MARIA SUTTON

Fact

The only fact I have is: Maria was the first child born to John and Sarah in 1784 the event taking place in Claughton near Birkenhead and she was baptised on 29 February 1784 in St. Oswald Parish Church, Bidston.

Speculation

Unlike some family historians I use the SWAG method of research (Sophisticated Wild A*se Guess). Well that is not strictly true, I use the SWAG method to develop possible lines of research, some of which are very abstract. I have used this method to try and identify individuals who could be Maria.

Stay with me on this. What sparked my interest was the '51 census entry for Maria's brother John Sutton of Reeds Farm and the people he employed.

The Smith brothers are easy to eliminate, they lived next door. This leaves Mary Jones, Richard Brown and the Davies. Trying to track down a 25 year old Welsh girl called May Jones is not worth considering especially as we have no known Welsh connections. Why would John employ an Ag Lab from Liverpool when he is surrounded by masses of suitable candidates? Could he be related in some way?

A speculative search the '51 census for Liverpool revealed a Maria Brown married to a William Brown a journeyman Joiner living at 45 Wood Street, West Derby (HO107/2192/94 P28). Maria is listed as being born in Claughton and she is 68 years old. Maria is the only Maria born in Claughton of the correct age in Lancashire and Cheshire. A coincidence that is to close to ignore. Could it be that Richard is related to Maria (grandson?) and John who are siblings?

Family employing family sits very comfortably with me. Yes this is pure conjecture and there is a great deal of work to do to prove this outlandish theory. I think that sometimes taking a SWAG can be interesting.