John Brain married Susannah Clifton (from West 'Bromage') and they had a daughter Jane baptised at Littledean on 27th July 1823. On 21st May 1826, Susannah Brain married John Ruck at Lydney and, on 8th October 1826, their daughter Letitia (my Gr Gr Gran!) was baptised at Parkend. The question of when John Brain died is of interest because it might indicate who Letitia's father was! Any ideas?
Thornton III

Susannah should be shown as a Widow if your theory is correct ??? however there does seem to be a good fit

Year: 1826
Month: May
Day: 21
Grooms_Surname: RUCK
Grooms_Forenames: John
Grooms_Age:
Groom_Condition: Bachelor
Grooms_Occupation:
Grooms_Residence: of the Hundred of St Briavels
Grooms_Fathers_Surname:
Grooms_Fathers_Forenames:
Grooms_Fathers_Occupation:
Brides_Surname: BRAIN
Brides_Forenames: Susannah
Brides_Age:
Brides_Condition: Spinster
Brides_Occupation:
Brides_Residence: of the Hundred of St Briavels
Brides_Fathers_Surname:
Brides_Fathers_Forenames:
Brides_Fathers_Occupation:
Licence_or_Banns: Banns
Date_of_Banns:
Signature_or_Mark: Both mark
Witness_1: Mark of Edward Ruck
Witness_2: Mark of Sarah Ruck
Other_Witnesses:
Officiating_Minister: James Formby
Event: Marriage
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register_Reference: PFC 209 IN 1/10
Page_Number: 37
Parish_Chapel: Lydney

1841 Yorkley
John Ruck abt 1791 Dean Forest, Gloucestershire
Susanna Ruck abt 1801 Dean Forest, Gloucestershire
Jane Ruck abt 1824 Gloucestershire, England Dean Forest, Gloucestershire
Letitia Ruck abt 1827 Gloucestershire, England Dean Forest, Gloucestershire
John Ruck abt 1829 Gloucestershire, England Dean Forest, Gloucestershire
Isaac Ruck abt 1832 Gloucestershire, England Dean Forest, Gloucestershire
James Ruck abt 1835 Gloucestershire, England Dean Forest, Gloucestershire
Mary Ann Ruck abt 1840 Gloucestershire, England Dean Forest, Gloucestershire
Nk abt 1833 Gloucestershire, England Dean Forest, Gloucestershire

1851
Susannah Buck abt 1796 West Bromage, Staffordshire, England Head West Dean, Gloucestershire
Isaac Buck abt 1832 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean, Gloucestershire
James Buck abt 1835 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean, Gloucestershire
Mary Ann Buck abt 1840 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter West Dean, Gloucestershire

1861
Susanna Ruck abt 1791 West Brmays, Staffordshire, England Head West Dean, Gloucestershire
James Ruck abt 1835 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean, Gloucestershire

Year: 1875
Month: Sep
Day: 14
Surname: RUCK
Forenames: Susan
Residence: Whitecroft
Age_at_death: 86
Officiating_Minister: Jno. (sic) (John) Jos[ep]h Ebsworth (Vicar)
Event: Burial
Cause_of_death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register_Reference: P245 IN 1/30
Page_No: 19
Parish_Chapel: Parkend

however there is a ..

SUSANNAH CLIFTON
------------------------------
Event(s):
Birth:
Christening: 21 AUG 1799 All Saints, West Bromwich, Stafford, England
--------------------------
Parents:
Father: WILLIAM CLIFTON
Mother: MARY
---------------------------
Messages:
Extracted birth or christening record for the locality listed in the record.
The source records are usually arranged chronologically by the birth or christening date.
--------------------------
Source Information:
Batch No.: Dates: Source Call No.: Type: Printout Call No.: Type:
C010242 1676 - 1809 0421617 Film 1037078 Film
Sheet: 00

1841 ?????
Mary Clifton abt 1766 West Bromwich, Staffordshire

????
WILLIAM CLIFTON
-----------------------------------
Event(s):
Birth:
Christening:
Death:
---------------------------
Marriages:
Spouse: MARY COX
Marriage: 01 OCT 1787 Tewkesbury, Gloucester, England
-----------------------------------------
Messages:
Form submitted by a member of the LDS Church.
The form lists the submitter's name and address and may include source information.
The address may be outdated. Details vary. To find the form, you must know the batch and sheet number.
-----------------------------------
Source Information:
Batch Number: 7220225
Sheet: 69
Source Call No.: 0820467 Type: Film

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Ἀριστοτέλης A Gloster & Hereford Boy in the Forest of Dean ><((((*>

