John Barrow (c1775 – 1850) Tunstall

[jimmax]

I am seeking help to trace the origins of John Barrow.  He and his third wife Elizabeth (nee Starkey) raised a family of eleven in Ireby (Thornton in Lonsdale), Leck (Tunstall) and Arkholme (Melling).  They later lived in Gressingham and Newton.

John had married his second wife Ann Harrison in Thornton in Lonsdale, Yorkshire in 1802.  He was then age 27 so d.o.b. circa 1775.  He was a widower but I don’t know who his first wife was or where they married.  John’s 2nd wife Ann died in 1803 and John then married Elizabeth Starkey in 1804, first at Gretna Green and then in Thornton in Lonsdale.  John was a Cotton Weaver and Husbandman.  He was buried at Whittington in 1850.

[rosie99]

Similar post

https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=819997.msg6822378#msg6822378

[Maiden Stone]

Where was he for 1841 census and was he born "in county"?
There is a Tunstall in Rossendale and I had to re-orientate myself.
Why 2 weddings to 3rd wife?

[jimmax]

In 1841 John Barrow was in Gressingham, Lancashire and according to the Census he was born 'in county'.  I have focussed my search on Lancashire where there are the most possible candidates for a John Barrow born circa 1775.  Process of elimination has just about discounted most of the ones born north of the Ribble. However Tunstall (in Lonsdale) is very close to the Yorkshire border and John lived on either side during his life.  It is also very close to Westmorland so I haven't ruled out either county as a possible birthplace, regardless of the Census record.

After his second wife Ann died early in 1803 John tried to marry Elizabeth Starkey later that year.  The Banns were called in Tunstall church but on the third time Elizabeth's father objected.  Elizabeth was under age. The marriage didn't go ahead so a few months later the couple eloped to Gretna Green.  After they returned home the couple were wed again, properly, in Thornton in Lonsdale parish church.  I have always wondered if John married again so quickly because he had young children from his first marriage, but if this was the case I have not been able to trace them.   

[lancsann]

Banns: St John the Baptist, Tunstall, Lancashire, England
John Barrow - Mazongill in the Parish of Thornton
Elizabeth Starkey - Collingholme in this Parish
    First Reading: 9 Oct 1803; Read By: Frederick Needham, Vicar
    Second Reading: 16 Oct 1803; Read By: Frederick Needham, Vicar
    Third Reading: 23 Oct 1803; Read By: Frederick Needham, Vicar
    Notes: [Additional entry reads] These Banns were forbidden on the 3rd Publication by
           the father of the Elizabeth Starkey who is a Minor <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
    Register: Marriages 1754 - 1812, Page 54, Entry 214

[Radcliff]

on his first wifes burial it gives the age of 39 years,I know that will be estimated but perhaps you need to go back further to look for John Barrow

[jimmax]

You are quite right.  On the 1803 burial record for John Barrow's second wife, Ann, her age is clearly given as 39.  However on their marriage record the year before in 1802 her age is given as 30 and his age as 27.  When John remarried in 1804 his age was given as 29.  So while Ann's year of birth might be 1764 or 1772 I feel reasonably confident that John's YOB is circa 1775.