A two-fold KNAPMAN question

[Thomasin]

Caroline Knapman has appeared earlier in my thread 'Thomas JONES, Vauxhall/Lambeth'.

She was born in about 1831, and states Exeter as her birthplace on all the censuses where she is evident. On 28th September 1852 she married (in Lambeth) Thomas Joseph John Jones, her father being given as John Knapman.

Where was she in 1841?

The only possibility seemed to be Catherine Knapman, father John, mother Ann at Guinea St, St Mary Major, Exeter (HO107; 267; 3; 1), but because of the difference in the daughter's name I have serious doubts about this one.

Also, from 1851 right up to 1871 John lived with wife Elizabeth in Preston St, Exeter. In 1861 and 1871 Thomas and Caroline Jones were also living in Preston St, a few doors from John and Elizabeth Knapman.

(There was a death of an Ann Knapman in 1848, but obviously there is no way of knowing her age without a certificate.) John seems to have died in 1878, and in the 1881 census Elizabeth was in the workhouse, where she seems to have died later that year.

The second part of my query concerns this Elizabeth, wife of John Knapman. She consistently gives her birthplace as Rewe, Devon, apart from one census when it is 'Nethereck' - Netherexe, the same parish as Rewe. Her year of birth seems to have been 1804 (except for the 1851 census when I think the enumerator misheard her age and added ten years).

According to FamilySearch, born at Rewe by Exeter we have Elizabeth Ellis, 1801; Elizabeth Steer, 1802; Elizabeth Coles, 1803; Elizabeth Chamberlain, 1803; Elizabeth Harrison 1805.

The only problem here is that no marriage of John Knapman and Elizabeth can be found. Has anybody else any good ideas of where to look?

[Jan1954]

I have just looked on Family Search for a marriage and found this:

John Knapman to Elizabeth Milton on 5th July 1824 at St Thomas the Apostle's Church, Exeter (Source Film Number: 916844, Reference Number: 29350 P 114) Could this be the couple for whom you are searching?

By the way, there is a baptism for an Elizabeth Milton on 13th May 1805 at St David's, Exeter with just the mother named - Elizabeth Milton (Source Film Number: 917096)

[Thomasin]

Aliday and I have been into this one, and decided that Elizabeth Milton couldn't be our gal because she was born at Culmstock - whereas Elizabeth Knapman is consistent in stating that she was from Rew, Rewe or Netherexe.

[Jan1954]

Aliday and I have been into this one, and decided that Elizabeth Milton couldn't be our gal because she was born at Culmstock - whereas Elizabeth Knapman is consistent in stating that she was from Rew, Rewe or Netherexe.

That's a shame....but at least she has been eliminated.

[olliecat]

Aliday and I have been into this one, and decided that Elizabeth Milton couldn't be our gal because she was born at Culmstock

I expect I am being thick, but how did you figure out that the Elizabeth MILTON who married John KNAPMAN in 1824 was was born at Culmstock? Did it say something like - "of the parish of Culmstock" in the register?

[Thomasin]

Admittedly I haven't got her birthplace (in 1804), but she was baptised in 1813 at Culmstock.

[olliecat]

Admittedly I haven't got her birthplace (in 1804), but she was baptised in 1813 at Culmstock.

I'm afraid I'm still being dense. To rephrase, how do you know that it was this specific Elizabeth MILTON, (who was born 1804 and was baptised in 1813 in Culmstock,) who went on to marry John KNAPMAN in 1824?

[Thomasin]

Elizabeth Milton married a John Knapman in Exeter in 1824, and looking at FamilySearch the Culmstock lady is the only one born in a suitable year.

[olliecat]

There was another marriage in 1824 between a Mark POTTER and an Elz MILTON at Culmstock. Just thinking that the Elizabeth born in 1804 and baptised at Culmstock may have been this one.

There is a contender in the census called Betty Potter but her birth date shifts around quite dramatically.

[Thomasin]

There was another marriage in 1824 between a Mark POTTER and an Elz MILTON at Culmstock. Just thinking that the Elizabeth born in 1804 and baptised at Culmstock may have been this one.

Quite possibly, olliecat. With the Knapman question, however, the things that hold everything together are Preston Street and Elizabeth's birthplace of Rewe. Aliday and I have been over and over this, and are wondering whether John and Elizabeth ever married at all.

Even if they never married, where were they in 1841?