Ann Sarah of Perranarworthal

[greyroamer]

Hi everyone, I have come with a bit of a mystery regarding one Ann Sarah of Perranarworthal.

There is a record of a baptism of Ann Sarah, dau of William Sarah and Jenifer in Perranarworthal on 10 Jan 1802 and another baptism of Ann Sarah, dau of William Sarah and Jenifer in Perranarworthal on 7 Jul 1812. I can find only one marriage record of William Sarah to Jenifer anywhere in Cornwall in the period 1780-1815, that of William Sarah to Jenifer Bawden in Perranarworthal in 1800.

Thus, although I can find no burial record of an Ann Sarah anywhere in Cornwall in the period 1801-1812, I am forced to consider that either:

1) the first Ann must have died sometime between 10 Jan 1802 and 7 Jul 1812, however i can find no appropriate record; or

2) that there were two couples named William and Jenefer Sarah in Perranarworthal around the same time who both baptised a daughter Ann; or,

3) that there were two baptisms of the same person, one in 1802 and the other in 1812 (perhaps a "private" and a "public" baptism which seems to have been fairly common.).

The problem arises with the marriage of Ann Sarah to John Tippett in 1826 in St Agnes (which is not all that far from Perranarworthal) - the 1802 baptism fits well, but the 1812 baptism means a marriage at about 14 years old; not impossible, but seems most unlikely. If Ann was the one who married John Tippett and died in 1837 in St. Agnes at age 36, she could not have been born around 1812.

I'm up against a brick wall here and can't seem to find any record which establishes the facts, unfortunately all of this was before the census data became common. I have carefully examined the original parish register for Perranarworthal but am no closer to the truth.

Does anyone have a connection to this family or a suggestion as to where I may find further information ?

Regards, Mike

[Cornish Terrier]

Mike - there is one other option and that is that there were two surviving daughters named Ann. Not a common occurrence but it did happen even around that time. But given that is a rather unusual option and given no burial is evident it is logical to think that the same child was baptized twice.

BUT - it would be wise to look at other means of narrowing down the possibilities.

When Ann Sarah married John Tippet at St Agnes in 1826 she was a 'sojourner' so could have been from almost anywhere and the Ann Tippet dying at St Agnes in 1837 at age 36 does look a good match for Ann Sarah of Perranaworthal in 1802. BUT ……………

Regarding the 1837 burial - you need to try and find out a little more about this Ann Tippet. There is nothing in the record to indicate whether or not she was married and if she had been married you need to consider the possibility she may have been married twice.

Have you checked for children of John and Ann Tippet. Their names could potentially offer clues about the mother and could help you locate the correct John Tippet in the 1841 and 1851 Census. If John Tippet can be found in 1841 (and preferably 1851) with children to help confirm his identity it may identify whether or not he was widowed, remarried OR if his wife was still alive. The latter would then discount that burial.

Also - at Perranarworthal there are two Ann Sarah marriages that should be investigated.

1. 1818 James Davey and Ann Sarah
2. 1833 James Verran and Ann Sarah

It would be a good idea to check and identify both of these so that they might be eliminated from the equation.

And I think you should also check marriages, burials, Census records to see if you can find anything that might be a match to that 1812 baptism. In fact this option might be the best to investigate first.

You should check each of the options above but if you can at least identify that there is no possible future or no further record for Ann of 1812 then it would make the possibility of a second baptism more plausible.

CT

[greyroamer]

Hi CT, thanks for that.

I have the census records for John Tippett for 1841, 1851 and 1861, but, as Ann died in 1837, she obviously does not appear. John married again in 1849 to Jecoliah Manley, so she is the one who appears in the 1851 & 1861 record. The 1841 record shows just John and his two youngest surviving children and, although the record does not state marital status, the absence of a spouse seems to confirm Anne's death in 1837. There is a marriage record of John Tippet and Ann Sarah, 22 Jan 1826, (England Marriages and Cornwall Parish Registers) and baptism records for Thomas, 1826 (d. 1832); Jane, 1831; Elizabeth, 1832; Mary Anne, 1834; Thomas, 1835 and John,7 Mar 1837 -- All in St Agnes and all with parents shown as John Tippet and Ann. Unfortunately, none of the children's names seem to relate back to their mother's family except that Jane is often an alternative for Jenifer, (Ann's mother). I feel comfortable that John married the Ann Sarah who was baptised in 1802 - but I still have no idea about the Ann Sarah baptised in 1812 - The logical thought is for the private and public baptisms, but 10 years seems to be an over-long gap, most instances of a double baptism that I have found seem to be within a week or so of each other, often due to an ill child at birth. The James Verran/Ann Sara marriage may be relevant, but the witnesses were Richard Sarah and Richard Sarah (and I'm guessing here)who would seem to have been the father and brother of the bride. The only other likely one I found was Ann Sarah/Samuel Pick in Stithians in 1840.

[Cornish Terrier]

Okay, the baptisms and Census records do tend to suggest that you are right with Ann Sarah (1802) being the wife of John Tippet buried in 1837. Following Census records indicate the same John having married again and if I read your post correctly some of those early children remain in the household in at least 1851.

I also think the James Verran marriage will be for a different Ann Sarah given the witnesses were both named Richard Sarah, probably father and son. That would suggest this Ann may have been the Ann Sarah baptized in 1795 to Richard Sarah. (You may need to check the OPC records just to confirm that as I am working from memory of seeing the entry earlier.)

The only other likely one I found was Ann Sarah/Samuel Pick in Stithians in 1840.

As there were Ann Sarah baptisms at Stithians I would suggest this is probably a red herring but having just looked at the Stithians Register and not found the entry I will have to search further. AHA - that particular marriage took place at Phillack! and Ann Sarah named her father as John Berriman. Not sure if this is meant to be 'John Berriman Sarah' or, as is more likely, an indication that Ann was illegitimate.

The Ann Sara marriage at Stithians was in 1884 to John Bath and this Ann named her father as George so you can discount that one also.

The only other thing I think you could do would be to search for a possible death/burial that might fit the 1812 baptism. On second thoughts there is yet one more option - check FreeBMD for possible Ann Sara/Sarah marriages up to about 1851 just to see if there might have been any that took place in the Registry Office or one of the non-conformist chapels.

If you don't find anything of interest after doing the above then it would seem there may be little option but to accept that the 1812 baptism was a second baptism for the girl from 1802. Don't be too concerned about the 10 year gap as I have seen many similar instances.

CT

[londoner]

A little supporting evidence. The opc has the burial of Ann in 1837 being age 36 of Vicarage, and John age 4 in 1841 also of Vicarage, which is where John Snr and the other children , Jane, Elizabeth, Mary and Thomas, are living in 1841 census. Vicarage road is the Main Street in st Agnes I believe.