Meshach and Mary Ann Jessop

[Su]

Hi everyone
I'm trying to trace Meshach (spelt various ways) Jessop and his wife Mary Ann.  They married in 1847 in Ipswich, had a daughter Eliza Ann and a son Edwin Christopher.  Edwin Christopher was born in 1855 in Ipswich.

They are said to have emmigrated to South Africa
sometime after 1847.  Eliza Ann married in Ipswich in June 1873.  Meshach and Mary Ann cannot be found on the 1851/61/71, but Meshach is on the UK 1881.

I'm not sure when they left for SA, or when they came back.  Eliza Ann may have been born out there, and her Mother Mary Ann may have died out there.

All supposition, but I can't find any trace of Eliza Ann's birth or Mary Ann's death.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.  I know it's a tall order as I haven't a clue what part of SA they went to.  I  looked on the Port Natal passenger ship site, and couldn't find them.  There is a Jessop mentioned on the 1857-1867 aided immigration list, but no Christian names.

Thanks very much for any help.

Kind regards
Su

[rutti tutti]

hi there,
Who did Eliza Ann marry? I cannot see her marriage at Ipswich. I thought that we may be able to find her on a later census and then get a birth place.
Cant see anything in RSA yet.
ruth

[Su]

I'm sorry Ruth, my mistake Eliza Ann Jessop married John Woolley at St. Olave June 1873 1d 324.

I apologise for misleading you, and hope you didn't waste too much of your precious time looking.

Kind regards
Su

[rutti tutti]

Hi Sue,
i have done some digging and dont know if this helps:
I found a Michael Jessup 25 b framlingham with wife Mary Ann 21 b ipswich, living in London with Edward aged 2 and Victoria aged 8 months.
In 1871 we have Victoria living with Samuel and Mary Ann Barker as well as Eliza Jessop aged 18 b Middlesex ( they are listed as daughter in law often meaning step children) This could very well be the Mary Ann that you are looking for. Maybe Meshach went to RSA, although I can find no record of him yet, and left wife behind .... just a theory!
Michael in 1851 is a chairmaker - consistent with being a cabinetmaker. I think that Michael and Meshach as possibly the same person here - there are too amny co incidences.
Ruth

[Su]

OOOoooh! Ruth....I'm hot footing it to Ancestry.co.uk to take a look.  Be back soon.... 

Love
Su

[Su]

Hi Ruth
Well, I'm not sure what to think.  The jury is still out as they say...it does look coincidental, except for a few flaws.

Why would he be called Michael instead of Meshach?

But there again I can't find a birth for a Michael.
Or a death.

I can't find a marriage for a Mary Ann Jessop to a Samuel Barker (so were they married or living together?).  Did Meshach go to SA and she left him and went to live with Samuer  Barker, if so what happened to Edwin Christopher Jessop?

There was an Edward Christopher Jessop baptised 1855 Framlingham to Meshach and Mary Ann (can't find a birth for him) also, on the 1881 Mary Ann Barker is still alive and living with Samuel, whereas Meshach is lodging in Framlingham and is a 'widow'.

I can't even find Eliza Ann and John Woolley on the 1881 to see where she was born...I must be losing my touch !

It's one of those wot sends you to bed with an 'edache 

Thanks for all you help Ruth...I shall see if I can find any more out about the Jessop/Barker family.  I noticed on the 1871 Victoria and Eliza were down as Barker  and daughter not in law or step ... they don't help you do they.

Kind regards
Su

[Su]

Actually Ruth, now I've had time to think about it, it does make sense.  How else did Eliza Ann come to be in London to marry John Woolley.

It says on the marriage cert. That John Woolley's father was a brass fitter.  So he could have been fitting the handles to Meshach's cabinets !!

More sleuthing is needed here...

Thanks for your help.

Kind regards
Su

[rutti tutti]

Hi again,
Swopping names is very common - especially in my family!!! (and especially changing surnames and saying they are widowed when the wife is around the corner!!)
John and Eliza Wooley aged 28 are on the 1881 census living in Bermondsey - this also fits!
in 1891 they are down as Woolly with Eliza's birth place as st George in the East! This fits too!
By 1901 John was on his own with daughter Ethel - still in Bermondsey.
I havent had the time to look for the others yet.
Ruth

[rutti tutti]

looking at Eliza....
In 1861 she was with Samuel and the children listed as Barker.
Ruth