I'm new to the list and am seeking information about Rachel Pheasant, first wife of my ancestor, John Bartlett. Pheasant seems to be a familiar name in Bedfordshire and I'm hoping to find information about Rachel's family. Here's what I have found while researching in London and Tavistock, Devon: John Bartlett (believed to have been born in Calstock, Cornwall about 1764) married Rachel Pheasant in St. Marylebone Church in London in 1795. They had a daughter, Ann, that same year and sailed to America. Rachel died in February 1797 in Baltimore, Maryland, and John took daughter Ann back to England to be reared by his family. Rachel Pheasant Bartlett's will was probated in the Court of Canterbury in 1798. She left 40 pounds to her husband. Her last known address in London was Powis Place, Great Ormond Street in the parish of St. George the Martyr in the County of Middlesex. I've been unable to find any more information about Rachel. John returned to Maryland, remarried and died in Ohio. I have established that his daughter, Ann Bartlett, was living in Tavistock, Devon, in 1813 when she married John Roberts of Calstock. John and Ann Roberts had several children in Calstock before moving to America. I'm happy to share detailed information about the Bartletts and Roberts in America and many family photos. Shelby Miller Ruch in Pennsylvania
Shelby, I'm not convinced that Rachel has connections in Bedfordshire, but I can appreciate the difficulties you are having. The Pheasant surname appears in a number of other counties. I think the place to concentrate is the 1795 marriage in St Marylebone. Have you tried at LDS to see if they have the parish records on film? Another thought might be to see if any shipping records are available for their migration to USA. You might also look for the reason for their migration? Where there relatives there that might give some clues to origins. I'm not familiar with US death records. Is it possible some information could be gleaned from her death record or a tombstone inscription?. Peter in Sydney