Parents and siblings of Elizabeth Watson

[YorkshireBorn]

I have confidently traced one line of the family to Elizabeth Watson who married John White, shoemaker, in 1802 at St George's church in Doncaster. The marriage was witnessed by Thomas Swift. Both bride and groom were of the parish.

Elizabeth was buried 8 February 1846 at St George, her age was 73 which makes her year of birth around 1773.

I found a baptism for Elizabeth:

8 March 1774, Elizabeth daughter of Thomas Watson

There are mother's details and no father's occupation but there are several other baptisms for children born to Thomas Watson (all St George, Doncaster):

Thomas, 2 Sep 1770
Thomas, 13 May 1772
William, 23 Apr 1776
Sally, 9 Feb 1777
Francis, 7 Jan 1778
Ann, 5 Apr 1778, father an innkeeper
Edwin, 26 Aug 1781, father an innkeeper, buried 15 Sep 1782
Henry, 13 Apr 1786, son of Thos and Ann, father an innkeeper
Sarah, 25 May 1787, dau of Thos and Ann, father an innkeeper

A Thomas Watson married Ann Sutcliff on 13 September 1769 at St George and up until now I've assumed these were the correct details. Then I noticed that there were 2 baptisms for children of Thomas Watson in 1778 - Francis and Ann - and were probably not twins, so am I looking at two different men??

[GenesA]

Have you seen these?

Thomas Watson married Ann Sutcliff 13th September 1769 at Doncaster St George

Thomas Watson married Mary Bennett 11th September 1771 at Doncaster St George

Thomas Bayley Watson married Sarah Olivent (?) 19th April 1784 at Doncaster by license

EDIT: I'd rule out Thomas Bayley Watson and his wife Sarah as they were married after Elizabeth's birth. But I'd definitely consider Mary Bennett as an alternative mother for Elizabeth.

[GenesA]

Also this marriage between Ann Watson and Thomas Swift  Could be the 1802 witness.

Thomas Swift married Ann Watson 25th September 1793 at Doncaster St George

[YorkshireBorn]

Well spotted GenesA! I can see now that I'm looking at the children of two Thomas Watsons.

I have looked at the Thomas Swift/Ann Watson marriage before - I considered it as a possible second marriage for Ann Sutcliff but it now looks like it could be Ann's (baptised 5 Apr 1778) marriage instead. If that is correct, then it's likely Thomas Swift the witness was the brother-in-law of the bride.

[YorkshireBorn]

Ok so working on the assumption that Ann Watson and Thomas Swift were the sister and brother-in-law of my Elizabeth Watson, I found these children baptised at St George. Looks like Ann was also known as "Nancy"...

Sarah Swift, born 30 April 1796, baptised 29 May 1796, child of Thomas Swift and Nancy Watson

Thomas Swift, born 4 Oct 1798, baptised 5 Dec 1798, child of Thomas Swift and Nancy Watson

Thomas Swift, born 16 Mar 1800, baptised 13 Apr 1800, child of Thomas Swift and Nancy Watson

[GenesA]

Sorry YorkshireBorn but I've just found a burial for Ann Swift and it puts her year of birth as 1774. So it's unlikely she was the same Ann baptised in 1778.

Name: Ann Swift
Spouse: Thomas
Burial date: 20 March 1808
Burial place: Doncaster
Age: 34
Year of birth: 1774

[YorkshireBorn]

That does throw a spanner in the works 

[YorkshireBorn]

This morning I placed an order for the 1792 will of Thomas Watson the innkeeper. I’m hoping this may name his children, Elizabeth included.

[YorkshireBorn]

The will arrived this morning and I’m very very pleased. Thomas’ will named all of his young children and Elizabeth is included! Thomas Watson was an innkeeper and he was married to Ann so I can rule out the other marriages now.