Baptism - Thomas BUNYAN b Welwyn 1796

[park_town]

Hello folks 

Thomas Bunyan born 9 Aug 1796, Welwyn, Hertford is my gg grandfather. I was wondering if there is a lookup that can be done to confirm the names of his parents. I understand his father was also called Thomas Bunyan and was married to an Elizabeth. I suppose they were born and brought up in Welwyn or thereabouts.

Thank you in advance for any help you are able to provide 

[Justanothersmith]

Hi

According to the IGI a Thomas Bunyan married an Elizabeth Marshall at St. Paul's Waldon. Given that tis is located 5 miles NNW of Welwyn these might be the people you're looking for.

Doug

[Justanothersmith]

Hi again

If the information re Thomas Bunyan & Elizabeth Marshall is right then the following are there children:
John: born 9/10/1794; christened, at Welwyn, 2/10/1796.
Thomas: born 1/8/1796; christened , at Welwyn, 2/10/1796.
Naomi: born 16/10/1798; christened, at Bethel-Independent  Welwyn, 9/6/1799.
Benjamin: born 23/2/1805; christened, at Bethel-Independent  Welwyn, 6/4/1805.
Elizabeth: born 21/6/1807; christened, at Bethel-Independent  Welwyn, 29/7/1810.
Hannah: born 25/11/1811; christened, at Bethel-Independent  Welwyn, 11/1/1812.

Hope this helps

Doug
Ruth: born 31/10/1809; christened, at Bethel-Independent  Welwyn, 29/7/1810.

[park_town]

Thank you Doug, that's most helpful of you 

I had seen details of the Marshall marriage before, but don't know how I can tell if it's the right Thomas Bunyan. There are so many Thomas and Elizabeths in Herts at this time 

Hadn't seen the bit about the children though, so thanks for that extra.

Funny that Thomas is the second son. Usually the first son is named after the father. So was John the name of the grandfather..?? Who knows LOL 

[petercornish]

Hi,
The St.Pauls Walden parish records show   ...   Thomas Bunyan, bach of Stevenage and Elizabeth Marshall, spinster,  otp, were married on 10th October 1793. Witnesses Mary Pallett and Henry Cain.
All of the christenings listed by Doug were at the Bethel Independent Church, Welwyn.  I found a further item viz. Thomas born 28Oct1815 christened 14May1820.
Whilst John was recorded as having been born in the parish of Aston, the remainder were shown as born at Codicote.

Hope this helps.

Regards   ...   Peter


   

[park_town]

My word Peter, this is good stuff..!!
Thank you so much. Things certainly seem to be coming together.

In the 1841 census I found there was one old couple that caught my eye. Thomas Bunyan age 72 (b1769, so the date is good), Ag Lab, living Codicote Village and Elizabeth Bunyan age 68 (b1773), wife.

In the 1851 census, I found this ol’ couple crop up again, living at The Farm Yard, with their daughter Elizabeth looking after them. Thomas Bunyan age 81, Pauper Agricultural Labourer, born Hatfield. Elizabeth Bunyan age 77, wife, born KingsWalden. Elizabeth Bunyan age 40, dau, born Codicote 1811.

What do you think. Have I, with your help,  found some answers...

[colinjohn]

It's probably a complete red herring, but I recall that in my youth, when I used to go for cycle rides in the area, in the small hamlet of (I think) Coleman Green there was the remains of an old cottage - not much more than the chimney really - known as Bunyan's Chimney. It was reputedly connected in some way with John Bunyan the preacher and author of The Pilgrim's Progress.

Click on this link to see what I think is the location
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=519020&Y=212565&A=Y&Z=3

Coleman Green is only a few miles from Welwyn.

A quick Google search gave me this link:
http://www.hertsdirect.org/libsleisure/heritage1/archaeology/moreaboutarch/archsites/johnbunyans/, my memory served me well!

Colin

[park_town]

Hello Colin, thanks for your post. Yeah I like this sort of thing.

My Thomas Bunyan b 1796 moved down from Welwyn to Southwark - well, Elephant and Castle as we know it today - married some bird from Brighton called Lydia Grant and had four kids. Well, all round there there are places that *The* John Bunyan visited. Mind you I bet my ggggrandad never knew that..!!

http://www.amazon.com/Interior-Bunyans-Meeting-Southwark-English/dp/B000F04B3C/ref=sr_1_8/104-7778811-4657545?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1180551413&sr=1-8
http://www.gac.culture.gov.uk/search/Object.asp?object_key=22757

Now whether we are descendants from the 17th century Bedford scene, who knows...