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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Berkshire => Topic started by: innerspark on Sunday 30 September 18 11:45 BST (UK)

Title: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: innerspark on Sunday 30 September 18 11:45 BST (UK)
A bit of a conundrum -

I have a set of 18 children all born in East Ilsley (small village in Berkshire), with the parents James Deacon and Sarah.

There are 3 possible James Deacon births and 2 possible marriages to Sarah. (b.1772,1782 and 1787) and then to Sarah Harris and Sarah Vellewise, there is also a Sarah Stanmore marriage nearby.

b.1772 - m.Sarah Harris 1799 - on the find my grave website they are both listed - Sarah d.1837 and James d.1850. It says they have 15 children born to this union. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/45661611/james-deacon

One of the confusing parts is the census records. The 1841 census shows James living with children Ann, Henry, Jesse and Amos...he also appears on the 1851 census with Amos, Jesse, a different wife and lodgers. On both of these censuses, his birth appears to be a different James - around 1790 and James (b.1772) died in 1850, so he wouldn't be on the 1851 Census.
There was a James Deacon born in 1787 in the same village (different parents).

So, the same children as listed on the find a grave side, living with a different James Deacon?

Is there any way that I can be sure that the children share the same parents (James Deacon and Sarah Harris)? as there are 2 particular children that I would like to check if they are siblings - as they seem to have children who marry,

I hope that makes some sense.

Thank you



 
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: rosie99 on Sunday 30 September 18 11:51 BST (UK)
Just posting details with ages from the 1841 you mention
James Deacon   50   
Ann   Deacon   15   
Henry Deacon   14   
Jesse Deacon    10   
Amos Deacon   8   
all born Berkshire
HO107 / 14 bk6 f8 p10
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: Pheno on Sunday 30 September 18 12:05 BST (UK)
Just to add as well as it makes it easier:

1851 Littleworth, East Ilsley, Berks  (HO107/1689/440/35)
James 62
Hannah 46
Jessie 20
Amos 17
Martha 0

Pheno
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: rosie99 on Sunday 30 September 18 12:07 BST (UK)
2nd marriage for James 18 Feb 1849 East Ilsley
James Deacon - Full age -widower -occ Gardener -father William
Hannah Binham - Spinster - father William Paxton
Residence   East Ilsley
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: rosie99 on Sunday 30 September 18 12:10 BST (UK)
Burial for that James 20 Jun 1874 at East Ilsley (ADDED Age 87)

Probable burial for his wife age 49 - 18 Aug 1840 - East Ilsley
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: KGarrad on Sunday 30 September 18 12:14 BST (UK)
Not too much wrong with ages on 1841/1851 census as far as I can see?

Adult ages on 1841 were generally rounded down to a multiple of 5 years.
So James' stated age of 50 could mean he was any age from 50 to 54.

Age in 1851 was 62 - so it fits nicely ;D
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: innerspark on Sunday 30 September 18 12:17 BST (UK)
Rosie99

That's a different James from the other that died in 1850, so, why the same children in the census I wonder?
and how do I know who is who?

The name that struck me was 'Amos' born to James and Sarah Harris, is living with what looks like the other James, it is quite a unique name
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: Pheno on Sunday 30 September 18 12:19 BST (UK)
1861 for this family:

Woolvers Road, East Ilsley  (RG09/737/138/30)

James 76
Hannah 57
Martha 9

So this is not the James mentioned by the OP who died in 1850, nor the Hannah who died in 1840.

Suggest then that this James is the correct James which you have followed through but living beyond your suspected death date of 1850 to probably 1874 as found by Rosie.  It doesn't appear that the children are living with a different family in 1851.

