Seeking Charlotte SMITH (General)

by Keith Howell, Thursday, December 02, 2010, 15:17 (5110 days ago)

For many years, I have believed that Charlotte SMITH who married Samuel FRENCH at Bristol St James on 24Apr1836 was the daughter of Jeremiah & Anne SMITH baptised Coleford 23Jun1816. Recently I have discovered that she couldn't be. The latter married Thomas JOHNSON at Hewelsfield on 20Feb1840.

My Charlotte said she was 25 in 1841, 38 in 1851, 44 in 1861 and 56 in 1871 and her birthplace was given as Newland (1861) and Coleford (1871). She died 16Dec1876 aged 61 and was buried at Greenbank Cemetery in Bristol.

So where did she come from? The indications point to non-conformity. There seem to be no church baptisms for any of her 8 known children in Bristol. The eldest was named Susannah and the first son was Frederick Timothy. There was a marriage at Newland 12Aug1811 of William SMITH & Susanna MARSHALL and I have found no baptisms for any children of theirs.

Any ideas would be gratefully received.

Keith Howell