Hi Max,
Just a little bit more on you new found family. The 1841 records Sarah age 55 living in Christophers Yard, St.Albans with Jane 17, Elizabeth 13, Ann 9, Sarah 6, Elizabeth 2, all born in county and Ann GURNEY, 30 not born in Herts. All employed as Plaiters. (Adult ages in this census rounded down to nearest 5) (HO107/447/5 F.41. P34) (Note: The name of the victim of the brothers crime was Joseph GURNEY, the same as the surname of the lady living with Sarah).
The two sons were recorded as William 25 Ag lab, wife Elizabeth 25 Plaiter, Betsy 6 and Emma 4 at Privey Road, St.Albans (HO107/447/9 F.16. P.26) and Thomas 35 Ag lab, Sophia wife 35 Plaiter, Thomas 15, Alfred 13, Sarah 8, Joseph 5, Jesse 3 and George 2 at Catharine Lane, St.Albans (HO107/447/8 F.16. P.25)
By 1851, William was a widower living with his brother Thomas in Sopwell Lane, St.Albans - Thomas 48 Lab, Sophia wife 48, Sarah 19, Joseph 15, Jesse 13, George 11, William brother 38 Wid Labourer, Emma neice 17 and Alfred g'son 7mths (Son of Sarah, baptised St.Albans Abbey 06Oct1850). All children were Brazilian hat makers.
A search has revealed four marriages -
23May1847 Hannah PEARCE ~ William Wilson St.Albans
25Dec1821 Thomas PEARCE of St.Peters ~ Sophia HILL St.Albans St.Michael.
10Apr1831 William PEARCE ~ Elizabeth BIGGS St.Peters
10Feb1827 Ann PEARCE ~ Samuel GURNEY St. Peters
The last entry is the third link I have found between the PEARCE and GURNEY surnames.
Shall I go on?.
Regards ... Peter