Pheno
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: rosie99 on Sunday 30 September 18 12:20 BST (UK)
I wonder if this is James who we have on census
James Deacon
Sarah Stanmore
Marriage 9 May 1809
Blewberry, Berkshire

ADDED Sorry I see you have already suggested this as a possibility
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: rosie99 on Sunday 30 September 18 12:36 BST (UK)
From findagrave
Married Sarah Harris on Nov.2,1799, St Mary's East Ilsley
Fifteen children born to this union:

Probably the children of James who married Sarah Harris
James 1800
Isaac 1803
William 1805
Charles 1807
.........
Could be the children of either marriage
Abraham 1809
Jacob 1810
Mary 1812
Joseph 1813 - fathers occ Carpenter & Joiner & Parish Clerk, East Ilsley
Mary Ann 1815 - Fathers occ Carpenter Etc
Cornelius 1817 - Fathers Occ Carpenter
Martha 1819 - Fathers occ Labourer
Richard 1821 - Fathers occ Journeyman Carpenter
Thomas 1824 - Fathers occ Labourer
Henry 1826 - Fathers occ Labourer
Amos 1833 - Fathers occ Labourer

So where is Jesse on that list ???
Also with parents James & Sarah
William 12 Feb 1815 - fathers occ Labourer
James who was bapt 8 Jun 1817 -fathers occ Labourer
John bapt 9 Aug 1829 - fathers occ Labourer
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: innerspark on Sunday 30 September 18 12:43 BST (UK)
There are 2 extra children that I have found with James and Sarah as parents -

Ann b.1821 (the same year as Richard, so must be different parents) - she is on the 1841 census
and Jesse b. 1829
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: rosie99 on Sunday 30 September 18 12:47 BST (UK)
Possible baptism for the James on census - marriage to Hannah 1849 gives his father as William

James Deacon
Baptism 15 Apr 1787
Eats Ilsley
Parents William & Elizabeth
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: rosie99 on Sunday 30 September 18 12:48 BST (UK)
There are 2 extra children that I have found with James and Sarah as parents -

Ann b.1821 (the same year as Richard, so must be different parents) - she is on the 1841 census
and Jesse b. 1829

Anns baptism gives fathers occupation as Labourer
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: Pheno on Sunday 30 September 18 12:54 BST (UK)
If Sarah Harris was pretty much the same age as James Deacon when they married it is unlikely that Amos is their child as it puts them both aged about 60.  Feasible for James perhaps but hardly likely for Sarah Harris.

It also doesn't make sense that in 1851 James is with his sons Amos & Jesse, but also with his newborn daughter Martha from his new wife Hannah.  But the James on findagrave only has a wife Sarah mentioned and is buried prior to a marriage to Hannah.

And on the 1851 it quite clearly states on the original that both Amos and Jesse are sons of the Head (James Deacon) and that Martha is a daughter so no cross contamination of families conceivably.

Pheno
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: rosie99 on Sunday 30 September 18 12:57 BST (UK)
Possible burial for Sarah (Harris) Deacon
Sarah Deacon
Age   61 (bn c1776)
Burial 29 Jan 1837
East Ilsley
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: innerspark on Sunday 30 September 18 13:07 BST (UK)
Pheno - yes that makes sense. So it is likely that Ann and Henry who appear on the 1841 Census are part of the same family. Although they Ann, Henry, Jesse and Amos are listed in christening records on FindMyPast and family search with the parents - James and Sarah.

I think I am getting a bit clearer -
James 1. b. 1772 m.Sarah Harris 1779 d.1850

James 2. b.1787 m. Sarah Vellewise 1805 or Sarah Stanmore 1809
 d.1874

then children - Ann, Henry, Jesse and Amos are James 2 and Sarah or James 2 and second wife Hannah
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: rosie99 on Sunday 30 September 18 13:37 BST (UK)
James Deacon &  Sarah (Vellewise) were both of the parish of Wantage on their marriage.  They appear to be baptising children there after their marriage
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: rosie99 on Sunday 30 September 18 13:40 BST (UK)
James & Sarah (Stanmore)  baptise a daughter Betty at Blewberry in 1809
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JSJN-J8D
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: Annette7 on Sunday 30 September 18 13:42 BST (UK)
There is no way Amos b.1833 is the son of James Deacon and Sarah Harris - she died 1837 and shown born 1776 i.e. would have been 57 when Amos was born.

