Auntie_Let_and_Uncle_Percys_wedding_1M.jpg

Weddings

Wedding of Let and Percy

Featured

Isaac Butcher b. 1791

Super User Butcher families 30 November 2021 Hits: 968

Isaac Butcher

BIRTH 30 September 1791 • Bishop's Sutton, Hampshire, England
DEATH 11 January 1873 • Alresford, Hampshire, England

4th great-grandfather

Ancestry Synopsis at start.

When Isaac Butcher was born on 30 September 1791 in Bishop's Sutton, Hampshire, his father, Isaac, was 44 and his mother, Mary, was 34. He married Anne Winter on 17 January 1818 in Colemore, Hampshire. They had 11 children in 24 years. He died on 11 January 1873 in Alresford, having lived a long life of 81 years.

Of particular note in this article is the unravelling of the Marriage of Isaac Butcher to Anne Winter on 17 January 1818. To read about it straight away jump to the marriage tab.

Help

Help, introduction, information, and repeated segments

Introduction - Explanation

Discovery

I have decided to split the information about this person into two main sections. The first is discovery. Generally the first discovery is from Ancestry Trees and Hints. For the avoidance of repetition, I will not repeat that in the Discovery section for each person. Sometimes the lead maybe from MyHeritage, or other similar genealogy sites. Where that is the case, I will state so. Another lead could be DNA, including Ancestry's ThroughLines, again to be stated.

However, the main point of the discovery section is to create something of a story for the person and his or her life. A brief synopsis, sometimes over and above that created by Ancestry's AI.

Data Sheet

The next part is the Data Sheet. Designed to be the collection of all the records, and information found about the person. It can include records already shown in the Discovery Section, for completeness of the Data Sheet. However, although the template is structured for lots of possible information, I am sure that there will be times when there will be many gaps, which will be left so, just in case more information comes to light at a later time.

Structure

The structure of the family website is multifaceted. It depends of where you come into the site as to how transparent this is. The most simple page is that of a single person. More complicated is a single family, where there is a father and the articles within for associated people such as wife and children. The next level is multi-generation built around a hub, Articles within articles, generation after generation. With time it slowly grows. Each person within the growing mass, has a single focused article with a similar structure. This method, I think, gives structure to the reader, and to me.

This itself is a snippet which is frequently repeated, and not therefore specific.

Transcription of records is generally shown in this colour.

Census and Voting Registers

UK Census dates

UK Census dates from 1911Census.org.

The Census Act 1800 – also known as the Population Act 1800 – (41 Geo. 3. (G.B.) c. 15)

1801 First Census Tuesday 10^th March 1801
1811 Second Census Monday 27th May 1811
1821 Third Census Monday 28th May 1821
1831 Fourth Census Sunday 29th May 1831

Population Act 1840

1841 Fifth Census Sunday 6^th June 1841
1851 Sixth Census Sunday 30^th March 1851
1861 Seventh Census Sunday 7th April 1861
1871 Eighth Census Sunday 2^nd April 1871
1881 Ninth Census Sunday 3^rd April 1881
1891 Tenth Census Sunday 5^th April 1891
1901 Eleventh Census Sunday 31^st March 1901
1911 Twelfth Census Sunday 2^nd April 1911
1921 Thirteenth Census Sunday 19^th June 1921
1931 Census Sunday 26^th April 1931
1941 Census -- Not held - WWII --
1951 Census Sunday 8^th April 1951
1961 Census Sunday 23^rd April 1961
1971 Census Sunday 25^th April 1971
1981 Census Sunday 5^th April 1981
1991 Census Sunday 21^st April 1991
2001 Census Sunday 29^th April 2001
2011 Census Sunday 27^th March 2011
2021 Census Sunday 21^st March 2021

Distribution of Census months. In March, 5; April, 12; May, 3; and in June, 2.

