Why would a son change his surname

[Milliepede]

Marriage Jun 1867 Romford has Ellen Cornwell James Pearcey Joseph Warren Elizabeth Woolmer

[josey]

Perhaps Ellen Pearcey was James Pearcey's sister & took in his children 

Can you see James' father, Milliepede? Sorry though you had the parish entry 

Come back later, Jebber!!

[Milliepede]

Just looking at 1871

James Pearcey 31
Ellen 28
Alice 3
James 1
Thomas Cornall 73 father in law

[Milliepede]

James son of Daniel maybe 

There's a death in Jun 1872 for a James Pearcey age 32 - age would fit with 31 on 1871 census.
District St Geo H Sq

[josey]

 

Just looking at 1871
Thomas Cornall 73 father in law

Then maybe Thomas' name as Pearcey as Ellen's father on the marriage entry is a mistake - the registrar/vicar assumed that if Ellen had said she was a spinster....would be good to know both fathers' names on the 1867 marriage.

James son of Daniel maybe 

ADDED: Yes, several ancestry trees [FWIW] have James son of Daniel & Maria [Gardner] & Ellen daughter of Thomas Cornell & Mary Overall. Ellen's birth if the trees are coorrect as Cornell MMN Gardener
CORNELL, ELLEN       GARDENER     
GRO Reference: 1843  M Quarter in THE ROMFORD UNION  Volume 12  Page 242
They also have that 1872 ref as James' death.

[Milliepede]

Then maybe Thomas' name as Pearcey as Ellen's father on the marriage entry is a mistake - the registrar/vicar assumed that if Ellen had said she was a spinster....would be good to know both fathers' names on the 1867 marriage.

Yes maybe but I wonder why she claimed to be a spinster especially when she already had two children in tow 

Still mistakes did happen. 

[olleym]

Marriage 23 June 1867, SS Peter & Paul, Dagenham.
Fathers are recorded as Daniel Pearcey and Thomas Cornwell


Mark

[olleym]

There is a marriage for a Thomas Cornwell and Ann Gardner at St Margaret, Barking on 10.10.1831.
I can see no birth for an Ellen Cornwell but there is an Ellen Cornhill, baptised SS Peter & Paul, Dagenham 29.01.1843.

Mark

[josey]

OK good to have the fathers' names in 1867, Mark. Do you not think the 1843 birth in reply #13 is the right one?