So the 15 children shown as theirs on the FindAGrave website is clearly incorrect.

I then checked all the baptisms and we have 2 James and Sarah's - James (bc.1772, is a Carpenter and at one point parish clerk) with wife Sarah bc.1776, d.1837 and the other James is a Lab. bc.1787 with wife Sarah bc.1791, d.1840.

James the carpenter is the one who married Sarah Harris 1799 and their children are:

James bp.1800
Isaac bp.1803
William bp.1805
Charles bp.1807
Abraham bp.1809
Jacob bp.1810
Mary bp.1812
Joseph bp.1813
Mary Ann bp.1815
Cornelius bp.1817
Richard bp.1821

From 1813 the baptisms show fathers occupation and those above show father as carpenter.

James the Lab. and wife Sarah had (at East Ilsley):

William 1815
James 1817
Martha 1819
Ann 1821
Thomas 1824
Henry 1827
John 1829  )both baptised
Jesse 1829 )9/8/1829
Amos 1833


No idea who James the Lab.'s wife Sarah was I'm afraid.

Annette

   
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: innerspark on Sunday 30 September 18 13:47 BST (UK)
so, a general question...why are there errors among different sources?

I understand that ages in censuses vary, so why does the findagrave site list Henry and Amos as children? when it is quite likely that they have different parents.


This investigation stems from a marriage between William Deacon and Mary Ann Deacon, they both share the grandparents - James and Sarah.

William and Mary Ann have a son Joseph Butler Deacon b.1874, the GRO says his mother's maiden name is Deacon.

William's father is Jacob b.1810 to James and Sarah
Mary Ann's father is Joseph b.1813 to James and Sarah



Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: rosie99 on Sunday 30 September 18 13:50 BST (UK)
so, a general question...why are there errors among different sources?

The information on findagrave is 'fiction' needing confirmation, a bit like someones online tree without source information.  It is not information taken from the gravestone.
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: innerspark on Sunday 30 September 18 13:53 BST (UK)
Thank you Annette, that clarifies a few things. For some reason I was unable to find the baptism records

Rosie99 - thanks, I need to bear that in mind - unless I see factual evidence like a gravestone.
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: Annette7 on Sunday 30 September 18 13:56 BST (UK)
The baptism records I viewed are on FindMyPast.

Annette
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: rosie99 on Sunday 30 September 18 14:07 BST (UK)
Thank you Annette, that clarifies a few things. For some reason I was unable to find the baptism records


I had already posted the information reply 9 regarding occupations of father on baptisms
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: Pheno on Sunday 30 September 18 14:10 BST (UK)
Pheno - yes that makes sense. So it is likely that Ann and Henry who appear on the 1841 Census are part of the same family. Although they Ann, Henry, Jesse and Amos are listed in christening records on FindMyPast and family search with the parents - James and Sarah.

I think I am getting a bit clearer -
James 1. b. 1772 m.Sarah Harris 1779 d.1850

James 2. b.1787 m. Sarah Vellewise 1805 or Sarah Stanmore 1809
 d.1874

then children - Ann, Henry, Jesse and Amos are James 2 and Sarah or James 2 and second wife Hannah

Not quite and I think Annette has addressed this in the interim.  James2 only married Hannah in 1849 and their first and only child is Martha born 1850.

Pheno
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: innerspark on Sunday 30 September 18 14:17 BST (UK)
Sorry Rosie, I did see that...trying to keep up with it all and understand it. Thank you for your help.
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: Sloe Gin on Monday 01 October 18 22:56 BST (UK)
I can probably help with this.  The Deacons were a prolific East Ilsley family, and there were three James Deacons listed in the 1831 Notes On Parishioners, see
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=459879.0

Deacon, James          
Clerk*. Married, journeyman carpenter), both good characters.

