William French and Elizabeth Hext HELP!!!!

[Mamspice]

I am hoping someone out there can help me as I'm at a loss for ideas. I have a William French who married an Elizabeth Hext in Moretonhampstead, Devon in 1761. I believe they died in North Bovey in 1817 and 1818. The thing I need help with is their children! There are 17 "French" children born to William and sometimes Elizabeth too. Does anyone know how many they had? Or any other way I can find out? Thanks!

[maddys52]

Searching on FreeReg I can only find 7 children baptised at Moretonhampstead between 1762 and 1773 with father William FRENCH. Where are the other possible children that you are wondering about baptised? Is there any occupation given for the father, or abode which would link to a particular family? 

[Mamspice]

Hi, I believe there may have been some born in North Bovey from 1775 onwards. There isn't any occupation given. At a guess I'm thinking the son William, born in 1762, has the latter children but my guessing is, he also married an Elizabeth

[maddys52]

Looking on the Moretonhampsead History Society search:
http://www.moretonhampstead.org.uk

The William FRENCH buried 20 Feb 1817 was aged 79, of Rogerswell. And Elizabeth FRENCH buried 17 July 1818 aged 78, of Rogerswell.

There is a William FRENCH married Elizabeth CORNISH on 8 August 1786, so certainly some later baptisms are probably their children.

[maddys52]

Just for clarity - these are the children baptised at Moretonhampstead with father William FRENCH (from FreeReg)
10 Mar 1762  William
25 Sep 1763  Grace
03 Apr 1765  Joan
05 Nov 1766  Mary
04 Oct 1768   Elizabeth
20 Mar 1771  John
01 Aug 1773  Thomas

The following come from http://www.moretonhampstead.org.uk
20 Aug 1775   Charles    (father - William)
14 April 1778  Susannah  (this and subsequent baptisms have parents William and Elizabeth)
4 April 1780  Prudence
12 February 1782  George
9 March 1786  Robert
26 December 1786  William
23 October 1787  James
27 May 1788  Thomas 
20 July 1790  Thomas 
26 August 1792  Elizabeth 

So quite possibly all the children from William 1762 to Robert 1786 belong to William and Elizabeth nee HEX. This Elizabeth would have been around 46 years old having child Robert, not unheard of, though perhaps a little old? (I had my last child well into my 40s!) The later children most likely to William and Elizabeth nee CORNISH.

[Mamspice]

You are amazing! Thank you

[maddys52]

The original images are on findmypast (if you look quickly now they are still free to view after the free weekend, not sure for how much longer), however they don't appear to give any more detail.