COMPLETED Houghton Conquest transcript - LITCHFIELD

[bedfordshire boy]

The IGI has a member submission for a marriage at Houghton Conquest on 11 Dec 1795 between William REDMAN and Ann LITCHFIELD.

If anyone has access to the transcript I'd be very grateful for confirmation that this is a real marriage

I'm a bit concerned about it as Ann Litchfield born 1775, was the illegitimate daughter, no father mentioned as far as I can tell, of Elizabeth Litchfield, who had four other illegitimate children, two either side of Ann's birth, by John Redman, for whom she was the housekeeper according to his will where he left her six bob a week "in consideration of her good Services to me". And John Redman was the father of William, which if my suspicions are correct would make William and Ann half siblings. Having said that, Ann was the only one of the five where the father isn't specifically named as John Redman.

Many thanks in advance

David

[johnP-bedford]

Next ....

This Houghton Conquest 1795 marriage is there & again it's by licence dated 14/8/1795. You are being lucky today. Licence says William Redman was a farmer of HC & surety was given by William Hine, victualler of Bedford St. Mary's.

Regarding the suspect illegitimate children.. I found them using the clues you provided..

24/09/1769 Richard, natural son of Eliz Litchfield & John Redman
01/11/1772 Phoebe, natural daughter of Eliz Litchfield, reputed father John Redman
26/12/1775 Ann, natural daughter of Eliz Litchfield
30/11/1787 Charlotte daughter of Eliz Litchfield & John Redman, born 25/04/1781
30/11/1787 Eliz daughter of Eliz Litchfield & John Redman, born Jan 1783

Was she after a council house ? or is that only if there are 5 different fathers !

[bedfordshire boy]

Thanks very much John. The jury's still out on this one. It would be odd if Ann weren't the daughter of John Redman, but marrying her half brother??? But the burial dates of the two of them match up.

John was a bit of a lad as he fathered a couple of other illegitimate children by another woman as well. Didn't leave any of them any money in his will though.

Thanks again

David