<1939 Register Friday 29^th September 1939>

Below, a short history of the Census from The National Archhives

The Spelling of Surnames

It is commonly accepted that for the printed word, the spelling system became standardised by the end of the seventeenth century. Powerful influences had been the introduction of the printing press (with spelling conventions set by the printers) and the publication of dictionaries. This standardisation was not echoed in the recording of surnames. Famously, Shakespeare had 5 other variants of his name, in his lifetime. Indeed, standardisation did not arrive until the advent of mass literacy in the twentieth century.
In surname studies, there is a complicated relationship between pronunciation, orthography and, presumably, the influence of the standardisation conventions of printed text.

Discovery

Initial discovery

Most of the initial discovery appears to have come from other tree builders on Ancestry together with Ancestry Hints.

Research, general digging and discovery

DNA

From DNA matches in Ancestry

You (me) and Amanda Paris

| Unassigned

Parish Records Bishop's Sutton

Parish Records Bishop's Sutton, Alresford, Hampshire, England

Bishop's Transcripts and Parish Records

Bishops´ Transcripts Bishops Sutton 1837-1858

The first entry in the Parish Register for Baptisms in Bishop's Sutton, starting January 1837.

The beginning of a page turn through the document to find baptisms within the family and others similar.

Bishops´ Transcripts Bishops Sutton 1837-1858

I Samuel Maddock Vicar of the Parish of B^p Sutton in the County of Southampton do hereby solemnly declare that the several writings hereto annexed purporting to be the Copies of the Several Entries contained in the Several Register Books of Baptisms Marriages & Burials of the Parish or Chapelry aforesaid from the First day of January to the Thirty First of December inclusive and that no other Entry during such Period is contained in any such Books respectively are truly made according to the best of my knowledge and Belief

Signed S Maddock

It appears that this book is in fact Bishops´ Transcripts Bishops Sutton 1837-1858. A copy, hence the endorsement by the vicar. There are also the original Parish Registers Bishops Sutton 1813-1855.

In page turn it would be easy to do one book and then the other. However, from a readers perspective I suspect it will be easier to mix the books together so both records of a persons baptism can be seen together. I will have to annotate the images accordingly.

The Parish Record book has front pages, not just the start of records.

Parish Records Front Pages - Baptisms - Bishops Sutton 1813 - 1855

Parish Register Bishops Sutton Baptisms 1813 1855 Front Cover

Bishop's Sutton Baptisms. Apr. 4, 1813 to Dec^r. 14. 1855

Parish Register Bishops Sutton Baptisms 1813 1855 Front Cover i

Bishop's Sutton
AD. 1813
William Evans, B.D.		Vicar

John Eames Waight	}	Church Wardens
Michael Risers

Parish Register Bishops Sutton Baptisms 1813 1855 Front Cover i

1854

On Sunday next June 3^rd and during the Summer Months, Devine Service will be celebrated in the Parish Church of Bp. Sutton at half past ten o'clock in the Morning & at Seven o'clock in the Evening.

The rite of Baptism will be administered to Infants on the first Sunday of Every Month at an Afternoon Service to Commence at 3 o'clock.

???

Officiating Minister

Parish Register Bishops Sutton Baptisms 1813 1855 Front Cover ii

1841. Bishop Sutton Church new Pews & more seats added - will now seat 324 persons -

Number of Houses in Sutton 112 = Inhabitants about 600

Plan of Gallery with Free Sittings built in Sutton Church 1831

Parish Register Bishops Sutton Baptisms 1813 1855 Front Cover ii

A Grant of 25£ allowed from the Incorporated Society, through the kind interests of the Bp [Bishop] of Winchester who also contributed 15£ & c. _____ and the ArchBp of Canterbury 10£ & the same sum to Ropley ???

