Charles Green was the eldest son of Richard Green (my g-g-g-g-grandfather) and Mary Elderkin, baptised in Thurleigh in 1801.
In 1841 he is listed as 35, and is living in Thurleigh with Ann 25, Jesse 14, Mary 11, and Benjamin aged 1.
I have assumed Ann is his wife! However, due to Ann's age Jesse and Mary can't be Ann's children.
In 1851, Charles and Ann Elizabeth, his wife, are 46 and 36 respectively, Mary Ann is 15, and there are several younger children including Benjamin now aged 11. Jesse is 23 and doing 4 months hard labour for poultry stealing!
The inference is that Ann Elizabeth must have been a second wife, and at least Jesse and probably Mary (depending on what her correct age is) are children of a first marriage.
There's nothing on the IGI, as Thurleigh stops at 1812, so would some kind soul see if they can find in the later Thurleigh records:
1. A marriage for Charles and Ann Elizabeth - I would guess the earliest possible date would be about 1830 and the latest 1837 as there's nothing on FreeBMD.
2. A baptism for Jesse, probably in 1827 as his age is pretty consistent throughout the census returns, in order to get his mother's name.
3. A possible first marriage for Charles to that mother, prior to Jesse's birth in 1827?
4. And of there is such a marriage, a possible burial for that wife?
I've checked the NBI on FamilyHistory online, but there are so many deaths for female Greens (if there WAS a first wife, I don't know her first name) in Bedfordshire between 1827 and 1840 that it simply isn't practical (or affordable!) to look them all up.
Any help gratefully received!
Wendy
