Caroline TERRY was baptised on 10th June 1821 in Worth, Sussex to parents Thomas and Mary. The 1841 census has her with her parents and 3 brothers living at Parkfield, Worth, Sussex, where Thomas is aged 55 and a Farmer. (Piece 1111, book 14, folio 9, page 10.) Caroline married Thomas RIGGLESFORD on 23 Jan 1843 at the Church of St. Lawrence, Hawkhurst. On her marriage certificate she states that her father is deceased. Now, I know that 100% accuracy in the details given by our ancestors is not always there, but the 1851 census has no trace of Thomas. In 1851, Caroline’s brother James is a Farmer at Park Farm, Worth, East Grinstead, Sussex, which I reckon is the same place as in 1841. This gives some credence to the fact that Thomas has died and James has taken over the farm. There is a death for a Thomas TERRY in East Grinstead RD for the March quarter of 1850, which might be him but I am not convinced. This chap is aged 71, which means that he would have a birth year of about 1779. In 1841, my Thomas was aged 55, giving a birth year of between 1782 and 1786, which might be a bit of a stretch. I have also to nail down Thomas’ wife Mary. I have no information about her either other than what is in the 1841 census. What was her maiden name? I have not found a suitable marriage for her and Thomas. She was born in Sussex but the 1841 census says that he was not. The parish of Worth is right on the border with Surrey, which is not at all helpful. All help gratefully received.
Ooh 'eck! I have just found a thread that I posted in 2014 here. Maybe I need to explore the Joseph angle...
Thomas Terry of Worth left a will in 1850 - I haven't read it, but I'm sure you have access to PCC wills
Thanks Terry. That's looking better. He would have been born 1780/81, which fits more with the 1841 census.
I will throw this into the mix. There is a marriage of Thomas Terrey to Mary Revett (on FS) Prevett (on Anc - image available) 15/7/1804 at Limpsfield St Peter Surrey. Both are OTP. Limpsfield to Worth is 13 1/2 miles on current roads. There is a baptism of Mary Provott 4/7/1783 (transcription only) at East Grinstead d/o Thomas and Hannah Worth to East Grinstead 3.7 miles on current roads.
What adds some weight to this is that there is a baptism for a Sarah TERREY on 4th November 1804 in Limpsfield to parents Thomas and Mary and then they disappear. So that could well be them reappearing in Worth with the baptism of another child, Jane, in 1808. Also, the 1841 census says that Mary was born in the county whereas Thomas was not. I think that I shall have this as a definite maybe.... Thank you!
Thomas TERRY's death certificate arrived yesterday. However, it has his occupation as a Higgler - in other words, a Peddler of goods. Methinks that does not fit with Farmer as in the 1841 census or the will.... I think that I shall ignore this line for a while and come back to it when I can drag myself down to the Sussex Archives!