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« on: Sunday 08 April 07 15:00 BST (UK) »
Hi,
Can anybody shed any light on the following family?
In the 1880 US census there is an entry for a John Sellens in Portage, Michigan. He is listed as the father-in-law of
William W Brownell (b abt 1815 in Vermont). William's wife was Mary Brownell (b abt 1831 in England). John Sellens was born in about 1803 in England.
In the "Portrait and Biographical Record of Kalamazoo, Allegan and Van Buren Counties" it states that William W Brownell was married, Aug 30, 1842 to Miss Mary, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Baker) Sellens, natives of England. The mother died in Warren County, Pa., while the father who came West, passed his last days at the residence of the subject. She was the eldest of the two children born to her parents, her natal day and birthplace being November 16, 1825; Sussex England.
I can find John Sellens (Sellins) in PA in 1850 but can’t find him in England or the US in 1840/1841.
The Sussex Marriage Index does not list a marriage between John Sellens and Elizabeth Baker. However, it does list the following marriage:
Mountfield, Mar 21 1821. John Sellens and Elizabeth Wimble (wid of Fairlight)
The previous marriage of Elizabeth Wimble can be found in the SMI
Fairlight, East Sussex, 22 Oct 1808:
John WIMBLE and Elizabeth BAKER
So, who was this John Sellens? Possible candidates are
John Sellens, chr 19 Jul 1801; Son of John Sellens and Sarah Golden
John Sellens; b abt 1801 in Mountfield; Son of Thomas Sellens and Elizabeth Noakes
John Sellings; chr 17 Apr 1803 in Burwash; Son of John Sellings and Mary
Can anybody shed any light on to this topic?
Regards
Mark