ARC TBC - Brick wall - Stratton (later Usher) 1876

[Guinney1971]

Hi All,

need some help/advice here if possible.

My gt grandfather, Arthur Jesse Usher was born in the Swading area of Sandy (near Biggleswade, Beds) in 1876. He died in 1946, and his death certificate states he was 70 years of age. I have found out that his parents were (I think) William Stratton and Frances Stratton (nee Radford). I cannot find any trace of the death of William Stratton, but in 1881, the census states that Jesse and his younger brother were "children of F Stratton, her marriage state pending" and she was living in Swading with David Usher and is parents. David and Frances married after the census in 1881 and the boys took their stepfathers name. Frances and David had children of their own after the marriage.

I'm stuck tho, not only on the fact I cant find a death for Wm Stratton (Frances said she was a widow in the 1881 census),but nor can I, or the GRO find a record of Jesse's birth.

Any ideas where I go from here to find out more?

Cheers,

Claire

[MarkCDodd]

So we know that between the 3rd April 1881 and the 7th May 1881, Frances received confirmation of William's death.

I assume she is is a widow on the certificate?

This would be Jesse's birth.

Civil Registration event: Birth
Name: STRATTON, Male (unnamed)
Registration District: Biggleswade
County: Bedfordshire
Year of Registration: 1874
Month of Quarter: Jul-Aug-Sep
Mother's Maiden Name: Not available before 1911 Q3
Volume No: 3B
Page No: 335

I assume this is the William amd Frances' marriage? Do you have the certificate? What was his occupation and age?

Groom's Name: William Stratton
Groom's Birth Date:
Groom's Birthplace:
Groom's Age:
Bride's Name: Fanny Ratford
Bride's Birth Date:
Bride's Birthplace:
Bride's Age:
Marriage Date: 31 Oct 1871
Marriage Place: Biggleswade,Bedford,England
Groom's Father's Name:
Groom's Mother's Name:
Bride's Father's Name:
Bride's Mother's Name:
Groom's Race:
Groom's Marital Status:
Groom's Previous Wife's Name:
Bride's Race:
Bride's Marital Status:
Bride's Previous Husband's Name:
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M00361-2
System Origin: England-ODM
Source Film Number: 952404
Reference Number:
Collection: England Marriages, 1538-1973

[peterd]

poss if william was a lot older than fanny

Deaths Sep 1876
STRATTON William 64 Biggleswade 3b 217


or could he be a george william ?


Deaths Jun 1876
Stratton George 36 Biggleswade 3b 214

[MarkCDodd]

I had a look at that 1812 William and he is living as a pauper in 1871....not exactly a good catch.

The other possibility in 1871is this Ag Lab.

1871 census transcription details for: Farm House, Sutton
National Archive Reference:
RG number: RG10 Piece: 1549 Folio: 74 Page: 8

Reg. District: Biggleswade Sub District: Potton
Parish: Sutton Enum. District: 16
Ecclesiastical District: City/Municipal Borough:
Address: Farm House, Sutton
County: Bedfordshire

STRATTON, Fanny Head F 51 1820 Bedfordshire
STRATTON, William Son M 22 1849 Bedfordshire
STRATTON, John Son M 20 1851 Bedfordshire
STRATTON, Eliza Daughter F 18 1853 Bedfordshire
STRATTON, Edmund Son M 16 1855 Bedfordshire
STRATTON, Fanny S Daughter F 14 1857 Bedfordshire
STRATTON, James Son M 12 1859 Bedfordshire
STRATTON, Frederick Son M 10 1861 Bedfordshire

[gardener]

That is a bit odd isn't it?

Actually I think the census entry reads
"Thes two are children of F Stratton who is cohabiting with David Usher her husband still living"

There is barely time between the census and the wedding to have banns called, did they marry by special licence? If not then the news/confirmation of William's death must have been between the census and the first reading of the banns.

Is it possible that William died abroad? Or even in Scotland. And that a letter/message arrived? What was his occupation?

[MarkCDodd]

There is a month between the census and the wedding.

I am wondering if it might be an execution....hence no death registry....

I will have a look at that possibility and see if he is registered in the death duties.

He is not listed in the overseas, marine or military deaths.

He is not listed in the Probate Index.

[MarkCDodd]

Not executed.

Not in the probate index or death duties.

Need to know his profession and age.

[Guinney1971]

blimey folks, where did you find all this stuff? I've only used the website that used to be 1837online.com and the one run by the Mormons, and have drawn a blank. I also went to the library in Biggleswade (or was it Sandy?) a few years ago, and only managed to find a map of the area at the time showing Swading - I took a drive up there and I think I found the farm that the Usher's were living at. Now that I live in Nottinghamshire and have an 11mth old daughter who's keeping me occupied, its not so easy to go scouting round the area that my ancestors lived in.

