Hi Matt
Yes Egerton is a fair way from Whitfield & Fordwich.
There are two earlier ones, but these would make her quite a bit older
Susan BARKES bapt. 16 Sept. 1751 at Canterbury, St Mary Breadman, Kent, dau. of Miller Barkes
Susan BARKES bapt. 15 Apr 1655 Sandwich , St Peter dau of Raman.
Claire
Hello again!
I think I may have cracked the puzzle. I've just checked to see if the Susan who was christened in Whitfield had any siblings. This is what I found
William [also down online as just Will] - christened 6 October 1673 Whitefield
Mary - christened 12 January 1676 Whitfield
Thomas - christened 26 October 1678 Whitfield
I was still unsure as the name Birch/Burch didn't seem similar to Bourne/Bourke in any way. However I then check for the marriage of the parents [John and Susan] and I think I've found the answer.
John Birch married Susan Spame in Wootton on 4 August 1664 [according to Familysearch]. The name "Spame" sounded familiar to me and after checking my notes I found a clue.
John's parent's John Chambers and Susan Browning were married by Licence in 1666, and the bondsman was one "Thomas Spaine of Whitfield" - could the names Spaine and Spame be connected?
As John Chambers and Susan Browning were married by Licence I wondered if Susan Birch's parent's had also been married by Licence. Here's the answer
"John Birch, of Coldred, husbandman, 27, bachelor, whose parents consent, and Susan SPAINE, of "Wolton", virgin, 18, whose father, Bartholomew Spaine, [of] same parish, husbandman, consents. At "Wolton" 15 July 1664"
"Wolton" is probably the same place as "Wootton" which borders Sibertswold (where the Brownings came from) and is also not far from Colded and Whitfield (which border each other).
So it looks like Bourn/Bourke probably Birch badly transcribed, and the first Susan you mentioned is probably the one I'm after. Spame is clearly a bad transcription of Spain/Spaine. I'm going to see if there are any Wills for any of the Birches or Spaines as well.
The pieces do seem to be coming together.....
Matt