James Harris - Peterchurch/Michaelchurch Escley

[Britgirl]

Ok, thanks.

I think you're probably right about James being a younger son.  Or maybe he was just not interested in that lifestyle, passing it onto a brother insread?
When James died his eldest son William James was a staymaker in London. His second son George (my ancestor) who had been a Butler in 1861, took over James' dairy business, but soon left for Southampton, and it instead fell to the next surviving son, Henry, who worked the business for the rest of his life.

I just wish I could find James' baptism! 

[mazi]

Hi,  more speculation,

familysearch has a henry harris christened in peterchurch in august 1800,
parents james and mary.

the date is a good match for your james and your james also named one of his children henry,  this is a coincidence too strong to ignore, it has to be worth trying to elininate this henry born 1800 somehow, just in case of a mistranscription.

there must surely be some family connection at least

mike

[Britgirl]

Thanks Mike, I have a list of all Harris' from Peterchurch copied down from the parish records, as my other Harris branch came from there, but I can't get to them at the moment as they're packed away from our recent move! 

A quick look at the census throw up a couple of possible candidates for Henry living in Gloucestershire in 1841, but can't be sure where they were born.

A complete list of James & Judith's children:
William James 1836 (moved to London)
George Harris 1838 (my ancestor)
Thomas Harris 1840 (not found since 1851 census)
Eliza Harris 1843 (married Thomas Hahhry of Abergavenny & moved there)
Henry Harris 1845 (stayed in Bath)
Edwin 1847 (not found after 1861 census)
Frederick Alfred 1849 (moved briefly but returned to Bath)
Catherine 1851 (married Caleb Stacey & died in childbirth)
Christiana Jane 1853 (married Henry Fisher & moved to Bristol)

[mazi]

it really is difficult is,nt it.   Other than the slight possibility that eliza,s marriage is a link to abergavenny and judith, the male names are common to most hereford Harrises

have you noticed the will on the lhs site for thomas harris who was definitely a farmer in Michaelchurch Escley, the only harris I can find who lived in this very remote hamlet, otherwise you seem to have much more info than i can find,  good luck with your search

mike

[Britgirl]

No I haven't!
What/where's the lhs site?

[mazi]

sorry i waqs a bit rushed, thats the link redmike gave you in reply 2, in search options i put in both thomas and harris, I think the will is on page 2 of results

mike

[Britgirl]

Thanks Mike. I've had a look and it looks like this Thomas was born about 1781, too young (probably) to be James father, and too old (probably) to be his brother!!! Story of my life, sigh! But stored for future reference, just in case!

I really apprediate you taking the time to help me. Thanks.

[mazi]

OK a couple of long shots then I will leave you in peace
I looked on familysearch for james,s in hereford 1800  1801 born to unmarried mothers in the m,chrchescley area, then went on to look for all married couples with harris as a father baptising in the same area from 1800 -1815.

ann  penry registered a james in dorstone (3 miles from peterchurch)
later william harris and ann ? had at least one child in eywas harold
but strangely with the prefix escley attached.


jane gilbert had a james in clodock in jan 1801 later henry harris and jane ? went on to have william, george jane elizabeth and more in clodock.

does my logic make sense, james was born out of wedlock but his mum went on to marry his father and james then became a Harris.

my head is reeling with this

might be worth pursuing when you have the time

mike

[Britgirl]

Thank you!!
That would indeed be one of the most logical solutions wouldn't it, and I can't think why I didn't think of it! 

Will explore that avenue, and fingers crossed you've cracked it.