Frances (Thomas) Ridge (1783 - abt. 1847)

Born 1783 in Saint Helena [uncertain]

Wife of William Ridge — married 7 Jul 1820 in St Helena

Descendants

Died about 30 Apr 1847 at about age 64 in Saint Helena

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Biography

Frances appears on Saint Helena^[1] when she gives birth to her first child in 1813. A slave to John Slater, she earns or purchases her freedom before the birth of her fourth child in 1817. By the birth of her fifth child, she has adopted the surname Thomas, suggesting her father was a slave named Thomas. A free Black, Frances was most likely born on Madagascar or sourced from South East Asia.

7 Jul 1820 - Sergeant William Ridge, of Saint Helena Artillery married Francis Thomas, free.

Children's baptism records reflect the following:

• Mary Ann baptised 13 Jun 1813; daughter of William Ridge and Fanny, slave to John Slater.
• Grace baptised 29 May 1814 and 5 Jun 1814; illegitimate daughter of William Ridge and Fanny, slave to John Slater.
• Elizabeth baptised 31 Feb 1816; daughter to William Ridge and Fanny, slave to John Slater.
• William baptised 21 Sep 1817; illegitimate son to William Ridge and Fanny, free.
• Louisa baptised 20 May 1819; illegitimate daughter of William Ridge and Fanny Thomas, free Black.
• Frances baptised 3 May 1821; daughter of William Ridge of St Helena Artillery and Frances Ridge.

30 Apr 1847 - Frances Ridge, Widow aged 64 Yrs, passed away and was bried in St James churchyard.

Sources

1. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Helena

• Anglican Church of Southern Africa (ACSA). The Diocese of St Helena Parish Registers and Indices held at University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. Historical Papers Research Archive series AB2073:
  • Saint Helena Marriage Register St James 6 Jul 1820 [1]
  • Saint Helena Burial Register St James [2]
  • "United Kingdom, British India Office, Births and Baptisms, 1712-1965", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6VY9-1VC2 : 20 January 2023), Fanny Slater in entry for Mary Ann Ridge, 1813.