Help finding Martha and James Burn please

[Jenoco]

I can't find Martha and James Burn in 1841 and/or 1851. I have them in 1861 and 1871 but no trace in earlier censuses. Martha was born circa 1800 in Woodham Walter, Essex and James was born circa 1799 in Blyth, Northumberland.

Their daughter Jane (born July 1836) was baptised at St. Paul’s Shadwell in 1847 and at that time they were living at Pear Tree Court (don't know the borough but presume in St. Paul's parish).

In 1861 the family was living at 1 Orchard Gardens, Tower Hamlets (RG09 piece 292 folio 143 page 42). James was a coal whipper and Martha and Jane were shop workers. Jane gave her birthplace as St. George. In 1871, they were at the same address with daughter Jane and her husband: RG10; Piece: 558; Folio: 18; Page: 30; GSU roll: 823313.

Martha died 1873. In 1881 and at the time of Jane’s marriage, James is described as a mariner.

Any help greatly appreciated - thank you!

[ElizabethHerts]

Their daughter Jane (born July 1836) was baptised at St. Paul’s Shadwell in 1847 and at that time they were living at Pear Tree Court (don't know the borough but presume in St. Paul's parish).


I know a Pear Tree Court - it is just off Farringdon Road (near the LMA!).
I used to do work for a firm of patent agents there!

[HarrysMum]

Can't see them either. I'll have another go later.....need to start dinner.

[ElizabethHerts]

Jenny, they are elusive, aren't they?

I'm not having any luck at all so far. I'll keep trying.

[ElizabethHerts]

Just a thought - there was a family of Nightingales on OH's tree in Shadwell. He was a mariner. They went (back) to Whitby where the wife came from. Perhaps they are in another port somewhere?

[ElizabethHerts]

I've found a probable marriage for Martha and James:

Groom's Name: James Burn
Groom's Birth Date:
Groom's Birthplace:
Groom's Age:
Bride's Name: Martha Philbrook
Bride's Birth Date:
Bride's Birthplace:
Bride's Age:
Marriage Date: 1820
Marriage Place: Maldon All Saints & St. Peter, Essex, England
Groom's Father's Name:
Groom's Mother's Name:
Bride's Father's Name:
Bride's Mother's Name:
Groom's Race:
Groom's Marital Status:
Groom's Previous Wife's Name:
Bride's Race:
Bride's Marital Status:
Bride's Previous Husband's Name:
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M15768-1
System Origin: England-VR
Source Film Number: 990406
Reference Number: 2:3DXRNSD
Collection: England Marriages, 1538–1973

[Sue from Southend]

Have you seen the baptism beneath Jane's? It's of a James born to Philip Ratchford and Sarah Burn of Pear Tree Court.

Unfortunately I can't find them in any census either. Or a marriage. But it might lead to something!

[Jenoco]

Thank you all for looking - they are very elusive! Elizabeth, I had the marriage but thanks for looking and for the information on Pear Tree Court. Thank you Sue - I hadn't noticed the baptism of James - most likely a connection to be investigated. I'm pretty sure there were other children so perhaps Sarah is an additional daughter.

[Sue from Southend]

Jenny - there's a trial in 1840 on The Old Bailey site where Martha Burn, wife of James Burn of Shadwell is a witness!

[ElizabethHerts]

They are living at Blugate-fields:

http://www.hrionline.ac.uk/ccc/browse.jsp?path=sessionsPapers%2F18400914.xml

[Jenoco]

That's fantastic, thank you both!

[Jenoco]

I've now found Phillip and Sarah in 1851 (mistranscribed) and 1861, but no marriage. Have to investigate some more. Martha and James are still missing but perhaps they were at sea as he was a mariner.