Summary
Yet to be summarised.
Parents and family
From another researcher I have John's parents as
John KIRBY (1720-) and Sarah. However I have yet to trace the original source of this information.
Birth
A Poor Law examination in 1805 identifies his birthplace as
Great
Burstead, Essex.
Childhood and education
Employment
His Poor Law Examination in 1805 identified that about 17 years prior in 1788 (i.e. at about age 13-14) John had been hired by '
Alexander of the parish of Downham in the County of Essex to be his servant in husbandry for the term of one year.'
A
contact of fellow researcher John KIRBY has provided information on the
ALEXANDER family of Downham, Essex. They seem to have been either
tenant farmers, or small farmers in their own right. In 1788 Henry
ALEXANDER would have been the head of the family and Land Tax records
show that he owned a small plot of land and occupied a larger piece of
ground. 'Evidence from the censuses, tithe map and trade directories,
all show that the family were living at Barn Hall (or Berne Hall) a
moated property on the outskirts of modern day Wickford, but which was
included in the parish of Downham.' ('David',
springafelda@talktalk.net). The contact was of the opinion that John
would have lived either at Barn Hall or next-door at Barn Hall Farm
(about 1km SW of Downham).
Marriage to Judith Kennett
The banns for '
John KIRBY of this Parish Batchelor Judith KENNET of the parish of Sutton, Spinster' were '
Read by Jo'ph WISE Curate' at St Andrew's, Rochford, Essex, on 13 Sep 1789, 20 Sep 1789 and 27 Sep 1789.
On 1 Oct 1789, at St Andrew's Church in Rochford, John KIRBY married
Judith KENNETT. The details of the parish register entry are as
follows:
John KIRBY of
this parish Bachelor and Judith KENETT (sic) of the Parish of Sutton in
this County were married in this church by Banns this first day of
October in the year one Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Nine by me
Jos WISE (Curate). John KIRBY (his mark). Judith KENNETT (her Mark). In
the presence of James JORDAN & John KEMP (His mark).
Sutton is about 2km SW of
Rochford, Essex.
On 9 May 1790 he christened his son John KIRBY at St
Andrew's Church, Rochford. Name John. Father John, mother Judith (KENNETH).
About
1792 his son James KIRBY was born. On the 23 Sep 1792 he was Christened
at St Andrew's Church. Name James KIRBY. Father John, Mother Judith
(KENNETH).
About 1793 his son William KIRBY was born. On
the 6 Oct 1793 he was Christened at St Andrew's Church, Rochford,
Essex. Name William KIRBY, father John, mother Judith
(KENNETH).
.
About 1795 his son George KIRBY was
born. He was Christened on 23 Aug 1795 at St Andrew's Church, Rochford,
Essex. The details were Name George KIRBY, father John, mother Judith
(KENNETH).
About 1799 his daughter Eleanor KIRBY was
born. She was Christened on 21 Jul 1799 at St Andrew's Church,
Rochford, Essex. Name Eleanor KIRBY, father John, mother Judith
(KENNETH).
About 1800 his son Thomas KIRBY was born. He
was Christened on at St Andrew's church, Rochford, Essex. Name
Thomas KERBY. Father John, mother Judith (KENNETH).
About 1801 his daughter Elizabeth was born (according to a later Poor Law examination).
In
1805 the fortunes of John and his family appear to have taken a dip,
or he wanted to move between parishes, for he underwent a Poor Law
examination. The former seems likely as he did not seem to move at
that point. The exmaination was mostly a matter of
establishing that he had a right to receive help from a particular
parish and it took place on 28 Nov 1805. John's
testimony cited "that about 15 years ago he was lawfully married
in the Parish Church of Rochford in the county of Essex to Judith
Kennett his present wife". It also established that he was aged 40,
named John KIRBY, born in
Great
Burstead, Essex. and had six childeren,
listing their birth dates. They were John aged 15, James aged
12, William aged 10, George aged 9, Thomas aged 6,
Elizabeth aged 4. From this document we also know that in 1788 he was a 'Servant in Husbandry', in
Downham, Essex, i.e. an agricultural labourer who was caring for livestock.
About 1807 his daughter Mary was born. She was Christened on 20 Sep
1807 at St Andrew's Church, Rochford, Essex. Name Mary CURBY, father
John, mother Judith (KENNETH).
On 26 Apr 1822 his wife Judith was buried at
Downham, Essex.
I have yet to locate him on the 1841 Census.
Last Will and Testament
Unknown.
Death
Unknown, but about 1842. Probable death registration is
that for John KIRBY registered at Billericay, Essex in the June Quarter
of 1842 (Vol 12, pg 8)
Burial
3 Jul 1842 at the parish church in Downham, Essex
Descendants and notable relations
To be completed.