John FRANCIS of Kent - baptism lookups

[Janet Mc]

This man married Sarah Ann TOMKINS in 1826 in Horsmonden, Kent
John Francis married Sarah Ann TOMPKINS (1806 H to 1837) on 10 Dec 1826 Horsmonden, Kent
Their children:
1) Stephen 1824
2) Mary Jane 24 Oct 1826 H. (never married) and died in Wellington 1843
3) Sarah Ann 9 Jan 1829 Offham, Kent. Married Stephen Swan 6 Jan 1848 Wellington . Died 17 Nov 1906 Carterton
4) William c 1829 married Emma Benge 24 Dec 1854 St James, Well. Died 21 Nov 1871 Hutt
5) John 1832 -74


and then after she died he married Frances PEARCE in 1836 in Boughton Monchelsea.

John FRANCIS Ba otp married Fanny PEARCE Sp otp by Banns on 21 Mar 1836 at Boughton Monchelsea.

Witnesses were James DAY and John BEECHING (prob parish clerk)

Their two children born in England were:
1) Elizabeth 13 Mar 1837 Maidstone, Kent (I don't know if this is chr. or birthdate)
2) Thomas Joshua c 1839/40 - he might have a registered birth.
Only two children were born before JF and FP migrated to NZ with 5 children of Sarah Ann + two of their own.

His death certificate in NZ in 12 July 1872 said he was 73. So I am looking for a birth date of c 1799 in Kent area including these towns above + Marden...

Thank you for any help in finding possible chr. for John FRANCIS and also for his son, Thomas Joshua

[mauricej]

Familysearch gives four possibles for John Francis' christening:
   
John Francis christening:    12 March 1797    Bilsington, Kent,
father: James, mother: Philadelphia

John Francis   christening:    11 February 1798    Penshurst, Kent,
father: George Francis, mother:  Jane
   
John Francis christening:    11 March 1801    Ruckinge, Kent, England
father: John Francis, mother:  Elizabeth
   
John Frances christening:    3 July 1803    Lamberhurst,Kent,
father: Thos. Frances, mother: Elizabeth

[mauricej]

There's a Joshua Francis birth registered in June quarter 1839,
ref. North Aylesford,  vol 5, page 352.
but no Thomas Joshua or Joshua Thomas 

 

[Janet Mc]

I found a Thomas JAMES in May 1840 for Maidstone/Marden - with correct parents. I think that is the one.
Trying to decide whether ordering it will help me find any information - prob. not.
Anyone got any more details for this?
Thank you

[Janet Mc]

I'm hoping that someone has access to a Kent baptisms cd and can find me more baptisms. None of those 4 is exactly right - that of course assumes that his 'age at death' is correct. I'm looking for a birth between 12 July 1798 and 11 July 1799. (I think that's right - on his death of 12 July 1872 he was '73').

I will go looking for other children of some of those possible JF parents.

[mauricej]

- that of course assumes that his 'age at death' is correct.

I'm looking for a birth between 12 July 1798 and 11 July 1799. (I think that's right - on his death of 12 July 1872 he was '73').

Have you limited your search for a birth on the assumption that the age at death was correct; but who gave this information ? A relative, a nurse, a neighbour ? Ages on death certificates can be unreliable and are only as accurate as the memory or knowledge of the informant.

So, any of the four in reply #1 could well be him, or none of them, depending on the accuracy of his age at death.

[mauricej]

So, any of the four in reply #1 could well be him, or none of them,

This one might be worth following up, being roughly in the area of the Kent towns/villages named in your OP.

John Francis   christening:    11 February 1798    Penshurst, Kent,
father: George Francis, mother:  Jane

[Janet Mc]

Just found JF's will but no clues. Now know he and his wife were illiterate.

Will have to wait and hope that the day he died the clerk was especially thorough. Otherwise it is a dead end.

The Penshurst family had at least 10 children. No JF's marrying in Penshurst in correct time -this would eliminate him - but plenty if other areas so I'll have to see if any of them close to Penshurst. I'll put this down until I get the death print out.
Thanks

[Janet Mc]

Not the Lamberhurst family

http://hortonpallister.awardspace.com/f-2-2-hannah%20fry.php

That John married a Hannah Fry and continued to live in area.

* Got in contact with NZ cemetery and discovered that John FRANCIS died in logging accident on 12 July 1872. Buried St James church, Lower Hutt (Wellington). Unfort. no gravestone and only record isn't an original - typed up - and they weren't careful and mistyped his son's name (and sex) and also put his age at death as 95 - highly unlikely. Could be 65 (giving a birth of c 1805) which would match his stated age on board the ship. Still waiting for his death certificate - might help (or not).
Guessing that there are more JF births in Kent than just those on Family Search. Anyone out there on findmypast ...kent history group ...? Unfortunately, Kent doesn't seem to have the wonderful resource that the Sussex Family History Group supplies (and at a decent price)