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I wonder if this is the baptism of that Edward who married Mary Rivers

England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975

Edward Snoxell
christening: 08 Jun 1766 DUNSTABLE,?BEDFORD,?ENGLAND
residence: Bedford,? England
parents: Edward Snoxell,? Mary



but again, there is NO evidence of any title.




sylvia

I heard from a relative who believes George Rivers (Lord Rivers2) & Mary ? were the parents of our William Rivers born 1802 Stratfield Saye Hampshire who supposedly ran off with the family servant and was offered money to return home but refused separating himself from the family. Could this be possible Joy

This is a bit early...but evidence of money maybe? From "A History of Hampstead"

Already containing several substantial houses in the 17th century, Pond Street gained in importance from the wells, as it was the route by which early carriage visitors reached Well Walk, to the disgust of traders in High Street.In 1745 Pond Street was depicted as spacious and elegant, containing most of the houses existing in1762 on the north side; they included nos. 17 and17A, (fn. 11) probably the 'handsome new house' built by Edward Snoxell on the site of an ancient one soonafter 1740. (fn. 12) In what was later Rosslyn Hill, southof the junction with Pond Street, a second housestood by the 1740s north of the ancient Bartrams,set back from the main road and approached througha grove railed in from the waste. (fn. 13) Two houses werebuilt on the waste near the George by 1756 (fn. 14) and another two by 1758. (fn. 15)

And there is a load of stuff in the National Archives about leases and weddings etc for Edward and William Snoxell Yeomen of Hampstead

But no sign of a title!

who knows, Joy!


we can't find out where your William John born ca 1800 was born, so it's all still guesswork.




sylvia

thanks for your help ill solder on if you come across any info i would appreciate hearing it Joy

Joy,

Family stories are often just that, stories. Sometimes they are true, sometimes they are not and sometimes they are the result of a misunderstanding or misinterpreted remark.

My grandmother used to say that she was a descendant of an earl. She was joking but she was telling the truth, her maternal grandmother was called Maria Earl. A friend of mine who was born illegitimately used to say that his mother, who was working as a cook, was seduced by his father who was a very prominent member of the royal family with naval connections. He was joking and we all knew that but what if his grandchildren hear the story one day and believe it to be true?

In your particular circumstance you have a newspaper wedding notice from 1889 were it is reported that the bride is a rather distant relative, (Great Grand Niece, Great Granddaughter, Grand Niece) of titled people in a country 12,000 miles away. Those facts may be true but they could also be fictitious or invented by the bride, the brides father, the brides grandfather or by a newspaper journalist. To an extent you believe that the facts may be true because your mother used to say that there were Sirs and Ladies in the family. Then you have the story that a distant Rivers family member ran off with a family servant and despite financial inducements refused to return home. Again similar stories are very common amongst those seeking to learn about their ancestors.

Someone once said to me that you should believe about 50% of what you hear but only about 25% of what you read in a newspaper. Personal experience has taught me that that is just about correct.

I wish you all the best in unravelling your particular mystery but I think that you may find that it is just one of those family stories without foundation.