Pat Hase wrote: > I've just come across these marriages > > 3 March 1799 at St Peter's Bristol > Thomas DAVIS to Martha SAGE > > 21 Feb 1803 at Stanton Drew > Thomas DAVIES to Martha SAGE botp by banns - witnesses William BRODRIBB & > Francis FOWLER (BRODRIBB is a common signature as witness) > > There's baptism at Stanton Drew > 27 Oct 1800 of Frances DAVIES d/o Thomas & Martha > > Frances DAVIES, presumably their daughter, went on to marry James WILLIAMS a > brother of my 3 x great grandmother and I'm now curious about why her > parents appear to have married twice > > I can't seem to see any other baptisms of children. It would appear you've flummoxed our SAGE researchers with this one :)) I would guess William BRODRIBB was the parish clerk or other church official. Could Thomas and Martha have married the first time after eloping then having done the deed and eventually been forgiven, have come home to marry in front of family and friends? Or maybe there was something awry with the first marriage that caused it be invalid so they had to do it again - after Frances' baptism! -- Charani (UK) OPC for Walton, Greinton and Clutton, SOM Asst OPC for Ashcott and Shapwick, SOM http://wsom-opc.org.uk http://www.savethegurkhas.co.uk/