Hi Kay,
I am still slowly digesting the mountain of information you have so kindly provided. You have helped me solve years of brickwalls
The alternative spelling of the surname Gatehouse is a true eye-opener.
I think the Thomas Gatehouse mentioned in your edit was very possibly Elizabeth's brother, as she also lived in the grounds of Hampton Court. Would Thomas's baptism appear in Hope-under-Dinmore or Leominster?
I have gone through baptisms and marriages on FamilySearch in the hope of linking the various Gittus, Gittoes and Gatehouses there. Alas, there isn't much helpful information, but here is what I can gather from your discoveries and what FS can provide:
Elizabeth Gatehouse was baptised 1 June 1788, daughter of William Gatehosue/Gittus and wife Ann (probably the same William Gittus and Ann Watkins who married 23 Dec 1787, i.e. Ann would have been pregnant at the time).
William, church clerk, died in 1834 aged 80 so born 1754 - you mention there is a possible candidate in Kimbolton (I assume there isn't a more likely candidate in Hope-under-Dinmore) - would not the marriage certificate mention his parents' names?
Bearing in mind that William's father's name was another William Gittus is still conjecture, I find it highly coincidental that there are other Gittuses (this is becoming complicated!) in Hope. For instance:
- 19 Feb 1747, marriage between Thomas Gittus and Anne Grummy/Grumpe (she being bapt. 15 Oct 1721, daug John and Ann Grumpe). Maybe William (1754-1834) was their son?
- 14/1/1720, marriage between Edward Gittus/Gitters/Gittoes and Eleanor Croft, daughter of Humphrey and Elizabeth Croft, bapt. 9/4/1689). They had children Eleanor (1721), Elizabeth (1722) and William (1724). Maybe Thomas above was their son?
I also have a William Gatehouse b. Bodenham 1823 who marriedJane Stead and then her sister Rebecca Stead. The Steads were prominent Mormons who emigrated to Utah in the 1800's - is it possible to check on William's parentage? I think Bodenham and Hope are very close...
Maybe these are far too many questions and requests to come back with but anything than can be cleared is already a brick less in this brickwall.
Best wishes,
Cimbrio