Caroline was born some time between 1824 and 1829, but where is an unknown. She married Thomas RIGGLESFORD in 1843, giving her father’s name as Thomas. After Thomas’ death, she married Henry BRANN and died in 1884. According to the various censuses, she was born in Hawkhurst, Kent (1851 census: HO 107, piece 1619, folio 169, page 13) Bodiam, Sussex (1861 census: RG 9, piece 508, folio 135, page 8) Mayfield, Sussex (1871 census: RG 10, piece 952, folio 53, page 23) Mayfield, Sussex (1881 census: RG11, piece 941, folio 119, page 14) I am unable to find her baptism. Are you able to help, please?
I do not see a baptism but could this be Caroline in 1841 HO107 piece1111 book14 folio9 page 10 - Parkfield, Worth, Grinstead, E Sussex Thomas Terry 1786 Warwickshire - farmer Mary Terry 1786 Sussex Thomas 1821 Sussex Caroline 1821 Sussex James 1826 Sussex William Webb 1828 Warwickshire If so it looks like Sussex could be the place to search forthe bap
There's a baptism on family search: Caroline Terry bap. 13/11/1830, Westhampnett, Sussex - mother Mary. Don't know this area at all so could be totally wrong
Thanks for suggesting this. However, Westhampnett is over 50 miles from Mayfield whereas Hawkhurst and Bodiam are about 10, so not sure that this is the right one. But thanks for looking.
Thanks, I had tentatively earmarked this as the family in 1841. Just need a bit more confirmation such as the baptism to make sure.
There is a very comprehensive family tree on Anc. which gives different parents. Richard Terry and Ann Gilbert. Do both marriage certificates give Thomas as her father? I wish I could be more help with parish records. I could manage a trip to Sussex R.O. if you can narrow it down.
Now, there's a question! I have just rootled through my records and realise that I do not have Caroline's second marriage certificate (Henry BRAGG). Will order it and get back to you when received. Her first one definitely names Thomas as her father but, on looking at it again, I see that he is recorded as deceased - and I have no death date or certificate for him..... hmmmmm.... Many thanks.
Aren't Hawkhurst Baptisms 1550-1853 on FMP. I don't have a sub. Caroline and her first husband Thomas Rigglesford are living in Hawkhurst in 1859 Residence given as Netters Hall, Beneden. Their son George's birth certificate is online. Just a thought.
Thanks, Amle. I have George's baptism date. It is his sister Mary who is my direct ancestor and Caroline is my great, great, great Grandmother.
On the Sussex Online Parish Clerk site, in their baptisms index http://www. sussex-opc.org/index.php?p=368&n=terry&t=baptism&i=0&page=4 you will find the baptism of Caroline Terry bapt. 10th June 1821, so, presumably the one from the 1841 census found by MollyMay Ann
That is certainly encouraging, Ann. It has the father as being Thomas (I have sent for Caroline's second marriage certificate) and it would not surprise me if the age was somewhat out - earlier than noted in the censuses - as her age did seem to vary every time that I looked at her!
Oh for goodness' sake! The marriage certificate has now arrived for Caroline's second marriage, that to Henry BRANN in 1881. She has stated that her father was Joseph TERRY (deceased) and not Thomas, as is recorded on her marriage certificate to Thomas RIGGLESFORD. Tuh! Now, Henry's father is recorded as being Thomas BRANN (deceased) so the possibilities are: Thomas and Joseph on this marriage certificate were swapped over in error. The original minister for the RIGGLESFORD marriage misheard and thought that she said Thomas instead of Joseph (fat chance!) She did not have a clue as to who her father was. I am now on the hunt for a Joseph TERRY - death/census/named father at a baptism etc to see if I can tie it all together. Please feel free to join in.
Thomas was a labourer and Joseph has no occupation listed. Both he and Henry's father have 'deceased' in the occupation column. I suppose that as it was a later in life marriage for both Henry and Caroline (they had both been widowed) it was probably deemed unimportant. Bride and groom were both of 'full age', so no help there either.
Just a thought, could the father's christian names (on either certificate, have been transposed - ie was Thos Rigglesworth's father a Joseph or Henry Brann's father a Thomas)?
That was my first thought as Henry's father was Thomas. Just to confuse things further, Thomas RIGGLESFORD's father was Henry! So we have: 1843 marriage: Caroline TERRY - father Thomas TERRY (deceased) Thomas RIGGLESFORD - father Henry RIGGLESFORD (NB this father is correct) 1881 marriage: Caroline RIGGLESFORD - father Joseph TERRY (deceased) Henry BRANN - father Thomas BRANN (deceased) I must admit that I am suspicious as she has said that her father was deceased on both marriage certificates - no matter who they are.
Well Henry's father was Thomas (Henry - bap 16/6/1822 Wittersham s/o Thomas and Ann), so that theory goes out of the window! Will think more whilst I cook dinner.
Well I have pondered, and looked for a Caroline d/o Joseph and found nothing. No likely Joseph on the 1841. Checked Sussex OPC for a burial of Joseph - there is only one 5/8/1822 in East Grinstead. I am now thinking the Caroline in Amle's post #8 is most likely to be your girl, which does not help finding out who her parents were. One last thought for now, had the vicar at the second marriage made notes and written up the register later could he have put Thos and read it as Jos - pure supposition.
