Hi, can anyone help with baptism/s or other docs in Bradford-on-Avon, c. 1787, for a Gay family, in relation to a Sarah Gay, whom two censuses (1861, 1871) said was born there?
A tree at FamilySearch may, possibly, suggest that she is the Sarah Gay baptised 8 June 1788 @ the Independent Chapel, Corsham – parents John & Betty Gay. However, Gay/Gaye/Gey etc is a common name in Wilts at the time, and while Corsham is close to Bradford, experience teaches me to be cautious.
One Census (1851) has her born "Bath, Somerset", which is where Sarah lived after marrying (i.) John Masling (1807) and (ii.) William Small (1821). (as far as I know) Those marriage records don't provide her parents' names.
I don't have access to wills/probate at the moment, but I'm told that Sarah is named as "niece" of Jasper Gay (or "Gey") of Bath, in his will dated 1838. (Some trees on Ancestry have her as Jasper's daughter which I believe is incorrect.)
In 1837, Sarah was widowed for a second time and in 1851 & 1861 she was living in Surrey with her daughter and son in law, Jane and Owen Bowen. In 1871, Sarah, a "laundress" was back in Bath, at the house of her younger son, John Small, "Coach Painter & Finisher".
Thank you