		Sam^l Maddock Vicar
	{	J Eames Waight Geo Calmshott ?
		Churchwardens August 16. 1881
		Staircase & Landing
		Door of Entrance


		Entrance to Seats Entrance to Seats



		Entrance to the Steeple


		Private Pew built by - Faculty by the Lay Rector Some Years ago

Parish Register Bishops Sutton Baptisms 1813 1855 Front Cover iii

In the Year 1841 Sutton Church was repewed by a Plate & Subscriptions from the Vicar & other friends.

The following arrangement was afterwards made in reference to 3 Seats in the Chancel

One of which was erected at the Expence of Michael Rivers Esq^r
One at the expence of the Vicar - the Rev. S. Maddock
& the third previously existed & belonged to the Lay Rector of the Parish

At the request of Mr Loe, on account of his large family an exchange was made in sufferance, by the Vicar & Churchwardens' consent of the Seat erected by M. Rivers Esq^r for that of the Lay Rector as it was an unoccupied pew _

The Pew lately occupied by Mr Loe's family having the words - "Rectors Pew" painted on the door ---

S. Maddock Vicar

May 7 -- 1851 ----

Parish Register Bishops Sutton Baptisms 1813 1855 Front Cover iv

The old Yew Tree in Bp Sutton Church Yard having been dead some Years, the Revd. S. Maddock removed it, & planted a young one at Christmas in the Year 1854; -- being the 37th Xmas of his ???

S Maddock

Jan 21st . 1855.

Ropley Vicarage

The printed Register of Baptisms Book includes a copy of the Act of Parliament which enforced it use.

Part of that below, shows that Revd S Maddock amended text to complete the annotation as used in the Bishop's Transcripts, as we have seen.

Location of the above church

OS 25 Old Map Bishops Sutton Church - Hampshire and Isle of Wight XLII.10 Revised: 1895, Published: 1896

Ropley Vicarage is mentioned in the Register of Baptism Bishop's Sutton.

OS 25 Old Map Ropley Church and Vicarage - Hampshire and Isle of Wight XLII.12 Revised: 1895, Published: 1896

OS 6 Old Map Ropley to Bishops Sutton with Alresford - Hampshire & Isle of Wight Sheet XLII.SE Revised: 1895, Published: 1897 and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Sheet XLII.SW Revised: 1894 to 1895, Published: 1897 and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Sheet XLII.NW Revised: 1894 to 1895, Published: 1897

Although much of the above is just an aside, found whilst turning pages of records instead of just searching for a specific person, there are some interesting pieces of information. The Rector appears to be living at the very large Ropley vicarage, perhaps serving both Ropley and Bishop's Sutton Churches, and therefore receiving both 'livings'

Baptisms are carried out on the first Sunday of each month. Meaning that in most cases, the birth of a person will have been in the month before. There will be exceptions. For ailing babies, they may have been baptised shortly after birth. I would expect to seen an entered into congregation note in that case. For elder children I would expect to see an age given in the Baptism record. As a rule of thumb, for an approximate date of birth, of the month before baptism will do until better information is found. Also it stops things like the birth, only a year, appearing after the baptism, a specific date, in a chronological list.

Birth and Baptism

Parents

Marriage

England, Pallot's Marriage Index, 1780-1837

Butcher, Isaac & Ann Winter 1818

Marriages solemnized in the Rarish of Colmar in the County of Southampton in the Year 1818 [Hampshire]

1818
No. 6
	Isaac Butcher of this Parish of Colmar in the County of Southampton, Labourer
	and
	Ann Winter of the parish of Colmar aforesaid in the County aforesaid, Widow
	were Married in this Church by	Banns	with the Consent of
		this	Seventeenth Day of January in the Year One Thousand eight Hundred and eighteen	by me	Ja^s Cookson A.M.F.S.A	Rector

	This Marriage was solemnized between us		Isaac Butcher X his Mark
			Ann Winter X her Mark

	In the Presence of		Rich^d Kemp
			James Sangridge X his Mark

	17 Jan 1818

Rector Colmer with Prior's Dean (29/09/1775 - 22/01/1835 ) - Cookson, James (1774 - 1835) Died in post.

