Dear Listers, My Gt Grandfather - Henry Joseph SUTTON was born 27 May 1840 son of Edward Sutton and Mary Coats of Ballyculter Northern Ireland. He migrated to Australia in 1857. Edward and Mary had four children – Edward – born 23 Dec 1832 Castleward Northern Ireland. His 2 sisters were born – Combe St Nicholas Somerset. Arabella was born 02 April 1843 daughter of Edward Sutton and Mary Coats – stating father as Butler. Elenor Ann was born 09 March 1849 daughter of Edward Sutton and Mary Coats – stating father as Servant. Census 1841 : Mary SUTTON – born 1806 Ireland – her address shows her living at Vicarage House, Combe St Nicholas. Census 1851 : Mary SUTTON (Widow)– born 1809 Co Down Ireland – Occupation Nurse – same address as above - Census 1861 : Mary SUTTON (Widow) – born 1807 Ireland – Nurse – she is still living at Vicarage House, Combe St Nicholas. Arabella and Elenor have shown on the census as living in Somerset. Arabella married William Evans in 1867 Elenor married Moses Seed in 1873 – HELP PLEASE : Where is Mary’s husband Edward – he does not appear on the 1841 Census. (Family hearsay has said he died in 1850 – so that is why Mary now appears as a widow in 1851 census) Gt Grandfather Henry and his older brother Edward do not appear on any census in Combe St Nicholas where their mother is living. Why did Mary leave Ireland and come to Combe St Nicholas? Was this where Edward her husband was born? I have been unable to find a birth – marriage – death certificate for either Mary or Edward. I live in Western Australia so am unable to research other than online – I should be delighted if anyone could help solve my mystery for me. Kindest regards, Margaret

Dear Margaret, I have the parish records for Combe St Nicholas (my "home" village from long ago) and I take interest in all past villagers. That said, it's with disappointment that I can offer only very little help! Mary SUTTON first appears within 'my' records in the 1841 census when she was aged 31-35 (ages rounded up, to next 5) and was a servant of Frederick Luttrell Maysay (Moysay) who was the incumbent of St. Andrew's Combe St Nicholas. In the following two censuses she was still with the vicar and described as 'nurse', but as you've noticed, her husband Edward never appears. The only snippets I can add are: the baptisms of Arabella and Elinor SUTTON, daughters of Edward & Mary (and sisters of your great grandfather), were at Combe on 30 Apr 1843 and 05 Apr 1849 respectively. Their's are the *only* appearance of the name SUTTON in the Combe PRs, so no baptism nor burial of Edward there! The vicar was originally from Martyr Worthy in Hampshire, had married Arabella Ward in Bath in 1839, and was the incumbent at Combe from 1840 to 1861. Nine children were baptised between Aug 1840 and Dec 1854 so Mary would have been busy! By 1871 the vicar was in London, but Mary haddn't followed (at least, she doesn't appear in the '71 census return); and I note that the vicar's days ended at Barnstaple Devon in 1906. As to the question of why Mary came to Combe, one might ask whether there were any COATS connections there? Nothing obvious! There were families by the name Coate in census returns at the time; and surnames Coat, Coate and Coates appear in early 19thC PRs, but none with an Irish connection as far as I can see. Regret this is so little, Best wishes, Jenny -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Margaret Baxter Sent: 16 June 2011 09:22 To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [ENG-SOM] SUTTON - Combe St Nicholas Somerset Dear Listers, My Gt Grandfather - Henry Joseph SUTTON was born 27 May 1840 son of Edward Sutton and Mary Coats of Ballyculter Northern Ireland. He migrated to Australia in 1857. Edward and Mary had four children - Edward - born 23 Dec 1832 Castleward Northern Ireland. His 2 sisters were born - Combe St Nicholas Somerset. Arabella was born 02 April 1843 daughter of Edward Sutton and Mary Coats - stating father as Butler. Elenor Ann was born 09 March 1849 daughter of Edward Sutton and Mary Coats - stating father as Servant. Census 1841 : Mary SUTTON - born 1806 Ireland - her address shows her living at Vicarage House, Combe St Nicholas. Census 1851 : Mary SUTTON (Widow)- born 1809 Co Down Ireland - Occupation Nurse - same address as above - Census 1861 : Mary SUTTON (Widow) - born 1807 Ireland - Nurse - she is still living at Vicarage House, Combe St Nicholas. Arabella and Elenor have shown on the census as living in Somerset. Arabella married William Evans in 1867 Elenor married Moses Seed in 1873 - HELP PLEASE : Where is Mary's husband Edward - he does not appear on the 1841 Census. (Family hearsay has said he died in 1850 - so that is why Mary now appears as a widow in 1851 census) Gt Grandfather Henry and his older brother Edward do not appear on any census in Combe St Nicholas where their mother is living. Why did Mary leave Ireland and come to Combe St Nicholas? Was this where Edward her husband was born? I have been unable to find a birth - marriage - death certificate for either Mary or Edward. I live in Western Australia so am unable to research other than online - I should be delighted if anyone could help solve my mystery for me. Kindest regards, Margaret