The birth certificate of Mary Ann Ruck describes the mother as 'Susannah Ruck lately Brain formerly Clifton.' This suggests that the word 'Spinster' was not accurate! Or that there was another entirely different couple (John Ruck, Susannah Brain)but this seems unlikely.
Thornton III

that extra information is very helpful :-)

Year: 1839
Month: Nov
Day: 10
Parents_Surname: RUCK
Child_Forenames: Mary Ann
Fathers_Forenames: John
Mothers_Forenames: Susannah
Mothers_Surname:
Residence: Yorkley
Occupation: Labourer
Officiating_Minister: Henry Poole
Event: Baptism
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register_Reference: P245 IN 1/10
Page_Number: 22
Parish_Chapel: Parkend

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Ἀριστοτέλης A Gloster & Hereford Boy in the Forest of Dean ><((((*>

So back to John...

Is it possible that he is buried in Staffordshire ? perhaps a family plot.

or

perhaps he had not died when Susannah remarries as a spinster ?

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Ἀριστοτέλης A Gloster & Hereford Boy in the Forest of Dean ><((((*>

Year 1821
Month Sep
Day 2
Parents Surname BRAIN
Child Forenames William
Fathers Forenames John
Mothers Forenames Susannah
Mothers Surname
Residence Lea Hamlet
Occupation Labourer
Officiating Minister R M Mainwaring Curate
Event Baptism
Memoranda
Notes
Register Reference P110 IN 1/5
Page Number 36
Parish Chapel Littledean

1841 ???
James Brain abt 1776 Gloucestershire, England Little Dean, Gloucestershire
Mary Brain abt 1781 Gloucestershire, England Little Dean, Gloucestershire
William Brain abt 1821 Gloucestershire, England Little Dean, Gloucestershire
Thomas Brain abt 1806 Gloucestershire, England Little Dean, Gloucestershire

Year: 1844
Month: Nov
Day: 22
Grooms_Surname: BRAIN
Grooms_Forenames: William
Grooms_Age: of full age
Groom_Condition: Bachelor
Grooms_Occupation: Collier
Grooms_Residence: Pillowell
Grooms_Fathers_Surname: BRAIN
Grooms_Fathers_Forenames: John
Grooms_Fathers_Occupation: Labourer
Brides_Surname: FLETCHER
Brides_Forenames: Sarah
Brides_Age: 19
Brides_Condition: Spinster
Brides_Occupation: Servant
Brides_Residence: Pillowell
Brides_Fathers_Surname: FLETCHER
Brides_Fathers_Forenames: James
Brides_Fathers_Occupation: Collier
Licence_or_Banns: Banns
Date_of_Banns:
Signature_or_Mark: both mark
Witness_1: Richard Jones
Witness_2: Mark of George Benfield
Other_Witnesses:
Officiating_Minister: Henry Poole Minister
Event: Marriage
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register_Reference: P145 IN 1/20
Page_Number: 4
Parish_Chapel: Parkend

1851
William Brain abt 1821 Little Dean, Gloucestershire, England Head Newland, Gloucestershire
Sarah Brain abt 1825 Pillatonmill, Gloucestershire, England Wife Newland, Gloucestershire
Edward Brain abt 1846 Pillatonmill, Gloucestershire, England Son Newland, Gloucestershire
Jane Brain abt 1850 Pillatonmill, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Newland, Gloucestershire

1871 Whitecroft
William Brain 49
Sarah Brain 45

1881 Whitecroft

William Brain abt 1821 Littledean, Gloucestershire, England Head West Dean, Gloucestershire
Sarah Brain abt 1825 W D Pillowell, Gloucestershire, England Wife West Dean, Gloucestershire

<><><><><>

Year 1823
Month Jul
Day 27
Parents Surname BRAIN
Child Forenames Jane
Fathers Forenames John
Mothers Forenames Susannah
Mothers Surname
Residence Little Dean
Occupation Labourer
Officiating Minister T R Garnsey Curate
Event Baptism
Memoranda
Notes
Register Reference P110 IN 1/5
Page Number 44
Parish Chapel Littledean

Year: 1842
Month: Nov
Day: 12
Grooms_Surname: HARRIS
Grooms_Forenames: Esau
Grooms_Age: of full age
Groom_Condition: Bachelor
Grooms_Occupation: Collier
Grooms_Residence: Pillowell
Grooms_Fathers_Surname: Harris
Grooms_Fathers_Forenames: ?????
Grooms_Fathers_Occupation: Labourer
Brides_Surname: BRAIN
Brides_Forenames: Jane
Brides_Age: Minor
Brides_Condition: Spinster
Brides_Occupation: none stated
Brides_Residence: Pillowell
Brides_Fathers_Surname: Brain
Brides_Fathers_Forenames: John
Brides_Fathers_Occupation: Labourer
Licence_or_Banns: Banns
Date_of_Banns:
Signature_or_Mark: He signs she marks
Witness_1: John Nelmes
Witness_2: Mark of Charlotte Nelmes
Other_Witnesses:
Officiating_Minister: Wm D Lawton Off Min
Event: Marriage
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register_Reference: P227 IN 1/12
Page_Number: 132
Parish_Chapel: Newland

