Stephen Bignell b. 1841

Discovery for Stephen Bignail [Bignell]

Early documents

One of the early documents found was his marriage record.

 The 1861 Census

From the 1861 Census for Bishop's Sutton, Hampshire, England we find Stephen Bignall [Bignell], relationship to head, servant, Unmarried, of 20 years of age with an occupation of Carter. Place of birth Hampshire, Bishop's Sutton. Estimated year of birth 1841.

We need to look at the previous page to get the location, and who the head of the family was.

 Joining the two pages together, there is a potential for something of a story here.

Light blue marker, highlights William and Mary Bignell, Stephen's parents living at Northside Farm.

The next property on the enumerator's walk is Sutton Farm, highlighted in brown. It would therefore appear the Stephen had just moved next door to find work. Not only did he find work but he also found romance. Highlighted in yellow we find Elizabeth A Russell, relationship to head, servant, Unmarried, of 19 years of age with an occupation of Dairy Maid. Place of birth Hampshire, Itchen Stoke. Estimated year of birth 1842.

That romance appears to have resulted in the marriage recorded above, given the proximity, and the matching of names and ages.

The head of the family at Sutton Farm is George Judd, Male, age 46, estimated year of birth 1815 and place of birth Winterslow, Wiltshire, England. He is a farmer of 875 acres, employing 8 men and 3 boys.

George Judd had an entry in Kelly’s Directory of Hampshire 1855 as a Farmer in Bishop's Sutton.

The image below is a repeat of the 1851 Census in Bishop's Sutton, showing the same parents. The siblings shown below have probably moved out to find work, apart from Mary Ann, who, by 1861 Census 13 years of age which matches the entry above. 

The Data Sheet for Stephen Bignail [Bignell]

Probably due to the times, and general level of illiteracy, the spelling of surnames fluctuates. The current consistent surname is Bignell, and that will be our theme irrespective of the spelling on individual documents. 

Baptism

Found by page turning the images of the document instead of using search or hints. Slower, but then I can pick up changes in spelling and/or transcription errors.

 An extract of the Baptism register for Bishop's Sutton, Hampshire, England.

On 11th April 1841, Stephen, son of William and Mary Bignail [Bignell] was baptised. They resided in Bishop's Sutton, abbreviated as Sutton, and his father was a Labourer.

Marriage

 Marriage of Stephen Bignel and Elizabeth Ann Russel in 1863

The marriage in the parish church (of St Nicholas) in the Parish of Bishop's Sutton, in the County of Southampton ( now known as the county of Hampshire)

 On January 22 1863 Stephen Bignel [Bignell], of 22 years of age, a bachelor, whose occupation was recorded as a Labourer residing in Bishop's Sutton, married;

Elizabeth Ann Russell, of 20 years of age, a spinster, residing in Bishop's Sutton,

It was an established church, Church of England marriage by Banns. There appears to be no explicit approval of the wedding in respect of Elizabeth Ann being only 20.

Their fathers were recorded as being  William Bignel [Bignell] and a not recorded person, respectively, the former a Labourer.

Stephen Bignell did not signed his own name and is annotated with X. Elizabeth Russel appears to have signed her own name.

The marriage was in the presence of Henry Bignell and Charlotte Bignell, and conducted by the curate, Henry Watts.

Census and Voting Registers

Children

Elizabeth Ann Bignell nee Russell and Stephen Bignell children's Baptism Records.

Work and locations

Death

Conclusion

Key data about Elizabeth Eldridge and her family.

Tree