OS 6 Map Bishops Sutton to Colemore - Hampshire & Isle of Wight Sheet XLIII.SW Revised: 1895, Published: 1897

Isaac was about 26 years of age when he married Ann.

Something to note. In the Marriage record he is recorded as being of the Parish of Colmar, now known as Colemore. Ann is also 26 years of age in January 1818. Her's is understandable, she is believed to have been born in Colmar. Her home Parish perhaps. Traditional to be married in the girl's home parish. However, Isaac was more likely to be of the Parish of Bishop's Sutton.

Perhaps there is a reason!

She is also described as being a Widow. Does this mean that her first married surname is Winter and her maiden name is something as yet un-discovered?

Is this the correct record for this family, or are there others which don't have the complication of being a widow and being out of parish. How did they meet, what were the circumstances?

Could this be Ann's earlier marriage, also in the Parish of Colmar? Nine years before.

Marriages solemnized in the Rarish of Colmar in the County of Southampton in the Year 1807 [Hampshire]

1807
	Banns of Marriage between		William Winter and Ann Phillips
			were duly published on three several Sundays, to wit.
			Sepr 20 & 20 and Oct 4, 1807
No. 40
	The said William Winter of this Parish of Colmar, Labourer
	and
	Ann Phillips of the parish of Colmar aforesaid, Spinster
	were Married in this Church by	Banns
		this	Twelfth Day of October in the Year One Thousand eight Hundred and seven	by me	Ja^s Cookson A.M.	Rector

	This Marriage was solemnized between us		Will^m Winter X his Mark
			Ann Phillips X her Mark

	In the Presence of		Anthony Brooman X his Mark
			Rich^d Kemp


	17 Jan 1818

Richard Kemp is witness on both occasions. This could be that he is connected to Ann Phillips, later Winter, or that he is part of the church and often signs as witness. Some more page turning should resolve that.

Next steps.

I will add the William Winter Ann Phillips marriage to Anne Winter and rename her.
I will disassociate her from her current parents, with Winter surname. To try and build more information about Ann Phillips.
I will try to find any DNA matches which may either help prove or disprove this theory.
I will also search for alternative records for the marriage of Isaac Butcher and Anne Winter which have them as bachelor and spinster.
I will continue to write up the results here, so watch this space.
I will start an article about William Winter.

The branch of the tree of William Winter and Ann Phillips, being developed for this test, has led to a DNA match, and a tree with DNA test, but no match from the Ancestry system and algorithms.

I will call the matched person, Living person B.

In living Person B's tree;-

Harriet Elizabeth Winter

Birth 15 JAN 1809 • Colemore, Hampshire, England, United Kingdom

Death 6 MAY 1891 • Colemore, Petersfield, Hampshire, England, United Kingdom

From that, I assume that more than one DNA traces cross at Harriet Elizabeth Winter.

Harriet Elizabeth Winter is a child of William Winter and Ann Phillips born in January 1809, nine years before the marriage of Isaac Butcher and Ann Winter, in 1818. So it seems to me that the DNA match to Living person B must come from Ann Phillips, not Isaac Butcher. This in turn suggests that Ann Phillips and Ann Winter are one in the same person.

This is a good result.

Harriott Winter Daug^r of William and Ann Winter was Born 15 Jan^y 1809 and Christened 15 Feb^y 1809. Registered 16 Feb 1809 by me Ja^s Cookson A.M. Rector

It appears, that following William Winters death in 1813 Ann Winters nee Phillips was taken in by William's brother Benjamin Winter.

Colmar, County of Southampton - 1814

1814 Dec^r 25. No.8 Benjamin Son of Benjamin Winter and Ann Winter Single Woman, Abode Colmar, Father's Occupation Labourer

Benjamin Winter named as the father and not William Winter (Deceased) which may have been used for a posthumous baby.

