Sarah Francis nee Hale.

Sarah Hale was baptised on 22 May 1788 at Berkeley, daughter of John Hale, yeoman of Ham.

It is possible that she had an illegitimate son in 1811 when she was 22 years old, Shadrack Hale, bastard son of Sarah Hale, was baptised on 31 March 1811 in the parish of Cromhall. 

Sarah married Edmund Francis on 9 May 1820 at St Nicholas, Bristol. Both are described as "of this parish" but this may just be a matter of convenience. The witnesses were Mary Nelmes and William Nelmes.  

Whilst some researchers suggest that Sarah died aged just 37 and was buried on 16 December 1825 at Dursley, others suggest that Edmund and her had five children:

• Henry Francis. Baptised 8 December 1822 in Goldcliff, son of Edmund Francis, farmer of Goldcliff and Sarah.  
• Edmund Francis. Baptised 3 October 1824 in Goldcliff, son of Edmund Francis, farmer of Goldcliff and Sarah. 
• Mary Dorcus Francis. Baptised 15 December 1829 at Goldcliff.  
• John Francis. Baptised 13 December 1829 in Goldcliff. John was buried on 11 September 1831 aged 1 year.  
• John Edwin Francis. Baptised 5 February 1832 in Whiston.  
  

By 1841 Sarah appears to have been widowed and was farming at Whitsun, Monmouthshire. Henry, Edmund, Mary and John remain at home. 

In 1851 Sarah is still farming at Whitsun. Edmund, Mary and John remain at home nd they are farming 89 acres. The census confirms that Sarah was born in Hill, so seems likely this is "our" Sarah. 

Sarah Francis is believed to have died in 1855 in Whitsun. 

Edmund and Sarah's son Henry Francis married Elizabeth Morgan in 1850 in Newport.  In 1851 they were living Llangarren, Herefordshire where Henry was farming 49 acres employing one man. Their eldest son had been born. In 1861 they were at Pool Farm, Rockfield where they were farming 60 acres. Elizabeth's widowed mother Rachel Morgan, aged 71 was living with them.  They had six children.

• John Edmund Francis. Born 1851 in Llangarren. On 5 September 1889 John Edmund Francis,  38 year old farmer, son of Henry Francis, farmer married Sarah Williams, a 38 year old widow, the daughter of Edward Raven, deceased innkeeper.  at St Paul's. New Swindon, Wilts. John Edmund Francis of Typucca, Llantrissent died on 4 January 1938. Probate was granted to Arthur Charles Francis, retired farmer. 
• Thomas Morgan Francis. Born 1853 in Llangarren. It seems Thomas never married. Thomas Morgan Francis of Typwcca, Llantrisent died on 13 March 1925. Administration was granted to John Edmund Francis, farmer.  
• William Henry Francis. Born 30 June 1854 in Rockfield. William married Emily Jane Nelmes in 1881 in Monmouth. They emigrated to America shortly thereafter and in 1900 were living at Fort Meade, Polk, Florida. They had four children. William H Francis died on 15 October 1927 in Waynesville, Haywood County, North Carolina. Emily died in 1948 in Fort Meade, Polk County.
• Sarah Maria Francis. Baptised 22 January 1857 in Rockfield. In 1881 Sarah was a kitchen maid working for Thomas Phillips Price, "a JP barrister at law not in practice, Captain in militia  occupying 230 acres of land employing 1 bailiff, 2 gardeners and 2 labourers" at Triley Court, Llantillio Pertholey.  Sarah Maria Francis of Ty Aur, Llanelli, spinster, died on  6 February 1945 at The Hospital, Abergavenny. Administration (with will) was granted to William Stanley Francis, farmer. 
• Charles Hale Francis. Baptised 27 May 1859 at Rockfield, also suggesting that his father was Sarah Hale's daughter.  Charles Hale Francis died in 1861. 
• Hannah Mary Francis. Born 1863 in Rockfield. Hannah Mary Francis died in 1896 in Pontypool, aged  33 years old. 
• Arthur Charles Francis. Baptised 25 February 1866 in Rockfield. Arthur married Edith Emily . They had seven children. Edith Emily died in 1909. Arthur Charles Francis of Ty Aur, Llanelan  died on 24 January 1945. Probate was granted to William Stanley Francis, farmer.  

