Caroline Key

[Neale1961]

Trying to pin down the children of John and Elizabeth Key

•   Sarah baptised 9 Dec 1821 in Wrenbury to John and Elizabeth; died 1844 Astbury (age 22)
•   Thomas born abt 1823 – no baptism found; died 1842 Astbury (age 19)
•   George baptised 23 July 1827 in Astbury to John and Elizabeth. Death? before the 1841 census?
•   Emma born 1828 – no baptism found; died 1849 Astbury (age 21)
•   Caroline born abt 1832 – no baptism found
•   Jemima born abt 1835 – no baptism found

[fjyod]

In 1861 she is shown as Bayley b Sprose Green

Can anyone tell me where Sprose Green is, please?

I believe that it is supposed to be Sproston Green, a community west of Middlewich, or at least in the general area of Sandbach

[Neale1961]

There is also this baptism
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FQTM-WHC

After more searching, it is possible that this is the correct baptism, to a single mother named Mary Key, and the baby was taken in by a relative to look after.
I think it would be worth exploring that possibility.

[Neale1961]

As a note to the above, there is Mary Ann Key born 1811 to John and Elizabeth Key, who died age 24, on 1st April 1835 in Congleton. Did she die in child birth?.

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F3GT-VX8

If she is the mother to Caroline and Jemima, then those 2 girls may well be the grandchildren of Elizabeth Key.

[fjyod]

Thanks Neale1961! My tree matched with a relative, they claim that John Key's wife was named Elizabeth Simpson, but there are no records cited. Perhaps if you're correct, and Jemima and Caroline are the grandchildren, maybe John Key had a sister named Mary Key? My bad, just editing this now after I read the names wrong for Mary Ann's parents - I think it is very plausible that Elizabeth was the grandmother through Mary Ann, not a relative or sibling of John, my bad

[Neale1961]

Bapt for Mary Key
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N1DZ-P4F

I am now thinking that Mary Key, mother of Caroline, is the daughter of John and Elizabeth.

[fjyod]

If this is the case, then John Key and Elizabeth would have gotten married before or around 1812? And I assume Caroline's father was not present at the baptism? How unfortunate if that's what happened

[Neale1961]

If this is the case, then John Key and Elizabeth would have gotten married before or around 1812?

A year earlier, maybe.
Another child, Elizabeth
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N4GD-YVC
And a son John
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N4GD-1L9

[Neale1961]

From his age at death, John Key was born 1789; and the 1841 census gives both his and Elizabeth’s age at about 50; so they would have been marrying age about 1810 - 1811.