On 15-Jan-1842 they married at Ripple Parish Church in Ripple, Kent, England. Her younger brother George Francis BAILEY (1811 – 1878) was a witness.
Just over four months later, on 29-May-1842 the baptism of their first child, a daughter, took place at St Mary’s Church, Sandwich, Kent, England.
Two years on, 03-Mar-1844, a son was baptised in Ash-next-Sandwich, Kent, England. I think it is referenced in this fashion as there is another Ash in Kent.
Then on 28-Dec-1849 another son was born who was baptised 03-Mar-1850 also in the location of Ash-next-Sandwich. His birth was registered Q1 1850.
In the 1851 Census, night of 30-Mar-1851, they are still within the parish of Ash next Sandwich and living in Guston. Therefore, this would be nearer the farm on the path between the Richborough Roman Fort and the area of Lower Goldstone.
Robert is still an Agricultural Labourer and in the household it is just the five of them. However, on the same page of the census return we find his parents with just a couple of families living between them.
His parents are the first ones put as Richborough after Guston on this document but it is clear we are talking minimal distance. It is likely that Elizabeth was the main support for her daughter-in-law at each of the births.
In Q2 1852 a third son came along, and again the birth registered under Eastry. They had four children together in total –
- Mary Elizabeth COLLINS (1842 – 1931)
- Robert Edward COLLINS (1844 -1922)
- William John COLLINS (1849 – 1929)
- John Henry COLLINS (1852 – 1936)
Robert’s father died in Q2 1854 at the age of 70 and then his wife Sarah on 06-Mar-1859, aged 50, and was buried at St Nicholas in Ash.
This probably meant that Mary, coming up 17, ended up being responsible for her younger siblings for a period and perhaps had already been doing so if her mother was unwell before her demise.
I have not bought any of their death certificates but this is something that would likely do in future to learn more about the family medical background on this side.
The 07-Apr-1861 was the occasion of the next census return. Robert, now described as Widower, is listed as a Looker. Daughter Mary, now aged 18, is the housekeeper and 16-year-old son Robert also working in the same line as his father.
Presumably the two younger boys are attending school for at least the majority of the year. It is quite likely that during harvest time the family were helping out in the local vicinity.
Robert (junior) got married on 05-Nov-1864 and it appears Mary then had a child out of wedlock in early 1865.
Perhaps with his elder siblings being less able to help out and having their own lives Robert (senior) remarried Q4 1865 to a Charlotte WILLIAMS (1829 – ?).
No idea how they met since she was born further afield in Kent and the 1861 Census had her placed in Maidstone with her family.
Mary got married the following year and continued her family. Robert with Charlotte then had two sons together so they actually then had nephews older than them.
- Frederick Thomas COLLINS (1867 – ?)
- Frank Richard COLLINS (1872 – 1959)
More research is needed as unable to be definite at this time on the death of their first son and Charlotte herself. However, know their youngest ultimately moved to Canada.