In 1891 Henry and Elizabeth were farming at Llwyncelyn, Llanover. Thomas, Hannah and Arthur remained at home. In 1901 they were farming at Typwcca with Thomas and Sarah. Henry Francis of Typwcca, Llantrissent died on 15 July 1907. Administration (with will) was granted to John Edmund Francis, farmer. In 1911 Elizabeth, now a 85 year old widow was at Typwcca, which her son Thomas was now farming. Sarah now 53 remained at home. Elizabeth Francis died in 1918, aged 90 years old.    

Edmund and Sarah's son Edmund Francis married Cecilia Baker on 28 January 1858 in Goldcliff. Both were of full age. Edmund was a farmer, son of Edmund Francis, farmer. Cecilia Baker was a widow, daughter of Roger Keen, farmer. She had previously married Samuel Baker on 25 January 1832 in Penhow. Monmouth. They had four children before Samuel Baker of Hinton, Goldcliff died on 29 December 1856 in Hinton, Goldcliff. I can find no trace of them in the 1861 census. Edmund Francis died on 1 January 1867 aged 44 years. Probate was granted to John Francis of Whitsun Farm, farmer, his brother and Thomas Jacob Jones of 5 High Street, Newport, chemist and druggist. In 1871 Cecilia Francis, 65 year old farmer's widow was living with her granddaughter (presumably from her first marriage) at 1 Upton Park, Chepstow.  Cecilia Francis of 1 Upton Place, Maindee, Christchurch died on 11 July 1879. Probate was granted to Elizabeth Jones (wife of Thomas Jacob Jones) of Pwllmeyric, near Chepstow, Cecilia Ann Waters (wife of John Waters) of Crossheolydd Farm, Bassaleg and  Mary Jones (wife of Jacob Jones) of Clarence Villa, Chepstow Road, Christchurch. her daughters.   

Edmund and Sarah's daughter Mary Dorcus Francis married Robert Bond on 13 August 1866 at St Thomas' Bristol. Robert was a 40 year old railway superintendent, the son of Joseph Bond, nurseryman.

In 1871 they were living in 1 Park Place, Bedwelty where Robert was a railway manager. They had two children. 

• Robert Edmund Francis Bond.  Baptised 4 June 1867 in Llanfihangel Llantarnam. Robert died in 1903. 
• Mary Sarah Hale Scudamore Bond. Mary married Charles Stanser Bowker on 12 September  1891 in Newport. Charles was a physician & surgeon. In 1911 they were living in Pontnewydd.  They had three children.  In 1923 they were at Cwmbrn House, Pontnewydd. Charles Stanser Bowker of Cwmbrn House died on 20 February 1937 in Pontypool. Probate was granted to Mary Edna Steer Bowker, spinster. Mary Sarah Hale Scudamore Bowker died in 1946. 

In 1881 Robert and Mary were living at Prudence Villas, Gold Tops, St Woolos where Robert was a railway carrier.  Robert had died by 1891 so Mary was a 63 year old widow living at Scudamore Villas, St Woolos. Both children remained at home. They still had a cook, domestic servant. In 1901 Mary was still at Gold Tops "living on her own means" and her son was still with her. The census describes him as "feeble minded". Mary Dorcus Bond of Scudamore Villas, Gold Top died on 13 January 1917. Probate was granted to Mary Sarah Hale Scudamore, Bowker (wife of Charles Hauser Bowker).  

