CHARLES Family STOTFOLD- mam BROWN?

[bedfordshire boy]

Whilst only half of the births registered in Biggleswade baptist church register named parents Richard and Elizabeth, the fact that Frances born 18 Jan 1789 per the Baptist records was baptised in Stotfold on 27 Apr 1806, with a birth date of 8 Jan 1789, links the Biggleswade Richard and Elizabeth with the Stotfold Richard and Elizabeth. Whilst not cast iron proof I find it pretty conclusive.

The 1813 reference was from Samuel Whitbread's Notebooks. He was the local magistrate. There's an Elizabeth Charles age 60 buried in Stotfold on 22 Dec 1813, which looks about right datewise, bearing in mind that she was having children until 1796. Age 78 in 1813 can't work as she'd be too old to have had a child in 1796. On baptism in 1764 Richard was described as "about 6". The whole family seems to have been baptised together, including Elizabeth, widow, which is odd as there's no burial of a John until 26 Feb 1770, Labourer.

David

[carolgriff]

Hi

i too think the Frances baptism liks everyone up and thanks for taking the time to consider it. As far as Elizabeths age its a mystery as to why 78 in 1813- 60 seems more reasonable, thanks for the info re John Charles burial and that all of the early Charles seem to have been baptised together. i dont know enough about the times they lived in to hazard a guess as to why delayed baptims- did the church maybe offer relief etc to its converts i wonder?

Certainly looks like Richards mam and dad were john and elizabeth- cant explain how she was widowed so long before his burial though- wonder if he was maybe in the army or prison ect etc- gaps between siblings makes me think he was away, of course other siblings could have died. Maybe he was preumed dead and then returned?

Thanks again
Carol

[webb1e]

Carol,

I don't know if you have the following, which I got some years ago from the Beds Co. Archivist, who did some research for me:

·   Charlie   born 14th October 1783   Registered 15th February 1800
·   Thomas   born 24th February 1785   Registered 15th February 1800
·   Frances   born 18th January 1789   Registered 15th February 1800
·   James   born 10th April 1794   Registered 15th February 1800
·   William   born 28th April 1796   Registered 15th February 1800
from the Biggleswade Baptist register. It seems given the names that these could be other than Richard & Elizabeth Charles' offspring, I think

Hope this helps a wee bit,

John

[webb1e]

Oops!
I meant "could not be other than"!

John

[carolgriff]

Thanks John
It does look lke the family were baptists and waited to do mass baptisms doesnt it?
Carol

[aca67]

The Sarah Charles mentioned here is a 5th generation direct descendent of mine. She was born c1840 and died Nov 1906 - she's buried in plot no. 656, old section of Stotfold Cemetery. I used to be able to access all the records for the cemetery here http://www.stotfoldtowncouncil.gov.uk/Core/StotfoldTC/Pages/Cemetery_Search_2.aspx but for some reason it is no longer working... a great shame it's been VERY helpful.

Sarah Charles was the 2nd (possibly 3rd) wife of Jonathan Gentle (1824-1900)

[[Ray]]

Hi

http://www.stotfoldtowncouncil.gov.uk/Core/StotfoldTC/Pages/Cemetery_2.aspx

Ray

[bedfordshire boy]

But unfortunately the Cemetery Search, which is the vital bit, on the left throws up a run time error. I've reported it.

David

Later. Stotfold Town Council say "Thank you for your email regarding the Cemetery search facility on our website.  We have had a software error and are working to resolve this with our supplier."

[sarah]

Hello aca67,

Welcome to RootsChat

I am very sorry but we have been unable to pass on your message to Carol as her email address is not working I have done a search for her on the internet but not been able to find the right lady.

Regards

Sarah