I have finally received the birth certificate for Martha Meek. She was born on 18th September 1856 and was the daughter of Harriet Meek. The birth was registered on 25th October 1856 and the mark of Harriet Meek mother Ruardean is on the certificate.

Thomas Rudge was baptised 26.6.1808 son of John Rudge & Eleanor Marfell. Thomas Rudge married Abia Meek 13.5.1837 at Hope Mansell. I have the image of the 1851 Census and there is no Martha Meek just their children Harriett 15 & Joseph 13. On the 1861 Census there is a Martha Rudge aged 4 with Thomas & Abia, but there is no relationship shown for Martha and she is the only person on the entire sheet where a relationship is not shown. I have no information regarding a marriage for Joseph, but know that Harriett married 18.11.1856 to Edwin Roberts, however Harriett married as a spinster named Harriett MEEK, father Thomas Rudge. Harriett was born before the marriage between Thomas Rudge & Abia Meek.

I have not included Martha in my family tree even though Thomas Rudge is my 1st cousin 5 times removed as I cannot be certain as to her parents and would be very interested in the outcome of this posting.

Jim Ashton

I think I have a connection here.

I have a Mary Rudge, daughter of George Rudge who married Samuel Meredith born 1847, they had 4 children Timothy, Obedia, Anne & Jane :

1901 Census East Dean
Samuel Meredith abt 1845 East Dean, Head East Dean
Mary Meredith abt 1844 East Dean, Wife
Obed Meredith abt 1873 Normanton, Son
Annie Meredith abt 1876 Normanton, Daughter
Jane Meredith abt 1883 East Dean, Daughter
Mark Bracey abt 1876 Viney Hill,Visitor Head
Florie Bracey abt 1877 East Dean, Wife
Timothy Bracey abt 1900 East Dean, Son
Annie Davis abt 1883 Newnham, Servant
As you know, ages are invariably inaccurate. Note the Normanton connection.I have the image if needed.

Samuel Meredith was the son of Thomas Meredith bapt 23.1.1820 & Elizabeth Trigg bapt. 31.1.1819. Elizabeth is daughter of Benjamin Trigg 1787 & Mary Marfell.

Regarding the baptism of George Rudge 1813, shown as parents John Rudge & Eleanor. I have a John Rudge 1781 married to Eleanor Marfell baptised 4.1.1778, daughter of John Marfell & Lucy Meek. Before Eleanor married John Rudge 3.12.1800, with whom she had 6 children, she had an illegitimate son Josiah Marfell bap. 5.4.1799, who married Sarah Morris.
You might find my notes for Josiah Marfell interesting :

1841 Census Lydbrook
Josia Marfell 35 Coal Miner
Sarah 30
Ann 6
Elizabeth 4
Jane 2
Elizabeth Cooper 15

Will for Josiah MARFELL 27th October 1849
Sarah MARFELL of Newland Bridge, widow, appeared personally and said she had been at the signing of the Will by James LODGE, Henry HARRIS and John MORRIS.

Will states...give and bequeath to my beloved wife Sarah MARFELL all my real and personal estate and if necessity require shall sell all or any part of my real or personal estate and provided she does not sell or dispose of my house and garden in her lifetime then it shall descend to my son John MARFELL his heirs, executors etc for ever.

...I nominate my wife Sarah MARFELL whole and sold executrix of this my last Will...

Signed by Josiah and the witnesses.

=========================================================

Josiah was a manager of a coal mine in the Forest and he did as was the custom of the day, worked young children in less than desirable conditions. When situations like this occur it definately causes rifts between different sections of the families, these rifts although well hidden with time sometimes still come to the surface.
Josiah is mentioned in the book, "Highest Point Of Dean" page 36, Old Indusries of Dean
Strip And At It was carried on by John HARRIS of Lydbrook and managed by Josiah MARFELL. men & boys sometimes worked 10 - 15 hours a day to earn their keep in a seam only 20 inches thick, and the boys growth was stunted by the confined space.
He is also mentioned in the 1842 Royal Commission Report on Children working in the mines of Gloucestershire.
Strip And At It Works, Suridge Green, carried on by Mr John HARRIS. Mr Josiah MARFELL, age 42, underground
manager.

Simon Haddock

Bognor Regis, West Sussex UK
Sunday, June 03, 2001 at 03:25:12

1851 Harry Hill
Geo Rudge abt 1815 Ruardean, Gloucestershire, England Head East Dean Gloucestershire
Ann Rudge abt 1819 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Wife East Dean Gloucestershire
George Rudge abt 1840 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean Gloucestershire
John Rudge abt 1848 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean Gloucestershire
Mary Rudge abt 1847 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean Gloucestershire
Richd Rudge abt 1841 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean Gloucestershire
Tom Rudge abt 1845 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean Gloucestershire

1861
George Rudge abt 1816 East Down, Gloucestershire, England Head East Dean Gloucestershire
Anne Rudge abt 1820 East Down, Gloucestershire, England Wife East Dean Gloucestershire
Ann Rudge abt 1856 East Down, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean Gloucestershire
George Rudge abt 1840 East Down, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean Gloucestershire
John Rudge abt 1850 East Down, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean Gloucestershire
Mary Rudge abt 1849 East Down, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean Gloucestershire
Tom Rudge abt 1846 East Down, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean Gloucestershire

?

Year 1813
Month Dec
Day 25
Parents Surname RUDGE
Child Forename(s) George
Father's Forename(s) John
Mother's Forename(s) Eleanor
Mother's Surname
Place of Residence Ruerdean [Ruardean]
Occupation Collier
Officiating Minister T. D. Fosbrooke Assist[ant] Curate
Event type Baptism
Memoranda son of
Notes
Register Reference P275 IN 1/7
Page No 5
Parish/Chapel Ruardean