William Saunders (b. ~1802, Gillinngham, Kent)

[Alan Radecki]

William Saunders (b. ~1802, Gillinngham, Kent) married Emma Davies (b. ~1839, Brompton, Kent) on Feb 17, 1862. He was a "victualler" at the Alston Ale House, she was his housekeeper (note the age difference!). He died Feb 17, 1871 and she and the three kids she had with him then emigrated to Australia (1879, Samuel Plimsoll).

I think William's parents were James Saunders and Frances Ghent, but I have no further info on them, and would love to hear from someone who had info.

Emma's parents were Thomas Davies and Lydia Rowe, but again, no further info.

 

[Alan Radecki]

Oh, should of mentioned, before William married Emma, he was married to Dorothy Jane FEATHERSTONE, and they had three children together, but I'm not related to the FEATHERSTONE line, so don't really need info on her family.

 

[Archie's Mum]

I'm not sure how much you have about Emma but her birth is, I believe 6th October 1839. Chatham, Kent. Parents Thomas and Lydia
A marriage for Thomas Davies/Davis and Lydia Rowe 15th January St Mary's Chatham
1841 census page 19 HO107. 487/45 found on Family Search
Chatham Kent
Residence Fair Row
Institution
Thomas born Kent age 25-29
Lidia born Kent age 23-27
Emma born Kent age 2

 

[Sis]

Name William Saunders
Residence Place Chatham, Kent, England
Gender Male
Christening Date 21 Feb 1802
Christening Place Chatham, Kent, England
Father's Name James Saunders
Mother's Name Frances

 

[Sis]

I have found a marriage of a James Saunders 12 April 1801. But to me Frances surname looks like Kent. See here https://www.genealogy-specialists.com/threads/surname.8535/#post-128011
To you have anything else that points to her surname being Ghent?

 

[Archie's Mum]

1851 census has them all born Rochester
Page 2 HO107 1610/260
St Margaret Kent, Medway
Residence Star Lane
Thomas is a fishmonger
Lydia 34
Emma 12
Thomas 10
George 8
Mary Ann
Household

 

[Sis]

A Frances Saunders wife of James was buried at St Mary's, Chatham, Kent in 1808. That's a bit sad!

 

[Sis]

James Saunders died 16 December 1857, he lived at Middle Street, Brompton, Chatham, Kent, probate 26th Jan 1860 to son and beer retailer William Saunders.

 

[Archie's Mum]

This could be Lydia's death
June qtr 1861 Lydia Davies Medway 2a 213
Dec qtr 1854 Thomas Davies 2a 221 Medway
And Thomas Davies age 26 1874 2a 298 Medway

 

[Sis]

From the GRO website.

SAUNDERS, JAMES Age 79 (birth year c.1778)
GRO Reference: 1857 D Quarter in MEDWAY Volume 02A Page 202

 

[Sis]

This could be James Saunders on the 1841 census. Gravesend, Kent is about 10 miles or so from Chatham.

Registration district: Gravesend
Sub-registration district: Gravesend
Piece: 460
Book: 10
Folio: 22
Page Number: 38
He is age 65 and a Pipe Maker. Not born in county

The only James that comes up for me in the 1851 census is a retired baker and born in West Brunton, Buckinghamshire, England. The age is right, but he has a wife Sarah, which is possible.
Registration district: Medway
Sub-registration district: Gillingham
ED, institution, or vessel: 1s
Household schedule number: 124
Piece: 1611
Folio: 382
Page Number: 27

That's me done for now. Have to go finish the roast dinner.

 

[Sis]

P.S. Couldn't find even a possible birth for Frances under either Ghent or Kent surname. But she could have been born out of the county.
Now I really must go roasting!

 

[Sis]

James Saunders was buried at St Mary's church Chatham, Kent 22 Dec 1857 Age given as 80.

 

[Sis]

St Mary, Chatham, Kent baptisms:

28 Oct 1804 Frances daughter of James & Frances Saunders.
4 Jan 1807 James Henry son of James & Frances

A Frances Saunders wife of James was buried at St Mary's, Chatham, Kent in 1808. That's a bit sad!

Date of burial 5 Aug 1808.

 

[annabel]

P.S. Couldn't find even a possible birth for Frances under either Ghent or Kent

How about this Fanny Kent bap 20 Dec 1779 at St Paul Deptford, Kent? I couldn't find a Ghent

 

[Sis]

Duh, I discounted that one because it said Fanny. But Fanny is another name for Frances, I knew that!

 

[Alan Radecki]

Thank you all...wow, I had no idea that so many would be so helpful! I'm starting to sort through it all, but in case it's of any interest, I received an email today with a copy of James and Frances marriage certificate (which I will attempt to attach), it says St. Margaret's Parish, Rochester...and I confess that as a Southern Californian, I am not as familiar with English geography as I probably should be.

 

[Sis]

From Wikipedia:
"Rochester is a town and historic city in the unitary authority of Medway in Kent, England. It is at the lowest bridging point of the River Medway about 30 miles (50 km) [South] from London."

It's just over a mile from Chatham Alan. If you've been trying to get on to the CityArk site that I gave you you'll find it's down. This happened a couple of weeks ago too and it took about a week for them to fix it! So just keep trying.
I see that you have a couple of extra names at the bottom of the marriage of James and Frances.

 

[Archie's Mum]

Don't feel bad about the lack of English geography. I lack the knowledge of both England and the US. Thank goodness for the internet. It usually tells me what's where. Or at least close.

 

[Sis]

St. Margaret's Parish, Rochester

I'm pretty sure you find the parish registers on CityArk.