I am attempting to clarify the origins of my 4 x G grandfather Richard Gardner. He married Ann Baxter in 1817 at St Marys Lancaster, both were from Torrisholme at that time. He died in February 1855 , aged 59 giving a birth around 1796. The 1851 census states he was born in Halton (near Lancaster). The family story, from more than one source, is that he was from Garstang was attracted by the huge herring catches of the time and moved to Poulton-le-Sands (now Morecambe). Ten children are baptised at Poulton between 1818 and 1844 to Richard and Ann.
Lancs OPC has a baptism for a Richard Gardner on 8th August 1797 at St Helen's Garstang, the son of Thomas, husbandman from Bonds, and Ellen. There is also a marriage for Thomas Gardner (husbandman of Claughton) and Ellen Cardwell (spinster Myerscough) at the same church on 24 Oct 1786. I have a copy of the marriage record and the licence, so far so good!
Looking at baptisms for Thomas and Ellen at St Helens we start with Richard (13 Jul 1788, abode Claughton) followed by Ellen 1790, James 1792, Catherine 1794, Lydia 1795, Richard 1797, Thomas 1799, Mary 1801, Margaret 1803, Richard Cardwell 1805 and Catherine 1807 (born 12 Nov 1807, bap 13 Dec 1807). All these children have father recorded as Thomas a husbandman from Bonds and wife Ellen. There is one more baptism for John, the parish of Lancaster, born 11 Dec 1807, bap 17 Jan 1808, father Thomas is a husbandman and wife Ellen.
I have some concern that these children may be from more than one family, I can't find a burial for the first Richard, I suspect the second Richard is mine, as previously stated. The third Richard has Ellen's maiden name as a second christian name and I believe went on to become a wine merchant in Liverpool and an MP.
I'm looking for opinions as to whether this is the same family. I can't find a marriage which fits with the birth of John 1807, maybe the couple had moved to Lancaster at that stage? I am unhappy about the proximity of Catherine & John's birth. I believe Ellen was around 19 when married so young enough to be having final children around 1807.
Any input very welcome. Thanks, Christine