Rachel (Pyle) Freeman (1805 - 1873)

Born 16 Jan 1805 in Smarden, Kent, England

Ancestors

Wife of John Excell — married 13 Jul 1823 in Frittenden, Kent, England

Wife of William Freeman — married 8 Mar 1829 in Headcorn, Kent, England

Descendants

Died 17 Apr 1873 at age 68 in Smarden, Kent, England

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Andrew Oliver [send private message]

Biography

The evidence for Rachel's place of birth is derived from census returns, as no baptismal or birth record has been found as yet. The birth date shown for her is taken from a birthday book kept by her granddaughter, Eliza Freeman. Her first name was spelled as Rachael in the record of her marriage to William Freeman. Oliver-4952 11:27, 7 December 2015 (EST).

I subsequently discovered that Rachel was a widow when she married William Freeman. She had previously married John Excell at Frittenden on 13 July 1823 at which time she was recorded as Rachel Pyle.Oliver-4952 10:06, 2 August 2017 (EDT)

Note, I ought to say that the evidence linking Rachel to those I have listed as her parents is circumstantial. Richard Pyle married Mary Colly at Smarden in 1799. An order was made removing them (and three children) from Smarden to Frittenden on 1st December 1804, six or seven weeks before Rachel was born on 16th January 1805. The census returns state that she was born at Smarden, but her first marriage took place at Frittenden in 1823, and Richard and Mary were still living at Frittenden in 1841. The actual date on which they complied with the removal order is not known.

Further to the above, I now have confirmation of a DNA match between myself, descendant of Rachel, and a descendant of Rachel's brother Thomas.Oliver-4952 22:34, 24 May 2021 (UTC)

Sources

• Birthday book of Eliza Freeman.

• Headcorn marriage register.

• Gravestone at Tilden Chapel graveyard, Smarden.

• Frittenden marriage register.

• Headcorn baptismal register (for children).

• Headcorn burial register (for first husband).