Bpt. 5 Apr 1772, s/o Crispin & Jane.  Married Sarah Harris 2 Nov 1799.  Bd. 17 Oct 1850 aged 78.
Sarah Harris bpt. 1 Apr 1775, d/o Robert & Mary.  Bd. 29 Jan 1837 aged 61.
*James Deacon was the Parish Clerk and his name often appears as a witness in the parish register.
-------------------------------------------

Deacon, James  (son of the above)     
Keeper to Mr. Williams. 3 girls, 1 boy. Very fair character, wife a blunt manner but fair character.

Bpt. 14 Sep 1800, s/o James & Sarah.  Married Elizabeth Hearne 25 Nov 1822.  Bd. 6 Dec 1882 aged 82.
Elizabeth Hearne bpt. 24 Feb 1804, d/o David & Sarah.  Bd. 16 Mar 1868 aged 65.
----------------------------------------------

Deacon, James          
Gardener.  5 boys, 3 girls. Very decent character, works hard for his family.

Bpt. 15 Apr 1787, s/o William* & Elizabeth.  Married (1) Sarah, (2) Hannah Binham (b. Mixbury) 18 Feb 1849.  Bd. 20 Jun 1874 aged 87.
Sarah was bd. 18 Aug 1840 aged 49.

*William was a brother of James Deacon senior - parents Crispin & Jane.  So the two younger James Deacons were first cousins.

The comments in italics are the curate's notes!  The children mentioned would be those living at home when he made his little census.
The baptism/marriage/burial dates are all from East Ilsley PRs.

I can probably sort out their respective children from the PRs.  Does this help?

Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: Sloe Gin on Tuesday 02 October 18 00:06 BST (UK)
This is what I have.

Children of James (1772) and Sarah (Harris)

1800  James
1803  Isaac
1805  William
1807  Charles
1809  Abraham
1810  Jacob
1812  Mary
1813  Joseph
1815  Mary Ann
1817  Cornelius
1821  Richard
--------------------
Children of James (1787) & Sarah

1815  William
1817  James
1819  Martha
1821  Ann
1824  Thomas
1826  Henry
1829  Jesse
1833  Amos
---------------
1850  Martha - from second marriage to Hannah Binham
-------------------------------------
Children of James (1800) and Elizabeth (Hearne)

1823  Martha
1826  Harriet
1827  Alfred
1829  Ann
1831  Abraham
1834  George
1837  Sarah
1839  Emma
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: Sloe Gin on Tuesday 02 October 18 14:16 BST (UK)
This investigation stems from a marriage between William Deacon and Mary Ann Deacon, they both share the grandparents - James and Sarah.

William and Mary Ann have a son Joseph Butler Deacon b.1874, the GRO says his mother's maiden name is Deacon.

William's father is Jacob b.1810 to James and Sarah
Mary Ann's father is Joseph b.1813 to James and Sarah

Yes, you are correct - William and Mary Ann were first cousins.  This was William's second marriage.
Let me know if I can be of any further help.  I have a Deacon family tree which has been compiled by someone else, but it is a little difficult to follow as he didn't use a genealogy software programme.
We haven't identified the other Sarah either, but I haven't looked very far as yet.

There are MIs for Mary Ann and her parents Joseph and Charlotte, and also for James (1800) and Elizabeth, but none for the other two James Deacons.  So the entry on FindaGrave is spurious.
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: innerspark on Tuesday 02 October 18 16:54 BST (UK)
Thank you, that is brilliant.

It is good to know that the couple William and Mary Ann are first cousins. It was my first thought, but I didn't know how to confirm it.

The other thing I am trying to figure out is a marriage or name of a spouse.

A son of James and Sarah Harris - Jacob Deacon b.1810 with an Elizabeth (unknown maiden name) has possibly 12 children....

