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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Wiltshire => Topic started by: Robert Fletcher on Saturday 31 August 13 22:15 BST (UK)

Title: Vashti Nash b. abt 1817
Post by: Robert Fletcher on Saturday 31 August 13 22:15 BST (UK)
I have one of these real dilemmas where a number of family members over the years have looked at this issue and have not come to any answers. But there is in addition to this.

Vashti Nash said to be born in 1817 Echilhampton, Wiltshire. The only evidence that we have is in the census but even this varies in different census. Vashti married a John Merrett 21 Nov 1838 in Devizes. Vashti was the daughter of a James and Christian Nash.

In a posting on this blog http://wiltshirebustard.blogspot.co.uk/2009/05/all-cannings-indian-heritage.html it stated that Vashti's parents had arrived from India but Vashti herself was born in Echilhampton. This seems to be a copy of another article that my cousin sent me this evening mainly talking about Lilac cottage in Echilhampton.

The problem I have is that we have no evidence of Vashti's birth other than what she says in the census. James Nash was a carpenter possibly could have come from India. I have the feeling that Vashti may have been born in India but never declared this.

I would be happy to come over to Wiltshire to look through records but I would need to know what records I'm going to look through. My gut feeling about this is that there are probably some items related to the Nash's in newspaper or some local history book.

Some years ago my cousin received come communication from a member of the Merrett family who said that he had seen a picture, "that all they seem to be dark". We have lost contact William but was the picture a dark picture or was this skin dark but with a name like Nash I would hardly think they were Indian.

Can any Rootschater help me.

Robert....
Title: Re: Vashti Nash b. abt 1817
Post by: DORAN54 on Sunday 01 September 13 00:19 BST (UK)
hi there are trees on ancestry that show her parents born Wiltshire and that they married 1800 at worton parish church poulton Wiltshire.shows vashti &her siblings  born England.
parents james nash &Christian stow
Title: Re: Vashti Nash b. abt 1817
Post by: Annette7 on Sunday 01 September 13 02:12 BST (UK)
Looking at census, on-line trees, bmd's etc. it would seem to me that there were in fact 2 James Nash's married to a Christian.

The one who married Christian Stowe was bc.1771 and the online trees show she died Aug.1833.   The children baptised at Potterne 1801-1807 definitely their's.   However, this James Nash was an Ag. Lab.   In 1841/1851 he is living with his eldest son Isaac and a widower which would concur with the death of his wife Christian in 1833.  This James Nash died 1852.

1841 - Devizes, Wiltshire - ref. HO107 - 1184 - 2 - 5 - 2

James Nash    60       J. Carpenter        b. Wiltshire
Christian Nash  50                                     ditto
Sophia Nash    30                                Not born Wiltshire

Christian Nash death recorded as Christianna Nash Sept.qtr.1845 Devizes.

1851 - Potterne, Wiltshire - ref.HO107 - 1839 - 388 - 6

James Nash    74  Wid.     Retired Carpenter    b. Stert, Wiltshire
Sophia Ellen Nash   41  Unm.                         b. Bath, Somerset
Martha Ember   9   granddaughter                  b. Devizes, Wiltshire

(not sure where Martha comes into things - can't see a marriage of a female Nash to a Mr. Ember).

James still alive in 1861 and died 1864.

The online trees have lumped all the children born to a James and Christian Nash from 1801 to 1823 to James Nash and Christian Stowe (including Vashti) - I personally don't believe any of those baptised at Etchilhampton belong to this couple.   

One James bc.1771 Worton, Wilts., Ag. Lab. married to Christian Stowe - she died 1833 and he died 1852.

The other James Nash bc.1777 Stert, Wiltshire, Carpenter and married to another Christian (cannot locate marriage) with a daughter Sophia bc.1810 Bath, Somerset and 3/4 children baptised at Etchilhampton 1816/7-1823.   She died 1845 and he in 1864.

So two separate couples here for sure although the online trees suggest otherwise.   

[Vashti seemed to be a name used quite a few times so not altogether sure there is actually a connection to India.   In fact, googling reveals the name to be African, Hebrew or Persian.]

Annette
 
Title: Re: Vashti Nash b. abt 1817
Post by: Robert Fletcher on Sunday 01 September 13 08:51 BST (UK)
Annette, thank you very much for your input. In fact only yesterday did I comment that there could be two James Nash & Christian although I didn't see it myself. If James Nash living in Echilhampton was Ag Lab then that would certainly makes sense to that locale from what I have read about it.

Yes I am aware of those trees online because when I started doing research they got me into a terrible mess because I merge them all and consequently deleted it saying I would never go down that path again. There was a lot more errors in those trees than just the Vashti issue.

I initially found that the name Vashti was Persian and there is quite a bit of language overflow between Persia and India or what is now Iran and Pakistan. I did as some Pakistan people that I knew and they were familiar with the name Vashti. I recently did look at Wikipedia for the name and it is a real Enigma. Whilst Vashti is not a common name you probably see there is a Vashti Nash who is a gospel singer in America according to YouTube.

