Henry BEST (1835-1909) - a sawyer, Wareham, Dorset

[ellenmaggie]

Hello,

I am researching Henry Best (1835-1909) my friend's 2GGF.   He is the son of Henry and Jane Best and I have all the relevant censuses.  There is a baptismal record for Henry Best, son of Jane Oates of the parish of St Martins on 22 October 1835.   I have found a record of banns for Henery Best and Jane Watts both of St Martins in October 1836 - so believe Jane Oates to be Jane Watts.   The fact that Henry (1835-1909) had a son William Henry Watts Best born in 1857 leads me to think that Jane Oates is in fact Jane Watts, the daughter of John and Sarah Watts baptised in St Martins in 1811.  The name Watts seems to be to much of a coincidence.

There is one other mystery in Henry's family - he has a brother William on the censuses, born about 1832 in Stoke, Dorset.   So William was born four years before his father Henry's marriage.  So far I haven't been able to find him on a census after 1851, so have not been able to find any other information about him apart from a prison record from 1857 that records William Best aged 25 receiving a sentence of two months for stealing a shovel....thereafter the trail goes cold.    Can anyone help?

Ellenmaggie

[CaroleW]

Are you assuming that Henry was William’s father.  Was Henry shown as a widower on the 1836 marriage? 

[ellenmaggie]

Hi Carole,

It is an assumption as William is shown as son on the 1851 census to Henry 40 and Jane 38 and is working as a sawyer (as is Henry - a possible father and son team).  On the 1841 Census he is just 9 years old under the names of Henry and Jane.    The banns for Henry and Jane's marriage doesn't show whether he was widowed but he would appear to have been 27 years old at the time of his marriage.

Ellenmaggie

[CaroleW]

I wonder if he was Jane’s illegitimate son.  Looking at the children born to the marriage Jane’s maiden name varies

George 1839 - Oats
Fanny born 1841 died March 1842 - Oats
Fanny b Dec 1842 - Oats
Joseph 1845 - Oak
Matilda 1847 - Watts
Emily 1849 - Watts

[wilcoxon]

Banns on Anc..

Henry Best
Marriage Date:21 May 1837
Marriage Place:Morden, Dorset, England
Spouse:Jane Oats

[wilcoxon]

Just found the marriage entry

Henry Best full age sawyer residence Morden father Samuel Best sawyer

Marriage Date:11 Sep 1837
Marriage Place Morden

Jane Oats spinster of Morden father John Oats labourer.

Hope this helps

[wilcoxon]

Not sure if this helps or not.. but here goes. No occupation entered  for Samuel.

Name:Henry Best

Birth Date:3 Jan 1809
Baptism Date:20 Mar 1809
Baptism Place:Wareham, Dorset, England
Denomination:Independent
Father:Samuel Best
Mother:Mary Best

[ellenmaggie]

Thank you both!

This is really helpful.  So it would appear Jane Watts and Oats are very likely the same person.   

Ellenmaggie