I assume that the annotation 'Single Woman' indicates that they were not married, and that she was not married to someone else. She was a widow in 1814.

Wife's family

Wife's family (Willliam Bignell)

Children

Other families

A Other Pertinent Families Noted

A Different family observed whilst doing the Register of Baptisms' page turn. For note and to avoid confusion between the several families. Became many families of interest.

Thomas & Caroline Bignall / Bignail

Bishops´ Transcripts Bishops Sutton 1837-1858

Bishop's Sutton, County of Southampton - 1838

No 421, Baptised April 29 [1838] James to Tho^s & Caroline Bignall, Abode [Bishops] Sutton, Lab^r.

This baptism is before William and Mary married, and there is evidence of illegitimate children being annotated accordingly.

The parents are Thomas and Caroline.

This was found as part of a page turn, which identifies things to be excluded as well as included, and as such are useful.

Bishops´ Transcripts Bishops Sutton 1837-1858

Bishop's Sutton, County of Southampton - 1840

No 456, Baptised Octr 11 [1840] Charles to Tho^s & Caroline Bignail, Abode [Bishops] Sutton, Lab^r.

Another change in spelling of the surname by the Vicar, Bignall becomes Bignail. Only one letter changes.

Bishops´ Transcripts Bishops Sutton 1837-1858

Bishop's Sutton, County of Southampton - 1848

No 578, Baptised May 7 [1848] George to Thomas & Caroline Bignail, Abode [Bishops] Sutton, Labourer.

William & Jane Butcher

Bishops´ Transcripts Bishops Sutton 1837-1858

Bishop's Sutton, County of Southampton - 1838

No 428, Baptised Aug^st 26 [1838] Emily to William & Jane Butcher, Abode [Bishops] Sutton, Black Smithy

Nothing wrong or in conflict with Bignell, for this record. Married couple William and Jane Butcher. Possible relation to Mary Bignell nee Butcher but not explored yet.

Bishops´ Transcripts Bishops Sutton 1837-1858

Bishop's Sutton, County of Southampton - 1841

No 463, Baptised April 11 [1841] Harriet to William & Jane Butcher, Abode [Bishops] Sutton, Blacksmith.

Same parents, abode and occupation.

Bishops´ Transcripts Bishops Sutton 1837-1858

Two for the price of one.

Bishop's Sutton, County of Southampton - 1843

No 463, Baptised May 21^st [1843] Maria to William & Jane Butcher, Abode Bp [Bishops] Sutton, Blacksmith.

No 492, Baptised June 4^th [1843] James to Stephen & Emily Butcher, Abode [Bishops] Sutton, Lab^r.

463 continues the previous pattern.

492 appears to be another Butcher family, with parents Stephen and Emily Butcher instead of William and Jane.

I'll use this to create a new section.

Bishops´ Transcripts Bishops Sutton 1837-1858

Bishop's Sutton, County of Southampton - 1844

No 572^d, Baptised May 7^th [1844] Charlotte to William & Mary Butcher, Abode [Bishops] Sutton, Lab^r.

There is however a problem with this record. Charlotte's parents recorded as William and Mary, not William and Jane. That is if the surname is correct as being Butcher, is it another family. The occupation is stated as Labourer, whereas previously he was a Blacksmith.

Bishops´ Transcripts Bishops Sutton 1837-1858

Bishop's Sutton, County of Southampton - 1846

No 554 . Baptised June 15 [1846] William Porter to William & Jane Butcher, Abode [Bishops] Sutton, Blacksmith

Stephen & Emily Butcher

Brought forward from above;-

Bishops´ Transcripts Bishops Sutton 1837-1858

Two for the price of one.

Bishop's Sutton, County of Southampton - 1843

No 463, Baptised May 21^st [1843] Maria to William & Jane Butcher, Abode Bp [Bishops] Sutton, Blacksmith.

