Martin Farnell of Coton-in-the-Elms

[Aks]

I would like to find any information about the parents or siblings of Martin Farnell, the adoptive father of one of my ancestors, who I believe was born in Coton-in-the-Elms in about 1748. He married Frances Mathews in Melbourne or Lullington, Derbyshire, on 17 Mar 1805. Frances, born in Edingale in about 1771, was the mother of Phoebe Mathews, her illegitimate daughter and my ancestor. On 29 April 1789, Martin Farnell became the high sheriff of Derbyshire until 29 January 1790, which seems slightly unusual because in most cases they were appointed from January or February for about a year.

I have not so far been able to identify Martin's parents or siblings. It's been a few years since I really searched for this, and I was wondering if any useful online records, e.g. parish records, might be available now, which might have this information? I'm assuming he was born in Coton-in-the-Elms, but he might have been born in another nearby locality. I seem to remember seeing the Farnell's mentioned in places like Ashby-de-la-Zouch, possibly as bankers. Martin later declared bankruptcy. I also have his will, which indicates that he had adopted Phoebe.

Thanks,

Alan

[Ashtone]

Two snippets, one which mentions other Farnell men.

[Aks]

Thank you very much, Ashtone.

[Ashtone]

I see the 1805 marriage license image. If he was born c1748 (as you say) did he wait until he was middle-aged to marry? Or was there an earlier marriage for him?

What year did he die?

[hepburn]

There's a Martin Farnell on FreeReg born in 1792 in Ashby-de-la-Zouch : St Helen : Parish Register .

Parents Joseph and Mary.I'm not sure if he's one of yours?

[hepburn]

A death on FreeReg has a Martin Farnell burial 1809 in Ashby-de-la-Zouch : St Helen : Parish Register ...?

[Aks]

Thank you Ashtone and Hepburn. He died on 16 Dec 1815. I have not found any other marriages for him and in his will he only mentions Frances his wife and his adopted daughter Phoebe. He refers to her as "my adopted Daughter Phoebe Farnell or usually so called (a child of my said Wife before my intermarriage with her)": not sure what is meant by intermarriage as opposed to just marriage. Phoebe's baptism record states: "9 May 1796 - bapt. Phoebe spurious of Frances Mathews".

What I can't find is any record of Martin's birth or baptism, but there are some indications that he originally hailed from Ashby-de-la-Zouch: should I have posted in the Leicestershire group? Which records office would deal with Ashby-de-la-Zouch? I notice that  Ashby-de-la-Zouch is listed here for both Leicestershire and Derbyshire.

Hmm, I just found a record for a Martin Farnill born in Appleby Magna, Leicestershire, baptised on 25 September 1747, parents  Jos and Susanna. I wonder if this could be him. This seems to be about 6 or 7 miles from Ashby-de-la-Zouch. This is apparently in the Leicestershire Parish Registers, 1533-1991. If anyone has access to this record, I would be interested in seeing it.

[trish1120]

Martin has a Brother THOMAS Farnell bapt Baptism  24 January 1749 Appleby Magna
+ JOSEPH Farnill bapt same day as Martin same Parents.

+ WILLIAM Farnel 10 June 1756
+ THOMAS WAGSTAFF Farnill  15 January 1752

(1st Thomas may have died)

May be others just looked quickly on F/S.Org


Trish

[Aks]

Thank you Trish. Would the actual parish records provide more details?

It seems like Martin had a twin brother, Joseph, and several other brothers: Thomas (1749) who may have died as an infant as you suggest, Thomas Wagstaff (1752), Henry (1754) and William (1756). It seems like his parents were Joseph Farnell and Susannah Newby.

I noted in passing that Church Flatts Farm, which is less than a mile south-east of Coton-in-the-Elms, is the farthest point from the sea in Great Britain!  Also, there are so many interesting place names in this area, such as Botany Bay, Melbourne, Appleby Magna and even Ashby-de-la-Zouch seems quite quaint to me! I wonder where they all come from.