The Exploring Family History Tutorial

Session 2

What happened to 

Sarah Lewin and her family?

In about 1790 John Lewin (senior) wrote

Sarah Lewin the first Daughter of John & Sarah Lewin was Born Nov 20 1775

On the 25th July 1857 John Lewin (junior) wrote

Watford Church circa 1912
Sarah the first Daughter of John and Sarah Lewin Married James Peppercorn of Water End Farm, Sandridge and left One Daughter and Four Sons and Died at Gaddesden 22 April 1839.

Task: Start by tracking down the marriage,

Search of International Genealogical Index at www.familysearch.org

James Peppercorn married Sarah Lewin

 17 October 1808 St Mary's, Watford

 

Examination of the parish register microfilm at HALS

Parish Register Entry for the Parish of St Mary, Watford.

Marriage registers, with entries in the above format were introduced in 1754 as a result of Lord Hardwicke's Act for the Better Preventing of Clandestine Marriages. We see that James Peppercorn, Bachelor of Sandridge, married Sarah Lewin, Spinster of Watford, on the 17th October 1808 in the presence of Elizabeth Lewin and Francis Lewin.

Witnesses are often close relatives, and in this case are probably Sarah's sister Elizabeth and brother Francis. I am no expert in handwriting but the following compares two "Elizabeth Lewin" signatures, the second definitely being Sarah's sister.

Witness at Marriage of
James Peppercorn and Sarah Lewin,
Watford, in 1808.
Marriage of
Thomas Alfred Horwood and Elizabeth Lewin,
St Albans, 1818. (view)

 Marriage could be by Banns - when the names of the couple were announced in the couple's parish(es) or by licence, either because one of the parties was under age, and needed their parents' consent, or because the couple wanted a private wedding. In general well-to-do couples married by licence and where it survives this can provide additional information. 

Examination of the marriage licence at HALS

Action - Check whether Licence survives, and if so get copy

 

Result of Investigation

 

 

There is a web page for Watford

Exploring Family History Tutorial
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