1834 – Martha Deacon christened 5th January, East Ilsey
1835 – William Deacon christened 11th October, East Ilsey
1837 – Mary Deacon christened 26th March, she dies age 7 in 1844, buried 8th December, St Mary, f – labourer
1839 – Elizabeth Deacon born, mmn – Deacon, she dies age 5 in 1844, East Ilsey, buried 8th December
1841 – Sarah Deacon born, she dies age 3 in 1844, buried 9th December
1842 – Hannah/ Ann  Deacon
1844 – Alfred Deacon born (Deacon)
1846 – Rebecca Deacon christened 31st May, St Mary’s Church, East Ilsey, Father – Labourer
1848 – Tryphena Deacon christened 13th August, St Mary,  Jacob and Elizabeth, labourer, mmn - Deacon
1850 – Abraham Deacon born (mmn – Deacon)
1852 – Harriet Deacon christened 29th August, St Mary, East Ilsey, Father – Jacob Deacon, labourer, residence – Worldsend, Hampstead Norreys  (mmn – Deacon)
1855 – Sarah Ann Deacon christened 25th March, Sutton Courtenay

I checked on GRO and some of them list the mother's maiden name as Deacon, I haven't found a marriage yet between Jacob and Elizabeth

They appear on the 1841 Census with a Mary Stanmore (age 80), but there doesn't seem to be other links (yet)
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: Sloe Gin on Tuesday 02 October 18 18:32 BST (UK)
Yes, the children check out with the tree.  I'll have a scout around for a marriage, but it wouldn't be a surprise if they were cousins of some sort, as the Deacons go back a long way in the village and were very prolific.  No sign of Jacob's marriage in the banns either.  I'll mention it to the tree compiler when I see him and ask if he has any more clues.

Re the 1841 census, they are at Ashridge which is/was an outlying farm so there may not be a family connection between all the occupiers.

Oh wait - he's in the Notes on Parishioners, which gives a clue.  Perhaps we should be looking at Chieveley, although Beedon church is closer to Ashridge.

Deacon, Jacob             
Farmer at Ashridge, tenant to Wasey Esq.  Family, respectable, generally goes to Chieveley Church as nearer family home.

Bpt. 18 Nov 1810, s/o James & Sarah.  Married Elizabeth (b. Blewbury?).  Bd. Sutton Courtenay 4 Nov 1887 aged 77.  Elizabeth was bd. Sutton Courtenay 26 Oct 1874 aged 64.
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: Sloe Gin on Tuesday 02 October 18 21:23 BST (UK)
Just a minute .....

James & Sarah (Stanmore)  baptise a daughter Betty at Blewberry in 1809
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JSJN-J8D

Could this be the Elizabeth that married Jacob?  She gives Blewbury as her birthplace in the 1861 census and she is the right age. 
And a Stanmore connection.
Sarah Stanmore's parents were William and Mary.  https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JWD8-9S9
Bingo!  I bet Mary's her grandmother.

There were also Stanmore families in East Ilsley.  But this James Deacon wasn't baptised there - up to 1812 there are only the three we have already discussed.
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: LizzieL on Wednesday 03 October 18 08:55 BST (UK)

The information on findagrave is 'fiction' needing confirmation, a bit like someones online tree without source information.  It is not information taken from the gravestone.

Too right. And even if the people are on a memorial inscription, I have found gravestones where there have been huge and incorrect assumptions of relationships between people buried in same plot or commemorated on same gravestone. And I don't know where they get the genealogical information from!


Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: LizzieL on Wednesday 03 October 18 09:03 BST (UK)
so, a general question...why are there errors among different sources?

I understand that ages in censuses vary, so why does the findagrave site list Henry and Amos as children? when it is quite likely that they have different parents.


Also the 1841 census does not give relationships. My OH's 2 x great grandfather was orphaned at 5 years old and living with uncle and aunt in 1841, but several on line trees have him listed as son not nephew, because they have just assumed any child listed under two adults must be their son or daughter.
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: innerspark on Wednesday 03 October 18 14:03 BST (UK)
Just a minute .....

