CHARLES CLEMENTS (tailor) b. EXETER 1808

[Serena]

According to census returns 1851-1881, my 2 x great grandfather, Charles Clements was born in Exeter about 1808. He married Ann Evins in Alderton, Gloucestershire in 1826. Charles spent his entire adult life in Gloucestershire/Worcestershire. Both Charles & Ann died in Tewkesbury. I can find no further information about Charles' Exeter origin. Charles was a tailor. Please can anyone help?

[birdlip]

Hello Serena,

I've found a Charles CLEMINS, "Taylor" wife Ann and six chn in Beckford, Thornbury, Gloucestershire in 1841. He's 30, Ann 35, so his dob is a bit out, but thats often the case in the 41 census. The only snag is he's listed as born in the county, although that could be the enumerators error, the first five of his chn are NOT b in the county, only Julia, 1.

I've just noticed William, the eldest at 14 is about right for a marriage in 1826.
Is this your Charles, do you think?

regards, birdlip

[Serena]

Hello Birdlip,

Thank you for your reply. Yes this is the same Charles & I have seen this entry before. It is contrary to that given in 1851-1881 & experienced researchers say that it is likely to be incorrect because it is a one-off.

I have very full information about Charles' adult life, children etc. It is well-documented. The couples' eldest children (inc. my great grandfather, also Charles) were born in Overbury & Sedgeberrow, both places in Worcestershire. Charles & Ann lived for many years in Beckford & had more children there. Beckford is now in Worcestershire, but was then in Gloucestershire.

Despite 2 visits to Devon Record Office, I have failed to confirm Charles' Exeter birth. I have also looked for evidence of a Gloucestershire or Worcestershire birth as per 1841, but have failed to find anything.

Thanks for your interest & good luck with your research.

Regards,

Serena

[DOB7]

One thing that stands out is if he married in 1826, he was only 18 by your calculations. Have you looked at the actual marriage entry? Is his age quoted there? A licence would have been needed for someone under 21. Typical marriage entries for 1826 were:
Parish Registers, Birstall Marriages, 1826.
"May 14th: Joseph Sykes of Birstall and Betty Yates of Birstall, both of this Parish were married by Banns. Witnesses Jos. Shaw and James Walker."
or:
"Brixton Parish Register:
George Squance, Miller of this Parish and Rebecca West, spinster of this parish, were married in this Church by banns this twentieth Day of January in the year One Thousand eight Hundred and fifteen, By me Richard Lane, Curate of Brixton.
This marriage was solemnized between us George Squance (sig) and Rebecca West 'X' her mark, in the Presence of Joseph West 'X' his mark and William Scoble."

[birdlip]

Hello Serena,

sorry, did you mean yes, it is the right Charles, and experts just think his place of birth is incorrect, because its a one-off? Thats what I assumed.

I had a look through the Exeter churches on Batch numbers this evening, just to see if I could find possibilities for his parents and siblings. (This was of course before I read your post about going to the record office already twice!) I couldn't believe how MANY there were, churches I mean, not Clements families. I rather liked the patriotic couple who named their child Royal George Clements! I did notice though, that there were only about four Clements couples having children in Charles's time frame. Eeny meeny, miney, mo!

The only other thing I can suggest, and I'm sure you've thought of this, but did Charles have apprenticeship papers?

All very frustrating Serena, sorry I couldn't be of more help.
regards, birdlip

[Serena]

Hello Birdlip,

Thank you for your reply and for taking the trouble to look at Exeter. It's a big job. There are about 25 or so parishes within the city walls!

Yes, I'm sure that the 1841 entry is my Charles. All the details match (except birthdate). Yes, your assumption is correct. Experts have assured me that 1851-1881 are more likely to be correct because the information is consistent.

Unfortunately, few apprenticeship records survive for Exeter. We found nothing there.

Perhaps I will never find the answer, but I will keep trying. The good news is I have a lot of information about Charles' adult life, including his death certificate and an entry in the Post Office Directory for Gloucestershire, Bath & Bristol 1856.

Thanks again.

Regards,

Serena

[Serena]

Hello DOB7,

Thank you for your reply.

Yes, I have a copy of the marriage entry (Alderton PRs). This does not give an age for bride or groom. The information about birthdate comes from census returns only. If this is correct, then Charles would indeed have been 18 at the time of his marriage. In the absence of baptismal information, which is what I need, I am unable to verify his age. There is no mention of parental consent to the marriage. This would have been required (not a licence) had Charles declared himself to be under 21. The evidence is somewhat confusing. I can only quote what I have found.

Despite 2 visits to Devon Record Office I have found no christening record. This is a long search, as there are 25 or so parishes within the walls of Exeter and many others clustered around. I sincerely hope someone may be able to 'throw some light'.

Regards,

Serena

[DOB7]

Actually at that time a special license was required for an under-age marriage - might be worth pursuing. I also checked the A2A site for wills and found:
Reference: 1078/IRW/C/637
Creation dates: 1827

Scope and Content
William Clements of Exeter, Devon

Reference: 1078/IRW/C/627
Creation dates: 1828

Scope and Content
Sarah Clement of Exeter, Devon

Reference: 1078/IRW/C/624
Creation dates: 1837

Scope and Content
Mary Clement of Exeter, Devon

You can buy copies of these from the Devon Record Office for £1.50 each - might be worth it to see if he was mentioned in any of them.

[Serena]

Thanks for that information. I will check it out.

Regards,

Serena