No 492, Baptised June 4^th [1843] James to Stephen & Emily Butcher, Abode [Bishops] Sutton, Lab^r.

463 continues the previous pattern.

492 appears to be another Butcher family, with parents Stephen and Emily Butcher instead of William and Jane.

Bishops´ Transcripts Bishops Sutton 1837-1858

Bishop's Sutton, County of Southampton - 1845

No 527, Baptised March 30^th [1845] William to Stephen & Emily Butcher, Abode [Bishops] Sutton, Lab^r..

Bishops´ Transcripts Bishops Sutton 1837-1858

Bishop's Sutton, County of Southampton - 1849

No 605, Baptised June 3^rd1849 Cornelius to Stephen & Emily Butcher, Abode B [Bishops] Sutton, Lab^r.

Stephen & Harriet Butcher

Bishops´ Transcripts Bishops Sutton 1837-1858

Bishop's Sutton, County of Southampton - 1851

No 643, Baptised July 13^th1851 David to Stephen & Harriet Butcher, Abode Old Park, Labourer.

David & Charlotte Butcher

Bishops´ Transcripts Bishops Sutton 1837-1858

Bishop's Sutton, County of Southampton - 1857

No 31, Baptised Sep^t 15 [1857] private William to David & Charlotte Butcher, Abode [Bishops] Sutton, Labourer.

Bishops´ Transcripts Bishops Sutton 1837-1858

Bishop's Sutton, County of Southampton - 1858

No , Public Baptised Jan 10 [1858] having been privately baptised ??? William to David & Charlotte Butcher, Abode [Bishops] Sutton, Labourer.

Confirmation of previous Baptism above, and bringing into the congregation.

Martha Butcher

Bishops´ Transcripts Bishops Sutton 1837-1858

Bishop's Sutton, County of Southampton - 1852

No 675, Baptised Oct^r 31 [1852] Marianna illegitimate daughter of Martha Butcher, Abode [Bishops] Sutton, ----.

Death

Data Sheet

Data Sheet - Records, data, and general information about William Bignell and his family

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 14th August 1814, William, son of Thomas and Lucy Bignell was baptised. They resided in Bishop's Sutton, and his father was a Labourer.

Marriage

Marriage of William Bignell and Mary Butcher

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 23 1841 William Bignail [Bignell], of full age, a bachelor, whose occupation was recorded as a Labourer residing in Bishop's Sutton, married;

Mary Butcher, of 20 years of age, a spinster, residing in Bishop's Sutton,

It was a Church of England marriage by Banns. There appears to be no explicit approval of the wedding in respect of Mary being only 20.

Their fathers were recorded as being Thomas Bignail [Bignell] and Isaac Butcher respectively, both Labourers.

Both William Bignail and Mary Butcher appear to have signed their own names, ie not annotated with marks or X.

The marriage was in the presence of James Butcher and Marianne Butcher, and conducted by the vicar, Samuel Maddock.

St Nicholas, Bishop’s Sutton

Census and Voting Registers

1841

1841 Census Sunday 6th June 1841

An extract for the 1841 Census in the Parish of Bishop's Sutton, Hampshire.

The census on two pages, but we need to zoom in for the data we want. Initially for William Bignell, but right next door is an Isaac Butcher

Living in the Parish of Bishop's Sutton, Hampshire, William Bignell, perhaps sometimes transcribed as Bignett, aged 25. An Agricultural Labourer, born in the same county.

Also, Mary Bignell, aged 15, with her new born son, Stephen, aged 2 months, both born in the same county.

Estimated year of birth, 1816, 1826, and April 1841, respectively.

Before we talk about Mary Bignell being 15 and already being married and having a son, lets look at the family living next door, circled in yellow. Headed by Isaac Butcher, with presumably two children Sarah aged 14, and David aged 10.

It does appear that Isaac Butcher was Mary's father and she was present at his death according to his Death Certificate.

