Matthew BEN(T)FORD Clewer/Windsor Berkshire

[Wilkes_ml]

Hi,

I have the marriage certificate of Matthew Bentford to Elizabeth Ann Young in 1860. They married at Clewer, Berkshire. Matthew is aged 26, a laborer and the son of Matthew Bentford - also a laborer. I have the couple from 1861 census through to 1901 census - there surname is usually Benford - and Matthew consistently says he was born Windsor, Berkshire, his age is also consistant - giving a year of birth of 1832-1834

I have searched 3 sites to try to locate Matthew in the 1851 and 1841 census. I was hoping to find him as a child in 1841 census to confirm his parents

I suspect he is the brother of my ancestor Elizabeth Benford (c. 1821 Clewer, daughter of Matthew Benford laborer and Sarah) who I also can't find in 1841!

Maybe they were orphaned between 1834 and 1841 and in an institute. I have found a Martha Benford aged 70 in what appears to be an institute at Clewer Fields in 1841. Also a 10 year old Emma Benford and 10 year old Martha Benford - who I think could be related.

Would be very grateful if anyone can find Matthew or Elizabeth

Thanks

[Kerrywood]

In case it helps, the Berkshire Marriage Index has a marriage of Matthew BENTFORD and Catherine MACDONNELL at New Windsor on 9 Feb 1824, by licence (queried).

Kerrywood

[Kerrywood]

In 1841, on the same page as your Emma BENFORD and two Martha BENFORDs in Clewer Fields there is a Catherine MCDONALD age 40. Coincidence?

Kerrywood

[Wilkes_ml]

Hi again - It's a while since I looked at this family, so I am going through all my info again.

I must have overlooked your last reply Kerrywood - so a belated thanks! It may be possible that Catherine McDonald is the same - it looks as though she is Irish from the 1841 census, if she had been Scottish, then I may have been more excited, as Scottish women usually kept their maiden surnames. I will have to see if I can get hold of the Berkshire marriage Licences, and also try to look at the original marriage register for the 1824 marriage.

Secondly, how likely is it that the 70 year old "Martha Benford" and the 10 year old "Martha Benford" were actually Matthew Benfords?? If Catherine was giving out information in an Irish accent, could Matthew have sounded like Martha? I can't find any trace of either Martha Benfords after the 1841 census.

I also found a Matthew Benford mis-transcribed as Martha in another census!

And finally, another potential sibling :

I found a marriage of Sarah Benford, d. of Matthew Benford marrying James Illsley at St. Saviour Southwark on 27th October 1844.

In 1851 Sarah Illesley (age 33, born Dorchester, Oxfordshire), with three children James (age 9, b. Cholsey, Berkshire), Thomas? (age 7, born Hitchin Hill, Kent) and Mary (age 4, born Cholsey, Berkshire) at Wallingford Workhouse.

Sarah's listed as a T????? wife - can anyone please help read the word? Ref: HO107/1690 Folio 293 Pg 3

I believe that Sarah may have re-married to Matthew Baldwin (who's first wife Sarah may have died Dec Q 1851 Wallingford Reg. 6 171)

There is a marriage registered for Matthew Baldwin in Sep Q. 1852 Wallingford 2c 489 and a marriage for Sarah Illsley Sep Q 1852 Wallingford 2c 491 - there seems to be a discrepancy between numbers, but online index has 5 people on pg 491 and only one on pg 489!!

Maybe coincidentally, in 1851, Matthew and first wife Sarah are living at Cholsey, Berkshire - Next door to a Sarah Benford a widow age 77 born Cholsey.

I maybe just running around in circles here - so thanks to anyone who has managed to wade through this muddle!!

[Mutley]

Sarah's listed as a T????? wife - can anyone please help read the word? Ref: HO107/1690 Folio 293 Pg 3

It is hard to read. They all seemed to be Ag Labs or similar. He was a Labourer at his marriage. There is a Harness Maker on the previous page and it looks similar to that. Though it does look like it starts with a 'T', Tree Cutter???

[Mutley]

It is also possible that James was in Granby Place, Southwark in the 1841.
Possible parents are William and Ann, not born in County. Both James and William were carmen but back then it would have been horse and cart drivers so still ties in a bit with labourers.

HO107/1061; Book, 3, ED7, F8, P9 (Copyright TNA)

[Kerrywood]

Sarah's listed as a T????? wife - can anyone please help read the word? Ref: HO107/1690 Folio 293 Pg 3

Looks like Transport... Wife, and below Transport ... Son, ... Daughter

I wonder if it's meant to be Transportee's Wife? That might explain why they're in the workhouse back in Berkshire, and perhaps why Sarah may have remarried shortly afterwards?

Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but it probably wouldn't hurt to check the Criminal Registers ...

[Wilkes_ml]

I did wonder that myself -as I couldn't find a death for James Illsley. But then would she have been able to marry so soon? Unless she had heard that he died, but I think that unlikely.

there is a James Illsley sentenced to 6 months imprisonment in Oct 1849

[Kerrywood]

there is a James Illsley sentenced to 6 months imprisonment in Oct 1849

But I can't see one sentenced to transportation between 1844 and 1851.

would she have been able to marry so soon? Unless she had heard that he died, but I think that unlikely.

Perhaps the 1852 marriage is not your Sarah? Does the 1861 BALDWIN census match up? I haven't looked ...

[Mutley]

If the James and William in 1841 in Southwark are yours and were carmen
could she have been a Transporter's wife. Transporter of goods = carman?

Just an idle thought.