I have been looking into my wife’s ancestors for over a decade now and despite much investigation, I have been unable to satisfactorily resolve the origination of her GGG Grandfather James Edward Fewkes. We were informed by a relation that James was born in England. We do have a photo of him and this is likely.
James was firstly married to Charlotte Soraine in Dacca, India 12/6/1863. Records show James, Full Age, Draftsman, Father, William Fewkes, Baptist Missionary. Charlotte died 1874. This record is the earliest I can find for James in India or anywhere.
Next James Edward Fewkes married Eliza Deonies in Trichinopoly, India 10/12/1874. Records for this marriage shows James 31, Widower, Municipal Inspector, Father William Ebenezer Fewkes. It is from this marriage that my wife descends.
I have searched all births in England for a number of years either side of 1843 and there is no birth for James Edward Fewkes that fits. The closest I have come is James and Eliza’s first son was named William Henry Leopold Fewkes. and there is coincidentally a William Henry Fewkes born 29/3/1843 at Compton Gifford, Plympton, Devon. Father William Fewkes, coachman, Mother Fanny Beale. Maybe James Edward was a Henry William and changed his name???
William Fawkes, Full Age, Coachman, 15 Baker Street, Father William Fawkes, butcher married Fanny Beale, Full Age, 32 Exeter Street, Father Richard Beale, Farmer (Deceased) on 25/5/1842 St Marylebone, Middlesex, England. Banns Trinity Church, St Marylebone. I have not located any certain prior or subsequent records for these two either. So the possibility of William Henry being James Edward cannot yet be discounted.
I have also queried the BMS World Mission for guidance on whether they have any record of a William Fewkes as a Baptist Missionary but no reply received.
Over the years, I have traced the Fewkes name in India back to a William Fewkes born 1798, Leicester, Leicestershire, England. I am yet to locate his birth in England. He joined the India Army and a 1814 Muster Roll shows the entry Fukes William, England, Ship Moffat, Arrival 1813. William Fewkes married Elizabeth Badder 12/6/1823 in Vizagapatam, India. They had a number of children but I cannot find a direct record linking James Edward Fewkes to this particular William Fewkes. One of William Fewkes’ children was named Willam Ebenezer Fewkes, birth July 1838.
I have managed to piece together quite a vast family tree for the Fewkes and this has been posted on Ancestry under Fewkes Family Tree. This may be viewed to obtain the full details of all Fewkes entries determined to date.
Being a draftsman in Dacca, perhaps James worked for the HEIC.
In summary, it would be greatly appreciated if anyone could assist me to locate any further records which will throw light on the Fewkes Family’s past, including the birth or ancestry of James Edward Fewkes.
Thanks in anticipation
Greg Pascoe
