Clark in Watchfield

[AndrewMartin]

Hello,

Circa 1834, my Gt Gt Gt Grandmother, Caroline Clark was born.

By 25th May 1855, she was in Mildenhall, Suffolk, marrying Thomas Howlett (my Gtx3 Grandfather) but I have no record of her immediately before the marriage. At the marriage, she names "Alfred Woods" as her father, although deceased.

By 1861 (my first census with her), she states that her place of birth is "Backthen, Norfolk" (I can picture her saying "oooh, back then? - Norfolk". Come 1871 it's just "Suffolk" and in 1881 and 1891, she gives "Watchfield, Norfolk" as her place of birth.

In 1911 she's still saying "Watchfield" but in "Suffolk".

Bearing this in mind, I've looked for Watchfield in Suffolk and Norfolk and there's nowhere that really stands out. I've yet to try "Wattisfield, Suffolk", but it just strikes me that she manages to keep saying "Watchfield".

So, as a longshot, i thought i'd try Watchfield, Oxfordshire. Of the generations of my ancestors, only 3 of them weren't from Cambridgeshire - they rarely travelled... but perhaps Caroline Clark (or should that be Caroline Woods??) did.

I've not been able to find a contender for Alfred Woods - her supposed father either... so any help is much appreciated.

More info here: http://familytreeuk.co.uk/Clark/CarolineClark1834.htm

[toby]

The datesthat youare looking for Watchfield was then in Wiltshire near Swindon.

[AndrewMartin]

ah, thanks toby.

[DebbieG]

Hi Andrew - I have had a look at this and I think I may have an idea for you

I found in 1841

1841 Botesdale
HO107- 1024 Bk 3

William Bailey 35 
Emma Bailey 10 
Ellen Bailey 7 
Louisa Bailey 5 
Ellis Bailey 2 
Caroline Clarke 6 
Edmund Clarke 4 

If you look at the original the address is something like Back Hibs (Back then?)

I found Louisa Bailey in the workhouse in 1851,  there was also an Edmund Bailey
who fits the Edmund Clarke above, 

1851 there is a servant, in Littleport Cambridgeshire  named as Caroline Bailey
giving Watchfield Suffolk as her POB
HO107- 1764 Fo 750 P 8

There is a possible marriage Free BMD

Marriages Dec 1838   
BAILEY  William    Hartismere  13 997    CLARKE  Mary     Hartismere  13 997    
Cracknell  William Octvus     Hartismere  13 997   
DAY  Mary     Hartismere  13 997   
FULLER  John     Hartesmere  13 997   
LACK  Lydia     Hartismere  13 997   
LEECH  Lydia     Hartismere  13 997   

Hartismere reg dist covers Botesdale

I would suggest that Mary Clarke had 2 illigitimate children Caroline & Edmund (with Alfred Woods the father of at least Caroline) and then marrys William Bailey who was a widower with children from his first marriage.  A look at the registers for Redgrave cum Botesdale,  which are not in the IGI for this period might shed some more light.


 

DebbieG

[DebbieG]

I have now found William Bailey (b 1804 Botesdale) and Mary Bailey born 1812 Wattisfield Suffolk also in the workhouse,  I do think that Wattisfield could be the answer to your Watchfield

DebbieG

[AndrewMartin]

I have now found William Bailey (b 1804 Botesdale) and Mary Bailey born 1812 Wattisfield Suffolk also in the workhouse,  I do think that Wattisfield could be the answer to your Watchfield

DebbieG

Debbie, thank you so much for digging this info out for me - i really appreciate it.

Interestingly, there's Bailey's in my tree already.

I held it back but can now add to the pot that witnesses at Caroline "Clark"'s second marriage to Robert Coe in 1859, were Edward and Sophia Clark.  Edward is just a short hop from Edmund. There is no indication whether Sophia was a wife or a sibling/other to him.

Thanks also for finding Caroline Bailey - i'll have a look at the census now.

Thank you - this has really helped me move closer to unraveling her puzzle. 

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2400/2067271464_d35a18c936_m.jpg

[General Dogsbody]

For Back Hibs read Back Hills. It runs parallel to The Street, Botesdale and at one time was also known as Black Hills