John Cothay m Eliza Martin 1836 Bideford

[squawki11]

I'm struggling with the above couple's family. They appear in 1841 census with 2 children, Elizabeth & Caroline for neither of whom can I find birth/baptism records. In 1851, Eliza is a widow and has a son, Harry John or John Harry, born c.1846/47 and so far no birth record for him, either. I presume John Cothay has been lost at sea...there appear to be numerous Merchant Seamen of that name. Eliza appears in 1861, a visitor (in her brother's household, I think). Elizabeth (Ann) marries John Cooper Shuter in 1863 and dies in 1869. But what has happened to Caroline? Why so few "Cothay" records - GRO birth index for Elizabeth Ann Shuter's children has Cathy, Cothy & Cothay but none of these work for those missing birth/baptism records. Any suggestions, please, to plug those gaps?

[AMBLY]

Just checking - that you already know that in 1861, the daughter Elizabeth Ann COTHAY (who married SHUTER in 1863 in Stepney)  is in Stepney Middlesex, with (as far as I can figure) John's sister Ann GIBB, formerly TOMKINS nee COTHAY....
RG 9 Piece 298 /Folio 13/ Page 20

....and that a decade prior in  1851 Ann's two TOMKINS sons George William and Edmund Yeo (who are with her in 1861) are in Toxteth Park with what I imagine might be John's mother Elizabeth COTHAY and sister Emma?
HO107 Piece 2186/Folio437'/ Page 33

Cheers
AMBLY

[squawki11]

That's very helpful. I'd come across a possible "Tomkins" connection/wrinkle but had yet to follow it up so many thanks for your assistance.