Robert Driver, Framfield

[tenterfieldjulie]

I have been trying to go back further with my Driver family and found an Ancestry tree which gives my Thomas Driver’s baptism at Framfield Sussex in 1741, parents Robert and Elizabeth. (Still can’t find Thomas burial which should be Groombridge/Speldhurst, Kent).

Children baptised to Robert and Elizabeth at Framfield, Sussex were William 1731, Sibella 1732, Robert 1734, Barbary (Barbara) 1735, Jane 1737, Sarah 1739 and my Thomas 1741.

I found a marriage on Fs of Robert Driver (widower) to Elizabeth Brett 3/12/1729 London. I then noticed a Non com marriage of Robert Driver on that date which said it was a Fleet marriage.

I found a marriage of Robert Driver to Mary Waghorn at Framfield in 1722 and a death of Mary Driver wife of Robert at Framfield in 1724.

I have heard about Fleet marriages, but I have never found one in the family before. Is there any way I can find out more about this marriage? What is the likely scenario why they would have married in this manner? :confused: Thanks.:D JUlie

[kiterunner]

The image is on ancestry in the Clandestine Marriages:
ancestry image (http://interactive.ancestry.co.uk/5344/41813_b0146347-00031/381864?backurl=http%3a%2f%2fsearch.ancestry.co.uk% 2fcgi-bin%2fsse.dll%3fdb%3dFleetMarriageBap%26db%3d%26so %3d2%26rank%3d0%26gsfn%3drob*%26gsln%3ddriver%26sx %3d%26gs1co%3d1%252cAll%2bCountries%26gs1pl%3d1%25 2c%2b%26year%3d%26yearend%3d%26sbo%3d0%26sbor%3d%2 6ufr%3d0%26wp%3d4%253b_80000002%253b_80000003%26sr chb%3dr%26prox%3d1%26ti%3d5538%26ti.si%3d0%26gss%3 dangs-c&ssrc=&backlabel=ReturnSearchResults)

I think this is what it says:
Robert Driver of Stansted Deal in Coun Hertford Bucher W Elizabeth Brett do / pd

There is some information about Fleet marriages on here:
http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=5344&enc=1

Basically, you could get married quickly and privately with no questions asked.

[kiterunner]

So, rereading your first post, I don't think it is your couple as there is also a marriage bond for the marriage of Robert Driver of Stanstead Theale in the county of Hertford, bachelor, to Judith Stracey 11 Apr 1722.

[tenterfieldjulie]

Thanks for that Kate. I was hopeful it was them. It would be interesting to see if there is a burial for Judith, but then he would be marrying Mary and Judith in the same year?

I can't find another marriage unfortunately, but I did find burials which would fit at Framfield for Robert 18/12/1765 and Elizabeth 30/7/1786 aged 85. Thank you. Julie

[Sussex Maid]

There is a marriage in Little Horsted Sussex (approx. 4 miles from Framfield) on 2 Feb 1728/9 for a Robert Driver to Elizabeth Chatfield 'of Framfield' - source: Sussex Marriage Index - which could be them.
Regards

[ElizabethHerts]

There is a baptism for a Robert Driver at Framfield on 26th October 1697. Father: John Driver.

[ElizabethHerts]

It seems that Robert Driver had a sister called Goodgift, who was baptised on 16th August 1703. :)

[Sussex Maid]

Can only see one marriage for a John Driver in Sussex 1688 +/- 10 yrs
7 Apr 1681 Newick - John Driver to Elizabeth Marshall
Licence issued Archdeaconry of Lewes 29 Mar 1681
John Driver of Tonbridge Kent
Elizabeth Marshall of Lindfield

[kiterunner]

Thanks for that Kate. I was hopeful it was them. It would be interesting to see if there is a burial for Judith, but then he would be marrying Mary and Judith in the same year?



The Robert who married Judith and who married Elizabeth in the Fleet wedding lived in Hertfordshire, but your Robert was already living in Sussex when he married Mary.

[tenterfieldjulie]

Ooh wow .. thank you Kate, thank you Sussex Maid, thank you Liza ...

That marriage is a wonderful find Sussex maid .. Thomas Driver's 2nd wife was also a Chatfield (Mary) who he married 1771 at Framfield. This family lived at Speldhurst/Groombridge and Mary died 1801 Speldhurst aged 58. An Ancestry tree has her baptised at Steyning 1742. It is not an area I know, but I am wondering do you think it is likely?

Liza I had that birth of Robert pencilled in, but not his sister .. what a beautiful name, although I wonder what she thought of it!! and how others mangled it ..

Thanks Kate for putting me on the right track.. so we still don't have any Fleet marriages that I am aware of .. must have been a law abiding lot lol

I have another place in Sussex to visit next year Little Horsted ..

[tenterfieldjulie]

:D
Liza thank you ….
What did I find when I put Goodgift Driver, Framfield, Sussex into Google?
A PDF on the Ancestors of Percy Basil Horscraft. The Drivers are included because Robert Driver and Mary Waghorn had a surviving daughter Ann, who married James Fielder and their descendants are part of the Horscraft tree.

