Charles Jessop 1761 - 1843

Charles Jessop (1761 - 1843)

We know from Johns 1837 emigration records that Charles and Elizabeth were living in Cratfield in 1837 as John is noted as "a native of Cratfield, and son of Charles Jessup a farmer of same place, Protestant, reads and writes".

I have been unable to find primary records for Charles, Robert and Mary (who should potentially be a Martha - based on naming patterns). The first primary records (outside of the marriage record) are the birth registrations in Frostenden for Elizabeth, and in Cratfield for Charlotte and John. It appears that the family became Non-Conformist some time between 1795 and 1798 as Harriett and James birth are registered in Halesworth in the Non Conformist registers, rather than the Cratfield Church. 

At the time of the 1841 Census there is a Charles was residing at the Blything Union Workhouse in Blythburgh. From its establishment in 1760 until its restructure in 1841 the Blythburg Workhouse had a good reputation - the House of Industry was in the countryside and had a large farm, which provided work for the inmates. Sheep were kept, barley and vegetables grown. Some of the produce went into the kitchens, the rest was sold. The workhouse was pretty well self-sufficient. Additionally "the sexes were not segregated in the workhouse — men and their wives and families were admitted, and their children grew up there until being apprenticed by the Incorporation at the age of 13. After serving their apprenticeship, the sons married and came back with their wives to the workhouse, had children and so repeated the cycle." - so it is highly likely if this is our Charles then he relocated here willingly.

That said there is no record of Elizabeth at the Workhouse. The 1841 census does have the following records:

• Elizabeth Jessup (aged 88) who is living in Ubbeston (village next to Cratfield), but this is Elizabeth Blake the widow of Samuel Jessup.
• Elizabeth Jessup (65) living with John Cullingford (45) and his family at Derwent Ln in Heveningham, however this is Elizabeth Nunn, mother of Zipporah Jessop - Johns wife.
• Elizabeth Jessup (70) living with James Jessup (70) in Framlingham - this is Elizabeth Hill, James wife
• Elizabeth Jessup (66) living with a John Jessup in Lowestoft - this is ?
• Elizabeth Gisup (80) living with a Hannah Jessop (35) labourers wife and her children at Huntingfield Hall - this Hannah is the wife of George Jessop born 1791 and most likely the child of William Jessop and Elizabeth Nunn. The age aligns with our Elizabeth, but it is unsure why she would be living George and Hannah - unless William is Charles brother in which case George would be her nephew.

Charles died some time in the last 3 months of 1843 - exact date unknown, his death is registered in the October Qtr 1843 in Blything - nb no ages are captured on these early registrations - but this has yet to be confirmed. A number of researchers have Charles death recorded as 4 January 1851, however this death is in St George Hanover in London and is incorrect.  

There are two alternate dates for Elizabeths death

• 1847 - buried at Huntingfield on 4 Jun 1847, registered in Blything V13 P286
• 1853 - which has her living with James and Honor in Framlingham, at the time of the 1851 census - registered in Plomesgate (common with researchers)