Introduction
Marsh ~ First Generation

    Benjamin MARSH
No birth can be located in Devon for a Benjamin Marsh in a possible timeframe.

Married 20 Sep 1780 at Saint Peter Cathedral, Exeter, Devon to Frances SHARLAND (ref FamilySearch M05245-1).
"Benjamin Marsh of the Parish of Allhallows and Frances Sharland of the Close were married in this Cathedral Church of St Peter by Licence this twentieth day of September 1780 by me James Newcombe Vicar. This Marriage was Solemnized between us Benjn. Marsh, Francis Sharland, in the Presence of John Bath, Alice Marsh" (ref findmypast image).

Alice Marsh is a mystery; there is a marriage on 13 Apr 1800 at Exeter St John of Peter Clark & Alice Marsh of the Parish of Allhallows on the Walls (the same parish as Benjamin) and her signature on the marriage is similar to the witness signature in the above marriage (ref findmypast). . No other information has been found for Alice.

Frances was born c1761 in Devon (ref 1841 census) or 1759 (ref burial). There are two likely baptisms. These are 16 Apr 1758 at Shobrooke, Devon, dau of Thomas & Elizabeth Sharland; or 6 Jan 1758 at Sandford, Devon, dau of John & Elizabeth Sharland (ref findmypast). Sandford and Shobrooke are only 3 miles apart, near to Crediton. Unfortunately the situation gets more confused. There is a marriage of Thomas Sharland and Elizabeth Gallon on 12 May 1751 at Sandford who may have had Mary in 1751, Sarah in 1752, Grace in 1756 and Frances in 1758, all at Shobrooke. There is a marriage of John Sharland and Elizabeth Boss at Exeter St Petrock, residence St Kerrien, on 5 Nov 1740, who may have had Mary in 1748, William in 1750, Martha in 1755 and Frances in 1758, all at Sandford, but there is a big gap between the marriage and the first child found. There are no clues in the names.

An interesting reference to Benjamin's location occurs at the burial of their first son Samuel on 19 Nov 1782: "Samuel son of Benjamin Marsh of Alphington" (ref fmp Devon Burials image). There is no record of a Benjamin Marsh of Alphington in fmp.

Benjamin presumably died sometime between the last child, 1791, and the 1841 census, but no suitable burial has been found in Devon in findmypast. Nothing has been found in British Newspaper Archives.

Ref 1841 census. Devon, England. Civil Parish of St Sidwell. Registration district of Exeter. Address: Marlpool Cottages.
Together with her daughter Wilmot Causey (50) and husband, Grace Knowles (50), unknown companion, and 2 female servants:
Frances Marsh. Age 80. Ind. Born in Devon.

Death registration of Frances Marsh Mar qtr 1843 at Exeter dist, Devon (ref FreeBMD).
She was buried on 26 Jan 1843 at Exeter St James, residence Marlpool Cottage, age 85 (ref findmypast).

FROM WHOM ELIZABETH SHADE NEE GRIERSON IS DESCENDED.

























1841 census
    Children:  
  1. Samuel MARSH born 1781, bap 1781 at Saint Olave, Exeter, Devon  
  2. Margaret MARSH bap 1787 at Saint Stephen, Exeter, Devon  
  3. Wilmot MARSH (f) bap 1789 at Saint Stephen, Exeter, Devon  
  4. Frances MARSH bap 1791 at Saint Stephen, Exeter, Devon  

Modified 9 Oct 2018