May Sophia DENTON b abt 1883 Abingdon

[Connie Sparrow]

May Sophia DENTON married Samuel Richard JOYCE 1 Nov 1902 in London.  She gave her age as 19 and her father as Harry DENTON, a sanitary bricklayer.  In the 1911 census on Ancestry, she says she was born in Abingdon.  I have her from the date of her marriage to 1939, so coming forwards isn't a problem, nor is Samuel who's my 1C3R.  It's going back that's being a tad troublesome.

What I haven't been able to find is her birth, baptism or parents.  I'd very much appreciate any help in identifying her family.

There's an entry in the 1891 census for a 7 year old May DENTON in Abingdon Workshouse.  There are some other DENTONs there: Elizabeth bc 1825 (widow of James bc 1829 and living in 1881), Ellen bc 1870 (or maybe Eleanor b 1869), William bc 1880 (b 1879 s/o Reuben and Mary), Albert b 1884 and Alfred bc 1889 who may be relatives.  All six are given as "inmates".  There's no indication whether it was the workhouse proper or the infirmary attached to it.

Are there any super sleuths out there who can help find May and her family please?

[Milliepede]

Not sure if the ages are right but there's a Harry Denton plumber born Abingdon in the 1901 census.  Wife and children born Sittingbourne Kent. 

Harry Denton 33
Ellen 31
Rose 9
Harry 8
Edith 6
Frances 4
Thomas 2
Agnes 1

Too young aren't they sorry 

[Milliepede]

There's a marriage Abingdon Dec 1877

Henry Denton and Sophia Ann Smith is one of the two brides - other one Mary Short

Thinking if they had a daughter with the name Sophia that could be a clue.

[Connie Sparrow]

Not sure if the ages are right but there's a Harry Denton plumber born Abingdon in the 1901 census.  Wife and children born Sittingbourne Kent. 

Harry Denton 33
Ellen 31
Rose 9
Harry 8
Edith 6
Frances 4
Thomas 2
Agnes 1

Too young aren't they sorry 

Probably but worth keeping a note of nevertheless.  Thanks

[suzard]

There is this
1881
West St Helens Abingdon Berks
Sarah Smith Head widow 49 Seamstress
Edward Smith son 16 General lab
Albert Archer Smith son 12
Sophia Denton daughter married 26 seamstress
George Denton grandson 4
Willie Denton grandson 1
John Herbert Denton grandson 3mths
all b Abingdon
RG11 1281 27 2


there is a death reg FreeBMD
Sophia Ann Denton
age 33
Sept qtr 1888
Abingdon
2c 151

Suz

[Connie Sparrow]

There's a marriage Abingdon Dec 1877

Henry Denton and Sophia Ann Smith is one of the two brides - other one Mary Short

Thinking if they had a daughter with the name Sophia that could be a clue.

Very possible.  I'll have a look for them.  Thanks

[suzard]

There is this census - may be Sophia Ann's husband?

1881
87 Lumsden St London
Harry Denton Boarder Married 27 General labourer berkshire
in household of Benjamin Courtney and family

Suz

[Connie Sparrow]

There is this
1881
West St Helens Abingdon Berks
Sarah Smith Head widow 49 Seamstress
Edward Smith son 16 General lab
Albert Archer Smith son 12
Sophia Denton daughter married 26 seamstress
George Denton grandson 4
Willie Denton grandson 1
John Herbert Denton grandson 3mths
all b Abingdon
RG11 1281 27 2

there is a death reg FreeBMD
Sophia Ann Denton age 33 Sept qtr 1888 Abingdon 2c 151

That looks very promising, thank you It ties in nicely with the marriage Millie found.

One of the options for the Albert in the workhouse was Albert Archer DENTON.

Now to find out what happened to Henry/Harry.

[Connie Sparrow]

There is this census - may be Sophia Ann's husband?

1881
87 Lumsden St London
Harry Denton Boarder Married 27 General labourer berkshire
in household of Benjamin Courtney and family

That's very possible.  It could account for why/how May Sophia came to be in London.

Thank you.