Jonas Francis born 1790 Ditcheat

[321happy]

Hi I wondered if anyone could help me find more information on Jonas Francis he was born 1790 in Ditcheat, he married Mary Thompson in 1811 (she was also born in Ditcheat and this is all I know about her) they also had Mary Ann Francis b1816 also Ditcheat.
The only thing I may have is that a Jonas Francis was possibly in Gloucester Court around 1826 but I can find no further information as to whether this is my Jonas Francis or what he was at court for.
I also found reference (but can't remember from where now) of a Jonas Francis dying in Canada.
Any help is greatly appreciated, thankyou in advance.

[Jo Harding]

Hello 321happy,

Welcome to Roots Chat!

There is a baptism for Jonas on Freereg and this is as follows:

Ditcheat, St Mary.

Jonas Francis, son of Thomas and Martha Francis.

Born 30 July 1788, baptised 3 August 1788.

Jonas had very many siblings baptised there from other details on Freereg.

http://www.freereg.org.uk/

Jo.

[Jo Harding]

I also found a marriage for Thomas Francis on Freereg.

Ditcheat, St Mary.

14 August 1769.

Thomas Francis of Babcary parish, to Martha Dredge.

Witnesses were: Thomas Lyntorn and William Cornish.

Jo.

[321happy]

Thanks Jo thats great , don't know how come I've not found it.  I've started wondering if all my information is correct  I have Mary Ann Francis as his Daughter marrying James Taylor born 1817 Castle Carey (who then went on to have Louisa Taylor B1850 who married Arthur Edward Gunning B1848 both shepton mallet - I know these two ancestors are correct). But then as I double check there marriage it appears there were two Mary Ann's marrying at the same time - don't know if you can help on this bit but it would be greatly appreciated - sometimes I look that hard I can't find the obvious. Thanks Again.

[Jo Harding]

Hello 321happy,

I think that the information on Jonas is right as it is such an unusual name.

The marriage of Mary Ann Francis to James Tayler is on Freereg and the details suggest this is the correct one for her.

Shepton Mallet, St Peter and St Paul.

8 August 1843.

James Tayler, Bachelor. Labourer. Abode Shepton Mallet.

Mary Ann Francis, spinster. Abode Shepton Mallet.

Groom's father's details not shown he was illegitimate presumably.

Mary Francis' father shown as Jonas Francis, Labourer.

The witnesses were: Thomas Hiscox and Eliza Whitacre.

Married By Banns.

A search of Freereg reveals that Jonas Francis acted as witness for some marriages at Ditcheat. That of Samuel Rogers on 31 July 1836 for example.

I couldn't find the marriage of the other Mary Ann to check it out. Who was the groom please and I will search for this?

Jo.

[321happy]

Thanks so much Jo you've been really helpful, The other James Taylor Marriage was to a Mary Ann Worrell on the 12 Jan 1849 but it was at Stoke Sub Hamdon, Somerset So i'm guessing I'm on the right tracks with Mary Ann Francis.
Also with you suggesting he was possibly illegitimate the only births I could find led me to three but one of them was a baptism on the 15th July 1816, also another on the 3rd November 1816 but neither had a father just a mother of Elizabeth Taylor the other baptism was a couple of years later so at least i've found his mother.
I have also been able to go a long way back on Jonas Francis wifes side Mary Thompson too so thanks for your help - it's another 'twig' of my tree i'm finally getting somewhere on.

[Jo Harding]

Do you have the family of James Taylor and Mary in the census returns?

I noticed that in the 1851 they are in Shepton Mallet.

James Taylor, married age 34, General Labourer, born Castle Cary.
Mary Ann Taylor, wife, age 35, Silk Maker, born Ditcheat.
Jane Taylor, age 12, born Shepton Mallet.
Eliza Taylor, age 7, born Shepton Mallet.
Mary Ann Taylor, age 4, born Shepton Mallet.
Louisa Taylor, age 1,. born Shepton Mallet.

The place of birth for James indictaes that Elizabeth was his mother and that you have the right baptism for him.

Jo.

[321happy]

Thanks again Jo, Yes I think it has to be the correct baptism - I checked for a possible marriage of his mother before his birth and there were none so I presume he was illigitimate - so thats the end of that twig.
Thanks once again.

[trish1120]

Interesting that they have a 12yr Jane (1839) when they didnt Marry til 1843.