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Topic: Benjamin Hodges 1818 - 1857 (Read 684 times)
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gumshoe
RootsChat Extra
Posts: 10
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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I've recently discovered that my 3 x great grandfather, Benjamin Hodges, died of yellow fever on the Danish West Indian island of St Thomas in June 1857.
He was born around 1818 (possibly in Somerset) and was living in Southampton at the time of the 1851 census. He married Sarah Pitman on November 30th, 1845, in Holy Rood Parish Church, Southampton. His father is recorded on the marriage certificate as also being named Benjamin. Both father and son were bakers by occupation.
I really would love to know more about Benjamin's parents and whether or not he was born in Somerset.
If anyone can shed some light I would be very grateful.
Many thanks.
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Little Nell
Moderator
RootsChat Marquessate
Posts: 7262
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So only one chance for an exact place of birth on the census and all you get is the county. That's a pest.
Do you know if Benjamin senior was dead by the time his son was married?
I've tried looking for either Benjamin on 1841 but no luck. Benjamin senior was probably born prior to 1800, but just when would be a bit of a guess. Younger son is named John, so that doesn't really help much either. Any other children's names which may give some clues as to the previous generation?
Nell
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gumshoe
RootsChat Extra
Posts: 10
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Hi Nell,
I don't know if Benjamin senior was dead at the time of his son's marriage to Sarah Pitman in 1845. The witnesses on the marriage certificate are Caleb and Caroline Wood, so it's a distinct probability that he is deceased.
I did find another Benjamin Hodges in the 1841 census b.1821 and working as a baker in London. His wife is Elizabeth but I guess it's possible that he married twice and his birth date could be out by two or three years?
Gumshoe
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Little Nell
Moderator
RootsChat Marquessate
Posts: 7262
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If he was married before, I ought to describe himself as widower on his marriage certificate. And if his father were dead by 1845, he should be described as deceased on the certificate, but again this did not always happen. Birth dates can also be unreliable - and not just for the ladies!
Now the witnesses may be helpful - Caleb Wood is not that common. He was a grocer and lived in Bridge Street, Southampton in 1851. I don't see him in 1841, but his wife was living in Southampton at the time, and a Sarah Pittman is the next person on the page! I had hoped that perhaps Caroline might be Benjamin's sister, but she was born in Southampton  so that seems unlikely.
No sure where to go next. I've tried Freereg, but not individual Somerset register transcriptions.
Interesting entry in the Hampshire Record Office catalogue for the will of a Benjamin Hodges, retired grocer of Landport, Portsea, proved in 1852. He was born in Cerne Abbas, Dorset in 1781. He seems to have married in Portsea in 1803, but his first child was not born until 1806. He did have a son Benjamin - baptised in 1833 and who died the same year, an infant according to the burial register.
I'm not sure this helps much
Nell
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gumshoe
RootsChat Extra
Posts: 10
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Hi Nell,
Thanks so much for your help. I'm starting to wonder if the Somerset connection is true. I only picked this up from some research done by a great aunt (now deceased). However, Sarah Pitman's father, John Pitman, was a plasterer by trade and is listed as being born in Somerset too.
It will be a real shame if the trail goes cold at this point but I can't see how I might pick it up with the little information I have.
I do appreciate your efforts.
Gumshoe
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