Genealogy Chat

or something like that, see below in a minute

Trying to trace family of Sarah Moss, the woman my gt granduncle William Mealing killed in 1862. I know from reports in the paper that Sarah's father was Richard Moss and in his 80s. In 1861 they are living separately: 1861 RG9/1781Folio: 87 Page:1 Cerney House, North Cerney. Sarah Moss Age: 31 abt 1830 unm. Servant cook born: North Cerney, Gloucestershire RG9/1781 Folio: 90 Page: 7 North Cerney, Hamlet of Woodmancote >>>Richard Moss 77 abt 1784 widower Duntisbourne, Gloucestershire, Lodger Gloucestershire Elizabeth Moss 1 abt 1860 Rendcombe, Gloucestershire Granddaughter (Sarah's child) Can't find a Richard born Duntisbourne - or anywhere else - who is likely in 1851 and can't find Sarah either. 1841 can't see Sarah and have choice of two Richards: Daglingworth Gloucestershire - born in county Richard Moss abt 1784 Sarah Moss abt 1784 OR Rendcombe Gloucestershire - born in county Richard Moss 55 abt 1786 ag lab Elizabeth Moss 53 abt 1788 ag lab Scarlett Moss 18 abt 1823 Ellen Moss 11 abt 1830 Mary Baker 15 abt 1826 Scarlett only appears in 1841 - who is she? Ellen is right age for Sarah but wrong name. Ggrrr!!! nell

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Evening Nell, I've been looking! :)) After reading about Sarah Moss in the Times Online, I thought wow!, then also put the other names in, Richard Moss and William Mealing, very interesting. What a nightmare, Moss, Mess, Mapp, Mop! :)) anyway, on the 1851,was wondering if Richard Mess, 1775, Rendcombe, fits in anywhere, looks like a Moss!. Also, Richard Moss, 1775, North Cerney, widower, with him is Ann Wallis, sister in law, widow. Cannot find daughter Sarah though, she is probably a servant somewhere, according to the article she had been working at the home of Rev. Bloxsome in 1862. The search continues.... :)) update, 1851 Sarah Moss, 1826, Calsbourne, farmer's servant. Rendcombe. Interesting, as William Mealing lived in Rendcombe, reckon that's where she met him! 1841, Sarah Moss 1826, female servant, Colesburn. aah!, Scarlett is the daughter of 1851's Richard Mess, her sister Ellen, (aged 11 in 1841) is now 21. Scarlett isn't with them, so probably married!. I see in 1871, Sarah's daughter Elizabeth is living with her Aunt, Ann Gegg, where she was in 1861. The Times articles refer to her as being about 3yrs in 1862, she was born in 1859, (Dec qtr.) Cirencester. Must say Nell, I have found this all interesting, something to get your teeth into! :)) Have you got Sarah's death cert.?... 1862 Cirencester. (Dec. qtr, 6a 227) Chris :) one last snippet, William Mealing's godfather was the Blacksmith, Timothy Tarrant!, really do hope you get on well with your contact from Curious Fox, keep us posted!. :)

Chris Thank you for looking, I tried Mass but didn't think of Mess! I am going to look into the information you found for me. Interesting to see Scarlett as a name BEFORE Gone with the Wind. I wondered if it was a variant of Charlotte. Cheers again, nell

Sarah's child Elizabeth Louisa is with Ann Gegg in 1871, described as Ann's niece. I found a marriage for Ann Moss to Edwin Gegg and found her with Edwin in 1841, but she is much older than Sarah and the only baptism for Ann in the right place has father's name Thomas and not Richard Moss. I'll sort it out eventually! nell

The Sarah you found as a farm servant is older than mine. Another thing is that in the Mealing trial it mentions that Sarah's mother died years ago in a house fire - but fails to say when or give her name!!! nell

Chris Oh, I don't know! Either no candidates or too many! 1851 The Sarah you found in Rendcombe is working with a Griffin - Griffin family lived next door to the murder house - AND the next household is headed by Ann Gegg. But she is 25 instead of about 20. There's another Sarah Mess, born Duntisborne Abbots, which fits in with info Richard gave on the census, who is 17 in 1851 but working as a house servant in Chipping Sodbury, which seems a bit further away than I expected. Drat!!! nell

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Hello Nell, yes, there's a lot of Moss in Glos! :)) think Rendcombe is one of those places where everybody is related somewhere!, I'm not familiar with Gloucestershire, so was working in the dark a bit!. My money is on that Sarah at the Griffin's! :)) I reckon she didn't tell the truth about her age!. I too thought it was a shame the Times didn't mention when her Mother died in that fire, must have been awful, I reckon that was between 41' and 51' then he would be that widower in 51. need to delve further I think!.... Chris :)

Chris Thanks once again! nell