I'll dig out the paperwork and see what other info I can give you - interesting that there is a possibly other explanation for the census thing as well, I printed the writing off and blew it up on the scanner, but it still didnt make sense to me, so I guessed that it said 'state pending', but it could be the other thing that you said - is it possible to attach pictures to these posts?

Thanks so much for the info, its really spurned me on!!

Claire (Usher - or should I be Stratton? lol )

[peterd]

I had a look at that 1812 William and he is living as a pauper in 1871....not exactly a good catch.

The other possibility in 1871is this Ag Lab.

1871 census transcription details for: Farm House, Sutton
National Archive Reference:
RG number: RG10 Piece: 1549 Folio: 74 Page: 8

Reg. District: Biggleswade Sub District: Potton
Parish: Sutton Enum. District: 16
Ecclesiastical District: City/Municipal Borough:
Address: Farm House, Sutton
County: Bedfordshire

STRATTON, Fanny Head F 51 1820 Bedfordshire
STRATTON, William Son M 22 1849 Bedfordshire
STRATTON, John Son M 20 1851 Bedfordshire
STRATTON, Eliza Daughter F 18 1853 Bedfordshire
STRATTON, Edmund Son M 16 1855 Bedfordshire
STRATTON, Fanny S Daughter F 14 1857 Bedfordshire
STRATTON, James Son M 12 1859 Bedfordshire
STRATTON, Frederick Son M 10 1861 Bedfordshire

fanny husband above is a john ?

1861 Stand Alone farm ? Sutton

John Stratton 43 ag lab Wrestlingworth
Fanny Stratton 41 ?
Mary Ann Stratton 17
William Stratton 12
John Stratton 10
Eliza Stratton 8
Edmund Stratton 6
Fanny Stratton 4
James Stratton 2
Frederick Stratton 8 MO

rest born sutton

anyone find any earlier censuses ?

[MarkCDodd]

fanny husband above is a john ?

Ahhh...no the 1849 William is the husband.....

[peterd]

fanny husband above is a john ?

Ahhh...no the 1849 William is the husband.....

long day

[Guinney1971]

just got my folder out - here's what I've found out to date (from certificates and BMD records)

7 May 1881 at Sandy Parish Church, Frances Stratton (widow) marries David Usher (Batchelor) "both of full age"

31 October 1871 at Biggleswade Parish Church, Fanny Ratford (spinster) marries William Stratton (Batchelor) "both of full age"

1881 Census for Swading, Sandy:
Albert Stratton, born about 1879, Son
Frances Stratton, born about 1850, Visitor (head) widow
Jesse Stratton, born about 1876, Son
David Usher, born about 1849, Son
Eliza Usher, born about 1807, Wife
Samuel Usher, born about 1799, Head

Digging around the IGI records, I've found a William Stratton, who was christened on the 7 January 1849 at Sutton in Bedfordshire. His parents were John and Fanny Stratton, and seem to be the most likely candidates for being Jesse's family. William's birth was registered Q4 1848 in Biggleswade. John Stratton was born in 1817, and his parents were John Stratton (b1786) and Kezia Day (b1790) - my daughter is named Kezia after her

So, the questions remain.... what happned to William Stratton some time after 1879 and when was Jesse (aka Arthur Jesse) actually born?

Claire

[Guinney1971]

.... summat else is bugging me now...... what if Albert (b1879) and another son called George (who died in infancy in 1880) were illegitimate and weren't the sons of William Stratton at all because he died before they were born?

Blimey, Frances could have been the village bike!! lol

Claire Usher (Stratton)

[gardener]

Hi Claire/Guinney

The 1881 census states that Frances Stratton is married, not that she is a widow. If you don't have a copy then feel free to send me a private message with your email and I'll send you a copy of the image.

Could you post the full details from the two marriage certs if you have them? ie father of bride and groom, and his occupation, occupation of the groom, and the names of the witnesses. maybe someone will have a bright idea

[Maths girl]

Actually I think the census entry reads
"Thes two are children of F Stratton who is cohabiting with David Usher her husband still living"

There is barely time between the census and the wedding to have banns called, did they marry by special licence? If not then the news/confirmation of William's death must have been between the census and the first reading of the banns.

Is it possible that William died abroad? Or even in Scotland. And that a letter/message arrived? What was his occupation?

Presuming he was still living at the census and the enumnerator/informant knew this fact then does that suggest he didn't live far away?