Ann & John Thomas Mottlee of Peterborough 1796- Breeches maker

[Kylie B]

Hi
Can anyone help me please with info, direction, advice??!!

I am trying to trace a couple- Ann and John Thomas MOTTLEE of Peterborough.

I know they were there in Jan 1796 as they appear in a register of apprentices- taking on Francis Welder as an apprentice with their trade listed as Breeches maker. Interestingly they both appear as the qualified trader.....was that unusual for a woman??

However, I do not know their ages at that point, when they married or their children (although I have found 2 possible sons residing in London- Chelsea- in the 1820's: John Thomas Mottlee a Dairyman and William Mottlee a painter).

If anyone can help with a marriage for this couple, any other apprenticeship or trade records, childrens baptisms, or info on why the family might have moved to London (or if it was just the son's seeking their fortunes in the big city??) I would really appreciate any help at all!!

Thanks so much
Kylie

[trish1120]

Possible?

John MOTLEY Married Ann NORFORD, 25 April 1796, All Hallows, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire
Both of the Parish at time of Marriage
Witnesses, Robt Beever/Ann Murrin
(Source FreeREG)

Trish

OOPs to late as you have a record for Jan 1796

[mgeneas]

The Northamptonshire Marriage Index has two marriages, both at Peterborough St John

John Thomas   MOTTLEY   otp   Ann   COLES   otp   1796   16-May
John   MOTLEE   otp   Ann   WHILBORE   otp   1764   9-Dec

[Kylie B]

thanks for those- 1796 would be too late based on apprenticeship but possibly 1764....although the sons i have found marry in the 1820s aged in their 20s....possibly too early??

[mgeneas]

Perhaps the Ann named in the apprentice record is the older Ann - a widow who carried on her late husbands business

[Kylie B]

Hi mgeneas- So you're suggesting  the Ann & John Thomas Mottlee on the apprenticeship listing were actually mother and son? i never thought of that possibility.

I guess the way to confirm would be to find the sons baptisms? or further apprenticeship records??

I haven't been able to find the baptisms - does anyone know of any other trade records that might mention the Mottlee breeches makers???

thanks
Kylie

[mgeneas]

A John Motley was buried in Peterborough 12 Jan 1795

[Kylie B]

thanks you- so that could be john thomas senior. john thomas junior is listed as a dairyman on his marriage in the 1830s- could he have changed trades? was that common??

any other possible sources- are there wills available?  or earlier apprenticeship logs that might show when ann and john started trading?

thanks again
Kylie