 Edmund and Sarah's son John Edwin Francis married Mary Harley on 26 March 1867 in Nash, Newport. John was a 33 year old farmer. Mary was a 33 year widow, the daughter of Joseph Waters, farmer. 

Mary had previously married Austin Harley on 22 September 1853 in Nash, Monmouthshire. Austin was a master mariner from Cork, of full age and Mary was a minor. They had one son and two daughters. It's not clear what happened to Austin. In 1871 John and Mary were living in Whitsun where John was farming 117 acres with 2 men and 1 boy. They had three farm servants were living with them. John Edwin Francis of Whitsun died on 9 July 1879 aged 47 years and was buried on 13 July 1879 at Goldcliff. Administration of his estate was granted to his wife.  In 1901 Mary  Francis was living at The Poplars, Broad Street Common, Nash on her "own means". One of her daughters from her first marriage was living with her. Mary Francis died later in 1901 in Nash. 

Henry Hale

Henry Hale was baptised on 6 March 1792 at Berkeley, son of John Hale, yeoman of Ham.

In 1851 Henry Hale was living at Contrane, Christchurch, Monmouthshire. Henry had not married and aged 55 he was a farmer of 170 acres employing 4 men. Living with him was his 28 year old housekeeper Elizabeth Adams, another general servant and two agricultural servants.

In 1861 Henry was farming Trosten Farm, Christchurch, Monmouthshire. Still unmarried, his housekeeper was now 38 year old Jane Perrin and also living at the address was a general servant, two farm labourers, a carter and the carters boy.

Henry Hale of Great Trostan Farm, Christchurch died on 21 August 1877. Probate was granted to Matthew Hale of Coldharbour Farm, Nash, Nr Newport, his brother and Alfred Sperrin of Church Farm, Bitton in Gloucester. His estate was valued at less than £5,000.

Matthew Hale was Henry's half brother, he was the son of John Hale and his second wife Sarah Parker. It seems that Matthew may have married Elizabeth Adams, Henry's former housekeeper.

Charles Hale & Martha Walters.

Charles Hale was born in 1796 in Berkeley. He was baptised on 2 February 1797 aged 8 months at Berkeley, the son of John and Mary Hale of Ham. 

Charles Hale married Martha Waters on 17 August 1822 in Goldcliff, Monmouth.

They had eight children:

• Alfred Hale. Baptised 6 April 1823 at Whitson, Monmouthshire
  
• Mary Hale. Born 1824 in Whitsun. Mary may have been baptised on 8 February at St James the Great, Bristol? 
  
• Charles Hale. Baptised 2 April 1826 in Whitsun. Charles died on 6 June 1827 in Whitsun. 
• Charles Hale. Baptised 2 November 1828 in Whitsun. It seems likely that Charles died in infancy. 
• John Hale. Baptised 28 March 1830 in Monmouth. 
• Annice Hale. Baptised 8 January 1832 in Nash. 
• Henry Ponting Hale. Born 1836 in Nash. 
• Charles Ponting Hale. Baptised 21 June 1839 in Nash.  Charles Ponting Hale died on 14 November 1844 in St Mary's, Goldcliff. 

In 1851 53 year old Charles and 46 year old Martha were living at Tatton, Nash and of their children only 19 year old Annis and 15 year old Henry remained at home.  Joseph Francis, a 38 year old tailor is staying with them and three servants are listed. In 1861 Charles, aged 65 and 56 year old Martha were still living at Tatton, Nash, Monmouthshire, Wales. All the children had left home.

Charles Hale of Tatton Farm, Nash, died 22 June 1866 at Tatton Farm (Reg Gen June Qtr 1866 Newport M 1a 102) and he was buried at Goldcliff, Monmouthshire on 26 June 1866. Probate was granted to William Jones of Farmfield, farmer and John Hale of Pill Farm, farmer and half-brother of the deceased. His estate was valued at less than £800.

Martha Hale died on 16 April 1869 aged 65 and was buried at Goldcliff. 

