Who was Susan Stokes?

[TaraK]

Another mystery ancestor of mine, who I hope someone can help shed some light on...

Susan Stokes was the mother of Frances Smith Stokes, who was baptised in St Mary the Less, Cambridge, on 31 July 1796 as "baseborn child of Susan".

Nothing obvious is coming up for Susan through marriage or death record searches post-1796 so the trail seems to go cold after this reference.

I can trace Frances after 1818, when she marries William Taylor in St Mary the Less, Cambridge, so I assume that Frances and possibly Susan remained in this parish after Frances was born.

Any help/ suggestions on where to go from here greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Tara

[Daisypetal]

Hi,

A possible baptism for Susan,


Susannah STOAKES
16 May 1773
Cambridge
Father:  William STOAKES
Mother:  Mary


Regards,
Daisy

[Selina]

There is a marriage at Lt. St. Mary's on 15 December 1822 of a Susan Stokes sp otp and William Purkis of Melbourne, a widr.  Both made marks.
I know this is a rather late date but what struck me was the fact that a Wm Taylor was one of the witnesses along with a Mary Burton(?)

Selina

[TaraK]

Thanks, Daisy and Selina. I'll see if I can look into those further.

Tara

[TaraK]

Hi Daisy/ Selina

Just to say I've finally managed to research this further and your findings appear to be correct. I've found a William and Susan Purkis living in Melbourn, Cambs, in 1841 aged 68 and 70 respectively. I have, therefore, concurred that this is the same couple who married in 1822. The birth dates also indicate that the birth record you found is also correct (and would mean Susan was about 23 when she had Frances illegitimately).

I've found a possible first marriage for William to an Alice Hunt in 1803 in Newton, Cambs, and an Alice Purkis who was buried aged 44 in Trumpington, Cambridge, in 1819, so I just need to check the parish records to see if I can be certain that this was William's first wife.

Thanks again for your help!

[Selina]

Hi Tara,

Pleased to hear that you have made progress.

The 1803 marriage at Newton between William Purkiss and Alice Hunt took place on 20 October 1803.  Both made marks.
Alice was otp and William of Melbourn.
Witnesses: John Welch and Mary (x) Hunt.

Can't do Trumpington.

Selina