John Watson a Sailor

[Lensmeister]

And still the section of the family is driving me insane.


My 4x Great Grandmother was Rebecca Brown born in Whitby in 1781.
She Married John Watson a  Sailor in 1802 again in Whitby.

John was baptised in Whitby 1780.

Also by 1806 Rebecca is in Kings Lynn and getting married as a widow by licence.

Sometime between 1802 and 1806 John must have died

Anyone able to help ?

[Milliepede]

As he was a sailor perhaps he was lost at sea or drowned 

Long shot but would there be any newspaper reports (local to Whitby) from that long ago that might mention his name. 

Any children that you can find born 1802-1806?

[philipsearching]

As far as I know, Whitby was mainly a port for fishing and coastal trade.  I suspect that if any shipwreck or drowning record survives it would be in the local parish church (possibly a small memorial but more likely a note in the minutes.  John might have sailed on a large vessel and if a name could be found for  it there is a chance of finding it's history (Lloyds or other registers)

Milliepede's query about children could lead to a post-1937 marriage or a will shedding light on John Watson.

However, at the risk of seeming gloomy, it is a long shot.

Could you let us know where you have already searched so we don't duplicate your work?

Philip

[Lensmeister]

Thanks both.

Apart from the above info this is everything I have on the family:

Cannot find any baptisms of children of Rebecca and John Watson in St. Mary's, Whitby, NRY at all.

Transcription of St Margaret's Kings Lynn on Freereg.

Rebecca (junior) Watson baptised 26 January 1810
daughter of Rebecca the wife of John Watson of Whitby.

Full timeline:

1780 John Watson Born Whitby NRY.
1781 Rebecca Brown born Whitby NRY. (call her Senior)
1802 Rebecca (senior) Brown marries John Watson in St. Mary's NRY.
1806 Rebecca Watson nee Brown married by licence as a widow to Joseph Dodman in Kings Lynn, NFK
1810 Rebecca (junior) as above baptism.
1835 Rebecca (junior) marries as Rebecca Dodman in St. Mary's Walworth, SRY.
1841 Census Rebecca (senior) in Paragon Row, Walworth, SRY.
1849 Rebecca (junior) dies as Rebecca Nicholls aged 39 wife of James Nicholls.
1851 Census Rebecca (senior) living in Walworth SRY gives her place of birth as Whitby, NRY.
1861 Rebecca (senior) dies Workhouse, Walworth, SRY.

There is no mention of Rebecca (junior) age when baptised. Assumption says she could be at least 4 years old but no record of her birth/baptism in Whitby.

Main things I'm looking for:
John Watson's death (or whatever).
How old was Rebecca (junior) when baptised?
Given the transcription of Rebecca (junior) baptism, was she a Watson or a Dodman?

Aside to these bits there are other questions this confusing family throws up:

• Whitby and Kings Lynn were both Whaling ports so wondered if there are any list of boats and crew?
• Rebecca (senior)'s parents were Thomas Brown and Barbara Moore who were married in Sep 1774 in Wapping, MDX. I am still looking for their births.  The couple had other children in Whitby (William (1776), Thomas Brown (1775) and Mary Moore Brown(1775)) but not sure if they had more.

[Milliepede]

Rebecca (junior) Watson baptised 26 January 1810
daughter of Rebecca the wife of John Watson of Whitby.

Why would it say "the wife of" and not "widow of" if John Watson had died.

I can see the original record and whilst the transcription says "born abt 1810" there is nothing on the record that gives an age or birth date unfortunately **

However if she remarried in 1806 she was Rebecca something else not Rebecca Watson.

As an aside there is a history of Whitby and whaling ships from that time period online so if you have the time to flick through (lots of pages!) there might be a mention of John Watson.

** if she died in 1849 age 39 that would revert her birth year to 1810 so 

[seaweed]

If John Watson died at sea and he was lost from a Whitby registered vessel, it may be of use to search the following record.

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4064503

A visit to Kew to view would be your best course of action. Be aware that many of these documents have been lost or destroyed. Similar records for Kings Lynn (referred to as Lynn in maritime records of the time) Do not appear to have survived.

[Lensmeister]

Why would it say "the wife of" and not "widow of" if John Watson had died.

I can see the original record and whilst the transcription says "born abt 1810" there is nothing on the record that gives an age or birth date unfortunately **

However if she remarried in 1806 she was Rebecca something else not Rebecca Watson.



** if she died in 1849 age 39 that would revert her birth year to 1810 so 

I have a  copy (electronic) of the marriage licence for Joseph Dodman and Rebecca Watson.


This darn family is doing my head in LOL