Watkins & Sparks

[organizedchaos]

I have in my possession a marriage solemnization for William Watkins & Charlotte Joyce Sparks dated 8/2/1875 showing their marriage date as being 5/27/1848 in the Church of Thruxton in the County of Hereford. John Watkins and James Sparks are listed as their fathers. William was born 6/10/1822 in Kingston, Herefordshire. Charlotte was born 2/22/1823 in Abbey Dore, Herefordshire. I am unable to find them on any passenger lists as coming to America, but they had to have immigrated between 1851 & 1853. I know where they are buried in New York State, USA but am unable to find any information on them prior to their emigrating. They may have lived in Treville when their first 2 children were born. They are my g-g grandparents. Any information is greatly appreciated!

[Lizzy9]

Hello organizedchaos,

This appears to be Charlotte.

1841, Kingstone, Herefordshire. Piece 427, Book 21, Folio 15, Page 6. (Crown copyright, in care of TNA)

James Sparkes 52, Tailor
Joyce Sparkes 50
James Sparkes 22, Tailor
John Sparkes 16, School M.
Benjamin Sparkes 21, Tailor
Charlotte Sparkes 20
Eliza Sparkes 15
Emma Sparkes 12

[Lizzy9]

1851 census, Treville, Hereford. HO107 Piece 1978, Folio 489, Page 7 (Crown copyright, in care of TNA)


William Watkins 28, Kingstone, can't decipher William's occ, looks like Garden Labr.
Charlotte Watkins 28, Abbey Dore
Martha Watkins 2, Treville
Eliza Watkins 2 Mo, Treville

[Lizzy9]

Re: 1841 census, sorry, I should have mentioned James and his wife Joyce were not born in Herefordshire, all children were. The 1841 census doesn't give places of birth, just whether or not born in the county they were living in.

[Lizzy9]

1851 census, HO107, Piece 1978, Folio 362, Page 3 (Crown copyright, in care of TNA)

James Sparks 61, Tailor and Draper, Porlock Devonshire
Joyce Sparks 62, Monmouthshire,
John Sparks 26, son, School Master, Abbey Dore
Elizabeth Sparks 25, dau, Thruxton
Louisa H Sparks 7 Mo, grand dau, Much Dewchurch, Herefordshire
James Symonds 18, Apprentice.

[Lizzy9]

There is this marriage which may, or may not be your ancestors.

James Sparks to Joyce Griffiths, 29th Apr 1813, St Pauls, Bristol, Gloucester. (from 'family search')

[Lizzy9]

Sorry, I haven't found them on passenger lists and not for the want of trying! May be someone else will have more luck.

If I have the correct family on US 1860 census I notice Eliza is not with her family, did she die between 1851 - 1860?

[organizedchaos]

Wonderful! Thank you!

[organizedchaos]

Yes, this would be Charlotte's mother and father! Thank you!

[organizedchaos]

Yes, garden laborer would fit with family verbal history. Thanks!