Goldberry
01-02-2010, 11:58 AM
I’m currently stuck on researching one family member – THOMAS GERRY born c 1798/99 in St Agnes, Cornwall (married ELIZABETH POLLARD 25 May 1822 in Crantock, Cornwall as THOMAS GERREY, and was buried as THOMAS TREGERRY 1872 age 74 in St Columb, Cornwall). :confused:
I had been unable to find any information regarding his birth or baptism, so I decided to ‘think outside the box’ and did a search in the parish records (Find My Past) for “Thomas” “baptised circa 1798 Cornwall” and to my utter surprise the first name above a long list of Thomas’s was THOMAS GERRY ADAMS.
The record shows that Thomas Gerry Adams was baptised in St Agnes on 21 Jan 1799 and his mother’s name was JANE ADAMS (no father’s name). I subsequently did a search on Jane Adams, and I could only find one in St Agnes, baptized 20 Jun 1771 (parents Williams Adams and Elizabeth).
Whilst trying to find the birth details of Thomas (Jr) I've done a huge amount of research on the Gerry families living in the area in the 18th century, mainly to try to see where, if anywhere, he might have fitted in. I do know that there was a Thomas Gerry (son of John Gerry and Jane Pengilly) living in St Agnes at the time and, coincidentally, he was born in the same year as Jane Adams (1771). In a small village like St Agnes, presumably they grew up together. I’ve also found that there was another Thomas Gerry (son of Sampson Gerry and Mary Cocking), but I think he may have died in 1776 – I’ve certainly been unable to find any record of him showing that he lived past this date.
Thomas (Sr) went on to marry Grace James in 1803, although Jane Adams appears alone at the age of 70 in the 1841 Census. I believe Thomas (Snr) was buried in 1836 (age 65) in St Agnes (residence Mingoose), and Jane Adams may have died in 1842 (Mar) or 1843 (Dec) (there are two Jane Adams - Truro - freebmd - with no ages).
Searching on the Internet I’ve found some suggestion that mothers of often name their illegitimate children with the father’s name as their forenames, particularly if there was an intention to marry. So I have a strong feeling that Thomas (Sr) is the father.
However, Thomas (Sr) and Grace did have a son called Thomas in 1822 (amongst their many children) - so I don't know whether that would discount my theory?
I’d be most grateful for any advice either regarding the family, or how to approach this matter of illegitimacy, as I really would hate to have to end my research into the Gerry line at this point. |sad1|
Many thanks. :)
I had been unable to find any information regarding his birth or baptism, so I decided to ‘think outside the box’ and did a search in the parish records (Find My Past) for “Thomas” “baptised circa 1798 Cornwall” and to my utter surprise the first name above a long list of Thomas’s was THOMAS GERRY ADAMS.
The record shows that Thomas Gerry Adams was baptised in St Agnes on 21 Jan 1799 and his mother’s name was JANE ADAMS (no father’s name). I subsequently did a search on Jane Adams, and I could only find one in St Agnes, baptized 20 Jun 1771 (parents Williams Adams and Elizabeth).
Whilst trying to find the birth details of Thomas (Jr) I've done a huge amount of research on the Gerry families living in the area in the 18th century, mainly to try to see where, if anywhere, he might have fitted in. I do know that there was a Thomas Gerry (son of John Gerry and Jane Pengilly) living in St Agnes at the time and, coincidentally, he was born in the same year as Jane Adams (1771). In a small village like St Agnes, presumably they grew up together. I’ve also found that there was another Thomas Gerry (son of Sampson Gerry and Mary Cocking), but I think he may have died in 1776 – I’ve certainly been unable to find any record of him showing that he lived past this date.
Thomas (Sr) went on to marry Grace James in 1803, although Jane Adams appears alone at the age of 70 in the 1841 Census. I believe Thomas (Snr) was buried in 1836 (age 65) in St Agnes (residence Mingoose), and Jane Adams may have died in 1842 (Mar) or 1843 (Dec) (there are two Jane Adams - Truro - freebmd - with no ages).
Searching on the Internet I’ve found some suggestion that mothers of often name their illegitimate children with the father’s name as their forenames, particularly if there was an intention to marry. So I have a strong feeling that Thomas (Sr) is the father.
However, Thomas (Sr) and Grace did have a son called Thomas in 1822 (amongst their many children) - so I don't know whether that would discount my theory?
I’d be most grateful for any advice either regarding the family, or how to approach this matter of illegitimacy, as I really would hate to have to end my research into the Gerry line at this point. |sad1|
Many thanks. :)