Edward Lawrence

[paulr1949]

My 3 x great grandfather Edward Lawrence (b 6/9/1807 Hampton, Middlesex, d 20/6/1865 Kensington) married Ellen (Eleanor) Cole (b 1805 Birmingham, d 18/2/1865 Kensington Workhouse) on 28/10/1838 in Fulham. They were both previously married, and I have been unable to find an earlier marriage for Edward up to no. Ellen was previously married to Edward Beaney who died in 1837, having 1 known child (Edward b 1826).

I have been working my way through my DNA matches with common ancestors and have come across a tree with a possible marriage for Edward Lawrence, to Elizabeth Gardiner or Gardener, d 1838 Marylebone. However, I have questions about this as her burial record (2 May) shows her as 40 yrs – making her about 9 years older than Edward. I haven’t been able to find any birth/baptism records for Elizabeth and I wondered if another pair of eyes might spot what I haven’t!

Any comments gratefully received.

[VALLMO9]

Hi Paul - Do you have Edward in the 1841 and 1851 census reports? I'm not seeing him yet.
Were there any children from the first marriage? (Hence asking about the 1841 census).
Also, what was his occupation when he remarried in 1838?
I note he was a plumber and painter in the 1861 census.
Just trying to get a sense of the "big picture" in order to locate his first marriage.

[paulr1949]

Hi Mo, thanks for your interest.

In the 1851 census he is a journeyman plumber in St Mary Abbots, Kensington (4 Adam & Eve cottages) age 43 with (2nd) wife Ellen (40*) laundress amd children (all from 2nd marriage). I too have not been able to find him in 1841 so far. I would suspoect him to be in Kensington, as he remained there until his death, however I have searched all 3 subscription sites plus freecen without success, using Edward, Eleanor (& Ellen) and Eleanor Margaret/John, the 2 children who were born before 1841.
* discrepancies between these ages and entires on the marriage register (see below)

I am not aware of any children from his first marriage.
His marriage to Eleanor Beaney shows him as aged 31 (correct) and Eleanor 32 (actually 33 based on her baptism 7/10/1805), so she was 44 in 1851.
He was a plumber on marraige to Eleanor.

[VALLMO9]

I too have not been able to find him in 1841 so far. I would suspect him to be in Kensington, as he remained there until his death...

Unfortunately, part of Kensington is missing from the 1841 census. Also, Brompton, and Paddington.
What was his address on the 1838 marriage record? Hopefully it gives a street address.

Also, do you have the 1838 death cert for Elizabeth Lawrence? The possible first wife who died in Marylebone.

[jonwarrn]

There are some baptisms at St Mary Abbots Kensington
Parents Edward and Ellen Lawrence (mother different for John)
Abode Adam + Eve Cottages

Eleanor Margaret, 26 July 1839. Father a Plumber
John, 4 November 1840. Mother Mary. Father a Plumber.
William, 14 December 1842. Father a Plumber & Glazier
James Charles, 29 March 1844. Father a Painter

[jonwarrn]

Mary for mother on John's baptism would seem to be a mistake.
But there may be an explanation?
There is a baptism at St. Mary Abbots, Kensington, 14 January 1836
Edward
Parents Edward & Mary Lawrence
Abode Holland Street
Father a Plumber

A burial of mum shortly after?
21 February 1836, St. Mary Abbots
Mary Lawrence
Abode Holland Street
Age 23

One possible marriage might be
1 February 1835, St. James Paddington
Edward Lawrence
+
Mary Cussell
They were both single. By Banns.

Both signed. The signature of Edward Lawrence may be not quite as good as the one on the 1838 marriage, but pretty similar?

[paulr1949]

Thank you both for your input. I will look through them properly later today. I had a horrible feeling that there might be bits of census records missing.

[paulr1949]

I've looked at your suggestions jonwarrn and they seem very plausible. 2 of the baptisms you mention I have, but not the one for John (possibly because of the 'mistake' in the mother's name. I certainly think it more likely than Elizabeth Gardiner, so I've deleted her from my tree.
The only issue about Edward junior is that I can't find a burial for him, neither can I find him in the 1841 or 1851 census.

Thanks again for your help