Married at 13 ?

[mrsteedee]

Hello experts

The 1861 census shows a Joseph Draper age 14, son of George and a Emma Collyer age 13, daughter in law of George, all living in Ivinghoe, Bucks, would this young couple really have been married at such a young age ?

mrsteedee

[jan57]

The term  daughter  in  law, back  then,   was  used  to  denote  a  stepchild   so   it's more  likely  a stepdaughter  of George Draper

[aghadowey]

If Joseph and Emma were married would her surname not likely to be the same as his (ie Draper)?

It is more likely that in this case 'daughter in law' is the old meaning of a daughter in [sight of the] law- what we would now call step-daughter.

[jan57]

in 1859  a  George  Draper  married Susan Collyer   in Leighton Buzzard , (Free BMD  info)  ,   only   1 Draper/Collyer marriage before 1861 census

[mrsteedee]

Well I did not realize that ! you are so right, her mother was Susan Collyer.

Appreciate your help.

mrsteedee

[jan57]

 You can trace George and Susan with their previous spouses in 1851 census , 

[mrsteedee]

Hi Jan

I had traced their past families, Susan Collyer ( nee Chennells ) and George had both been married previously, but I got " confused " on the daughter in law bit !

[bikermickau]

The George Draper mentioned is one of my 3rd great Grand Fathers.

He Married Susan Collyer nee Chennells 24 Dec 1859 (for both it was their 2nd Marriage - I descend from George 1st marriage 17 Oct 1841 to Sarah Kirby)

I have Susan as previously married to Richard Collyer 26 Nov 1831

Emma is a daughter of Richard and Susan Collyer.

Mick

[mrsteedee]

Hello Mick

Nice to hear from you, my goodness their are so many " Drapers ", my connection, albeit a small one,  is,  I had 2 great aunts, sisters, who both married 2 Draper brothers, William George b 1877 and Thomas James b 1888.

Trudi