Rachel BECKWITH (b. 1811) Bretton West, Yorkshire - Father's identity - Ideas?

[LizzieL]

Nee Beckwith indicates that was her maiden name.

“Hannah did not remarry” indicates she was or had been married?  Doesn’t make sense to me.

Can't find a marriage for Hannah Beckwith (either spinster or widow) locally at a suitable time. But there is a burial for a Hannah Beckwith age 49 residence Bretton in Silkstone on 17 Nov 1840. Could be her. (birth abt 1791)

Hannah is more likely to have been single when Rachel was baptised because the entry says illegitimate. However if she was a widow and her husband had died too long before to have fathered Rachel, the priest might have recorded illegitimate.

[LizzieL]

Looking at the register of Woolley with West Bretton, there is a baptism for a Richard, natural son of Hannah Beckwith on 3 March 1814. Coincidence or Rachel's brother / half brother?

[rbell35]

Thanks Lizzie! I certainly have not spotted that one. In such a small locality I guess it looks like the 2 natural births are of siblings. Any ideas on how to locate the true father? Rob.

[LizzieL]

Again maybe a co-incidence but there is a marriage of a Richard Cooper Beckwith in Sandal Magna on 20 Sep 1835 to Ellen Boon. Just seen transcript on FindMyPast so far but will see if there's an image somewhere

[LizzieL]

Found image on Ancestry, witnesses were John and Elizabeth Worcester - all parties signed

[rbell35]

Thanks again Lizzie. I wonder if Richard's father was a Cooper? But then the issue would be why doesn't he carry that surname? Chrs, Rob

[LizzieL]

I think the John Worcester is one born abt 1809 to John and Sarah, who married in Sandal Magna. He married Elizabeth Meacock in Cheshire

[LizzieL]

Again maybe a co-incidence but there is a marriage of a Richard Cooper Beckwith in Sandal Magna on 20 Sep 1835 to Ellen Boon. Just seen transcript on FindMyPast so far but will see if there's an image somewhere

Forget Richard Cooper just found his baptism in Leeds on 03 Jun 1814 s/o William and Mary

[Milliepede]

Richard wouldn’t carry the Cooper surname if he was illegitimate.  Middle names are often a decent clue you can follow in these cases.

Just one point I can’t see that it says “nee Beckwith” on the baptism for Rachel?  Just Hannah Beckwith.