Joseph Sargent Kemp of Kings Lynn

[Richard Meyers]

My 2nd Great Grandfather Joseph Sargent Kemp b September 15, 1811 in King's Lynn emigrated to Quebec, Canada around 1840, where he met and married my 2nd Great Grandmother Theodoty Camber. The family legend is that he got into some trouble with the law and the family made him leave England. Although it's been over 175 years since he left England and 122 since he passed away, in Syracuse, NY no one will discuss what he did.

Joseph Sargent's parents were allegedly John and Ann Kemp, though that is unconfirmed. I have no other information on his origins. I would like to find out more about his parents, possible siblings and what exactly was the problem he had with the law that may have caused him to leave England.

[chempat]

Are you aware of the public tree on ancestry - parents claimed as  John Kemp and Mary Cobb?

[Annette7]

The tree referred has 2 conflicting bits of information - birth one place, baptism another.   It certainly isn't at Kings Lynn (checked baptisms online for the period), Norfolk but found that the baptism is on familysearch where he was born/baptised as plain Joseph Kemp b.15/9/1811, bp.18/11/1811 Kings Langley, Hertfordshire (not Kings Lynn, Norfolk), son of John and Ann.

John Kemp married Ann Bennett 16/4/1811 Kings Langley, Hertfordshire.

Sounds like Kings Lynn and Kings Langley have been confused. 

Annette

[chempat]

Lots of trees on ancestry have Joseph Kemp from both Norfolk and Hertfordshire, but they also have death in Hertfordshire as one possibility - so do not help.

The tree that I referred to quoted the Canadian census of 1891 for his birth place - but that just said England.

[Richard Meyers]

I think I've heard Mary Cobb somewhere before, chempat. One of my mother's cousins was a Librarian and she did some research, which I can't get my hands on. Her Ancestry Tree indicates Ann Kemp as the mother. She passed a few years back, so I have no way to discuss with her what sources she may or may not have had.

Makes sense that King's Lynn was mistaken for King's Langley. Same birthdate, same parents. Sounds right. Thanks for that information, Annette.

[Richard Meyers]

Now I just need to find out what Joseph possibly did that was so bad, family will not talk about it this far after his death.

[chempat]

Why do you think that anyone knows the correct version of what he did or did not do so long after his death?

[chempat]

There is this Joseph Kemp living in Kings Langley on the 1841 census:
Registration district:   Hemel Hempstead
Piece    441  Book     12   Folio  51  Page Number     20
Joseph Kemp   25  ag lab
Selina Kemp   25
Charles Kemp 5

Age not 30 for 1811 baptism, but worth investigating.

The suggested marriage from IGI is to Solena Howe in 1834 in Rickmansworth.

This is in several trees on ancestry.

[chempat]

In 1851 census his age appears to be 30 - but he would have been only 13 if that marriage is correct.  Ancestry has him as Hemp.  He cannot be in 2 different continents at the same time....

1851 in Abbots Langley
Registration district:  Watford  Sub-registration district   Bushey
Household schedule number     11
Piece   1714   Folio  630  Page Number     3
Joseph Hemp   30  beer seller  Kings Langley
Solener Hemp   36
Charles Hemp   15
Frederick Hemp   5