Charles and Martha's son Alfred Hale married Sarah Webb on 14 November 1848 in Goldcliff. Both were of full age. Alfred was a farmer, son of Charles Hale, farmer. Sarah was the daughter of Luke Webb, farmer.  

They had two children in England and thereafter emigrated to America.  Alfred, his wife Sarah, along with their two daughters sailed for New Orleans from Newport on the "Basque Sophia of Calais" arriving on 28 March 1851. Also listed are John Hale, aged 21 and his wife Cecilia, aged 23, who were already US residents. 

In 1860 Alfred and Sarah were living at Little Grant, Winsconsin. Alfred was a farmer with 2,000 real estate and 525 personal estate. Alfred and Sarah had eight children in all

• Elizabeth A Hale. Born 5 January 1849 in Newport. Elizabeth married James Mitcheson Edwards on 23 December 1867 in Bloomington. In 1880 and later they were living in Bloomington and James was a farmer. They had nine children. James Mitcheson Edwards died on 12 October 1912. Elizabeth Edwards died on 2 November 1921 in Bloomington.  
• Mary Susannah Hale. Born 11 February 1850 in Newport. Mary married William Charles Hadley on 22 October 1868. In 1870 and 1880 they were living in Bloomington where William was farming.  In 1900 they were farming at Township 1, Fresno, California.  In 1910 they were at Dos Palos, Merced, California, USA and William had retired. William C Hadley died on 14 September 1919 at Dos Palos. Mary S Hadley died on 30 March 1923 in Dos Palos. 
• Annis Hale. Born 28 January 1852 in Winsconsin. Annis married Frank Newman in 1874 in Grant. In 1880 Annis was back living with her parents with her one year old son. In 1900 Frank and Annis were living in Bloomington where Frank was a nursery canvasser. They had two children. In 1910 they were still in Bloomington and Frank was a travelling salesman for a nursery company Annis died on 25 October 1916 and was buried at Bloomington. Frank Newman died on 20 September 1931 in Bloomington. 
• Charles Pontin Hale. Born 14 December 1853 in Bloomington, Grant, Winsconsin. Charles married Charlotte Ella Garthwaite on 18 December 1879 in Grant. In 1880 through to 1900 they were living at Little Grant, where Charles was farming. They had three children. In 1910 they were still in Bloomington and Charles' occupation is described as "own income".  In 1905 Charles is again described as a farmer. Charlotte died on 13 October 1919. In 1920 Charles is a retired farmer living alone. Charles died on 15 July 1928 in Bloomington. 
• John Webb Hale. Born 10 August 1856 in Bloomington, Grant, Winsconsin. John married Emily Elizabeth Wetmore on 21 December 1881 in Bloomington. Her ancestry has been traced back to Thomas Wetmore (1615 to 1681), born in Royden, Essex and who emigrated to USA in 1635, so no obvious connection to "our" Wetmores.  In 1900 they were living in Bloomington where John was a farmer. They had five children. Emily Elizabeth Hale died on 30 January 1926 in Bloomington. John Webb Hale died on 22 December 1927 in Bloomington. 
• Martha Hale. Born 1859 in Bloomington. 
• Celia Ann Hale. Born 15 April 1860 in Winsconsin. Cecilia died on 28 November 1928 in Winsconin. 
• Luke W Hale. Born 20 December 1862. Luke died on 20 March 1870 and was buried in Providence Cemetary, Bloomington. 

In 1880 Alfred and Sarah were living in Bloomington where Alfred was a grocer. Daughters Cecilia and Annis, now married with a son, were living with them. Alfred Hale died on 23 April 1883 in Bloomington, Grant, Winsconsin. Sarah Hale died on 23 July 1896 in Bloomington.  

