ELIZA HARROD of Exeter married Henry Orland Chamberlain in 1795

[..claire..]

Hi Richard

No the newspaper article gave no indication of Eliza's origins or whereabouts unfortunately.

Regarding Eliza's birth in Exeter - have you seen any official documentation or record that states she is from Exeter ? She could be from anywhere. There seem to be clusters of Harrod families in London, Norfolk, the Worcestershire area and the few mentioned in Devon.
I have access and have been looking at some Wills  regarding Harrod families but no mention of a Chamberlain in them.

[rkive82]

I see no evidence that Eliza was born in Exeter. Some trees on Anc* have Susan as being born in 1780 in Deal which can't possibly be correct given her marriage in 1794. If Susan really was 21 in 1794, the earliest birth year would be 1773.
**
I agree with you that the sisters could have been born anywhere.
Richard

[..claire..]

Hi

There is a couple - John and Elizabeth Harrod in Ellingham Norfolk that baptise two daughters -

Elizabeth bapt. 30 May 1768

Susan bpt. 25 Dec. 1777

Just trying to find couples that have two daughters by that name.

There is an Elizabeth Harrod born in London Oct 1768 daughter of John and Mary Harrod - he was a sawyer.

[rkive82]

Thanks. I see Eliz. and Susan in Ellingham, Norfolk and the dates could fit.
I wonder if the "21 years and upwards" on the marriage documents was ever confirmed.
Richard

[..claire..]

It was standard wording on a marriage licence to put that - that both parties were 'of age' or over.

What did it say on Susannah's ? She would only be 15/16 in 1792 - she would be under age and would need parental consent.

[rkive82]

"Susannah Abigail Harrod of the same parish (St Andrew Undershaft) a Spinster of the age of twenty one years and upwards." - Sept. 8th 1794
**
Can we assume that she was baptised soon after birth? If some time later, it makes it more credible.
R

[..claire..]

If we assume that the marriage licence info is correct she could be well over 21 ( obviously not from burial info) her birth year could be as early as 1772/3.

I'm going to look at other records in the LMA collection - see if any more Harrods crop up.
Did Eliza's daughter or her husband leave a Will I wonder ?

EDIT : Given the amount of Harrods in the London area, it would be easy to assume they were from London, but can see no baptism for Susan(nah)

[rkive82]

Thanks for your skills and tenacity Claire.
I thought this might be solved more easily. I should have known better.
I can't spend too much more time on this and hope there might be information forthcoming from the two interested parties I contacted recently.
If you can continue to search, I really appreciate it Claire. If you can't, we've certainly made some progress.
Thanks
Richard