the family of John DOWNES, Watchmaker of St James, Clerkenwell 1770-1795

[mckha489]

The will of John DOWNES, a widower,  watchmaker of St James Street, Clerkenwell, written 10 July 1817, proved in 1828 names children

John DOWNES, Thos. Will DOWNES, Mary Ann DOWNES, Ann Hepzibah DOWNES and Elizth. DAVIES.  (I attach her name just incase I am wrong about that).


I have found baptisms for all except Elizabeth, and I also cannot see a marriage to Mr Davies for her.   
Dates for the others  (with parents John and Elizabeth) are

John 10 May 1778.   (St Martin in the Fields).    Although, I am not happy about the location.
Joseph 21 Nov 1784 (St James, Clerkenwell)
Thomas William 11 Nat 1786 (St James. Clerkenwell)
Mary Ann 14 Aug 1791 (St James Clerkenwell)
Ann Hephzibah 14 June 1795 (St James Clerkenwell)


I THINK the parents are  the marriage of Elizabeth WILDBORE and John DOWNES.  28 December 1769 at St James Clerkenwell.   Elizabeth is 13 years or older. Married with approval of her father.  Tobias.
And she is, I think the burial at Spa Fields on 23 Nov 1795

So - She might not have been mature enough to have children very early in the marriage, but I think there should be some before the 1778 baptism of John (whose birth date is on the register as 21 April 1778 assuming he is theirs).  So I assume Elizabeth falls in there somewhere.

Anyway, can anyone see Elizabeth’s baptism and her marriage, and another contender for John.   

Many thanks

[Lily M]

There’s a marriage:  22/01/1804  St.Johns, Hackney

Charles Davies mar. Elizabeth Downes

One of the witnesses is John Downes.  I haven’t checked that signature against the will.

[Lily M]

Looking closer, I think the other witness is John Downes jnr.

On the Land Tax Register, I can’t see John Downes in Clerkenwell before 1781

[mckha489]

Thank you for that Lily. Did you find it by putting Elizabeth Downes and Davies in the search boxes?  I ve done that so many times over the last few days.  Or did you have another neat trick 😀

[mckha489]

From that a daughter Mary Ann Davies married Edward Pyefinch and John Downes junior was a witness so that’s good, and so Elizabeth Davies can be found with the Pyefinches in 1851 born about 1779

[Lily M]

No clever tricks.  Just Davies with spouse Elizabeth Downes. London area. 1807+/- 10 years.   
One day this method works, and the next day it doesn’t!

[Lily M]

This is 5 years out from the census age, but there are St.James, Clerkenwell
baptisms with parents John and Elizabeth Downes:

Elizabeth bap. 2/1/1774  and John bap. 31/10/1779

[mckha489]

This is 5 years out from the census age, but there are St.James, Clerkenwell
baptisms with parents John and Elizabeth Downes:

Elizabeth bap. 2/1/1774  and John bap. 31/10/1779

Much better. Thank you.  Am feeling very dumb.