Thomas Hobden - Keymer

[caledon]

 Hello everyone,

I have a Thomas Hobden married to a Martha Starley. He attempted to murder her and then committed suicide on April 9,1865 in Keymer. He was married to her since 1820 (Bolney) and just fell into a depression in his 70s. I have the newspaper article about it and his death certificate.

What I can't seem to find is his baptismal record. According to all the census records, he was born between 1796-1801. I can't find one for these dates. He always states he was born in Keymer and lived there all his life. Any suggestions ?

My goal is to find his parent's names so that I can go back further in his family tree.

Any help appreciated,
Sandra

[Victor Harvey]

Hi Sandra,
The St Cosmas & St Damian, Keymer burial register records 2 HOBDEN burials that are possibly your ancestors:-
September 28th, 1846, Elizabeth HOBDEN, aged 68
November 21st, 1853, Thomas HOBDEN, aged 72
Victor

[swebby]

Hi Sandra,

What was the age on the death cert?


Sean

[caledon]

The age on the death certificate is 61 which was given by the coroner so I think it's incorrect. All census records point to him being born between 1791 (per 1841) and 1801.

[caledon]

Thanks for the Keymer burial records, I will follow up on them. Thomas committed suicide so he would not have been buried in a church graveyard. His marriage record does not give any parent's names either.

[Jill on the A272]

A suicide could be buried in a churchyard by this period, I have one in the family in 1848 in Lindfield, a newspaper reports the body was not alllowed into the church and the burial was conducted at night, without any ceremony.

[caledon]

I'm still facing a brickwall. Thomas Hobden born circa 1791-1801 according to census records, states that he was from Keymer. There are NO Thomas Hobdens recorded as being baptised in Keymer, Clayton, Ditchling etc. He married a Martha Starley Nov.22, 1820 in Bolney. She was from Slaugham. I know he tried to kill her and he committed suicide in 1865. What I CANT find is his baptism or his parents names. His marriage record shows a James Hobden as a witness. I don't have access to the Bolney parish marriage records, so I don't know if this was a relative or a person of good standing in Bolney.

The only clue I have is this...James Hobden #1, died in 1807, left a will, leaving property to a son called James (and others)
                                          James Hobden #2, died in 1841, left a will, leaving Hasledene (Hazeldene Farm) to his 6 children, one of whom
                                                                      is named Thomas (who would have been the right age)

Hazeldene Farm is just north of Bolney, not far from Slaugham and would fit geographically to this family I'm searching but I can't verify whether this James is MY Thomas's father.

Anyone out there have access to local records or connections to this family/farm?
I live in Canada.

Any help appreciated.

[afossil]

Spotted a burial for a Thomas Hobden age 44 in Bolney in 1846.   Could he be the son of the James who died in 1841?     It would cut him out of the equation if so.
afossil

[caledon]

This is true. I'm going to have to dig deeper...thanks.