Thank you all for your responses. You are all correct. My direct ancestor Joshua Drake married Ann Dixon 24 November 1791. They had three known children - Benjamin born 1793 died 1798, Hannah born 1794 died 1860(my direct ancestor) and Christopher born 1797and died 1798. Ann died in 1798, so I am assuming that the disease that killed two of her children also killed her. However, Joshua was left a widower with a young daughter. Therefore, it would be resonable for him to look for a new wife to care for his daughter.
The marriage in 1801 fits. I know that because something fits does not make it correct but..... I have looked for a Joshua Drake born in the correct time frame and failed to find one. My Joshua was born in 1766(father Joshua) and died I think in 1825. I have discounted the Hartshead births, these, I think, are a different family.
If any one is able to find another Joshua Drake whose marriage it could be I would be interested to hear. I should add that Joshua Senior(the father of Joshua) only had two sons, the youngest of which Benjamin born 1769 did have a son named Joshua but he wasnt born until 1825.
Many thanks,
Sandra
