The Curious Case of John Watson.

[Lensmeister]

And so my friends and super sleuths we come to 'The Curious Case Of John Watson'.

On August 6th, 1780 William and Jane Watson had a baby boy and on December 17th, of the same year, John was taken to the top of the 199 stairs of Whitby, North Yorkshire and baptised. William was a sailor which I assumed was why the long delay between birth and baptism.

We move forward to 1802 now and at St. Mary's Church, Whitby John Watson waited his bride Rebecca Brown on January 4th, 1802. Thy were married by Licence. John was listed as a bachelor, mariner and Rebecca a Spinster.

Now my sleuths time marches on and our curious story moved inextricable to Kings Lynn in Norfolk.

Rebecca Watson, as she is now known, meets Joseph Dodman and they marry by Licence by at St. Nicholas', Kings Lynn on 16th August 1807 and upon the licence it reads Rebecca Watson, Widow.

Now herein lies the curiosity of John Watson.

I have searched for a burial for John Watson in St. Mary's, Whitby's parish registers between January 1802 and 1808 but this has revealed nothing.

I have done many types of searches both on North Yorkshire, Norfolk and a general search of England but to no avail.

So what happened to John Watson?
Where was it recorded?
Why did Rebecca travel from Whitby to Kings Lynn ?

So my sleuth friends ..... it is a mystery that is begging to be solved. ....

Happy hunting

And thanks in advance.
Neil.

[groom]

If he was a mariner, there is the chance that John was lost at sea, so there may be no record of his death in any Parish Record.

[Milliepede]

If he was a mariner he could have died at sea so I would check in the sea (deaths at sea)

How do you know it's the same Rebecca Watson?

[Lensmeister]

If he was a mariner he could have died at sea so I would check in the sea (deaths at sea)

How do you know it's the same Rebecca Watson?

I know it the same Rebecca as she moved with Joseph to London area. The 1851 census shows Rebecca as being born in Whitby North Yorkshire. Other bits add up, children's births, Grandchildren in the same houses etc.

I had an idea he may have been lost at sea.

[jlewis6537]

Neil,

I'm also researching Joseph Dodman & Rebecca Watson. I have images of their marriage and it doesn't mention that she's a widow. What record have you discovered?

Judy

[amondg]

Paragraph 5 initial request  its on the license that she is a widow.

[jlewis6537]

These are the 2 I have. There's a blank space where 'widow' might go. Does your image show a word in the space? Or do you have a different image?