How did Thomas Nicholas (1820-1898) meet and marry a girl born in Manchester, Lancashire, England, almost 200 miles north of Bletherston!
An initial search of the 1841 Census of England & Wales failed to identify a Martha Lewis, born: Manchester, Lancashire, England between 1821 and 1825 (1823 +/- 2 years).
Thomas and Martha’s marriage certificate states that Thomas and Martha were married 23 June 1842 at St Non’s Parish Church, Llanycefn, Pembrokeshire, Wales.
On the assumption that most couples in the UK marry in the bride’s home parish a further search of the 1841 census, limiting the location to Llanycefyn, Pembrokeshire, Wales and extending the range of Martha’s birth year to +/- 5 years (Apparently DOBs in 1841 can be out by +/- 5 years), the following entry was found – with a Martha Lewis living at Sych Cant a farm just north of Llanycefn.
Sych Cant, Llanycefn, Narberth, Pembrokeshire, Wales
| First | Last | Sex | Age | Birth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evan | Lewis | Male | 50 | 1791 |
| Martha | Lewis | Female | 15 | 1826 |
| Hannah | Lewis | Female | 30 | 1811 |
| William | Gibby | Male | 25 | 1816 |
Source: 1841 England, Wales & Scotland Census
Martha’s address on the marriage certificate is ‘Sych Cant’ so this is the right ‘Martha Lewis’. However the head of the household was Evan Lewis (born 1791, occupation: Farmer). Only the address, first name, last name, sex, age and occupation were he 1841 Censusand the relationship and place of birth were NOT recorded. Also an Evan Lewis is one of the witnesses who signed Thomas and Martha’s marriage cerificate. Therefore even though Evan Lewis was not Martha’s father he could have been her uncle and her father, David, was his brother.
The Welsh Tithe Maps (1840) on the National Library of Wales website confirms that ‘Sych Cant’ farm (farmed by Evan Lewis) is located on the road from Llanycefn to Maenclochog…