Charles and Martha's daughter Mary Hale married William Jones on 15 February 1855 at Nash. (Reg Gen March Qtr 1855 Newport M 11a 183). William Jones was the son of Thomas Jones, farmer of Nash. The witnesses were Charles Hale and Ann Hale. 

In 1861 William and Mary were farming 260 acres at Freshfield, Tatton, Nash. They had six children:

• Mary Anne Jones. Born 1856. Mary Anne may have married William Henry Watkins on 20 May 1890 in Nash. William was a 35 year old farmer, son of William Watkins, farmer. Mary Anne was 34 years old, daughter of William Jones, farmer of Nash. 
  
• Annise Jones. Born 1858
  
• William Henry Jones. Born 1859. William possibly died in 1911 
  
• Annie Jones. Born 1860. Annie may have married Richard Waters on 30 April 1889 in Nash. Richard was a 38 year old farmer, son of Joseph Waters, farmer Anne was the daughter of William Jones, farmer of Nash. They had six children. Richard Waters of "The Grove", Goldcliffe, Monmouthshire died on 14 December 1906. Probate was granted to Anne Waters, widow. In 1915 Annie was living at "The Grange", Goldcliffe. She is believed to have died in 1939. 
  
• Charles Jones. Born 1862
• Emma Jones. Born 1865

 By 1871 they were farming 258 acres at Tatton Farm, Nash. William's younger brother Thomas, now aged 38 and a farmer was living with the family. By 1881 the farm had grown to 337 acres and William was employing 2 men and 1 boy. William Jones died in 1887.  In 1891 Tatton Farm was now being run by William and Mary's son William H Jones, aged 32 years. Also still living at the farm were their sisters 33 year old Annie Jones and 25 year old Emma Jones. It is not clear where mother Mary was at the time, but by 1901 she is back living with her son at Tatton Farm. All his sisters had left home by that time and one domestic servant is listed. 

Charles and Martha's son John Hale married Cecilia Webb on 20 November 1850 at Goldcliffe. They were both of full age. John was a farmer, son of Charles Hale, farmer. Cecilia was the daughter of Luke Webb, farmer.   

John and Cecilia sailed for New Orleans from Newport on the "Basque Sophia of Calais" arriving on 28 March 1851. THey were travelling with John's elder brother Henry (see above). Strangley both John Hale, aged 21 and his wife Cecilia, aged 23, were described as already US residents!!. They had two children. 

• George Hale. Born 1857 in Grant County, Winsconsin
• Martha Mariah Hale. Born 1860. Married John C Welsh on 26 May 1880 in Grant, Winsconsin. They had five children. Martha Maria Hale died in 1928 in Bloomington. John C Welsh died on 27 April 1934 in Bloomington. 

In 1870 they were living in Bloomington where John was a butcher. The value of real estate owned was 4,000 and the value of personal estate ws 2,000. Cecilia Hale died on 27 November 1876 in Bloomington.  Whilst John and Cecilia's children seemed to have remained in the USA, John may have returned to the UK. It is possible that he married Jane Brock Sperrin on 7 August 1879 at St John's, Christchurch. John was a widower, farmer, the son of Charles Hale. Jane was a widower, the daughter of James Sperrin, farmer.  

In 1881 51 year old John and 55 year old Jane are farming Whitson Farm in Whitson. Ten years later, in 1891, they are both still farming there. John Hale died on 13 March 1901. Jane was still living at Whitson Farm when the census was taken. Also at the address is Martha Allen described as a "sick nurse". It's not clear whether she was there for John or Jane. Jane Brock Hale of The Lodge, Whitsun died on 14 December 1916.  Probate was granted to Matthew Hale, farmer and Ellen Hale (wife of Matthew Hale). 

Charles and Martha's daughter Annis Hale appears to have never married and she died in 1893 aged 61 years.  

