Parrish family of Chirk

[Gadget]

Thank you so much,Paul 

The Pontyblew residence makes me wonder about Ruabon or St Martins  but it's needle and haystacks 

[*bunty*]

It may be that they were never married anyway.  Remember Athalia had one son's birth registered as James Jones, naming the parents as Richard Jones and Athalia Jones (formerly Parrish).  They never married, and James reverted back to being James Parrish.  Perhaps this was the case with David and Priscilla?  The fact that he did not keep the child *may* indicate he acknowledged it as his own but once Priscilla died, he did not take responsibility for it.  Of course a working father couldn't exactly look after a young baby anyway.  Very sad.

[Gadget]

It is very sad, Bunty    But, although I can accept  Jones as being used as  the surname of the child, I've not seen an instance in Chirk of the 'wife' taking a married name unless she was married - just wondering if there was a marriage in Ruabon/St Martins, the neighbouring parishes 


Have you found anything further on Susannah - beyond 1854?


Added - had a look at Ruabon and they're not there so maybe it was a common law. Surprising in Chirk as they knew everyone 

[*bunty*]

As far as I can tell Susannah married Henry Smith in 1856 (not verified, no cert ordered).  If this is the right Susannah they went on to have four children together.  I am not sure what happened to Henry (probably died) but Susannah seems to remarry Benjamin Jones abt 1869.  See the 1861 Wales census RG9/1880/86/12 and 1871 Wales census RG10/2784/33/12.  In the 1871 census it shows the 'Smith' children living with their mum and new stepfather.  Don't have a death for Susannah but I haven't searched that hard .

PS:  Got my copy of the John Prescott doco today from a UK descendant of Athalia Parrish (he is from James Jones/Parrish).  Can't wait to watch it!

[Gadget]

I'd forgotten that entry.

Now I remember them from the 1871 when I was chasing up James Parrish.  Her age is a few years out.

(I didn't find a marriage ref for either partners though but,  like you,  I've not searched extensively)

Gadget 

[Gadget]

I'd thought that Benjamin might have been a brother to William (Athaliah's husband) as they had a son, Benjamin, which would make James Parrish Benjamin Jones's step nephew rather than Susanna Jones's.

I think we need more proof before we say that that is definitely our Susannah.

I think I'll ask Paul to check on baptisms of those Smith children.


Gadget

[*bunty*]

Good idea Gadget.  A quick check of baptisms of the Smiths would help.  Smith isn't a common name in the area so we should be ok there.  I too felt Benjamin was brother to William.  But again, not proof at this stage.

PS:  Have now watched the the John Prescott doco and need more evidence and information.  Hmmmm.

[Gadget]

Yep, Bunty. That was my view 

Susannah Parrish, alias Smith and Jones does have a ring to it though, doesn't it 

It's an amazing family!

Do you have all of my Caroline's children and marriages, etc.?


PS - I was born and grew up in Chirk and can't recall any Smith families!

[*bunty*]

I have the following children and marriages although not the exact dates:
Ann Stokes = George Williams
Martha Stokes = ?
Elizabeth Stokes = Henry Roberts
James Stokes = ?
William Stokes = ?
Louisa Stokes = ?
Caroline Stokes = ?
Susan Stokes = ?
Mary Ellen Stokes = Richard Alexander Roberts


Not such good coverage is it? LOL