1841 and or 1851 Heathfield

[janan]

Hi

Looks like the marriage isn't yours then even if it is Potten rather than Potter - still as you say worth checking out.

Have PM'd you

Jan

[suey]

Hi

A possible for Thomas Potten and Sarah's marriage

Thomas Potten to Sarah French 29 Apr 1805 in Hastings



Jan

Hi Jan - is your marriage from the IGI because we have seen that one and the SMI very helpfully says he is Thomas POTTER of St Mary in the Castle Hastings
Worth following up though...




Suey

I've had another look at this marriage - is it Thomas Potten mistranscribed? 
Extra info says Thomas of St Mary in the Castle...I'm kind of hoping this was noted because he was simply living in that area of Hastings at the time of his marriage while getting married in another....

This Potten family were for the most part found in and around Burwash/Heathfield, except in 1841 when they are at Fairlight, a short step from Hastings and not too far from Mountfield.


Sarah is consistant with yob 1786 and pob Mountfield.  I took a look at sfhg trascriptions for Mountfield and there among an assortment of Sarah's is SARAH FRENCH baptised 5th January 1786
None of the other Sarah's born around that date appear to be married to anyone with a similar surname to Potten or Potter

Can't see a Thomas Potter baptised in Hastings - can't see a Potter couple married in Hastings as prospective parents for him
The same applies to Sarah French... any avenue I've not covered ?

I'm trying to convince myself this is the right marriage but something still does not sit quite right.....

Suey

[janan]

Does look good suey

Have you checked for any Potter/Potten baptisms in Hastings around the right time with parents Thomas and Sarah?

Jan

[suey]

Hi Jan, yes just double checked on sfhg no Potters or Pottens in Hastings until a lot later....

Thomas and Sarah were back in Burwash by 1807 as first known child Sarah was baptised there in August and they're in Burwash or Heathfield right up to son George's birth in 1832. 
I guess that's why I'm dithering over the marriage. 

Thomas' mother did leave him a few bob, she died 1803 so I spose he could have been taking the sea air in Hastings when he meets and marries Sarah

Suey

[janan]

I know what you mean about people marrying in unexpected places - I eventually found a marriage for one of my couples in Lyme Regis, Dorset when he was from Axmouth, Devon and she from Honiton, Devon. Like your case it wasn't that far away in miles but unexpected - following a similar course to you I am 99.9% sure I have the right couple. How about the witnesses? any help? And I guess if at some point you could check the original entry?

The fact that Sarah and Thomas were from 2 non-neighbouring parishes seems to make it more likely they would marry in an unexpected place: they had to meet somehow. That, however, could be wishful thinking on my part as it applies to my couple too!

Jan

[suey]

I think we get used to our early ancestors getting married in the home parish so even a few miles away tends to throw up doubts.

I've only seen the transcriptions so don't have witnesses, a look at the original would be good.

I'll add this Sarah to the tree with my notes...
any other Potten/French researcher looking in on this can then make up their own mind, and if anyone can get a look at the original parish register sometime that would be a bonus

Sarah's baptism from Mountfield All Saints - 5th Jan 1786 to parents Richard and Elizabeth.
Richard French widw m Elizabeth Peters 11th Dec 1783 Mountfield
1st marriage to Ann Martin (lic) 30/03/1780 at Mountfield.

Suey

[Chris in 1066Land]

Hi all

Does this baptism fit into your equation at all

St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings
13th March 1862 - Elizabeth Potten, daughter of Thomas & Sarah, Marine Cottages - Labourer

Chris in 1066

On re-reading the topic, it looks like it was 50 years too late

[DianaCanada]

I haven't been working on my family history for years but I was just having a look today= am very excited to see the marriage of Thomas Potten and Sarah French.  I am a descendant of Thomas and Sarah.  In 1990 I was in the East Sussex records office in Lewes and found the baptism of a Sarah French in Mountfield.  As I knew Sarah was born in Mountfield, I had a feeling I had the right one, but I was never able to find the marriage!  I also found a death fo Richard French (Sarah's father was Richard) in the Burwash burials, so it looks like the family moved there. 

[Chris in 1066Land]

Hi there

According to the Sussex Marriage Index, the Surname is listed as POTTER not POTTEN

Sussex Marriage Index:
Location: Hastings All Saints, East Sussex,  Date: 29 Apr 1805:
Bride: Sarah FRENCH
Groom: Thomas POTTER, Hastings St.Mary in the Castle Parish

Chris in 1066