James & Sarah (Stanmore)  baptise a daughter Betty at Blewberry in 1809
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JSJN-J8D

Could this be the Elizabeth that married Jacob?  She gives Blewbury as her birthplace in the 1861 census and she is the right age. 
And a Stanmore connection.
Sarah Stanmore's parents were William and Mary.  https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JWD8-9S9
Bingo!  I bet Mary's her grandmother.

There were also Stanmore families in East Ilsley.  But this James Deacon wasn't baptised there - up to 1812 there are only the three we have already discussed.

Yes, that looks like it, thank you

There seems to be an incredible amount of Deacons in the area. I know people often married within the family anyway, but this seems to be a lot, especially for what looks like a small parish...there's 3 marriages between Deacons (probably more)
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: Sloe Gin on Wednesday 03 October 18 18:24 BST (UK)
Yes, but the first Deacons in the PR are about 1637 I think, so given that they had large families and most of them seem to have stayed around the area, it's not surprising that there was a multiplication of Deacons! 

Do let us know if you find out the provenance of the Blewbury James Deacon.  Blewbury is only 3 or 4 miles across the Downs from East Ilsley, a little further by road.  And it would be good to identify the other Sarah.
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: innerspark on Thursday 04 October 18 10:42 BST (UK)
Yes, I will keep researching to see what I can find. Thank you
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: ggrocott on Tuesday 31 December 19 21:21 GMT (UK)
I am also interested in the Deacon family of Chieveley, as I believe Jenny Deacon bp. 1735 daughter of Thomas was my 4x ggrandmother, would be grateful for any other details of the Deacon family at this period.
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: Westfield on Wednesday 01 January 20 15:20 GMT (UK)
I would be interested in hearing more about the Deacons of East Ilsley too. I think our ancestor William was brother to James. He was married to a Mary Allder of Compton - I can find absolutely nothing about her! The spelling of the Deacon name appears to change too.
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: Sloe Gin on Friday 03 January 20 20:50 GMT (UK)
I would be interested in hearing more about the Deacons of East Ilsley too. I think our ancestor William was brother to James. He was married to a Mary Allder of Compton - I can find absolutely nothing about her! The spelling of the Deacon name appears to change too.
Can you give us some dates for William, please - not sure which James you mean. 
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: Westfield on Saturday 04 January 20 16:00 GMT (UK)
Can you give us some dates for William, please - not sure which James you mean. 

Er - two of them at least! The James Deacon (Chr 05 Apr 1772) who married Sarah Harris, had an older brother, William (Chr 29 Jul 1759) He married Elizabeth Franklin and they had four children (that I know of) William in 1782 and James in 1787. The 'Williams' are our ancestors. The younger went on to have a son William (known as Henry) and HE had a son - William Henry! And we wonder how we get confused! Oh BTW on looking this up I have finally discovered Mary Alder's (Allder) line. Oh and thanks for the link to the East Ilsley Local History Society, I have just ordered a booklet about the place.
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: Sloe Gin on Saturday 04 January 20 23:34 GMT (UK)
I've sent you a PM with details of someone who may be able to help.
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: Frank Toms on Thursday 17 June 21 19:30 BST (UK)
The other thing I am trying to figure out is a marriage or name of a spouse.

A son of James and Sarah Harris - Jacob Deacon b.1810 with an Elizabeth (unknown maiden name) has possibly 12 children....

1834 – Martha Deacon christened 5th January, East Ilsey
1835 – William Deacon christened 11th October, East Ilsey
1837 – Mary Deacon christened 26th March, she dies age 7 in 1844, buried 8th December, St Mary, f – labourer
1839 – Elizabeth Deacon born, mmn – Deacon, she dies age 5 in 1844, East Ilsey, buried 8th December
1841 – Sarah Deacon born, she dies age 3 in 1844, buried 9th December
1842 – Hannah/ Ann  Deacon
1844 – Alfred Deacon born (Deacon)
1846 – Rebecca Deacon christened 31st May, St Mary’s Church, East Ilsey, Father – Labourer
1848 – Tryphena Deacon christened 13th August, St Mary,  Jacob and Elizabeth, labourer, mmn - Deacon
1850 – Abraham Deacon born (mmn – Deacon)
1852 – Harriet Deacon christened 29th August, St Mary, East Ilsey, Father – Jacob Deacon, labourer, residence – Worldsend, Hampstead Norreys  (mmn – Deacon)
1855 – Sarah Ann Deacon christened 25th March, Sutton Courtenay

