Thomas Dawney

Born:

Died: ?

Married: Ann Briggs

Mother: Elizabeth Dawney

Father: John Dawney

Descendant: Ann Dawney

The book George Engleheart, 1902 claims that Thomas Dawney was the Vicar at St Anne's, Kew Green, but later research suggests that in fact he was the first parish clerk.

Thomas Dawney married Ann Briggs, and was the father of Ann Dawney

Birth

One Thomas Dawney was christened on the 4th April 1686 at Mortlake, Surrey, England (next to Richmond). His parents were John Dawney and Elizabeth Dawney.

Christenings Anno Domini 1686 - Thomas the son of John & Elizabeth Dawney was baptised April 4

Some sources say his christening date is 1685, but the registers definitely say 1686, and this is in April (not January-March), so there should be no reason to adjust due to the mismatch between modern and historic years.

Marriage

Thomas Dawny (bachelor) of Mortlack Surry, Gardiner married Ann Briggs (spinster) of Cue Green on Wednesday, August the 17th 1709.

They were married at Fleet Prison. Not because they were incarcerated but because that was where you went to get a clandestine wedding - one where the people getting married could not get married using the usual church system. Either because they were too young, or their parents disapproved, or the clergy did not let them wed where they wanted to be wed and with too many restrictions. The prison had many incarcerated clergy who were willing to wed people outside of the system for a small price. It's not clear yet why they did this.

There is a suspicion that his wife's surname might have been Biggs rather than Briggs, and that the register in the prison might have miswritten her name.

Children

He had the following children with Ann:

• Robert Dawney, c.17 July 1710 burial 20 Jul 1712 (St Mary Magdalene, Richmond)
• Anne Dawney, c.9 Sep 1713
• Mary Dawney, c.11 April 1716 (St Anne, Kew Green)
• Elizabeth Dawney, c.20 Dec 1723 (St Anne, Kew Green)

Other Records

1684 Charles Moats/Weater & Ursula Brown married 30th

Thomas Dawney is mentioned in Volume 12 page 53 of the Journal of the Richmond Local History Society. You can browse copies at the Local Studies Collection in the Old Town Hall, Whittaker Avenue, Richmond.

1661 John Griffin, of S’ Mildred, Poultry, London, Wid’, 30, & Anne Dawney, Sp’, 21, dau. of Thomas Dawney, of S’ Swithiu’s, London, Gent., who consents ; at Stepney, Middx.