Missing children of Charlotte Spencer

[History Lives]

I'm looking into the mystery of 2 children of Charlotte Spencer, who had Eliza Spencer and Asenath Spencer out of wedlock, in 1833 and 1834 respectively. She also had a third (!) child out of wedlock, James, born in 1837 in Wrenbury, Cheshire.

However, Charlotte soon married James' father, John Ward, in the same year in Manchester, and they are found in Manchester on the 1841 census. However, only John, wife Charlotte and James, now Ward, are present.

I can't find a death record for Eliza or Asenath, or any person with the same name and relevant age on the census.

Any help? Thanks in advance

[Milliepede]

Asenath is a new one on me, have you tried just using that first name?  Possible they were taken in by another family and are under that surname. 

[Milliepede]

Where were the missing 2 children born - same place as the 3rd one?

[History Lives]

Where were the missing 2 children born - same place as the 3rd one?

Yes that's right; all in Wrenbury.

[History Lives]

Asenath is a new one on me, have you tried just using that first name?  Possible they were taken in by another family and are under that surname.

It was new to me too. Rare biblical name, though there are a few scattered around the country. None on the census in Wrenbury or nearby though from what I can see so far.

[Milliepede]

Is it a male or female name?

William Ward is son of John and Charlotte I presume - he is a nephew 12 in 1851 with Frederic Spencer.

I was wondering if the missing 2 found their way back to Charlotte in later years.

[History Lives]

Is it a male or female name?

William Ward is son of John and Charlotte I presume - he is a nephew 12 in 1851 with Frederic Spencer.

I was wondering if the missing 2 found their way back to Charlotte in later years.

Female name it seems. Neither Asenath or Eliza were living with their parents on the 1851 census either. John Ward is listed as widowed in 1861 so Charlotte must have died between the censuses.

[chempat]

This does not help you, but I was looking at the baptisms, and on the 2 pages that have Asenath there are 16 entries and 8 of them (50%) are to spinsters.

Do you think they tried to chase up all the errant fathers?

[History Lives]

This does not help you, but I was looking at the baptisms, and on the 2 pages that have Asenath there are 16 entries and 8 of them (50%) are to spinsters.

Do you think they tried to chase up all the errant fathers?

Just checked now you've mentioned it and you're right. Seems illegitimacy was shockingly frequent in that parish for some reason.