William COLLYER - Baptist Minister, Ivinghoe

[AHC]

Hi

Just wondered if anyone has come across William Collyer, a Baptist Minister b. circa 1793 in Ivinghoe?

I am researching my g g grandfather's first wife, Hephzibah.  Following information gained via a marriage certificate, I think that William is her father.  I have found him via census returns and the information all fits.  However, his wife's name is Mary and they were married around 1830.  Hephzibah would have been about 5 at that time so I am wondering if William was perhaps married before.  He also had another daughter, Charlotte, b. c 1828, again before his marriage to Mary.    I have not managed to find anything about any previous marriages as yet, if anyone has any information it would be very gratefully received. 

Thanking you in advance.

Anne

[Valda]

William's marriage, from Googling on the internet, took place on March 29, 1830 at Ivinghoe. If he was a widower it would state that on his marriage.

You can also check what details Hephzibah's sister Charlotte gave about her father on her marriage.

Marriages Jun 1851
Collyer  Charlotte     Luton  6 158   
Roe  George     Luton  6 158   

1861 census RG9 1014 folio 7
54 Stuart Street Luton  Bedfordshire   
George Rowe 29  Luton, Bedfordshire,  Head  Married Bonnet Blocker
Charlotte Rowe 32  Ivinghoe, Buckinghamshire, Wife  Married Bonnet Sewer
Fred Rowe 5  Luton, Bedfordshire,  Son 
plus 1 boarder

If Charlotte and Hephzibah were William's daughters then both should marry in a Baptist church where you would expect if William was not conducting the service he was at least one of the witnesses.

The IGI Anglican coverage of Ivinghoe ceases in 1812. However if the family were Baptists they would not believe in childhood baptism.

Regards

Valda

[AHC]

Thanks Valda.  Someone has contacted me via another site and told me that William Collyer married Hannah Snoxall, April 1819 in Ivinghoe.  The marriage certificate I have is Hephzibah's.  Need to look in to this some more but it has given me a lead or two.  Many thanks for your help.

Regards

Anne
 

[Valda]

Some non-conformist churches had their own burial grounds many did not and used the local Anglican churchyard (Bucks Record Office may be able to tell you whether Ivinghoe had a Baptist churchyard and from when and whether there are any records). There is no burial for a Hannah Collyer in St. Mary the Virgin Ivinghoe churchyard (coverage in the National Burial Index).

Regards

Valda

[AHC]

Hi Valda. 

Thanks for your reply.  Taken a closer look at Hephzibah's marriage certificate:-

Her and George were married at the Parish Church in Caddington by a Vicar. 

Hephzibah's father's details say William Collyer, profession - Registering Minister.  He didn't conduct the wedding and he was not one of the witnesses.

Have not been able to find William so far in the 1841 census but
1851 lists his profession as Baptist Minister, Ivinghoe Baptist Chapel. 
1861 Baptist Minister. 
1871 Registrar of B&D, Baptist Minister. 

The only other William Collyer I can find in Ivinghoe of an appropriate age is an agricultural labourer. 

The 1841 census lists Hephzibah b in Ivinghoe c 1825, aged 16, living in Little Gaddesden with  Isaac Sanders 81, Ann Saunders 76 (a witness on the certificate) and Catherine Saunders 19.  Charlotte was 12 and living in the Parish of Woughton with Thomas Cook 40, (Butcher), Mary Cook 45, Elizabeth Cook 40, Sarah Cook 35, Ruth Cook 30 and George Cook 25, (Carpenter). 

Still looking for evidence of Hephzibah and Charlotte's birth.  I know Hephzibah died in 1851 in Luton.  I knew Charlotte had married that year but did not know her married name so I will certainly investigate that a bit more, thanks for that info. 

Have not found any info so far re Hannah Snoxall's birth, marriage or death.     

Regards

Anne

[Valda]

1841 census HO107 50/1 folio 4 page 2
Ind End Ivinghoe  Buckinghamshire   
William Collyar 45  Buckinghamshire Registering ? ?
Maria Collyar 30 
Mary Collyar 9 Buckinghamshire
Alphonus Collyar 7 Buckinghamshire
Augustus Collyar 5  Buckinghamshire
David Collyar 3  Buckinghamshire
Maria Collyar 2  Buckinghamshire

Regards

Valda

[AHC]

Hi Valda

I spent ages checking the 1841 census for that information!  Just goes to show that you can't see for looking sometimes.  Once again thanks. 

Regards

Anne