John Bowyer was born about 1789, possibly in Kedington, Suffolk, but it seems difficult to fit him into the known Bowyer family there.
In 1808 John marries a Hannah Missen in Carlton, Cambs. Between 1810 and 1821 they have 5 children born in Brinkley, Cambs and in 1825 another child born in West Wratting, Cambs where they are still living in 1841. John's age is given as 55. In 1851 John & his wife and a grandson are living in Stetchworth, Cambs. Here his age is given as 62 and his birthplace as Ketton, Suffolk. Ketton is the local pronunciation of Keddington. His occupation is given as blacksmith.
The obvious family would be that of Edmund (aka Edward) Bowyer of Kedington, who are also blacksmiths, but he doesn't fit. Edmund married a Hannah Walliker in Kedington, Their children were John, born 1774, died 1781, William died Weston Colville 1797 and Edmund (also called Edward) born 1785. Hannah died 1786 and Edmund/Edward moved to Weston Colville, Cambs, where he married Mary Brown(e) in 1789. Edmund & Mary had 6 children in Weston Colville, Mary born 1789, Anne born 1790 died 1791, Anne born 1791 died 1791, Anne born 1793 died 1794, Sarah born 1795 and Henry born 1798. Mary died 1799 and Edmund in 1814. The Cambridgeshire information I have checked but can't check the Suffolk. Incidentally, the youngest son, Henry, was a blacksmith in Stetchworth in 1851 like John.
John doesn't seem to fit in the Keddington family so where did he come from & when? Any ideas gratefully received.
Robert
