Matthew BEN(T)FORD Clewer/Windsor Berkshire

[Wilkes_ml]

I can't see any sentenced to transportation either, and the Tasmanian website doesn't have him listed as arriving!!

I am clutching at straws with the marriage - as the GRO reference numbers don't quiet tie (post #4) and the 1861 census is more circumstantial! Sarah Illsley nee Benford is born Dorchester about 1817-1818 going by 1851 census.

In 1851 census, Matthew Baldwin's wife is born 1815-1817 at Cholsey (same place as Matthew, and same place they are living).

Then in 1861, Matthew Baldwin's wife is born 1817-1818, Dorchester! (Dorchester just across border in Oxfordshire) and in addition to Matthew's children from 1851 census, there is an additional Mary, who happens to be same age as Mary Illsley (James & Sarah Illsley's daughter)
and in 1871, Matthew Baldwin's wife 1817-1818 Dorchester again!

[Wilkes_ml]

I just need to check if Matthew & Sarah Baldwin had a 4 year old Mary living elsewhere in 1851. In 1851, Matthew & Sarah had Esther (16), Ellen (11), Henry (9), William (7), Jane (6), Frank (3) and Harriet (1).

In 1861 there were children William (15), Mary (14), James (12), Harriet (11) and Matthew (8), Joseph (5), George (4), Charles (20 and Eliza (6 months)

Will look more, and try to get marriage certificate.

[Wilkes_ml]

i can account for all children in the Baldwin family - registered at Wallingford - except Mary b. 1846-1847, and James, who in 1861 census is listed as 12 - I think he is James Illsley and should be 19 if the 1851 census is correct.

If I obtain a birth certificate for one of the children born after 1852, this should confirm whether mother Sarah is nee Benford or Late Illsley etc.

[Kerrywood]

I think it's probably the right marriage for this Sarah born Dorchester. But I wonder if it is Sarah BENFORD?

ILLSLEYs are two a penny in Berkshire, but quite rare in Southwark -- is there no sign at all of them in Surrey/Middlesex in 1851?

The son James (age 9 in 1851) would have been born before the 1844 marriage, which was late-ish for Sarah if she was born 1817/18?

And where is James the husband?

It's getting late! As you say, a birth certificate would settle it.

But do please consider Mutley's suggestion re the occupation (post #10). Seems to make good sense!

[Kerrywood]

There's a baptism at St John Waterloo (Lambeth) on 16 Nov 1845 for William Charles, son of James & Sarah ILLSLEY, College Street, Labourer (born 23 Oct 1845).

[Kerrywood]

There's a baptism at St John Waterloo (Lambeth) on 16 Nov 1845 for William Charles, son of James & Sarah ILLSLEY, College Street, Labourer (born 23 Oct 1845).

Have a look in 1851 at HO107/1570 folio 8 page 8 (reference to record held by TNA). The address is College Street.

If this is the same James, he seems to have acquired a new wife. Perhaps it is Mary Ann DOUGLASS, married 3 Feb 1850, St John Waterloo (Lambeth). James was a widower and a sawyer, living in Belvedere Road, father William Illsley, Labourer.

A son James was baptised at the same church on 18 Aug 1850 (born 19 June) to James Illsley (sawyer) and Mary.

As two sons William and James are showing in 1851, this may be all the same James ILLSLEY family?

[Kerrywood]

James was a widower

Buried at St John Waterloo on 7 Jun 1846, Sarah ILLSLEY, from Vine Street, aged 34.

Deaths
Jun Qtr 1846
Ills__y Sarah
Lambeth vol 4 page 225

Is this Sarah BENFORD? Or a red herring?