Have you any first hand knowledge that the Echilhampton parish register has been fully transcribed? Also what do you think to that posting that I gave a link to? It seems as if that may have come from allcannings.org.uk but is not on their now and I have no idea who wrote it.

I'm going to have to go through what you have said I've always describe this part of our family history as a genealogical quagmire.

Robert…
Title: Re: Vashti Nash b. abt 1817
Post by: ribbo39 on Sunday 01 September 13 10:39 BST (UK)
Hi Robert,

(Have you any first hand knowledge that the Echilhampton parish register has been fully transcribed?)

The On-line Parish clerk for Wiltshire may be able to help if you go to this address. (You may have to register first which is free).
http://www.wiltshire-opc.org.uk

It looks as if some of the registers have been transcribed for Echlhampton especially baptisms to 1812.

I did look but did not see any "Nash" entries but there are a few "Naish" baptisms but none that I could see  for James.

The marriage "Doran54"  listed below (James Nash/Christian Stow) for Worton is mentioned in the transcripts of Potterne  (which includes baptisms for Worton & Marston for residents prior to 1841).

Alan
Title: Re: Vashti Nash b. abt 1817
Post by: Robert Fletcher on Sunday 01 September 13 10:54 BST (UK)
Alan, thank you very much and I will have to follow through on that.

The other thing that I should have done when Anette mentioned that she 2 James Nash & Christian is that on the marriage certificate Vashti as stated that her father is James Nash occupation carpenter.

Robert…
Title: Re: Vashti Nash b. abt 1817
Post by: Annette7 on Sunday 01 September 13 12:47 BST (UK)
Since Vashti says she was born Etchilhampton, that her father was James, carpenter, I would suggest that all the baptisms at Etchilhampton were children of James, carpenter (not the Ag.Lab.)

Annette
Title: Re: Vashti Nash b. abt 1817
Post by: Robert Fletcher on Wednesday 02 October 13 16:49 BST (UK)
I am reawakening this thread as I have found a little bit more information. The name Vashti is certainly not uncommon in Wiltshire as it appears many times.

I'm going to try to put this request here rather than go into Somerset as to try and keep this thread in tact, however if people feel I do better starting a new thread in Somerset then I can always do that.

I am looking for the baptism of Sophia Nash or Naish b. abt 1805 or 1810 in Bath all Combe Hay according to the 1851/1861 census respectively. Does anyone have access to the parish register for Combe Hay. As we cannot find a marriage for James Nash or Naish in Wiltshire it looks highly probable that James and Christian got married in Somerset.

I have another theory about Vashti but I'll post that on the forum after we have had a look at this.

Thank you,
Robert…
Title: Re: Vashti Nash b. abt 1817
Post by: ribbo39 on Thursday 03 October 13 00:26 BST (UK)
Hi Robert,

I have only just back into this thread but looking at the 1851 census details "Annette"  listed below for James Nash born Stert, Wilts, have you seen this entry?

http://dustydocs.com.au/link/40/37001/124201/baptisms-1580-1812-marriages-1588-1838-archersoftware.html

It lists James' bapt as 1776 s/o James & Mary

The date seems to tie in nicely with his age in the census.

Alan
Title: Re: Vashti Nash b. abt 1817
Post by: Robert Fletcher on Thursday 03 October 13 09:47 BST (UK)
Thank you very much for that link it's great when you are looking at the parishes. I am wondering how I did not know about this before. I would agree with you that James Naish & Mary Godden were indeed the parents of my James Naish. 

I'm going to make an extraordinary suggestion and before you think I am completely bonkers I am not the 1st to consider this. Unfortunately the person who raised this a few years ago (before I started researching) is no longer contactable. To recap This is what we know:

bet 1805-1810 - Sophia Nash - Bath or Combe Hay Somerset
9 May 1813  - Catherine Naish - Devizes Southbroom
bet 1817-1821 (varies widely on census) - Vashti Nash
09 Sep 1818 – Joseph Naish - Echilhampton
16 Dec 1820 – Henry Naish - Echilhampton
0 4 Jun 1823 – Cornelius Naish - Echilhampton

I have managed to obtain baptisms from the Echilhampton parish register so the above is collectively all the children of James Naish, carpenter and that wife Christian??.

On 06 August 1815 in Echilhampton Dinah daughter of Sarah Nash was baptised. The suggestion is that as Dinah was illegitimate, probably to a very young woman, that she was "adopted" by James and Christian and named Vashti. Certainly the date would fit in between Catherine and Joseph. Vashti was never shown in any baptism records the reason being was that she was already baptised.

I can't find anyone called Dinah Nash or Naish in any BMD records. But then we do have some limitations on the availability of online parish registers. And unfortunately I do not have ready access to the Echilhampton parish register.

Robert…
Title: Re: Vashti Nash b. abt 1817
Post by: glenclare on Thursday 03 October 13 10:18 BST (UK)
Hi Robert

Given your last theory, have you seen the 27 December 1841 marriage in Beechingstoke. (close to Echilhampton)
Dinah Nash to John Gillet. Pallots marriage Index.

