William Francis and Sarah Holmes

Mattishall, All Saints Church: The sanctuary
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Michael Garlick - geograph.org.uk/p/5792067

William Francis (bap. 14 Nov 1773 in St Peter, Mattishall Burgh), single man, son of William Francis and Mary Gunn, married Sarah Holmes (bap. 16 Feb 1776 at St Peter’s, Mattishall Burgh), single woman, daughter of James and Mary Holmes, on 8 Jan 1799, at All Saints' Church, Mattishall. Neither could write and both made their mark with an X. Witnesses were Mary Francis (who could have been William's mother or his sister) and a Wm. Dade.

Records suggest that this pair had at least five children: 

1. Anne Francis b. 3 Dec 1802, bap. 10 Apr 1803 at Mattishall Burgh
2. Sarah Francis b. 30 Apr 1805, bap. 19 May 1805 at Mattishall Burgh
3. Harriet Francis, b. 25 Jul 1813, bap. 19 Sep 1813 at Mattishall
4. Stephen Francis bap. 14 Mar 1816 (buried 8 Apr 1816) at Mattishall
5. Martha Francis bap. 9 May 1817 in Mattishall

With such gaps, there could have been others. The baptism records for Harriet, Stephen and Martha lists their father's occupation as Labourer.

In 1841, William Francis (65), Ag Lab, wife Sarah (60) and daughter Martha (20), were shown as living at Badley Moor, Mattishall. 

William Francis (75) died in 1848 D Qtr in MITFORD AND LAUNDITCH Vol 13 Page 152 and was buried on 13 Dec 1848 at All Saints', Mattishall. 

In 1851, Sarah Francis (76), widow, pauper, was lodging with John Durrant and his wife Martha (33) - her youngest daughter - in East Tuddenham. 

Sarah Francis died in 1852 M Quarter in MITFORD & LAUNDITCH Volume 04B Page 195, with her age listed at an under-estimated 75, and was buried, on 22 Feb 1852, at All Saints, East Tuddenham.

William Francis and Mary Gunn

St Peter’s Church, Mattishall Burgh

William Francis and Mary Gunn, a pair of my 5th great-grandparents, were married, on 1 Jan 1771, at St Peter’s Church, Mattishall Burgh.

Records exist for the baptisms, also in Mattishall Burgh, of three children: 

1. John Francis bap. 19 Apr 1772
2. William Francis bap. 14 Nov 1773
3. Mary Francis bap. 28 Mar 1779

William and Mary were buried at All Saints' Church, Mattishall. Mary was buried on 14 Apr 1816. The record states that she was 73 and born in 1743. William was buried little more than a year later, on 18 May 1817. His burial record says he was 76, born in 1741, but I haven't located their baptisms.

Churchyard at All Saints' Church, Mattishall