Ive been stuck at this brickwall for a few years now and still cant figure out exactly where my 5th grt grandfather was from.
I have him as born 1809 either Terrington St Clement Norfolk or 1809 Chettisham, Ely, Cambrdigeshire.
He marries Catherine Vincent 30 Aug 1830 Terrington St Clement, Norfolk and a Witness is an Ann Bonnet. John has been transcribed as Bonnell/Bonnett/Bonnet. Both are listed of the Parish.
They have the following children as far as I can see:
William Bonnet baptised 6 Jan 1833 Ely, Cambridgeshire.
John Bonnet (My 4th grt grandfather) baptised 6 Jan 1833 Ely, Cambridgeshire.
Robert Bonnet baptised 1 Nov 1835 Ely, Cambridgeshire
Ann/Hannah Bonnet baptised 8 Apr 1838 Ely, Cambridgeshire
James Bonnet baptised 1841 Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
In 1841 I have them Living in Emneth, Norfolk. Mis-Transcribed as Bennett.
John Bennett born abt 1811 - Not born in Norfolk
Catherine Bennett born abt 1811 - Born in Norfolk
John Bennett born abt 1832 - Born in Norfolk
William Bennett born abt 1834 - Born in Norfolk
Robert Bennett born abt 1836 - Not born in Norfolk
Mary Bennett born abt 1837 - Born in Norfolk (I think this could be Ann) but there is an 1841 census in Ely with an Ann Bonnett born abt 1838 living with Elizabeth Bonnett and granddaughter to an Ann Hancock nee Bonnett.
There are 2 baptisms which I think could be my John.
30 Apr 1809 Terrington St Clement, Norfolk - Parents John and Mary.
This fits the age and same place he married but there is a John Bonnot/Bonnet living in terrington St Clement on the 1841 census born abt 1809 so this could be that John and not my one.
16 Jul 1809 Chettisham, Ely, Cambridgeshire - Parents William and Ann - Listed as Bonnett/Bennett
Fits with Census saying not born in Norfolk and fits with him baptising Children there.
Unfortunately he is only on one census as in 1847 he is convicted of Sheep stealing and Exiled to Australia for 10 years. He doesn't return to England or his family as he doesn't appear on anymore census records with them.
I think he dies 1877 Australia listed as John Bonnitt but not sure.
There is also a possible 3rd baptism which I have yet to look into further
John Bonnet 30 Jul 1809 Stapleford, Cambridgeshire - Parents William and Martha.
I'm not sure which is him as I was hoping the Witness Ann Bonnet is a relation but the the John born Terrington has a sister Ann but she dies in infancy and the John in Chettisham has a sister but she marries in 1824 I think so she wouldn't be using her maiden name. The mother Ann in Chettisham dies in 1827 so this isnt her either, So she perhaps could be a cousin?
There is also family rumour of a french ancestor along the Bonnet line somewhere and this links into what the Bonnett's of Somersham, Cambs wrote in the publication 'Fenland Families'
Any help would be greatly appreciated.