My great grand father was called Enoch Payne, so too where his father and grandfather.
The earlier Payne’s lived around Burbage near Hinckley (Leicestershire) during the 1700’s. Most were baptised at the Great Presbyterian Meeting Place in that town. The first of the three “Enochs” in my line was baptised at this place in 1813 although he was born in 1808. However, after much research and checking I find him in Derbyshire about 1830 where he marries an Elizabeth Hanson (born abt. 1808) of Horsley Woodhouse at a place nearby called Smalley, (ironically both villages are just a few miles away from were I now live). I think the reason why he was here at this time is connected with framework knitting perhaps? Their first Child Mary, was baptised at the nearby Marlpool Independent in 1833 continuing the nonconformist tradition of this branch of the family.
In the 1841 Census I find them in Leicester (Slater Street) with his occupation a Trimmer. They have a child here called Enoch who dies at about a year old. They have another boy also called Enoch born February 1843, (My great, great grandfather). I found him in the 1851 Census at Shepshed, Leics., with a John Payne who I know now was his uncle (so where was Enoch’s father and mother?). I have been unable to find either in the 1851 or 1861 census. Enoch (born in 1843) marries an Amelia Francis Smith in Nov 1864 in Shepshed. (It provides evidence that is father was a dyer and trimmer and was deceased). I know much of the Payne history from then.
My problem is what happened to Enoch Payne (born 1808 and his wife Elizabeth after the birth of my second great grandfather in Leicester in 1843? Did they both die? Did one die and the other remarry? I have checked many marriage and death/burial records without any success, (No evidence of either in the 1851or 1861 census). If anyone can help me solve this mystery that has troubled me for a long, long time I would really appreciate it.
