Do I have the right Mary?

[margmasson]

My third great grandfather, James Scott, married Mary Sparks in the Parish Church. Ringwood, June 21 1859.He was a widower, Yeoman from Pentridge, Dorset father, George,Yeoman. Mary a spinster from Ringwood. Father James, Labourer. Both were "full age"  James died 1870 at Butts Ash Farm Hythe  Southampton.James left Mary well provided for, including "my interest (if any) in the houses and premises at Bournemouth in the County of Southampton, which belonged to her before my marriage with her and with which I have never interfered"  Mary died intestate in 1879. Her effects under 600 pounds. Her nephew, Henry Sparks of Ower near Romsey, Coachman, was granted Letters of Administration The only Mary Sparks I can see in the 1851 and 1861 census seems to be working as a maid in an hotel or similar. I am wondering how a maid with a Labourer father could have the property mentioned. Do I have the right Mary or is Mary the maid not mine I 2would be very grateful for any help  Marg                                                                                                           

[wivenhoe]

Who is your second great grandparent......son / daughter of James SCOTT and  Mary SPARKS?

If James and Mary married, 1859...and James died 1870....Mary had young children to support?

Who are the witnesses on the marriage certificate, 1859.

James SCOTT died 1870....when was the Will written.....who are the executors....who has witnessed the document.

[mckha489]

What is Mary’s approximate date of birth?

[mckha489]

Are they the couple in Pentridge in 1861
Where James is a farmer of 700 acres!?
Employing 6 men and 7 boys

He is 66 and Mary is 51?

If so, it seems the 1851 Mary age 37 a maid, born Minstead,  is likely to be the same one as I am fairly sure that is the POB given in the 1861. It’s not too clear.

And then 1841 the Female servant in Ilford/ Bourne Christchurch

Like you, they are the only ones I can see.


Did she inherit the Bournemouth properties perhaps?   

[margmasson]

Thank you  Mckha489 and Wivenhoe for your replies Yes they are the couple in the 1861 census
James had three adult daughters still living from his first marriage. One of them,  Elizabeth Hibberd was a witness to her fathers Marriage the other was John Pickton (I think) The executors were Mary (wife) and Henry Pardy , husband of james daughter Sarah. The will was made in 1867
   Marg

[mckha489]

I do think, that if you set your mind to it, you could own a few properties by the time you were 50 as she would have been (approx) at her marriage.
There is always the possibility that in her youth she had an “alternative” source of income

My 2x g.grandfather was in Hampshire (Portsea 1823 to 1899)

He was in the Royal Navy, rank no higher than a Petty Officer, and when he finished up he ran a pub.  Nevertheless when he died he had at least 5 properties.  Mainly houses but at least one commercial yard.

His estate was £1600 so perhaps 20 years earlier she  had  2 or 3?  (Modified to remove a zero!)

[amondg]

1871 census Hythe St. John Hampshire

Mary Scott, visitor widow age 52 farmers widow,  born Minestead
in the household of William Winckworth 59 and his wife Martha 57

possible? age is off though

ADDED
It is also likely that a relative thinking she would always be a spinster left her the properties as a source of income.

[Brentor boy]

If so, it seems the 1851 Mary age 37 a maid, born Minstead,  is likely to be the same one as I am fairly sure that is the POB given in the 1861. It’s not too clear.

I have been approaching it by trying to track back on nephew Henry and came to Henry Sparks, baptised 1 May 1836, Minstead, Hants. Parents John and Ann. I thought I had come to dead end, then I noticed this earlier post. I'm now looking for a John and Mary Sparks with father James, but no luck so far.

[mckha489]

There are Some Lyndhurst baptisms with parents James & Sarah SPARKS showing on Familysearch

https://www.familysearch.org/search/record/results?surname=Sparks&birth_place=Hampshire&birth_year_from=1800&birth_year_to=1820&father_givenname=James&father_surname=Sparks&count=20&offset=0

No Mary so far