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« on: Wednesday 14 August 13 16:21 BST (UK) »
Hi Annis
I have considered all possibilities, such as Caleb being brought up by William Cotton's family, or a family member, or being renamed, being taken abroad. I have looked at all Calebs, and 8/9 year olds in Devon and Somerset in 1851. I don't understand why he would have been left off the census on two occasions especially on the 1861 census at age 18. As he became a saddler/harness maker he must have served an apprenticeship somewhere. It's so strange for someone to 'disappear' for 25 years, between his baptism in 1843 to his marriage in Taunton in 1868.
Caleb married Louisa Jane Peppin who was living with her mother and stepfather, John and Jane Sully, in 1861 at Williton, so they must have been in the same area in the years leading up to their marriage. They were living in the same area of Taunton when they married. On their marriage certificate Caleb's father was named as William Stevens which suggests he didn't know about William Cotton, and that he may have been brought up by his grandfather William Stevens or uncle, also William. The mystery goes on!
I have looked into Caleb's mother Mary's marriage which took place in December 1844 to Matthew Howe, their first child Margaret was born the following year.
I'm sure your head is spinning with all this information so I'll leave it for now, but if you know any more about the family or can help in any way I would be very grateful.
Best wishes.