The ORCHARD family

[anne armstrong]

My great-great-great grandfather, Abraham ORCHARD/ ARCHARD/ ARCHER lived in Ashbury, which was then in Berkshire, for most of his life.  (1796 - 1884) I believe that his parents were travellers and that his wife, Sarah JAMES, also came from travelling stock.  His occupations, at various times are given in Censuses as basket maker, labourer and chimney sweep. It looks as if his son, Elias, may also have married a lady with a similar background as there are hawkers identified in that family; and they may have come from the New Forest area of Hampshire.
Abraham's parents were most likely John ORCHARD and Ann (Mary) PERRY.  Two more of their children were baptised in Berks and Wilts.  One entry says that they were from Aston Keynes; another states that they were travellers.  So far, despite looking at many marriage records for Wiltshire and Berkshire, I have not been able to find a reference to their marriage.
Sarah James was baptised in Great Coxwell (then part of Berkshire) and her parents, described in the record as "vagrants" were William and Martha.  They had links with Churchill in Oxfordshire and that is where Sarah married Abraham.
Any help in finding out more about their origins would be appreciated.
I have info about Abraham and Sarah's descendants, if anyone is interested. 

[miriamkinga]

Hi Anne and welcome to Rootschat 

Have you seen the following website - lots of Orchards - hope it's helpful: -

http://romanygenes.com/#/penfoldorchard-fami/4525261773

best wishes

Maria

[ciderdrinker]

Hi
An on-line tree at Ancestry has him the son of John Orchard and Mary Perry baptised Ashbury Berks as Abel Orchard 26.4.1796 bap 1.5.1796 son of travellers
Might be worth a look
Ciderdrinker

[anne armstrong]

Thanks for that.  Actually, I think it's my tree on Ancestry that you're referring to.  I have got Ashbury Parish records on CD. I think that "Abel" may be Abraham - perhaps the handwriting in the original register was difficult to decipher; and, maybe the Abraham was in short form e.g. Abah.
Looks as if John and Mary had a daughter, Mary (baptised at Ashbury)and a son, Edward (baptised at Baydon).  Edward is named as a witness at Abraham and Sarah's wedding in 1818. All information is most welcome.