Sussex Baptism Lookup John POLLARD 1807

[jalex7802]

I have a poem written by my GG Grandfather on his 90th birthday, that states "Ninety long years have passed over, since I first drew breath at Southover."  The poem is dated 14 Feb 1897 (leaving me to assume he was born 14 Feb 1870.  I've been trying to find his baptism record to lead me to his parents for years, but have not had luck.  I had been assuming he was referring to Southover in Lewes, but I recently learned there is a Southover Street in Brighton, which is where he got married (St. Nicholas) in 1828. 

I'm hoping somone with more expertise and experience might be able to look in baptism records of Brighton or Lewes for a possible baptism. 

Any help would be appreciated!!

[avm228]

Welcome - and what a lovely thing to inherit

Did John spend his married life in England, and if so what birthplace is given for him in the censuses?

[jalex7802]

Thanks for the welcome and the quick response!  John emigrated to the US in 1855 so the only England Census I have for him is 1841 in Epsom, Surrey, and it only shows he wasn't born there.  Every document in the States just lists his birthplace as "England." 

Family lore has always said that my Great Grandmother (John's daughter) was "from' Brighton and her husband was from Lewes (and they met in Ohio of all places!).  I had always assumed John was from Brighton, but the "southover" reference had me looking in Lewes for the past several years.

[avm228]

If the emigration was definitely 1855 then in theory the family should be traceable in England in 1851, which would be invaluable.  I agree they are not easily found, though! The youngest children were born in Epsom, is that right? (Charity in 1840; James Isaac in 1845).

There is a 25 June 1809 baptism for a John Pollard in Brighton, parents John & Ruth.

[jalex7802]

Unfortunately, the date of emigration is not certain.  It's anywhere between 1851 and 1855, and I have not been able to find the family in the 1851 England census.  That it something else to re-visit in my research, though.  I know when he was naturalized, however, records are not organized in the town and they can't find his record.  Yes, John's youngest was born in 1840 in Epsom.  The others were not.

The baptism you found is definitely a possibility--thank you so much.  Do you know if it was at St. Nicholas?  He did marry there so it may be his family church.