I have a very nice John Davis, baptised High Halden Kent, 22 October 1822, son of George and Mary Ann. I have him marrying Ann Day in 1856, Biddenden, Kent. Then they are in the 1861 RG9, 513,53,25 he is a master wheelwright Great Chart, Kent Again 1871 RG10, 959, 113, 21 I can track him and his wife all the way through to his death in 1909. What I cannot do is trace him in either 1841 or 1851. I have found Ann in 1841 living with her family. I did wonder whether he had gone off somewhere to be an apprentice wheelwright but no luck finding him so far. I have his probate record, and from 1861 right through to when he died he lived in (Great) Chart in The Street, so was fairly consistent. They seem a lovely family and Id like to tie off the loose ends if possible.
If it is any help his bap. and that of his siblings, George, Mary Ann, James Woodgate, and Woodgate are all on FMP with images. George was a shoemaker
Ta but got them. Mary Ann Woddgate was his mama. I just cant find himbefore his marriage. Bonkers his marriage says they were resident at Biddenden at the time of marriage.
I looked at his family in 1841 and 1851 - just in case. The closest I can find is an Owen Davies married to an Ann, in Woolwich in 1851 (living with Ann's brother John and his family). He was a journeyman carpenter, born Rochester Kent. Ann was born 1806, so maybe died and John/Owen came back home and married again.
There’s a John Davis, aged 18, living at Acol with a Thomas and Sarah Coleman. He is a carpenter. Also in the house is a Mary Davis, aged 22 and described as Ind. HO107/470/25/6/6 Any use? I think it may be a bit of a distance from his ‘home’ but maybe he was learning his trade?
A good possiblity Ann, it is not that far away in the schme of things. After out long discussion the other day he might have started life as a carpenter.
I do hope you find your man in 1841+ 1851 SueB., it may help me to find my fellow fron Cranbrook,-he married my Gt.Gt. Aunt in 1950 at Headcorn. Have never managed to positively link him on records with his Father & family https://genealogy-specialists.com/threads/missing-beginnings-for-a-blacksmith.4357/#post-57376
In the absence of any other sighting of John in 1851 I will throw this into the mix RG09/1607/155/9 both Anc and FMP have the surname as Tobey, I am not sure but is certainly isn't Davis, but he is a 30 year old wheelwright, and lodging with the Mannings in East Wickham. FMP have his pob as Kent and made no attempt to transcribe the place name Anc. have it as Hadlow, but I cannot see that. I am not convinced, but can find nothing more likely.
In my recent transcribing efforts I have seen many a 'd' lacking a formed upright stem, and looking rather like an 'a', or an 'r', or an 's'. Experience often helps in telling a Hardy from a Harry. Often without additional knowledge there is no way to tell for sure
Sue, muchas apologies, I thought I hsd replied to this properly. Cant be my chap as I found John Tebay a wheelwright in 1841 in Tonbridge, Kent. Same chap I think.