On the site I found this there is a transcribing error submission from another subscriber. This was in 2011 but may still be worth an enquiry.

Glen
Title: Re: Vashti Nash b. abt 1817
Post by: Robert Fletcher on Thursday 03 October 13 10:45 BST (UK)
Given your last theory, have you seen the 27 December 1841 marriage in Beechingstoke. (close to Echilhampton)
Dinah Nash to John Gillet. Pallots marriage Index.

On the site I found this there is a transcribing error submission from another subscriber. This was in 2011 but may still be worth an enquiry.

Glen
That might put a bit of a dampener on it. What we have to do now is to site the parish register to see who she listed as father. As a last resort I guess I could spend the £10 and get the marriage certificate.

Thanks so much for finding this it is one that I need to eliminate.

Robert…
Title: Re: Vashti Nash b. abt 1817
Post by: Annette7 on Thursday 03 October 13 11:47 BST (UK)
You missed one child of James and Christian in your list:

James Godden Naish bp.18/11/1807 Devizes, son of James and Christian.

Annette
Title: Re: Vashti Nash b. abt 1817
Post by: Robert Fletcher on Thursday 03 October 13 12:02 BST (UK)
You missed one child of James and Christian in your list:

James Godden Naish bp.18/11/1807 Devizes, son of James and Christian.

Annette
Thank you Annette I actually had him in and then I crossed him off. Don't worry ever since I looked at this part of the family I have been adding and subtracting people all the time. As you quite rightly pointed out we have two families one was a carpenter on the other labourer. I'm going to need to go back and look at James Godden Naish because it does make sense having is grandmothers name but I have to make sure that he actually belongs to the Into. I can't remember why I crossed him off.

Robert…
Title: Re: Vashti Nash b. abt 1817
Post by: Ellalaine on Saturday 14 September 19 16:33 BST (UK)
Hi there,

Just stumbled across this post whilst looking for the Nash family from wiltshire. Not sure if by now you have found out but Vashti and Christiana are names associated  with Romany Gypsy families in and around the West Country. I have both names in my tree several times over. If you haven't already, make contact with the Romany and Traveller Family History Society. They have a magasine Romany Routes which may lead you to more family members

Best wishes
Title: Re: Vashti Nash b. abt 1817
Post by: Robert Fletcher on Saturday 14 September 19 17:18 BST (UK)
Hi there,

Just stumbled across this post whilst looking for the Nash family from wiltshire. Not sure if by now you have found out but Vashti and Christiana are names associated  with Romany Gypsy families in and around the West Country. I have both names in my tree several times over. If you haven't already, make contact with the Romany and Traveller Family History Society. They have a magasine Romany Routes which may lead you to more family members

Best wishes
Hi Ellalaine

This is a real surprise and I must thank you. This is a line I have not followed. What I have always found puzzling is that she is the only one in that family who do not show up in Etchilhampton baptism records. I am in a hiatus in my research at the moment but I will pass this on to my cousin who is more active. The other name which has come up without any records is "Ember". I will have to get active again I can see. Sounds very exciting if we do have some Romany connections. I have not had any DNA done but I am wondering if this would help.

Kinf Regards, Robert...
Title: Re: Vashti Nash b. abt 1817
Post by: Ellalaine on Tuesday 01 October 19 10:08 BST (UK)
Fantastic! Hope you get some results :) Kushti Bok
Ellalaine  :)
Title: Re: Vashti Nash b. abt 1817
Post by: Annette7 on Tuesday 01 October 19 16:21 BST (UK)
I am reawakening this thread as I have found a little bit more information. The name Vashti is certainly not uncommon in Wiltshire as it appears many times.

I'm going to try to put this request here rather than go into Somerset as to try and keep this thread in tact, however if people feel I do better starting a new thread in Somerset then I can always do that.

I am looking for the baptism of Sophia Nash or Naish b. abt 1805 or 1810 in Bath all Combe Hay according to the 1851/1861 census respectively. Does anyone have access to the parish register for Combe Hay. As we cannot find a marriage for James Nash or Naish in Wiltshire it looks highly probable that James and Christian got married in Somerset.

I have another theory about Vashti but I'll post that on the forum after we have had a look at this.

Thank you,
Robert…

Sophia Nash was bp.20/3/1803 Combe Hay, Somerset, dau. James and Christian
also
Jane Nash bp.3/2/1805 Combe Hay, Somerset, dau. James and Christian.

Sophia Nash married Stephen Allen 12/10/1833 Wilcot, Wiltshire - the Sophia Ellen on 1841 census should read Allen and her age a bit out, but later census shows bc.1804/5 which ties in with the baptism.   I cannot see any children baptised to Stephen and Sophia, or what became of him.   The Martha Ember bc.1842 Devizes - she marries an Elisha Hale 25/11/1865 Chirton, Wilts. stating her father was a William Ember, labourer.   By 1871 she has 3 children - William 4, Jane 2 and George 3months. 

Annette