Looking for help with my RoadBlock; Annie Stapleton born circa 1850

[jedidiah]

This is the one part of my tree I've been stuck on for ages and can't make any progress. Wondered if someone might be able to make any suggestions what to do.

Annie Stapleton married Charles Thomas Frogley in Woolwich in 1868

In the 1871 census, Piece: 777; Folio: 47; Page: 9, it says she was born in St Helens, Lancashire, circa 1850
1881 census; Piece   713,Folio   9,Page number   12 .. says the same thing
as does 1891; Sub Schedule Number 22 Piece 1321 Folio 90

The only piece of information I have on her family is that on the Marriage Record it gives her father as Richard.
London, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1932
Marriage Date   22/12/1868

But I can't find any birth or baptism records at all around the 1850s in St Helens that correspond to this. There are a couple of possibilities for other parent names, or alternatively a record in Leeds for a Mary Anne Stapleton born to a Richard in 51, but this doesn't fit her birth location either.

Much appreciated if anyone can help!

[CaroleW]

Failure to register a birth only became a fineable offence in 1874

[jedidiah]

Yes it wouldn't surprise me if not registered. I was kind of thinking they were probably Irish immigrants who had recently moved over. Though actually my only assumption for this was thinking the name Stapleton was Irish (and that i have 20pc Irish in my DNA which I don't believe can come from any other part of the tree recently.

[Girl Guide]

What is Richard's occupation on Annie's marriage certificate?  Does it say anything about him being deceased?

Who were the witnesses?

[CaroleW]

This is a complete longshot

1861 census has a John Stapleton 22 b Ireland with wife Mary 21 and (supposedly) a 7yr old dtr Mary Ann.  All 3 were b Ireland but living in St Helens.  They also has a 3mth old son Richard b St Helens and his birth reg shows mmn Conroy.  John & Mary married 1860 St Helens

No way could Mary Ann be their daughter but there is no Conroy birth for her either.

Clutching at straws because of a son Richard and the St Helens connection.  Depending how long she lived in St Helens possibly she thought she was born there

[jedidiah]

Occupation is 'labourer'. No nothing about being deceased.
The witnesses I cant read very well, but have attached. The names don't seem related, but he was in the Artillery Barracks at the time, so I'd guessed they could have been fellow soldiers.

[CaroleW]

She married as Anne Stapleton - not Annie

[Mabel Bagshawe]

The 1861 census referred to doesn;t show Mary Ann as daughter, all the Stapletons are lodgers

There's a Richard Stapeleton [sic] in Manchester in 1851. Born Ireland c1829, with with Mary (26) and children Mary Ann (6) and John (4). All born Ireland. He is a tailor, though

[jonwarrn]

In case it might be relevant, 1871 census has
Mary Stapleton, 27, born St Helens, in Woolwich
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VB6L-V7R

and Maria Stapleton, 17, born St Helens, in nearby Plumstead
Doesn't show on FamilySearch. Piece 792 folio 56 page 1
Both servants.

Is it the same Maria Stapleton who married Richard Wood, 7 Feb 1874 in Greenwich?
1881
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q27W-7G5L

1891 (Maria born St Helens)
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q3Y3-2MM

But struggling with births of the children, so it might be wrong!