No Father For William

[antiquesam]

I found the parish baptism register for Germoe, Cornwall, on FamilySearch, for William Richards on the 11th February 1776.
All the other listings show both parents, but poor William is shown as "son of Elizabeth Richards". This makes me wonder whether his father had died before his birth. I'm fairly sure his parents were Thomas Richards and Elizabeth Harry. I've found nothing on Thomas other than his marriage record.
Any help would be very welcome as I've made it my 5th g/grandfather and would like to go further.





















i 

[Pennines]

I suspect he may have been illegitimate. If the father had died prior to the birth of William - I would have thought the father would be named but his entry annotated 'deceased'.

[antiquesam]

That was my first thought but there is a marriage record from the same parish of Elizabeth Harry marrying Thomas Richards three years before the birth. This makes me think he could be their offspring. Germoe is a very small parish and it would be quite a coincidence.

[rosie99]

Have you checked Germoe registers on CornwallOPC - there is a baptism for an Elizabeth Richards in 1759 with parents Peter & Elizabeth, could she have been his mother

[antiquesam]

No I hadn't. Thank you. One step forward two back.

[jomcd967]

Children baptised to a Thomas & Elizabeth Richards in Germoe, so not a widow of Thomas..
Elizabeth 1773
Mary 1775
Catherine 1780

But, there is a possible sibling for William…
Elizabeth Richards, baptised 22 Jan 1775, Germoe, d/o Elizabeth Richards.

And also Robert, baptised 28 Sept 1781

Jo 

[jomcd967]

And James, baptised 1 Dec 1782, Germoe, s/o Elizabeth Richards

[antiquesam]

Well, it seems I'll not find a father for him then. That's the second person in that line that has managed to produce a sizable brood without benefit of a husband. Thank you all for your help.