David (Bedfordshire Boy),
Four days on, here is what I discovered on your request for the marriage GATES/SPARKS...
In the Longstowe registers, a marriage in 1818 (can't quite believe this, but I seem to have omitted the day and month...aargh!):
William SPARKES and Ann GATTES (sic). b.o.t.p. Witnesses Mary Wiles (x) and Wm Farr (but he appears on several of the contemporary marriages, so is probably connected with the church there).
Here is a baptism for Ann GATES, d. of Ellis and Elizabeth 08-11-1801
and her siblings, all children of Ellis and Elizabeth GATES:
29-09-1787: Charles s. of do do
29-11-1789: Rachel daughter of do do
25-09-1791: Mary d. of do do
28-07-1793: Robin s. of do do
25-10-1795: David s. of do do
14-01-1798: Thomas s. of do do
There are previously 3 baptisms of GATES children to Ellis and a Ruth, which will be explained by the burial entries that follow thereafter.
John GATES s. of Ellis and Ruth 09-08-1778
Rebeccah GATES d. of do do 15-04-1781
Samuel GATES s. of do do 1784 (Again, must have been rushing myself, as I've omitted the day and month)
Now, the burials: 03-06-1785: Ruth GATES, wife of Ellis
10-09-1792: Rachel d. of Ellis GATES
23-11-1801: Thomas, s. of Ellis GATES
22-06-1820: Thomas GATES aged 16
02-12-1833: Ellis GATES aged 82
28-11-1843: Elizabeth GATES of Gransden aged 91
07-04-1820: Wm SPARKS aged 24
Not quite clear about the 2 Thomas GATES' burials, so sorry about my slipshod transcribing - will nail them down properly next time!
Keith p.s. No sign of either of Ellis GATES's marriages in this particular parish, Longstowe