Isaac Butcher is recorded as being 45 in 1841, so his estimated year of birth 1796. Not quite the 1791 we are looking for. Is this a case of not knowing your are, or of miss-identification.

So really a case of marrying the girl next door for William Bignell, albeit, in perhaps questionable circumstances.

1851

1861

1871

1881

1891

1901

1911

Children

??? nee ??? and Isaac Butcher children's Baptism Records.

Scroll left or right along the tabs. There is a tab for each year of child bearing age following their marriage, which helps to indicate years when no children of William and Mary were born, or survived long enough to be baptised, or alternatively, where no record has yet been found.

1838 X Mary Ann X

Mary Ann Bignell

Not very sure about this entry. 1838 was before William and Mary were married, and Mary was only about 17 years of age. Also, so far I only have one source for this record, a tree on Ancestry. The same name is used later in the family and Mary Ann is not included in the 1841 Census, which suggests that she died before 1841.

Lets look at the 1841 census for the parish of St. Mary Kalendar, Winchester. Not a long way away from Bishop's Sutton but very different.

This page is for St Peter Street and North Walls, which is in the centre of the City of Winchester, near the Cathedral.

So the first thing to note is that these are two different families, one in City Centre the other in a rural community. One is of independent means, which is wealthy, the other is employed as an Agricultural Labourer.

They are headed by a person named William Bignell, in both instances.

The City William Bignell shares his home with two twenty year old ladies, named Amelia and Mary Ann. Unfortunately the 1841 Census did not record the relationship between entries, so we can only speculate. That is until we look at the 1851 Census record.

They are followed in the records by two children, a son William Bignell, aged 5, and a daughter Mary Ann, aged 3. Their respective estimated birth years are, 1836 and 1838. The latter is the same as the Mary Ann Bignell purported to be part of the family, the subject of this article.

On the whole, in the absence of any confirming information, I think that the Mary Ann Bignall in the Winchester record is probably the source of the confusion, and is not part of this family.

I will leave the notes here for others to read or challenge, but annotate the tab with an "X" at each end of her name.

Mary Ann Bignell daughter of William Bignell and Amelia Gillingham.

Based on the confusion I have decided to create part of this branch, albeit as an unattached branch, within Ancestry. Hopefully this will also reduce the number of erroneous hints I receive within Ancestry for the subject of this article. I will refer to this William Bignell with the suffix (city)

Although the 1841 Census does not state who is William Bignell's wife, it seems to be Amelia Gillingham. Note should also be made that the next line on the 1841 Census, (below the above image, not shown here.) is a Mary Newlyn, of either 30 or 80 years of age. William Bignell's (city) mother is thought to be Sarah Bignell nee Newlyn, and his father James Bignell.

To add to the confusion, below is an extract of the Hampshire Allegations for Marriage Licences, 1689-1837. Now, this list is only Licences so presumably, it excludes marriage by Banns.

There are two entries for Bignell's of Itchen Abbas, one;

Jonathan Bignell of Itchen-Abbas, aged 23, a batchelor, and Joan Wickham, of New Alresford, aged 25, a spinster, licenced to marry at Weeke, St Maurice, or St Thomas, 15 June 1690.
William Bignell of Itchen-Abbas, aged 21, a batchelor, and Eliza Gillingham, of St John, Winchester, aged 20, a spinster, with Consent of her father James Gillingham, licenced to marry at I. A., 19 June 1835. Aff.

At least we can ignore the first entry for this purpose as at 1690, it is out of our date range.

William Bignell of Itchen Abbas (IA), who married Eliza Gillingham in 1835, as bachelor and spinster, with Eliza's father being James. Are Eliza and Amelia the same person, or perhaps sisters. Undecided at the moment.

By the 1871 Census the family had moved to Leeds Street, Sandown on the Isle of Wight, William Bignell (city) had a recorded profession of 'Income mainly from houses'. Still a wealthy family. Which is again confirmed by the Probate record of Amelia Gillingham Bignell.

