Susanna Harris bn 1813

[Katie Steele]

Hi all,

I'm hoping someone can help me solve this little puzzle of mine.
Susanna Harris is the sister of my 3xG.Grandfather Edwin Alexander. She was born 1813 Ashted, Birmingham. She is with her mother in the 1841 census in Madeley. Her mother Fanny who was born Madeley 1771, had remarried a Thomas Wilcox. And going by the transcribed age he was very much her junior. I believe Fanny died 1842.
I have been trying to find if Susanna married after her mother passed and have found a possible  marriage for a Susanna Harris, 1846 parish of Shifnal. Unfortunately atm I don't have a subscription to search any census's or parish records so I am relying on the free resources.
There is also a marriage for a Thomas Wilcox in the same quarter. I'm pretty sure marrying your step daughter was illegal then. Although it may not be the Thomas that married her mother.
Anyway, I have since found some christenings in Madeley with mother as Susanna Harris and father Thomas Wilcox. The one Reuben Thomas Wilcox was born 1840 and christened 1850. I've searched and can't find a birth registration for him. There is also a christening for Peter Wilcox same parents same day. I find it odd it lists Susanna with her maiden name on their baptisms.
There is a possible death for a Susannah Wilcox, 1861 aged 47. Also a marriage for a Reuben Thomas Harris Wilcox 1864.

I would like some help confirming if this is my Susanna Harris, if so is Thomas Wilcox her step-father and husband. And if Reuben was born 1840, where was he in 1841.

Thank you, the more I look into this the more confused I get.

Katie

[Comberton]

Thomas in 1841 and Thomas who marries in 1846 are both grocers

April 28th 1846 Shifnal
Thomas Wilcox full age bachelor grocer Oaken Gates John Wilcox Grocer
Susannah Harris Full age spinster  Oaken Gates John Harris warehouseman
Witnesses William Climson & Hannah Stanway ( not certain on their names)
All signed

1851
Madeley Wood Green
Thomas Wilcox 1801 grocer
Susanna Wilcox 1805
Ann Wilcox 1833  daughter
Reuben Wilcox 1840 son
Peter Wilcox 1845 son
All born Madeley

[Katie Steele]

Thank you

Could you check Thomas's occupation when he married Fanny Harris in 1825, also Madeley.

I've found a possible christening for Ann. Sarah Ann Harris 20 Jul 1842 - mother Susannah.

[Comberton]

April 30th 1825 Madeley
Thomas Wilcox bachelor
Fanny Harris widow
Both of the parish
By licence
Witnesses
Susanna Wilcox & Thomas or John Wilcox(possibly junior)
All signed
No details of occupation or parents
Thomas definitely a grocer in 1841 when with Fanny
Have compared the signatures but I’m not sure

Don’t know if  you have seen the images of the baptisms
Sarah Ann’s lists mother as  spinster of Madeley Wood
Reuben & Peter’s list parents as Thomas Wilcox grocer Susanna Harris Spinster
Of Ironbridge
Reuben born 2nd March 1840
Peter born 9th September 1842

[Katie Steele]

Thank you again,

I haven't seen the baptisms no, although really need to get a subscription soon just so I can delve more into this family.

I've found Peters birth reg, and his grave is on findagrave. All children added the surname Wilcox after parents were married (keeping Harris as a middle name). Although I still can't find a reg for Reuben. Saying that I found Peter on freebmd as Peter Harris, however when searching on gro. It doesn't bring anything up.

[Comberton]

1861
Reuben, Peter and Sarah Ann together in Madeley
Plus another brother Robert Harris 1844 Birmingham
And Hannah Stanway, witness at 1846 wedding
Last two as visitors
All images are from FindMyPast, maybe there will be a free weekend soon

[sparrett]

Why, in 1825, when her mother Fanny married Thomas WILCOX is the 12 year old Susanna using the surname WILCOX to sign as witness.

Surely she was Susanna HARRIS.
So, is this a different Susanna?

Susanna HARRIS is the name she uses on the document of her marriage to Thomas WILCOX in 1846.

From the images I also see on the 1846 marriage, Susanna when signing, uses no H on the end of the given name (so it is Susanna)

On the 1825 marriage there is H at the end (Susannah) This quite a comfortable and, I would say, mature signature, if we are considering it has been done by a 12 year old child

I would say different Susanna's.

Sue

[trish1120]

There is a Thomas Wilcox Bapt 3 Feb 1802 Madeley, Parents JOHN/SUSANNAH

So his Parents may be 2 of the 3 witnesses to the 1825 Marriage.

Fannys Death Reg with her age for you Katie;

WILCOX, FANNY, age 63****
GRO Reference: 1842  S Quarter in MADELEY  Volume 18  Page 77
So birth c 1779/1780

Trish
 

[trish1120]

I've found Ann Harris with Hannah Stanway/Her Husband George ad their Family in 1841 Census but where is Reuben?

If I have the right Marriage 9 February 1807, Madeley, Hannah was nee Bailey 

Death Regs GRO;

WILCOX, THOMAS, age 51***
GRO Reference: 1853  M Quarter in MADELEY  Volume 06A  Page 498

And you have this Katie;
WILCOX, SUSANNAH, age 47***
GRO Reference: 1861  M Quarter in MADELEY  Volume 06A  Page 472