James and Charles Pettifer/Pettifor

[audrey69]

I can find a James and Charles Pettifer/Pettifer (sons of John and Jane Pettifor) listed on the 1841 and 1851 UK census for St. Neot's Hunts.  They are both listed as being born in Hunts and being born c. 1835.  According to an ad placed in a St. Neot's newspaper in 1889 they fought in the Battle of Alma and the Baltic campaign.  One of them was definitely alive when this ad was published as it was an ad placed by one of them seeking work in the Hunts area. 

I can find no record of births for them in the UK so far or where/when they died.  Any suggestions appreciated.

[crisane]

A C Pettifer attested in 1887. The record is in WO 121 - Chelsea pensioners' discharge documents 1760-1887 at The National Archives but viewable on FindMyPast
If it was Charles seeking work in 1889 then he could possibly have bought himself out of his service early and would not be eligible for a pension. Would explain why he needed work.

[audrey69]

Good spotting!  I thought I'd checked findmypast thoroughly but obviously not.  Will have a look.  Thanks

[bedfordshire boy]

Pre 1837, so you're unlikely to find birth details, just baptisms. In 1851 they are more than listed as being born in Hunts; their birthplace is shown as St Neots. St Neots parish registers aren't online, which is probably why you haven't been able to find their baptisms.

Baptised on 28 Dec 1834 in St Neots were four Pettifers
Charles son of John & Jane, labourer
Jane dau of John & Jane, labourer
Elizabeth dau of Samuel & Elizabeth of Eynesbury, labourer
William son of Samuel & Elizabeth of Eynesbury, labourer
Presumably there was a connection between John and Samuel.

11 Dec 1836 Rebekah Griffiths PETTIFER dau of John & Jane lab
21 Jun 1840 Sarah dau of John & Jane lab
17 Jul 1842 Elizabeth PETTIFOR dau of John & Jane lab
25 Aug 1844 William Knighton PETTIFOR son of John & Jane lab

Looks to me as though the baptism register may be in error with the baptism of Jane in 1834 rather than James.

David

[bedfordshire boy]

John Pettifer married Jane Knighton in St Neots in 1833 (per Hunts Marriage Index). Both otp.

So who was William Pettifor, 12, born Hunts,  who was living with the family in 1841? Did John have a first wife, although he's not described as widower on marriage to Jane? There's no earlier marriage in Hunts for John.

[audrey69]

Wow!  Thank you for all this information which has been unavailable to me until now.  I wonder if the William listed in 1841 census is a nephew?  I notice on the 1851 that there is another William listed as a son aged 6.

[bedfordshire boy]

The only other Pettifer baptism in St Neots was of William on 3 Nov 1816, son of James and Edith, labourer. But this William married in Goldington, Bedfordshire, in 1839 so it can't be him in 1841.

I can find no other reference to the William aged 12 in 1841.

[johnP-bedford]

Ancestry has William age 25 & Elizabeth age 22 Pettifer with son James age 4 months living in Goldington; transcribed as GETTFER, he is an Ag.Lab, NOT born in Beds.

James was baptised Goldington in 1841, followed by Sarah in 1842 & then William in 1845

In 1841 living in St.Pauls was James Pettifer & wife Edith & children Thomas & Bertha
In 1851 liviing in Bedford St.Pauls is James PETTIFORD born Cople, Maltster (as per the Goldington marriage) & wife Edith born Moggerhanger

[Galium]

Baptism at St Neots 13 June 1830
William George s/o Jane Knighton

Burial 16 July 1842
William Knighton aged 13

Possibly William Pettifor in 1841?