James Brownfield River Pilot and busy father.

[Sandra Parker]

James Brownfield (1823-1897) married Sarah James in 1844, all in Greenwich or Gravesend, Kent. They had at least 14 children, the youngest born in 1867. I have verified details for all this.
I have census details for James and family from 1861-1891, all showing James as a river pilot. His family were all associated with shipping and the navy.
However, James is 'lost' in 1871. I have his wife and daughter in 1871 at 3 Norfolk Villas, Milton, Gravesend, Kent. Sarah is is not shown as head of family but shown as wife, her occupation being river pilots wife and daughter as river pilot's daughter. He's back home in 1881 and 1891 at 58 Parrock Street, Milton, Gravesend, Kent.
Where was he in 1871? Obviously 'piloting' somewhere. Any ideas?
Sandra who spectacled aura is no help at all.

[janbooth]

Strange, he looks as if he is shown as a Widower living at 58 Parrick Street, Milton, Kent in the 1871 census:

RG10/891, folio 33, page 8

James BROWNFIELD Head Widr 47 Pilot Kent Greenwich
Alice do Daur Unm 23 None do do
Clarissa do do do 16 Drapers Apr do Milton
Matthew do Son 14 None do do
Harry do Son 9 do do do
Florence do Daur 5 do do do
Edith do Daur 3 do do do
Harris CHERRY Servant Unm 18 Servant do Ash

Census records copyright held by TNA


Janet

[Sandra Parker]

Oh, that'll teach me to take quantam leaps!!! 1881 and 1891 NEW wife - duh!! (see I do keep up with modern terminology!)
Many thanks
Sandra whose spectacled aura should have reminded her to double check first!

[Peter Goodey]

Here are "verified details" of his second marriage

http://cityark.medway.gov.uk/query/r...l/00000353.jpg

[Wilkes_ml]

Ah.. Peter just beat me to it!!

James Brownfield's first marriage to Sarah James was on 8th August 1844, by licence at St. Peter parish church of Stepney. residence was Greenwich. father was James Brownfield, also a Pilot. Sarah's residence was St. Peter, Stepney daughter of William James, a gentleman.

edited to add witnesses: James Jones & Hannah Jones

[Sandra Parker]

Thank you Peter and Michelle. And he went on to have 2 more children as well. 14, possibly 15, in 23 years with Sarah,and 2 in 2 years with Sophia.
River pilots obviously got home a lot more frequently than their sea-going counterparts!

Sandra, whose spectacled aura needs to remind me to check the entries more clearly in the first place.

[janbooth]

Been there, done that & got the t-shirt. At least you have found him now!

Janet

[Sandra Parker]

Thanks, Janet. It helps a bit to know I am not alone!
Sandra