old widow listed as a visitor.


This seems to raise more questions than answers, did Christiana marry a Christopher RAWSON? If so, why didn't Henry take the RAWSON name? Could Henry be the son of another child to Jonathan and Sarah?


Help

Regards,
Daisy

[Manjo]

Hi Daisy,
Its frustrating. I'm trying to find Christopher Rawson to see if that gives a clue. There are other Henry Hobdens born around the right time. One is the some of James and Mary and many other Hobden researchers have this Henry as the one I am looking for but James is not his father on the wedding certificate I have.
Mandy

[groom]

Remember that it was very common to invent the name of a father on the marriage certificate if you were illegitimate. Ideally we need to find his birth to see what it says on there.

Jan

[Mabel Bagshawe]

This might be of interest from familysearch

   
Christian Ann Rawson  (female)
burial date:   19 Sep 1837
burial place:   Brighthelmston, Sussex
age:   2

[Manjo]

Hello All,

I have not got any further with Henry Hobden. I am beginning to think he was the child of Jonathan and Sarah Hobden, Sarah would have been 38- 42 when he was born. However, I can't find his birth record.

It seems that Christiana had at least two children with the surname Rawson - Kate in 1833 and Christian in 1835.

I can't find a Christopher Rawson but I have Kate's wedding certificate of her marriage to Thomas Whiting in 1855. Her address was 105 Upper North Street. Her father was Christopher Rawson who is listed as a chemist.

The only Christopher Rawson I can find is a Christopher Rawson Penfold, a doctor who practised in Brighton between 1838 and 1844 when he emigrated with his wife, Mary, to Australia. It seems really unlikely that he previously married (or was in a relationship with Christiana).

Any ideas of where to go next welcome.

Mandy