We are researching a family of fairground travellers with the name of Pelham. I have managed to get back to the baptism of Henry Pelham in 1806 in St Martins in the Fields parish. His parents were Joseph and Elizabeth. I keep drawing blanks with trying to trace Joseph Pelham. This may not be surprising as the family story goes that a Frenchman arrived in England at some point probably during the 18th century and wanting to hide his identity took the name of his future wife - ie Pelham who happened to be from a traveller family.
Henry married twice - to Hannah Marshall in 1830 in parish of St George the Martyr Southwark and secondly to Catherine Ford in 1836 in St Mary Lambeth and had 4 daughters and one son.
I have just found what might be the dissenter burial of Henry's mother Elizabeth Pelham - on the 28th February 1831 in Walworth born c 1786. Her address was given as Locks Fields which was a wintering area for gypsies / travellers.
Does any of the information ring any bells with anyone out there? We would very much like to hear from you and share any information we have. Thanks.
