Thank you so much for this helpful information!
I had not realised that the censuses were taken
on different dates ! There is so much for me to learn about researching
family history & what will give greater accuracy !

Yes JAMES DORRINGTON was born on 31st May 1841 [info on my ancestry tree from
the records in the edition of Pilgrim's Progress used like a family
Bible].
And so he should be on the 1841 census taken
on the night of 6th June.
Now following your information I see
that this does
make another mystery . The six day old SUSAN SIMMONS is certainly odd.
I cannot find either a birth or a death for her.
.
Speculation only but could the enumerator have confused the
information & recorded the baby incorrectly?. It appears to read SUSAN female on
the original not JAMES .......
..

Re The ALLEGED ILLEGITIMACY OF JAMES DORRINGTON.
1.Fellow researchers have wondered whether 'this
legitimacy theory was suggested so that Forest of Dean or Westbury on
Severn or James Dorrington's family wanted to avoid being
liable for any charges with regards to his
being in an institution.

2 .Mac ' I must say that I do wonder about this illegitimate tag as James is equally spaced amongst his siblings and so it would be unlikely to be Thomas who has strayed. If it were Anne then how would anyone know? Perhaps after all, they were only saying that James was not a legitimate member of the parish. They were very hot on this sort of thing in those days and were quick to kick out anyone they thought might become an expense to them later.'

Another researcher Gillian has said ' FOD show his mother as ANN BROWN
This would be the christening
record so I don't know whether you have already done so I looked at
Gloucestershire BMD index for the birth certificate and it states his
mother's surname as BROWN Westbury on Severn, Newnham register 3 entry
268 so there doesn't seem to be a problem.
Thomas and Ann married in 1832 and James was their 5th child .The only
thing I can think of is
perhaps Ann had a liaison with another man during her marriage
It is a real puzzle..

The 1841 census was taken on the night of 6 June 1841

District 13 (page 22 of 23)

The 1851 census on the Public Members Tree (date of census 30 March 1851 = James was age 10 + 2 months years by then)

DORRINGTON
Thomas - 52
Ann - 39
Susanna - 17
Sons, William 16, Milson 14, Sidney 12, James 9, Clara 6, Bertha 4, Ann 1, + William MATTHEWS 44, William MATTHEWS 14 and Dinah TINGLE 20

1841 Census, Woodside

DORRINGTON

Thomas 38 -
Ann - 29
Susannah - 8
William - 6
Milson - 5
Sydney - 2
Susannah SIMMONS 62 Independent - Not born in County
Susan - no surname given - (in the female column) 6 days - Listed on Ancestry as Susan SIMMONS - 6 days

Can also see from Public Members Tree - and written in the Pilgrim's progress - Susannah SIMMONS was the grandmother and died 29 December 1848.

which appears to be a possible cover-up???

If the Enumerator was quite local and if a neighbour he would know is Ann had been pregnant! Don't think Ann would have gone far with 4 children - so may be a local man ? Can't see the Enumerator's name for District 13 - had a quick look District 14 was William Bishop - handwriting may give a clue!

i.e. District 2 Enumerator was William HARRIS
11a - Thomas TEAGUE
12 - John BRAIN
14 - William BISHOP - think it could be him for District 13 the writing looks identical - the capital D's are the same - and Forrest has two 'rr's other Enumerators spell it with one r…. - used the word viz: each time - I've run the two off and compared and am sure William is the Enumerator.

and the Enumerator would have to write - therefore…..

1841 Census, District 13, same as the DORRINGTON's Page 7

William BISHOP - age 40 Accountant
Margaret BISHOP - 12

Ancestry: England & Wales non-conformist & non parochial - Gloucester Southgate Chapel Independnet

Margaret, Daughter of William & Mary Ann BISHOP living at Cinderford Iron Works in the Hundred of St Briavels in the County of Gloucester was born 23 November 1828 and baptised the 21 July 1929 signed Byrne …. BISHOP

-----
William Bishop is on the 'net' re: Cinderford Iron Company
------

Only a DNA test on male decendents would see if James was Thomas'

WHY WAS James DORRINGTON called ILLEGITIMATE.?

Has any one any idea why James DORRINGTON B 31 May 1841 Woodside East
Dean & Baptised 24 June 1841 at Drybrook Parish Church
parents Thomas DORRINGON - & Ann [Brown] of Little Dean Hill. [ Forest of Dean Family History Trust parish records]

& who died 1904 in Gloucestershire County Asylum 1904 was alleged
ILLEGITIMATE in this newspaper article?

