Brick wall help needed please

[JennMorgon]

There are certainly very compelling reasons to believe that this is the correct couple.  It is also possible that Josiah had hurt his hand and was unable to sign the register.  I will try investigating the witnesses and will see if there is any sign of Jonus Dark of Dawlish with a wife called Ann in subsequent census returns.  It is interesting that the baptism record for both bride and groom confirm that their fathers name.  I will also try and find out what a time keeper on the railway actually did.  Thank you again for your help, it really is appreciated as I am fairly new to family history research
Jenn

[avm228]

The marriage witness Jonas Adams turns out to have been the sexton, so was probably a witness in that capacity rather than as a person connected with the couple.

In 1851 he's 57 and living at Clifford St, Chudleigh:  HO107/1870/427/12

Pure speculation... but perhaps his presence was why the curate got the name "Jonas" into his head

[JennMorgon]

Jonas is quite an unusual name and that kind of misunderstanding is more than possible.  Although the bride could sign her name - it doesn't mean that she would have been a skilled reader - so may not have noticed the mistake when she signed the register - especially given the bridal nerves.  I think I am going to accept this as their marriage until/unless I find out otherwise.   I have done a search on Find My Past to see if there is a Dark / Darke family - with a wife called Ann in other census returns.  Nothing has come up - but I feel the FindMyPast search engine is not as easy to get results as Ancestry.  I haven't got a current ancestry subscription to check.
Thank you once again for your help and guidance.
Jenn Morgon

[[Ray]]

"The marriage witness Jonas Adams turns out to have been the sexton . . . . . "

and Jonas had a son named Jonas.

[JennMorgon]

If Jonas had a son named Jonas then the marriage is for two different people.  Thank you everyone for your help. 
Jenn Morgon

[JennMorgon]

Oh no.. Just realised you meant the sexton had a son called Jonas !!!   
Jenn