Drake and Craven Families from Thornton

[peterbroscombe51]

I am related to the Downs family of Thornton, many of whom were christened at Kipping Independent -NC.My 3xgreat grand father, Benjamin Downs, 1816 - 1908 probably married Nanny Drake, 1818 - 1854, prior to 1837 as that is when their first child, Mary Ann was born. Does anybody know when?
Research has indicated that the Drake and Craven families were joined in marriage when Jonas Drake married Nanny Craven. Could this be Nanny's parents?
Also one of Benjamin and Nanny's sons was called Craven, could he be named after a relative?

Can any of you help me with these queries or point me in the right direction  as to where I can find the answers, together with the family tree of both Drake and Craven families to see if all three families are related? Thank you

[mosiefish]

St Peter, Bradford
Benjamin Downs of this Parish Farmer and Bachelor and Nanny Drake of this Parish Minor were married by Banns with consent of Minors Parents on 15th May, 1837.
Both made their mark
Witness: Charles Craven

Mo

[peterbroscombe51]

Mo,
    Thank you very much for finding the wedding date, obviously a shot gun marriage as Mary Ann was born third quqrter 1837

[cjl]

Hi,

My husband is also descended from Jonas Drake and Nanny Craven. 

They were married on the 30th December 1799 at St. Peters Church (Bradford Cathedral)

Jonas and Nanny did have a daughter named Nanny who was baptised in 1818.

Thornton Old Chapel, Bradford

5th April 1818 Baptism of Nanny daughter of Jonas and Nanny Drake of Thornton, Farmer.  Officiating Minister P Bronte.

If I can be of any further help,  please just ask.

Best Wishes
CJL

[peterbroscombe51]

cjl,
   Thank you for your reply. It would appear to answer some of the queries. I have the same baptism date, but parents Joseph and Nanny. Obviously Jonas and Joseph are the same. The minister would appear to be part of the famous Bronte family
    Can you confirm that Nanny Drake is the same person who married Benjamin Downs? If so she IS my 3 x great grandmother.Do you know anything about the witness to the marriage, Charles Craven?
   I will now look at completing my family tree

[cjl]

Hi.

I obtained the details of Nanny Drakes baptism from a transcript of Thornton Old Bell chapel parish registers.  In the transcript Nanny fathers name is recorded as Jonas not Joseph.

I cannot confirm that Nanny Drake is the same person who married Benjamin Downs.   The Charles Craven who witnessed the marriage may not necessarily be a close relative because he signed as a witness for several marriages on the same page.

I have located a monumental inscription which I think may be Benjamin and Nannys, so thought that I would post the details just in case you do not have them.

School Croft Graves, Kipping Independent Chapel, Thornton

In affectionate memory of NANNY,
Wife of BENJAMIN DOWNS of Thornton.
who died Sep 5th 1854 in the 36th year of her age.
Also of SARAH ELLEN, their daughter, who died in her infancy.
Also of the above named BENJAMIN DOWNS who died August 18th 1908 in his 93rd year.

I can look for the burial records for you if you would like them.

If I can be of any further help, please just ask.

Best Wishes
CJL

[peterbroscombe51]

CJL,
     Thank you for the very interesting information supplied. I had no idea that Benjamin and Nanny had a daughter Sarah Ellen. Looking her up it would appear she was born quarter 3 1854 and died quarter 2 1855. Could Nanny have died as a result of child birth? But the intersting fact is that after Nanny's death, Benjamin married Sarah Illingsworth in 1858 , and their first child was called Sarah Ellen. But Benjamin had been carrying on with Sarah prior to Nanny's death and had had the communion taken from him by the church because of this, but it was reinstated after the marriage. Last child with Nanny named after his girl friend?
    I am sure now that we have found the correct first wife of Benjamin, and Nanny was one of eleven children I have identified of Jonas/ Joseph Drake and Nanny/Nancy Craven. Which part of the Drake Craven family does your husband come from? Can the above be confirmed.
   Thank you again

[cjl]

Hi,

It is possible that Nanny died as a result of child birth.  The only way of confirming that would be to order a copy of her death certificate.

I was aware of the church removing communion from both Benjamin and Sarah because there  is a record to that effect in the parish records.  Are you aware that he married for a third time in 1874 to a Grace Bates nee Downs?  I have located monumental inscriptions for both his second and third wives if you would like them.

I also have identified eleven possible children of Jonas and Nanny Drake.  Although I have not as yet researched the majority of them so do not have much information on them as yet.

My husband is descended from Jonas and Nanny Drake's son Isaac who was born in 1812.  Isaac Drake was my husbands 3 x great grandfather.

If I can be of any further help, please just contact me.

Best Wishes
CJL

[peterbroscombe51]

CJL,
     Thank you for additional information. Yes I knew Benjamin married three times, but as far as I can work out there were no children from this marriage. I would be grateful if you could send the monumental inscriptions for both Benjamin's second and third wives.I understand Sarah Illingsworth is buried with her children, and Grace Bates with her first husband and their children.
     Look forward to hearing from you again