I checked on GRO and some of them list the mother's maiden name as Deacon, I haven't found a marriage yet between Jacob and Elizabeth

They appear on the 1841 Census with a Mary Stanmore (age 80), but there doesn't seem to be other links (yet)

Just a minute .....

James & Sarah (Stanmore)  baptise a daughter Betty at Blewberry in 1809
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JSJN-J8D

Could this be the Elizabeth that married Jacob?  She gives Blewbury as her birthplace in the 1861 census and she is the right age. 
And a Stanmore connection.
Sarah Stanmore's parents were William and Mary.  https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JWD8-9S9
Bingo!  I bet Mary's her grandmother.

There were also Stanmore families in East Ilsley.  But this James Deacon wasn't baptised there - up to 1812 there are only the three we have already discussed.

Hi, I'm following up on the above as part of my tree, and I've seen quite a few trees with Elizabeth Stanmore as Jacob's wife. But the children have Deacon as their mother's maiden name on GRO, Stanmore is nowhere to be seen in the Wantage district at that time, and there is a marriage (attached) that lists a Betty Deacon as spouse just before they have their first child. Betty = Elizabeth, but I don't see how this can be Elizabeth Stanmore, unless she had already married a Deacon previously?

If anyone has a tree they can share that might help work it out, I can't make mine public at the moment because it has some 'sensitive' bits in other areas of the family.
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: Sloe Gin on Thursday 17 June 21 20:45 BST (UK)
Sorry, we've confused you. 

James and Sarah Deacon baptised a daughter Betty at Blewbury in 1809.

Stanmore is Sarah's maiden name.  I followed her back and found that her parents were William & Mary Stanmore, which tied in with a Mary Stanmore (80) being at Ashridge Farm with Jacob & Elizabeth Deacon in 1841.  She is probably Elizabeth/Betty's maternal grandmother.

That's great to see her named as Betty!  Where was the marriage?
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: Frank Toms on Thursday 17 June 21 20:53 BST (UK)
Ah okay, I'll get there eventually. :)

That marriage was at Rotherfield Greys, Henley On Thames, so 20 miles away from East Illsley - not outwith the realm of possibility but you've got me questioning it now though. Elizabeth and Deacon are really commons names back then, Abraham less so but I'll do some digging to make sure I've not got the wrong people.

Someone mentioned a booklet produced by the East Ilsley Family History Society about the Deacon family in particular, does anyone have it or a link to where I can buy it online?

And being new to this I'm a bit lost once the birth records run out in 1837 - what's the best way of tracing people back to the 1700s, can it be done online or is it more about looking up local historical records in person?
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: Frank Toms on Thursday 17 June 21 20:57 BST (UK)
Sorry, Jacob not Abraham, but still not a super common name, should be able to drill down into that one.
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: Sloe Gin on Thursday 17 June 21 21:14 BST (UK)
Someone mentioned a booklet produced by the East Ilsley Family History Society about the Deacon family in particular, does anyone have it or a link to where I can buy it online?

Not about the Deacon family, sorry.  The one I quoted from was an unofficial census drawn up by the curate about 1831.  He was about to hand over to a new incoming Rector, and wanted to give him a heads-up on the parishioners.  He was quite rude about some of them ....  ;D
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: Sloe Gin on Thursday 17 June 21 21:32 BST (UK)
That marriage was at Rotherfield Greys, Henley On Thames, so 20 miles away from East Illsley - not outwith the realm of possibility but you've got me questioning it now though. Elizabeth and Deacon are really commons names back then, Abraham Jacob less so but I'll do some digging to make sure I've not got the wrong people.