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Ἀριστοτέλης A Gloster & Hereford Boy in the Forest of Dean ><((((*>

Letitia RUCK / FLETCHER link
http://www.forum.forest-of-dean.net/index.php?id=29902

Year: 1884
Month: Jul
Day: 12
Grooms_Surname: HAWKINS
Grooms_Forenames: Henry
Grooms_Age: 28
Groom_Condition: widower
Grooms_Occupation: Collier
Grooms_Residence: Pillowell
Grooms_Fathers_Surname: Hawkins
Grooms_Fathers_Forenames: Thomas
Grooms_Fathers_Occupation: Collier
Brides_Surname: AMBREY
Brides_Forenames: Elizabeth
Brides_Age: 24
Brides_Condition: Spinster
Brides_Occupation: [not stated]
Brides_Residence: Pillowell
Brides_Fathers_Surname: Ambrey
Brides_Fathers_Forenames: Henry
Brides_Fathers_Occupation: Collier
Licence_or_Banns: Banns
Date_of_Banns:
Signature_or_Mark: He marks she signs
Witness_1: Henry Gunter
Witness_2: Elizabeth Gunter
Other_Witnesses:
Officiating_Minister: Jo[hn] Jo[seph] Elsworth Vicar
Event: Marriage
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register_Reference: P245 IN 1/21
Page_Number: 233
Parish_Chapel: Parkend

Name: Thornton Hawkins
Year of Registration: 1884
Quarter of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep
District: Monmouth (1837-1939)
County: Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Monmouthshire
Volume: 11a
Page: 27

1891
Henry Hoskins abt 1856 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Head West Dean, Gloucestershire
Elisabeth Hoskins abt 1861 Dean, Gloucestershire, England Wife West Dean, Gloucestershire
Thomtas Hoskins abt 1885 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean, Gloucestershire
Stanley Hoskins abt 1886 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean, Gloucestershire
Blanch H Hoskins abt 1889 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter West Dean, Gloucestershire

1901
Henry Hawkins abt 1856 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Head West Dean, Monmouthshire
Elizabeth Hawkins abt 1861 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Wife West Dean, Monmouthshire
Thornton Hawkins abt 1885 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean, Monmouthshire
Stanley Hawkins abt 1886 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean, Monmouthshire
Blacke Hawkins abt 1889 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter West Dean, Monmouthshire
Bertha Hawkins abt 1892 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter West Dean, Monmouthshire
Mabel Hawkins abt 1894 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter West Dean, Monmouthshire
Howard Hawkins abt 1899 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean, Monmouthshire

Name: Thornton Hawkins
Name: Miriam Nelmes
Year of Registration: 1907
Quarter of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep
District: Bedwelty
County: Monmouthshire
Volume: 11a
Page: 133

1911
HAWKINS THORNTON M 1885 26 Bedwellty Monmouthshire
HAWKINS MIRIAM F 1883 28 Bedwellty Monmouthshire
HAWKINS HARRY M 1909 2 Bedwellty Monmouthshire
HAWKINS PHYLLIS F 1910 9 MONTHS Bedwellty Monmouthshire
HAWKINS STANLEY M 1886 25 Bedwellty Monmouthshire

Name: Thornton H Hawkins
Year of Registration: 1912
Quarter of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar
Mother's Maiden Name: Nelmes
District: Bedwelty
County: Monmouthshire
Volume: 11a
Page: 322

Name: Thornton Hawkins
Death Registration Month/Year: 1934
Age at death (estimated): 49
Registration district: Bedwellty
Inferred County: Monmouthshire
Volume: 11a
Page: 116

Name: Thornton H Hawkins
Spouse :Kathleen M Harrison
Date of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec 1942
Registration district: Dewsbury
Registration county (inferred): Yorkshire - West Riding
Volume Number: 9b
Page Number: 1227

Name: Thornton D Hawkins
Mother's Maiden Surname: Harrison
Date of Registration: Apr May Jun 1946
Registration district: Dewsbury
Registration county: Yorkshire
Volume Number: 9b
Page Number: 947

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Ἀριστοτέλης A Gloster & Hereford Boy in the Forest of Dean ><((((*>