Finally Charles and Martha's son Henry Ponting Hale appears to have emigrated to Australia. Henry Ponting Hale, born Nash, Monmouthshire, 24 year old labourer, son of Charles Hale, farmer and Martha Walters married Selena Gammon,  born Knole, Devon, 16 years old, daughter of Richard Gammon, blacksmith, and Ann Stokes married on 4 April 1860 in Geelong. They had twelve children!!

• Annis Amelia Hale. Born 29 August 1861 in Mount Duneed, Victoria. Annis married William James Trigg on 4 June 1879 in Geelong, Victoria. They had twelve children. In 1925 was living in Meredith, Corlo and William was a labourer. Annis died on 26 May 1936 in Meredith, Great Plains Shire, Victoria. In 1942 William was living at Ouyen where he was farming. He may have remarried? William Henry Trigg died on 7 June 1944 in Ouyen, Victoria. 
• Emily Ann Hale. Born 1863 in Mount Moriac, Victoria. Emily died on 21 January 1864 in Gnarrewarre, Victoria.
• Henry Ponting Hale. Born 1864. Died 1864. Others record this child, but I can find no record of his birth or death. 
• Henry Charles Hale. Born 1865 in Gnarwarre. Henry Charles Hale died later that year in 1865 in Victoria.  

• Charles Henry Hale. Born 15 April 1866 in Ceres, Geelong. Charles married Rachel Matthews in 1893. They had five children. Rachel died on 15 August 1943. Charles died on 28 November 1950 in Fitzroy, Yarra City. He was buried in Geelong. 

• Alfred Richard Hale. Born 25 July 1868 in Ceres Victoria, Alfred married Alice Stokes Beck on 7 July 1897 in Geelong. They had two children. Alfred died on 6 March 1943 in Geelong. Ann Stokes Hale died on 15 August 1964 at Geelong. 

• William John Hale. Born 20 July 1870 in Ceres. William married Catherine "Cath" Ellen Thomas in 1899 in Victoria. They had three children. In 1936 William and Catherine were living at Lara Lake, Geelong where William was farming. William John Hale died on 11 November 1937 in Glen Iris. Catherine died on 31 December 1941 in Geelong. 

• Annie Maria Hale. Born 18 August 1872 in Ceres. Annie married Samuel John Gugger in 1895. They had four children, the last of whom was born the year her father died. Samuel died on 27 April 1902 in Geelong, aged just 30 years old. In 1903 Annie and her children were living at Barrabool Hills where her sons were farming. Annie died on 13 May 1957 in Geelong

• Martha Mary Hale. Born 15 March 1875 in Ceres. Martha married Adam James McHarry in 1896 in Victoria. In 1908 they were living at Lrio, Cario Shore where Adam was a lime burner. They had four children plus an infant daughter who died the same day as Martha. Martha died on 16 June 1909 in Lara, Victoria. In 1914 and 1920 Adam was still farming at Lara Lake. Adam died on 28 March 1946 

• Emily Louisa Jane Hale. Born 9 November 1878 in Ceres. Emily married Francis Philip Matthews in 1897 in Victoria. They had twelve children. In 1924 they were living at North Prentice, Rutherglen, Indi, Victoria, where Francis was farming. Emily Louisa Jane Matthews, widow died on 18 August 1964 in Beechworth, Victoria. 

• Florence Selina Hale. Born 30 May 1880 in Ceres.  Florence married Henry Edward Francis Crook in 1900 in Victoria. They had four children. Henry died on 14 November 1954 in Geelong. Florence died on 30 March 1959 in Geelong, Victoria.

• Lottie Margaret Hale. Born 1884 in Victoria. Lottie died on 23 June 1890 in Colac, Victoria. 

.Selena Hale died on 19 April 1886 in Geelong. Henry remarried on 18 September 1888 at Highton, Barrabool, Victoria. .HIs second wife was Margaret Henry. Henry Ponting Hale of Banabool Hills died on 15 January 1894.  Margaret remarried in 1908 and Margaret Ash died in 1934 in Geelong, Victoria.