Which William Butson married Peggy Northy at Kea, Cornwall 12 Aug 1821?

Research note by Wesley Johnston, begun 5 Mar 2013, last updated 23 Feb 2016

Background and Overview

There were two William Butsons born in Cornwall, not far from each other, in 1796 and 1797. Far too many trees have them tangled up, with the wrong William marrying Margaret "Peggy" Northey. This note presents the evidence for untangling them, so that their proper parentage and spouse are known.

Specifically, these are the two Williams, as shown in their baptismal records, which of course do not confuse their parents.

1796 Jan 1 - at St. Stephen in Brannel - to John and Elizabeth (Rickard) Butson: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11606-30837-49

1797 May 14 - at Gwennap - to William and Elizabeth (Lobb) Butson): https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11775-57909-84

The confusion comes in deciding which of these Williams married Margaret "Peggy" Northey. Here is the marriage record information:

1821 Aug 12 - at Kea - William Butson=Peggy Northy: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-12433-52052-53

The witnesses have neither of their family names: Bennet Treloar and William Polwhele.

So which William Butson married Peggy North(e)y?

Census Records of William and Peggy

The family generated many more records than the marriage record, including the census records, which can tell us which was the correct William.

Starting in 1851, the census recorded where each person was born. The 1851 census for William and Peggy shows them living at Kerling in the parish of Kea. The record clearly shows that William was born at Gwennap.

    http://search.ancestry.com/Browse/view.aspx?dbid=8860&path=Cornwall.Kea.ALL.1m.15

The 1861 census also shows William was born at Gwennap:

    http://search.ancestry.com/Browse/view.aspx?dbid=8767&path=Cornwall.Kea.ALL.11.12&

The 1871 census also shows William was born at Gwennap:

    http://search.ancestry.com/Browse/view.aspx?dbid=7619&path=Cornwall.Kea.ALL.11.8&

Conclusion: Gwennap (son of William) and NOT St. Stephen (son of John)

The Gwennap William Butson, son of William and Elizabeth (Lobb) Butson, baptized 14 May 1797 was the William Butson who married Peggy Northy at Kea 12 Aug 1821.

The William BUTSON baptized 1 Jan 1796 at St. Stephen in Brannel, son of John BUTSON and Elizabeth RICKARD does not appear in any census that shows his birth. In fact, nothing is known of him after his baptism. But he most definitely was not the husband of Peggy NORTHEY.