We begin Generation Two of our two-generation study. The first generation was Charles Hall Shearn born 1830 in Radstock, Somerset, England. His father, Mark Hall Shearn, and his family are the focus of generation two.
This is installment seven of our on-going two-generation study. If you like, please see any or all of the first six parts:
- Two Generations Son / Father
- Short Marriage Short Life
- Building a Life Together
- Long and Prosperous Marriage
- Career and Will
- Children of Charles Hall Shearn
- Charles Hall Shearn - Conclusion and Recommendations
Research Objectives – Generation Two
Develop an image of the life of Mark Hall Shearn and his family as follows:
- Find where and when Mark Hall Shearn, son of Samuel Shearn and Sarah Hall, was born.
- Determine where he lived throughout his lifetime and when, where, and who he married.
- Determine where and when his wife/wives were born, lived, and died.
- Determine where and when his children were born, married, and died.
- Use archives, libraries, family history societies, gazetteers, census, civil registration, church, non-conformist, probate, parish chest and quarter sessions records as needed.
Background Information – Generation Two
According to client research, Mark Hall Shearn was born in Midsomer Norton, Somerset in 1800.[1] His parents were Samuel Shearn and Sarah Jane Shearn (nèe Hall). He married Sarah Ann Parfitt by license on 22 April 1823.[2] The couple lived in Wellow near Radstock in the county of Somerset. They had five children Samuel George Shearn, born 1828; Phebe Shearn, born 1829; Charles Hall Shearn, born 1830; Elizabeth Parfitt Shearn, born 1831; and Mary Parfitt Shearn, born 1832.[3] Client research suggests that before 1832 Mark Hall Shearn left his family, married another woman, and immigrated to the United States about 1836.
Research and Analysis – Generation Two
Mark Hall Shearn was baptized in Midsomer Norton on 2 February 1800.[1] His baptism record showed he was the son of Samuel and Sarah Shearn.[2] Children were often baptized as soon after birth as was feasible. No birth records were kept at the time, so the baptism record helped define Mark’s approximate birth. There were also no census records that contain names of household members until 1841. Therefore, other than the baptism, no records were found that showed Mark with his parents and siblings. The next records, chronologically, were related to Mark’s marriage. Mark Hall Shearn, yeoman, and James Parfitt, yeoman, presumably Sarah Ann Parfitt’s father, paid £200 as bond to Richard Lord, Bishop of Bath and Wells, for the marriage of Mark Hall Shearn and Sarah Ann Parfitt on 18 April 1823.[3] The couple was married in Midsomer Norton on 22 April 1823.[4] Mark Hall was a bachelor and Sarah was a spinster. Both were therefore of age to marry, thought they did so, according to the marriage document, by license and consent of their parents. The marriage took place in front of the witnesses John Parfitt and James Walker.
Next time we will begin examining the records of the children of Mark Hall Shearn and Sarah Parfitt.
Let us know if we can help you
If you need any help finding your ancestors, just let us know.
Sources
[1] "Somerset, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1531-1812," database, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 July 2020), Mark Hall Shearn, baptism 2 Feb 1800, document 69.[2] Baptism Mark Hall Shearn, document 69.
[3] "Somerset, England, Marriage Registers, Bonds and Allegations, 1754-1914," database, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 July 2020), Mark Hall Shearn and Sarah Parfitt, marriage bond, 22 April 1823, document 65.
[4] "Somerset, England, Marriage Registers, Bonds and Allegations, 1754-1914," database, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 July 2020), Mark Hall Shearn and Sarah Parfitt, marriage, 22 April 1823, document 64.
