Robert Offield b.1829 EXETER, Devon

[JamesDMcBust]

I’m following the line of Robert Offield born 1829 in Exeter, Devon. I believe he was married twice:- 1st marriage to Melony Hill in 1845, Exeter and 2nd to Mary Ann Dowdle  in 1867 in Barnstaple.

Robert & Melony Offield
Mary Ann b.1846, Exeter
Catherine b.1853, London
Robert b. 1855, London
William b.1860, Exeter
Henry b.1862, Exeter

Robert & Mary Ann Offield
Mellony b.1869, Barnstaple
Elizabeth b.1876, Barnstaple
Ellen b.1878, Barnstaple

I can see most of these people listed on 1861, 1871, 1881, and 1891 census’s.

I would expect to see Robert, Melony and Mary Ann together somewhere in 1851 but cannot.  Mary Ann’s birth was registered in Exeter, June qtr 1846, Vol 10 page 111. Is it possible the census is incomplete?  Suggestions welcome.

[Milliepede]

There's an 1851 census schedule - can't see the "normal" census form that has

Mary Ann Offield age 5 at Quay Lane Gdaughter

Is that where the family were living?

[Milliepede]

Also at Quay Lane are these Offield names

Robert 45 cordwainer
Mary 50 shoe binder
Addelead 19 shoe binder
William 17 porter
James 13

[DOB7]

The 1851 census for St Giles in the Fields, London, shows a Melony OFFILD age 23, Widow, born Devon, son Robert aged 4 born Exeter plus a visitor Mary HILL aged 16, born Exeter - all living at 49 Gt. Wild St.

This is very strange because she is married to Robert in 1861 and has lost a couple of years.

[JamesDMcBust]

Thanks for your comments.

Yes, Mary 50 and Robert 45 are Robert b.1829’s parents. Adelaide, William and James are Robert’s siblings.

The 1851 Gilles in the field census entry for Melody Offild is probably Robert’s wife. Robert b1847 must be their son that I’ve not seen in other census records.

Randomly I have seen a prison commission record for a Robert Ofield aged 38, sentenced 1840, pardoned in 1844. These dates fit older Robert but not Robert b.1829. But it made me wonder whether Melody and Robert were separated for a similar reason - Melody is on her own with son Robert but her daughter goes to stay with Robert’s family? Perhaps she called herself widowed to protect her reputation?

This family has been quite hard to follow as there are four generation of Robert Offields, two of whom have two marriages!

[andrea54]

Thankyou for this info. Robert & Melony we’re my 2nd great grandparents