the ORCHARDs or ARCHERs of Whitchurch

[Greaves]

William ORCHARD married Ann HEAD on 31 May 1784 at Whitchurch. The family names seems to gradually change from ORCHARD to ARCHER.

They had, to the best of my knowledge, eight children: Elizabeth 1786, John 1788, David 1793, Rebecca 1795, Mary 1798, Charles 1800, Ann 1803 and James 1806.

I am reasonably confident that I know what happened to the last three: Charles, Ann and James. My knowledge of the rest, however, is not good. I think that David married Sarah Taylor in 1822 and died in 1852. And I also think Mary died in 1830 without marrying. But that's it.

As always any help or insights gratefully received.

[hampshire grandma]

I don't know whether this we be helpful.  I have Whitchurch ancestors, and during my research I looked at school records, and if I remember correctly, there was a headmaster called Mr. ARCHARD, so there's another spelling variation to try.

The school log books were held by the school at the time, but may be in Hampshire Record Office by now.

[Greaves]

Many thanks for this. I will try and follow up, who knows where it will lead?

[Greaves]

I would like to reopen this old thread, as I am still struggling to make progress. Sadly the suggestion that I visit the Hampshire Record Office has not been possible to pursue due to the pandemic and my rather poor immune system.

Hampshire's records are poorly represented on both Ancestry and FindMyPast, the lack of images sometimes obscuring useful information. Family Search has records, but again no images. Looking at FS suggests another three or four children: Mary buried 11 Mar 1837 aged 0, another James buried 15 Feb 1831 aged 28, Diana buried 05 Sep 1808 (b 1796 to William & Ann), and Thomas buried 14 Jul 1803 (b 1791 to William & Ann). Without seeing the actual images, it is hard to make judgements on these possible children.

I am still struggling with the other children mentioned in the first post. So I would welcome any help in sorting this family out.

[ciderdrinker]

Hello
Not really my area of the country but I can see a burial for John 7.10.1835 age 46 Whitchurch.
David married a Sarah Taylor 6.4.1822 Wherwell .Sarah must have been a widow as Ann Allen seems to be her mother.
1841 census Freefolk Priors Whitchurch
David 48 ag lab y
Sarah 39 y
William 18 ag lab y
Charles 15 ag lab y
Hannah 11 ag lab y
George 9 ag lab y
Eliza 8
Rebecca 6
Thomas 3
Ann Allen 70 y
In 1851 they are in Mitchelover.

David seems to die Dec qtr 1852 Whitchurch.

Looks like Rebecca marries at Kingsclere 18 .10.1821 to a Thomas Woodhouse
1841 Hannington
Thomas 45 ag lab y
Rebecca 40 y
Hannah 15
Emily 10
Harriet 5
Rebbeca sadley died 15 Aug 1841.

Ciderdrinker

[Greaves]

Thanks, the stuff about Rebecca looks useful.

Confused about Sarah though, as census returns suggest a birth in Overton.

There is a Sarah TAYLOR baptised in Overton in Oct 1801 to John and Anne TAYLOR. Also she marries David in 1822, when she would be only 20/21.

Perhaps her mother remarried?

Add: I note that the burial record for Rebecca ages her as 36 thus born in 1805, which is a clear 10 years out/

[Daisypetal]

Hi,

This looks likely,

James ALLEN, Widower & Ann TAYLOR Widow
Overton, Hampshire
24 September 1815

I think the Mary buried in 1837 might be David's daughter,

Baptism Mary ORCHARD dau. of David and Sarah.
26 June 1836, Freefolk

The transcription for the burial of James ORCHARD age 28 says the burial date was 15 Feb 1835 which would with his Jul 1806 baptism.

I hope this helps

Regards,
Daisy

[Greaves]

Many thanks, very helpful.

I agree that the Mary buried in 1837 is probably David's daughter. And its nice to find the Allen & Taylor marriage, confirming the family relationship.

As for James - my 3xGGF - I was aware of burial date and sadly short life. But still many thanks.