Although this couple are referred to in another link (ie Joseph Harper and Hannah Clift), I think it would be helpful if we could agree on the make-up of this family

As we have already identified, James Harper was christened in St John the Baptist Church, Halesowen on 5 April 1767 and a Family Search record shows a Leah Griggs was christened in the same Church on 19 April 1772; also that James and Leah were married in St John’s Church on 11 January 1794. The supporting records also show that James’ parents were Joseph and Sarah Harper and that Leah’s mother was ‘Elish’ Griggs. However, the ‘Transcript of Halesowen Parish Registers’ shows the mother’s name as ‘Eliz’ (presumably short for Elizabeth).
Further, the 'Transcript of Halesowen Parish Registers' shows that four (4) children of James and Leah were christened in St John’s Church; Elizabeth, christened on 14 September 1794; Ruth, christened on 25 December 1795; Hannah, christened on 18 March 1798; and, William, christened on 4 May 1800.
Also, records were found which show the christenings of another three (3) children in Cradley Chapel; James, christened on 30 January 1803; Benjamin, christened on 8 March 1805; and, Ann Louisa, on 2 April 1809.
As previously mentioned The 1841 census shows James and Leah living in Colley Gate, Cradley and James is described as a ‘Labourer’; with them is their son, James, who is also described as a ‘Labourer’.
A BMD record was found showing the death of Leah in the September quarter of 1843 and this is supported by an online parish record which shows her burial in the graveyard of St John’s Church, Halesowen on 20 August 1843, aged 74 years; the record shows her abode at the time of her death was Cradley.
Subsequently, another BMD record was found showing the death of James in the March quarter of 1851 and this is also supported by an online parish record which shows his burial in the graveyard of St John’s Church, Halesowen on 26 January 1851, aged 85 years; the record shows his abode at the time of his death was Cradley.
Lets hope this one is more straightforward

H.
