Mary Ann Rice born 1795, living in Bristol, multiple marriages

[sgf28]

I have a Mary Ann who marries a number of times in Bristol. Have managed to find her later marriages but not her first one! So the following tale may be a bit long winded but will give background to the story

Mary Ann married Francis Reed in 1834 in Bristol, he was convicted the following year for sheep stealing and transported to NSW in 1836. Francis married three times!

She then married a Samuel Venn in 1837 in Bristol, I have her on 1841 Census with Samuel, their son, two of her daughters Elizabeth and Sarah Rice and three of the Reed boys. Two are Francis's from his marriage to Isabella Jones and William who is son between Francis and Mary Ann.

Mary Ann then married Robert Parfitt in 1849 in Bristol, got them on the following Census. Robert and Mary were witnesses on Elizabeth Rice's marriage to Thomas Reed in 1851 Bristol, looks like Elizabeth married her stepbrother as Thomas is a son of Francis Reed who was transported.

Can't find the marriage of Mary Ann to Thomas Rice or Thomas Rice death(Thomas is down as a bricklayer on daughter Elizabeth's marriage), and would like her maiden name. Would her maiden name be on her marriage to either Samuel or Robert?

I am assuming Thomas death will be between 1826 and 1834 when she marries Francis Reed, could anyone shed light on this too

Thanks.

[sgf28]

Linked to a previous post by me:

Somerset/ Re: Elizabeth Rice 1826 Taunton

[sgf28]

http://www.wsom.org.uk/Registers/TNSMBap18201829.htm
Link to baptism given by Kay99.

Confirms baptisms for Elizabeth and her sister Sarah.

20th July 1828 Eastreach. Parents: Thomas and Mary Rice. Thomas is a mason.

[Victor Harvey]

Hi,
Francis REED, of this parish, m. Mary RICE, of this parish, 22nd May 1834, at St Andrew, Clifton, Bristol. Register 4c2, Page 186, Number 556 refers.
Victor

[sgf28]

Thank you Victor,
That was one of the seven marriages they had between them
Francis married an Elizabeth Tucker in 1802 Bristol, Isabella Jones 1821 Clifton and then Mary Ann Rice 1834 Clifton. His transportation records gave the information that he had four daughters and four sons. I had found three sons and a daughter to Isabella months ago and it wasn't until I found the Oz records that I knew to search for more . Three daughters to his marriage to Elizabeth and one son to Mary Ann.

Mary Ann married Thomas Rice in Taunton? haven't got this marriage yet . Then married Samuel Venn in 1837 St Paul's Bristol. Married Francis Reed in 1834. Then married Robert Parfitt in 1849 Bedminster.

Just need to track her marriage to Thomas sometime before 1826 when their daughter Elizabeth was born. Mary Ann's dob is around 1799 Taunton.

[trish1120]

Thomas Rice Marriages to a Mary on FreeREG;

Thomas RICE married Mary COOMBES of Bawdrip Parish, 04 April 1820, St Mary, North Petherton, Somerset
Witnesses, Ham Coomb and James Rice

Thomas RICE, sojourner, to Mary TOUT, 7 Aug 1820, St John, Wellington, Somerset
Witnesses, Ann Stubbs and John Lucas

Thomas RICE to Mary Ann FRENCH, 19 Feb 1827, St Mary, Cheddon Fitzpaine, Somerset****
(only 1 to a Mary Ann)

Either of the 1st 2  Thomas may have died after the Marriage of Mary in 1834 though;
One at North Petherton 8 April 1842 age 45, and the other at Wellington 9 June 1844 age 47
(FreeREG)
+ the Nth Petherton Thomas was a Carpenter from his Childrens Baptisms and the Wellington one also was a Carpenter.
They were both Baptising at the same time that your Thomas/Mary Baptsied Sarah/Elizabeth in Taunton.

So the Mary Ann French may be a possible for your Mary Ann.

As long as she was truthful any of the Children born post 1837's to Mary Birth Certs or her 1849 M/C should have her maiden name.

Trish

[sgf28]

Thank you for the info. Will look at Mary Ann French marriage to Thomas Rice. Was going to send for the marriage to Robert Parfitt but wasn't sure whether it would have her maiden name on it as she had married so many times by then she might have forgot what it was

The other two marriages are probably not correct as on daughter Elizabeth's marriage in 1851 she states that her father Thomas Rice was a bricklayer. She hadn't put that he was deceased by this time so am only assuming that he is dead hence all Mary's subsequent marriages. Mind you, she maybe wouldn't have known if Francis(husband no.2) was dead when he was on the other side of the world when she married Samuel Venn But at least she and the subsequent husbands took care of Francis Reed's children when he got transported.

[sgf28]

Finally the marriage certificate for Mary Ann to Robert Parfitt has arrived, was hoping that she would have given details of her father and/or maiden name but no such luck

Certificate details:
Married on 8th November 1849 at the Parish Church, Parish Church of Bedminster.
Robert Parfitt, age 44, widower, flax draper, Spring Street. Father: Jonathan Parfitt, rope maker.

Mary Venn, age 45, widow, Spring Street. No further details

Witnesses: Thomas Lockyer and Elizabeth Percy. All four signed with X.

Her previous marriage to Samuel Venn was 11th June 1837 St Paul's Bristol so just months before official registration began

Does anyone know of any other way to prove Mary Ann's maiden name?

[sgf28]

Mary Ann didn't have any children born after 1836 so won't be able to use birth certificates for  :(help with maiden name