Priestman paternity

[unclejohn]

I am looking for help to try to establish the paternity of 2 boys, Joseph and Thomas PRIESTMAN. The 1841 census shows them to 15 years old but with the then system giving the age to the nearest 5 years this could be wrong. Mary Priestman was born in 1803 and married William Strong in 1826. Joseph later changed his name to STRONG but Thomas kept the Priestman name until he died between 1861 and 1871. The 1851 census which gives ages more accurately shows Joseph (who had, by then, changed his name to Strong) as 25 - making his birthdate around 1825 or 1826 and Thomas was 28 giving him a birthdate of around 1823. Was Willam (mary's husband) the father of the two boys or did he accept them as his stepsons after he and Mary were married in 1826 that is my quandry?
Uncle John

[Temic]

Could be children from previous relationships - or one or both might not be. Off the top of my head, I'd suggest in the first place that you find baptisms for them, if possible, and check bastardy bonds if they're available for that period.

Other people may have different suggestions, but I think if the above doesn't obviously decide the matter (sometimes a baptism of a child out of wedlock can include the father's name, for example) then I'm not sure you'll really ever be able to satisfactorily decide the paternity issue.

In my own case, I've an obituary, marriage and birth certificate that says one thing, and a will, surname and baptism that says/suggests another, and I'm unable to decide paternity categorically. (Fortunately, I literally know where the bodies are buried and am tempted to explore exhumation and DNA tests should I win the lottery!!)

[diddymiller]

a Place of birth might help others to find baptisms for you..

Diddy

[davidrigg3]

Have you traced William's death? If he left a will it could contain something useful.

[Milliepede]

You could see if he puts a father on his marriage cert.

If I have the right Thomas he married Frances Ann Green in 1857.  Born Weel 1826.

[Milliepede]

Sorry I'm in the wrong area aren't I - you are looking for one born Cumberland is that right?

In 1861 he is described as step son.

Possible death for William Strong Dec 1882 Penrith aged 82.

[trish1120]

Birhs;
THOMAS Priestman, Caldbeck, 24 May 1822, Cumberland
JOSEPH Priestman, Caldbeck, 17 May 1826, Cumberland
Mother MARY Priestman
(Source Familysearch.Org)

Joseph may be William Strongs Son given they Married 6mths after he was Christened but its impossible to be sure.

You probably already have that MARY was the Daug of JOSEPH/SARAH
Birth 22 August 1803.
Sibling;
HANNAH Priestman, 15 February 1805

Trish

[trish1120]

Possible Marriage;
02 May 1802, Allonby, Cumberland
Joseph PRIESTMAN, Father THOMAS, Mother HANNAH
Sarah DICKINSON, Father JONATHAN, Mother MARY

SARAH Priestman, Spouse JOSEPH died 21 February 1805, Caldebeck, Cumberland
Age 31, Birth c 1774
(she must have died just after giving Birth to Hannah)

[unclejohn]

to temic, diddymiller, davidrigg3, millepede and trish1120

It never ceases to amaze me just how ready people in RootsChat are willing to assist.
Thank you all for your input. I think I'll go along with trish's opinion (it coincides with my
own thinking) that Joseph was William's son. I believe it was not unusual in those days
for a couple to live together and produce at least one child before they married probably to
make sure there was plenty of help for the work around the farm.As William and Mary later
produced 10 children in total I'd say the experiment was a success.
UncleJohn