PAUPERLUNATIC'S QUESTION OF RESIDENCE

Extracts from The BRISTOL MERCURY 30th Jan 1878 Newspaper report of

PAUPER LUNATIC'S [ ' apostrophe omitted on original ]

QUESTION OF RESIDENCE

The case of The Guardians of the Poor Westbury on Severn Union v the
Overseers of the Poor Barrow in Furness

[case heard in the Exchequer Division at Westminster Baron Cleasby &
Justice Hawkins sitting 'in banco'

The case stated that a lunatic pauper, JAMES DORRINGTON, was born in
the township of East Dean, BEING AN ILLEGITIMATE CHILD , that he
remained there until upwards of 17 years with his father , who was
possessed of a residence in that township, within the Union of Westbury
on Severn. He was now at Barrow in Furness and the question was whether
he was maintainable by the one place or the other- whether he could be
said to have acquired at a settlement at East Dean.

After some discussion it was agreed, at the suggestion of the court, to
read the case as containing an allegation that the pauper acquired a
settlement at East Dean during the time he was there residing with his
father.

The complex legal arguments over the Poor law Settlement

resulted in Admission to County Lunatic Asylum, Gloucestershire
1878

4 Apr

Age: 36
County Asylum. Wotton St Mary, Transferred from Lancashire. Patient
number 6627

..... The alleged illegitimacy is a puzzle as there is no evidence of illegitimacy in these records Census 1851 Age: 10 Woodside East Dean, Gloucestershire, England
acknowleged son living with parents Thomas & Ann & siblings

Census 1861 Age 19 Gloucester St Michael, Gloucestershire, England
Boarding with brother Milson with Kear relations. Both Dorringtons
described as blacksmiths

Census 1871 age: 29 Hulme, Lancashire, England lodging with Edward
Bloomer at 10 Clopton St. St Georges- Hulme Manchester described as a boiler maker b Newnham Gloucestershire

[ James married an Elizabeth Bond had a daughter Elizabeth Ann [1875-1878] and worked as a boiler maker in Hulme Manchester where clearly life went wrong

Admitted as patient at LANCASTER LUNATIC ASYLUM

1877

16 Sep

Age: 36
described as a pauper lunatic after examination & admitted as a
patient . His care paid for by Overseers of the Poor Barrow in Furness

.. Hope someone who is researching the DORRINGTON FAMILY can help with this puzzle.

Name: Jane Watkins
Name: Oliver Hale
Date of Registration: Apr-May-Jun 1885
Registration district: Westbury On Severn
Registration county (inferred): Gloucestershire
Volume Number: 6a
Page Number: 431

1891
Oliver Hale abt 1863 Cinderford Head Bradwell, Buckinghamshire
Jane Hale abt 1864 Cinderford Wife Bradwell, Buckinghamshire
Ernest E Hale abt 1887 New Bradwell, Buckinghamshire, England Son Bradwell, Buckinghamshire
Fredk C Hale abt 1888 New Bradwell, Buckinghamshire, England Son Bradwell, Buckinghamshire
Florence J Hale abt 1889 New Bradwell, Buckinghamshire, England Daughter Bradwell, Buckinghamshire
Effie G Hale abt 1890 New Bradwell, Buckinghamshire, England Daughter Bradwell, Buckinghamshire

1901
Oliver Hale abt 1863 Anderford, Gloucestershire, England Head Bradwell, Buckinghamshire
Jane Hale abt 1864 Anderford, Gloucestershire, England Wife Bradwell, Buckinghamshire
Ernest O Hale abt 1887 Stantonbury, Buckinghamshire, England Son Bradwell, Buckinghamshire
Fred Chas Hale abt 1888 Stantonbury, Buckinghamshire, England Son Bradwell, Buckinghamshire
Florence J Hale abt 1890 Stantonbury, Buckinghamshire, England Daughter Bradwell, Buckinghamshire
Effie G Hale abt 1891 Stantonbury, Buckinghamshire, England Daughter Bradwell, Buckinghamshire
Clifford Hale abt 1893 Stantonbury, Buckinghamshire, England Son Bradwell, Buckinghamshire
Frank Hale abt 1897 Stantonbury, Buckinghamshire, England Son Bradwell, Buckinghamshire

1911
HALE OLIVER M 1863 48 Newport Pagnell Buckinghamshire
HALE JANE F 1864 47 Newport Pagnell Buckinghamshire
HALE CLIFFORD M 1893 18 Newport Pagnell Buckinghamshire
HALE EFFIE GERTRUDE F 1891 20 Newport Pagnell Buckinghamshire
HALE ERNEST OLIVER M 1887 24 Newport Pagnell Buckinghamshire
HALE FLORENCE JENNY F 1890 21 Newport Pagnell Buckinghamshire
HALE FRANK M 1897 14 Newport Pagnell Buckinghamshire

Name: Jane Hale
Death Registration Month/Year: 1919
Age at death (estimated): 56 {inferred 1863}
Registration district: Newport Pagnell
Inferred County: Buckinghamshire
Volume: 3a
Page: 761