There is also record of a William Bignell married to a Amelia Gillingham in 1st Q 1841 Portsea Island, Hampshire, England. Perhaps relevant, but why in Portsmouth?

I think that the above fairly conclusively separates the two families, or perhaps three. Need to get back to William Bignall of Bishop's Sutton now.

1841 Stephen

1842

1843 Harry

1844 Charlotte

1845

1846 Sarah Ann

1846 Thomas

1847

1848

1849 Mary Ann

1850

1851

1852 Dorcas

1853

1854 Olive

1855

1856 Ellen

1857

1858

1859

1860

1861

Work and locations

Work

Occupation or Profession

On January 23 1841 William Bignail [Bignell], of full age, a bachelor, whose occupation was recorded as a Labourer residing in Bishop's Sutton, married Mary Butcher, of 20 years of age, a spinster, residing in Bishop's Sutton,

Work in the 1841 Census was recorded as Agricultural Labourer.

Work in the 1851 Census was recorded as Labourer.

Work in the 1861 Census was recorded as Agricultural Labourer.

Work in the 1871 Census was recorded as Agricultural Labourer.

County and Parishes

County, Civil Registration Districts (CRD) and Parishes

England Jurisdictions 1851

For more information about Civil Registration Districts (CRD) and other England Jurisdictions 1851 go to my England Jurisdictions 1851 collection.

South Central England, Civil Registration Districts in Hampshire

England Jurisdictions 1851 - CRD SCE Hampshire East

England Jurisdictions 1851 - CRD Alresford

England Jurisdictions 1851 - Bishop's Sutton

Extract from FamilySearch England Jurisdictions 1851. This link may not work if you don't have a subscription to FamilySearch

Then search for Bishops Sutton. Use the Key to select which boundaries you wish to see.

Ordnance Survey (OS) Mapping

OS Old Maps 25 inch Bishops Sutton Parish Boundary

Marked in yellow with boundary stones with grey markers.

Also, in green places mentioned in the 1851 Census. Markers in light blue for building outside the village of Bishop's Sutton.

There is one place mentioned in the 1851 Census, 'Coffee Mart' which I have not yet located. and one light blue marker which I have not found on the Enumerators route. Perhaps it is the place not yet found. Most of the Census places are described as 'village'. 'Coffee Mart' does seem to be a strange place name, but hat is what the writing looks like to me.

OS 25 Old Map Bishops Sutton Parish Boundary Hampshire with info from 1851 Census - Hampshire and Isle of Wight XLII.11 Revised: 1895, Published: 1896 and others in the area.

Unfortunately, the extra information is not shown on the linked zoomable map.

The only way I can help help with that is to reproduce the above map as several tiles.

The pink marker is North Street, outside of the parish, not to be confused with North Side, a farm within the parish.

The tiles do overlap and hopefully it is clear where each one goes. It gives and idea of the position and going to the source and zooming further will reveal more.

The tile reconstructed to one image. It may be clearer than the first image, with more visible detail, but is still not zoomable.

An alternative to the tiles of the Old OS 25" Maps is the same information, built on the OS Maps, as an overlay to a current Google Map. Remember the source map was Hampshire and Isle of Wight XLII.11 Revised: 1895, Published: 1896 and others in the area.

The Parish Boundary has probably changed since then as well as some of the other information.

Bishop's Sutton

Bishop's Sutton, near Alresford, Hampshire, England

New Alresford is less than 1 ¹/₂ miles away from Bishop's Sutton. Old Alresford is on the Northern edge of of the above map, and Upton Park is further North, just off the map.

New Alresford was founded in the 12th/13th century, so isn't quite new any more.

Bishop's Sutton is located within the hundred of Bishop's Sutton.

Google Maps showing New Alresford, Bishops Sutton, Old Alresford, and Upton Park, containing Upton House.