Research Forum

Have you tried JERVIS and East Brent for a baptism?  Who were Ann's parents?  Could Emily have been christened as a child of theirs - perhaps with a different first name.

Thanks for the suggestion Pat, but I have looked already as the family lived in East Brent in the early years.  The only baptisms I can find at the time of Emily's birth and a few years later are those of Ann's nieces and nephew,  her brother's children.

Ann's parents were George West Jarvis and Harriet Tilley and Ann was the youngest child born 1843. 

I have no proof that Ann is Emily's mother, it is just a guess but it could be that her only unmarried brother Edmund is the father and the mother is unknown although the maiden name on the GRO Index is blank suggesting it was Jarvis.

Perhaps I should go through all the PRs for the villages close by in case she was baptised away from the family home.  She was brought up by her grandparents working in the dairy until her marriage in 1897.

I think it might repay you to obtain a copy of Emily's birth certificate. According to Findmypast the mother's maiden name was Jarvis suggesting she was illegitimate. But the birth certificate might contain additional information.

Have you found Emily in the 1871 & 1881 censuses? Who was she living with?

She was living with her grandparents George & Harriet Jarvis and her uncle Edmund in 1871 and in 1881 just her grandfather and uncle.

1891 she states she is a niece living with Edmund and states she was born at Biddisham, but there is no baptism there either.

I do not want to take the chance that there might be further info on a birth cert as that won't really help with a baptism.  I feel fairly confident that Harry/Henry Hancock is her father as he and Ann were god parents to my great grandmother Annie Jarvis baptised July 1863 aged 4.

Ann went on to marry in 1867 and then moved to Bristol leaving Emmie behind.

Emily's (Emmie) marriage register entry states that her father was Henry Hancock, farmer. Furthermore, there is this report on p.6 of the Saturday 2 July 1864 edition of the Western Gazette:

"[At Axbridge] Ann Jarvis of South Brent, summoned Henry Hancock, of Winscombe, to show cause why he should not contribute towards the maintenance of her illegitimate child. The magistrates, after a long hearing, considered the paternity proved, and made an order of 2s. 6d. per week and costs."

Which I think proves your theory on Emily's parents. I haven't looked at baptisms but perhaps Winscombe might be a possibility.

Best regards,
Richard

If Henry Hancock is who I think he is, then it did not end well for him (p. 8 of Weston Mercury, Saturday 14 August 1880):

"Winscombe. Distressing Suicide.-On Sunday morning the body of Mr. Henry Hancock, a farmer, well known in this neighbourhood, was found in the cellar with his skull blown to pieces. Information was at once given to the police, and P.C. Barrington was soon on the spot. Dr. Aubrey, of Banwell, was immediately summoned, and that gentleman quickly arrived on the scene, but of couse too late for his services to be of any avail. The deceased had been queer in his mind of late, but nothing of so disastrous a character was anticipated. The gun with which the dreadful deed was committed (a double barrelled one) was found lying across deceased's legs. An inquest was held on Tuesday by S. Craddock, Esq., coroner. After hearing the evidence of Eliza Taylor (the deceased's housekeeper), of Charles Morse (one of his workmen), and of Dr. Aubrey - Who had attended deceased on several occasions - The jury unanimously recorded a verdict of 'Suicide during a state of temporary insanity'.-The inhabitants of the neighbourhood deeply sympathise with the relatives of the deceased in their great trouble."

Thank you Richard for all the information you have dug out for me, it certainly confirms Emily's parentage without doubt.

I will have a look at the Winscombe PRs to see if she is there but I do have my doubts as Ann obviously had started proceedings against Henry very early after Emily's birth, if not before. She was probably still living with her parents and Emily before she married 3 years later.

The demise of Henry must have been quite upsetting for everyone but especially for Emily knowing he was her genetic father.  I will look into his family now, as he is connected to mine albeit loosely.

Thanks again for your responses which have been most enlightening.