Name: Oliver Hale
Death Registration Month/Year: 1946
Age at death (estimated): 83 {inferred 1863}
Registration district: North Bucks
Inferred County: Buckinghamshire
Volume: 3a
Page: 1361

<><><><> wife Jane WATKINS

1861
Charles Watkins abt 1828 Newnham, Gloucestershire, England Head East Dean, Gloucestershire
Mary Watkins abt 1833 Camm, Gloucestershire, England Wife East Dean, Gloucestershire
Ann Watkins abt 1855 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
Elizabeth Watkins abt 1856 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
Emma Watkins abt 1860 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire

1871
Charles Watkins 43
Mary Watkins 37
Emma Watkins 11
Martha Watkins 8
Jane Watkins 7
Mary A Watkins 5
Lucy Watkins 3
Frederick Watkins 10 Months

1881
Jane Watkins abt 1863 Cinderford, Gloucestershire, England Servant Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

Now, this brings me to my next question. I thought Oliver HALE spouse of Jane in the 1901 census was my Oliver. Looking at the 1901 census index there is two Oliver HALEs age 38 years. I have the info on Oliver HALE in Bucks. Could somebody please let me know the info on the other 38 year old Oliver? Which one is my Oliver? Thanks.

Bill

1861 Bilson
Wm Dorrington abt 1835 St Breward, Gloucestershire, England Head East Dean, Gloucestershire
Sophia Dorrington abt 1833 St Breward, Gloucestershire, England Wife East Dean, Gloucestershire
Sidney Dorrington abt 1860 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean, Gloucestershire

1861 Ruspidge
Eduard Dorrayton abt 1830 St Briavels, Gloucestershire, England Head East Dean, Gloucestershire Iron Miner
Harriett Dorrayton abt 1828 English Bicknor, Gloucestershire, England Wife East Dean, Gloucestershire
Eduard Dorrayton abt 1859 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean, Gloucestershire
Fanny Dorrayton abt 1851 Newland, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
James Dorrayton abt 1852 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean, Gloucestershire
Jane Dorrayton abt 1855 Newland, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire

1861 Bilson Green
Thomas Dorrington abt 1798 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Head East Dean, Gloucestershire Labourer
Ann Dorrington abt 1813 London, Monmouthshire, Wales Wife East Dean, Gloucestershire
Ann Dorrington abt 1850 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
Thomas Dorrington abt 1854 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire

1861 Ruspidge
John Dorrington abt 1825 St Briavels, Gloucestershire, England Head East Dean, Gloucestershire Miner
Hannah Dorrington abt 1825 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Wife East Dean, Gloucestershire
Anne Dorrington abt 1854 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
Bibe Dorrington abt 1845 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean, Gloucestershire
John Dorrington abt 1861 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean, Gloucestershire
Louisa Dorrington abt 1858 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire

Bill

http://www.forum.forest-of-dean.net/index.php?mode=thread&id=13942#p14002
is a thread that links BRAIN and DORRINGTON; perhaps hot such a big ask to pull in HALE :-)

1881
Mary Ann Hale abt 1824 Redbrook Head Westbury On Severn - East Dean, Gloucestershire
John Hale abt 1857 Eastdean, Gloucestershire, England Son Westbury On Severn - East Dean, Gloucestershire
Oliver Hale abt 1864 Eastdean Grandson Westbury On Severn - East Dean, Gloucestershire
Hurbert Hale abt 1868 Cheltenham Grandson Westbury On Severn - East Dean, Gloucestershire

1871 Cinderford Causeway
Joseph Hale abt 1815 Little Dean; Hill, Gloucestershire, England Head East Dean, Gloucestershire
Mary Ann Hale abt 1823 Newland, Gloucestershire, England Wife East Dean, Gloucestershire
Emily Hale abt 1846 Wedtburyon, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
Joseph Haleabt 1853 Little Dean; Hill, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean, Gloucestershire
Sarah Hale abt 1842 Little Dean; Hill, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
John Henry Hale abt 1857 Little Dean; Hill, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean, Gloucestershire
Herbert Thomas Hale abt 1868 Chilham, Gloucestershire, England Grandson East Dean, Gloucestershire
Oliver Dorrington Hale abt 1863 Little Dean; Hill, Gloucestershire, England Grandson East Dean, Gloucestershire

Name: Oliver Hall
Year of Registration: 1863
Quarter of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar
District: Westbury On Severn
County: Gloucestershire
Volume: 6a
Page: 216

Name: Herbert Thomas Hale
Year of Registration: 1867
Quarter of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec
District: Cheltenham
County: Gloucestershire
Volume: 6a
Page: 387

Bill White