Anthony Reeve in Norfolk - cannot find his birth "abt 1769"

[AmandaC9134]

Hi,
I can find Anthony Reeve's Marriage in 12 Oct 1796 in Lynn St Peter, Norfolk, England.
I can find his death age 67 in East Bradenham, Norfolk, that states his birth date as "abt 1769".
I am looking for his birth record around 1769 give or take 2 years and cannot find it.  Tried in Norfolk and then took the location off to search across the country.  Going up to 5 years out brings record that look obviously wrong.
What I am doing wrong/missing?
I would be extremely grateful for any pointers or help.
Many thanks

[KGarrad]

There won't be a Birth record?

Best you can hope for is a Baptism record.

[AmandaC9134]

Hi KGarrad
Thanks for your reply.   Apologies, I meant that these are the baptism records I am finding.  Is there a way to confirm which is correct?
Many thanks

[coombs]

Hi, I take it you have seen the names of the witnesses to his 1796 marriage?

Having just looked myself (while typing this post) on FreeREG, a Robert Reeve was a witness as was John Bayley. This is a good lead as he was likely a relative, although you may have already seen the witnesses to the marriage.

So he died about 1836 then, so before any census records, but the 1841 census would just give whether born in county or not.

I see Anthony and Phyllis Reeve witnessed the wedding of John Eagle to Lydia Balls in 1830 in East Bradenham. And Anthony and Phyllis witnessed the Ovington wedding in 1835 of Susannah Reeve to William Pye.

[AmandaC9134]

Hi coombs, thank you so much for your reply.

No I had not seen the witnesses to his marriage.  I didn't know how to do that. 
I have just gone back to the Ancestry Marriages and Banns record and I can see where you've found the witnesses, under the bit "in the presence of" (looks like it says 'preference of').   
Wow isn't the handwriting hard to read?  I can only interpret those two names because you've told me what they are.
 
Thank you for pointing out that looking at witnesses to weddings will help find the right people.

Noticing that you were using FREEREG, which I've never heard of, I've been to the FREEREG and I have learnt that you can search on names as being witnesses to weddings.  I have just pulled up the results you have.

Applying this may well help me with all the places that I am stuck in the 1700s of my tree.

Thank you so much, I am massively grateful :-)

[AmandaC9134]

Many thanks.

[amondg]

Just a note.
When Anthony Reeve married Phillis Breason 12 October 1796 the next entry in the register is

James Breason marrying Martha Hammond  30 December 1797. Gabriel Wiles is a witness, so is John Bayley.
John Bayley signs several entries so may be the parish clerk.

[amondg]

Age is out by 10 years, however

Antony Reve bap. 4 July 1756 son of Robert and Elizabeth at Thompson Norfolk.

spelling as in register.

He does name children Robert and Elizabeth!! common names though.

ADDED
You may be able to find out more about Robert Reeve, articles in the Norfolk Chronicle 1805, house, stables, barn 55 acres in Thompson presently occupied by Robert Reeve.   
Arable pasture occupied by Samuel Reeve.

[coombs]

Thompson is a few miles south of East Bradenham so the 1756 baptism looks promising even if it is several years out to the age at death of Anthony Reeve. As we know, people were more casual about their ages back then, perhaps the death in 1836 meant to say he was 77 but was written down as 67. But that witness to his 1796 wedding is a head start. If the 1756 baptism is right he was 40 when he wed.

I see Anthony and Phyllis had children called Breason and Phyllis Reeve but these are from Phyllis' side.