There are a couple errors (I think,) in that he has John Driver Sen’s death date the same as I have Robert (but I could be wrong)..

There is also has a death of daughter Mary ii. Mary Driver, born 1724 in Framfield, Sussex; died 16 May 1724. One of the FS entries I found for this burial, noted that Mary is the spouse of Robert.
Born after Mary died are - iii. Elizabeth Driver, born 1727 in Framfield, Sussex. iv. Martha Driver, born 1728 in Framfield, Sussex.

The following is what I am so pleased about, it fills in the children born between the marriage in 1681 and Robert’s birth in 1697. Not sure where these children’s names come from, as there are no baptisms, but you would hope it is correct.

John Driver, born c 1660 in Lindfield,Sussex or Tonbridge Kent; died 18 Dec 1765 in Framfield, Sussex. He married Elizabeth Marshall 07 Apr 1681 in Newick, Sussex. Elizabeth Marshall, born c 1660.

Children of John Driver and Elizabeth Marshall are:
i. John Driver, born 1682 in Framfield, Sussex.
ii. Anne Driver, born 1685 in Framfield, Sussex.
iii. Thomas Driver, born 1688 in Framfield, Sussex.
iv. Mary Driver, born 1689 in Framfield, Sussex.
v. Elizabeth Driver, born 1691 in Framfield, Sussex.
vi. Robert Driver, born 26 Oct 1697 in Framfield, Sussex; married (1) Mary Waghorne 10 Jun 1722 in Framfield, E Sussex; married (2) Elizabeth Chatfield 02 Feb 1728 in Little Horsted, Sussex.
vii. Martha Driver, born 1699 in Framfield, Sussex; married John Gold 30 May 1723 in Framfield, Sussex:); born c 1695 in of Denton.

viii. William Driver, born 1701 in Framfield, Sussex.
ix. Goodgift Driver, born 1703 in Framfield, Sussex; married Samuel Washer 23 Oct 1726 in Framfield, Sussex; born c 1700 in of Alfriston.

[ElizabethHerts]

Julie.... great! Hold on while I find the other baptisms - will be back!

[tenterfieldjulie]

Good luck Liza .. not sure if they have survived.

Kate could you edit the Thread Title, either just Robert Driver, Framfield or Robert Driver, Fleet Marriage? Thanks. Julie

[ElizabethHerts]

All baptised at Framfield:

Anne 16 March 1685/86, parents John and Ann
John 26 September 1686, parents John and Anne
Thomas 17 April 1688, parents John and Ann Drivers
Mary 28 November 1689, father John Drivers
Elizabeth 13 September 1692, father John
Robert 26 October 1697, father John
Martha 13 May 1699, father John
William 19 April 1701, parents John and Ann
Goodgift 16 August 1703, father John


I couldn't find any children for the couple before Anne.

[ElizabethHerts]

Elizabeth was buried on 19 October 1691
daughter of John

William was buried on 18 June 1705
son of John

An Ann Driver was buried on 26 February 1745, but no indication of age or status.

Two burials for a John, with no indication of age etc:
3 May 1740
23 January 1748

[tenterfieldjulie]

Thanks again Liza..
Elizabeth born 13/9/1692 buried 19/10/1691 .. would that be because it was that changing calendar problem?

There is a baptism at Tonbridge for John Driver 7/11/1661 father John that is possible.

[ElizabethHerts]

Thanks again Liza..
Elizabeth born 13/9/1692 buried 19/10/1691 .. would that be because it was that changing calendar problem?

There is a baptism at Tonbridge for John Driver 7/11/1661 father John that is possible.

Hmm, odd. I've checked and I haven't made a mistake - perhaps a transcription error? Or possibly an earlier Elizabeth.

Julie, what year do you have for John at Tonbridge?

[tenterfieldjulie]

I copied the John Drivers baptisms into a notebook from Famsearch (but I could have written it down incorrectly) I have John son of John baptised 7 Nov 1661, married Newick 1681 Ann Marshall.
I think it is the same Elizabeth baptism and burial and an error at some stage in writing it down or transcription. It fits with either year.

[tenterfieldjulie]

The marriages of Driver ancestors:
1. Henrietta Driver m Robert Smith 1826, Tonbridge, Kent
2. Martin Driver m Hannah Midmore 1794 Mayfield, Sussex
3. Thomas Driver m 1. Mary Heath 1762 Sevenoaks, Kent
Thomas Driver m 2. Mary Chatfield 1771 Framfield, Sussex.
4. Robert Driver m 1. Mary Waghorn 1722 Framfield, Sussex
Robert Driver m 2. Elizabeth Chatfield 1728 Little Horsted, Sussex.
5. John Driver m Ann or Elizabeth ? Marshall 1681 Newick, Sussex.

A problem, the marriage is for Elizabeth Marshall and the baptisms are for John and Ann or John.

John and Ann:
Anne 16 March 1685/86, John 26 September 1686, Thomas 17 April 1688, William 19 April 1701.

John:
Mary 28 November 1689, Elizabeth 13 September 1692, Robert 26 October 1697, Martha 13 May 1699, Goodgift 16 August 1703.

Heelp ..