Robert Foord - Chatham. Missing marriages

[JosiahS]

Hi there

Robert Foord was born 1777 in Cerne Abbas, Dorset.  He was still alive in the 1851 census though his age implies a birth in 1780.  He was living in that census with his wife Elizabeth, and was a plumber.

He and Elizabeth had three children, Ann Mary 1812, Henry 1814, and John 1816.

When he died he left a PCC will (1854) in which he refers to his wife and children Ann Mary, John, and "Robert, a burger of Maidstone."

I presume this latter reference is to the Robert Foord, also a plumber, born Chatham 1796 to Robert Foord and Sarah Ann.

I've spent a lot of time looking for the marriage to Sarah Ann, including in Dorset, and the marriage to Elizabeth - the latter to see if he was a widower and take another step to establish the link with the Robert Foord in Maidstone which is the line I am researching.

Can anyone help out please?

Thank you

Ashley

[bearkat]

Just wanted to say that I've looked but haven't found a marriage so far. 

Were the other children also born in Chatham?

[hepburn]

.....

[JosiahS]

Thanks I'll check the freereg entry

All the children were born in Chatham as was Elizabeth his wife

[hepburn]

Sorry tryng to do dinner....I cocked up on the marriage 

[JosiahS]

Red herring for dinner?

[bearkat]

I wonder why he moved from Dorset To Chatham. Most people ending up in Chatham had a naval connection but it was a busy town and no doubt needed plumbers.

Would he have served an apprenticeship to become a plumber?  Apprenticeships usually began at 14 and finished at 21.  They didn't marry until they had finished their apprenticeship.

Robert Foord born 1777 was young to be married and having a child by 1796.

[JosiahS]

That did strike me too - if I can find a marriage to a Sarah Ann then it will point me in another direction, but I'm trying to run this one into the ground first.