Missing James Medhurst, 1871

[RichardK]

Hello
I've tried all the permutations I can think of looking for a James Medhurst in the 1871 census without luck. Perhaps someone looking with a fresh pair of eyes may spot him. He claimed to have been born around 1796 in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, and worked as a wood turner and Tunbridge Ware maker. He seems to have flitted between various seaside towns and spa towns - Worthing, Weymouth, Weston-super-Mare, Cheltenham and Malvern. He isn't with his wife, Sarah, who was living in Worthing on census night. He had previously lived for several years with a Phoebe Hammond, but he's not with her either - she's in Weston-super-Mare. In the 1861 census he'd been living in Cheltenham with an Eliza (listed as his wife), who claimed to have been born around 1820 in Chichester - I can't find her either, so suspect they may have been together, but not necessarily! James died in Malvern in 1877. It could be that he was out of the country, or the particular census return is lost / illegible or he was using an alias, but wanted to see if anyone else could spot him (or Eliza).
Thanks
Richard.

[[Ray]]

Hi

Would you summarise his off-spring?

Thanks

Ray

[RichardK]

With his wife Sarah I think he had:
George c.1818
Ann c.1821
Thomas c.1823
Robert c.1827
Edmund c.1830
James c.1832
I think these were all born at Sompting, near Worthing.

He had with Phoebe Hammond a daughter Emma (b. 1840, Weymouth), last seen in Dorchester in 1861, and a son John or William John (b. 1856, Weymouth) who is in Weston-super-Mare with his mother in 1871.

I'm not aware of him having had any children with Eliza.

Thanks
Richard.

[jennifer c]

Try to google  James Medhurst archaeologist for more information.

Jennifer

[RichardK]

Thanks Jennifer - I'm aware of his archaeological exploits. He was quite a colourful character by all accounts.
Thanks
Richard.

[raystimpson]

Hi this is my first post.I have been researching the Medhurst family( my maternal grandmother was Kate Medhurst 1890 - 1982),during my searches I came across the following link about James:-

http://www.werelate.org/wiki/Person:James_Medhurst_%281%29#Relationship_with_Phoebe_Hammond
29 Mar 1796 is the baptism date
This story is quite comprehensive and tells a story of man who not only a businessman but also a wanderer and possibly a bigamist.

Ray

[RichardK]

Hello Ray - welcome to RootsChat and apologies for the delay in replying, I've only just noticed your post. I was the author of that page you've found - his mistress Phoebe Hammond is an aunt of some number of greats to my wife.
Thanks
Richard