Weston-super-Mare & District Family History Society

Research Forum

William SAUNDERS 1789-1870
published by Pat Hase on Sun, 25/08/2024 - 14:56

William SAUNDERS is a distant relation - 1st Cousin, 5 x removed, but I am intrigued by him. He was born in Chelwood, the son of Joseph SAUNDERS and his wife Phoebe HATHWAY who were living (I think) at nearby Corston at that time.
in 1828, William SAUNDERS of Corston married an Elizabeth HATHWAY at St Annes Church, Wick and Abson. Although it is not listed on the marriage entry, The Licence lists her as a widow. From the Gloucestershire Heritage Hub
https://catalogue.gloucestershire.gov.uk/records/GDR/17/2/78/98
The witnesses to the marriage were Robert and Mary HITCH.
I believe that she had been previously married to Harry HATHWAY who had died in 1826. Harry's Will was proved by the PCC. The executors were Robert HITCH and William SAUNDERS. In it he mentions "my said wife Elizabeth HATHWAY"
A Harry HATHWAY had married an Elizabeth SHORTMAN in 1822 at Wick and Abson.
On the 1841 census William is listed with a wife called Ann who died in 1843 - was this Elizabeth? - Was she a widow when she married Harry?

Any help sorting this out would be much appreciated. Who did William SAUNDERS marry? William's Will is long and mentions many different people called HATHWAY - but his mother was a HATHWAY so that is not surprising. Thank you.

Comments ..

Submitted by Pat Hase on Tue, 10/09/2024 - 17:03

I have now found the death of Elizabeth SAUNDERS, wife of William, in Dec 1828 but now need the marriage of William SAUNDERS to an Ann. Who was Ann?

Submitted by zumrob on Mon, 16/09/2024 - 10:19

findmypast and ancestry have a marriage of William SAUNDERS to Ann SIMMONS on 10 Oct 1830 at Temple, Bristol

Sarah Simmons was a witness - does not mention William's marital state

Have you discounted this one?

Rob

Submitted by Pat Hase on Mon, 16/09/2024 - 12:15

Thank you Rob, but yes I had discounted this one as he made a mark and elsewhere he signed documents with a firm hand. Interestingly his marriage to Elizabeth only lasted about 6 months before she died.

Submitted by zumrob on Mon, 16/09/2024 - 17:36

Call me a male chauvinist if you must but if William is 53, then Ann at 70 is more likely to be his mother rather than his wife.

Rob

Submitted by Pat Hase on Tue, 17/09/2024 - 1:07

Perhaps he had a penchant for older women? And now the good news - I've found the wedding and it was in Hackney!

Note it was witnessed by Sally or Salle SAUNDERS, William's sister. I believe Ann SHORTMAN was an older sister of the Elizabeth who was William's first wife. But what were they doing in London?
Thank you for the interest you have shown - it's always good to get a second opinion.

Submitted by Les Martels on Tue, 17/09/2024 - 13:56

Was William left with young children, if so, his marriage to Ann may have been one of convenience which grew as he mourned his first wife. Ann would have been around him no doubt, helping him and rather than bring her into his household as a housekeeper, he married her for the sake of respectability.

Submitted by Pat Hase on Wed, 18/09/2024 - 0:09

Thanks Les, This would be a very reasonable supposition except that as Rob has pointed out William's first wife was much older when they married and past childbearing years. No children from his marriages.