Betty though.  Not nearly as common as Elizabeth in official records.
I wouldn't worry about the marriage being a few miles away.  People moved around for work, especially agricultural workers; and perhaps Betty's parents moved there.  Might be worth looking for them in parish registers after 1809.

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And being new to this I'm a bit lost once the birth records run out in 1837 - what's the best way of tracing people back to the 1700s, can it be done online or is it more about looking up local historical records in person?

Can be a bit of both, and as online sources are continually being added to, it pays to keep checking. 
For Berkshire, the FHS has CDs compiling baptisms, marriages and burials - in various stages of completeness.  Transcriptions only though, but still useful. 
Wills are another source that can provide vital information and fill gaps.
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: Frank Toms on Monday 21 June 21 08:51 BST (UK)
James & Sarah (Stanmore)  baptise a daughter Betty at Blewberry in 1809
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JSJN-J8D

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Edit - never mind, re-reading the thread I think everything below is explained in previous posts. :)
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Oops, I missed this the first time round - so for my tree, I think this Betty (1809-1874), married James Deacon (1810-1874) in 1832, and had the following children (all appear on census docs but some don't appear on GRO for some reason, possibly under different first names):

1834 Martha
1835 William
1837 Mary
1839 Elizabeth
1841 Sarah
1842 Hannah
1844 Alfred
1846 Elizabeth
1848 Tryphena (yes, really)
1850 Abraham (my gg grandfather)
1852 Harriet
1854 Sarah Ann

Confusingly, this Betty's parents are James Deacon and Sarah - does anyone know which (if any) James and Sarah mentioned above this is?

They have a Mary Stanmore aged 80 living with them in the 1841 census, so it's possible that her mother is a Sarah Stanmore, I'm not finding too much about that name though.
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: Sloe Gin on Monday 21 June 21 12:00 BST (UK)
At the moment I'm not completely ruling out this James and Sarah as parents of Betty.
The parishes of Blewbury and East Ilsley are contiguous.
Betty's parents married in Blewbury in May 1809
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NJFL-357

We haven't found the first marriage for James born 1787, and we know his first wife was Sarah.
First baptism in Ilsley for them is 1815, but it is not impossible that they could have had more children elsewhere between Betty and William.

Sarah Stanmore was born in 1791 which matches the age at death of the East Ilsley Sarah.

Deacon, James          
Gardener.  5 boys, 3 girls. Very decent character, works hard for his family.

Bpt. 15 Apr 1787, s/o William & Elizabeth.  Married (1) Sarah, (2) Hannah Binham (b. Mixbury) 18 Feb 1849.  Bd. 20 Jun 1874 aged 87.
Sarah was bd. 18 Aug 1840 aged 49.

Children of James (1787) & Sarah
1815  William
1817  James
1819  Martha
1821  Ann
1824  Thomas
1826  Henry
1829  Jesse
1833  Amos
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: Frank Toms on Monday 21 June 21 12:17 BST (UK)
Thanks, I'll pencil some of that in - if it's incorrect it's not the end of the world, I doubt I'll be tracing those people's descendants back down the tree again.

I did notice the Deacon's tendency to marry cousins - one couple gave their daughter the middle name Deacon, she ended up marrying her cousin and became Camilla Deacon Deacon!

And I ordered the Drunken Worthless Creature booklet, if I can find a couple of my mother's ancestors in there she'll be tickled. :)
Title: Re: James Deacon in Berkshire conundrum
Post by: Sloe Gin on Monday 21 June 21 12:51 BST (UK)
Yes, if this is the case it means that Jacob and Betty were first cousins. 
It would be good to have a look at the Blewbury parish register.

'A Drunken Worthless Creature' is quite entertaining  :) It includes a numbered map of the village, so that you can see where everyone lived too.