Elizabeth Chichester married William Clarke on 5 Feb 1799 at Old Cleeve, Somerset, England.
I have not found a baptism record for Elizabeth, and as a result I am seeking alternative types of evidence for who may have been in her birth family.
I currently have two theories, which I have presented as alternative answers, but I welcome additional answers that might present additional theories, or serve to refine or distinguish the two that I present.
In this question I will present the records I have for Elizabeth's life after marrying William.
They baptised these children, all at Old Cleeve:
- Mary on 20 Jul 1799
- Elizabeth on 19 Apr 1801
- William on 6 Mar 1803
- Thomas on 22 Mar 1807
- Ann on 29 Jan 1809
- another Thomas on 13 Feb 1814
- Edward on 8 Nov 1818
- Harriet on 11 Jan 1824
In the 1841 Census, Elizabeth Clark (aged 60) is living at Old Cleeve with William Clark (Ag Lab; aged 35), Anne Clark (aged 25) and Thomas Clark (aged 2).
In the 1851 Census, Elizabeth Clarke (aged 73; born Old Cleeve) is living at Old Cleeve with William Clarke (Agricultural Labourer; aged 48; born Old Cleeve; son), Anne Clarke (Agricultural Labourer; aged 34; born Old Cleeve; daughter), Edward Clarke (Glazier; aged 32; born Old Cleeve; son), Thomas Clarke (Scholar; aged 11; grandson) and John (Scholar; aged 8; grandson).
Elizabeth Clarke was buried, aged 83, on 27 Jan 1861 at Old Cleeve.
Based on the above how can I identify the birth family of the Elizabeth Chichester who married in 1799 at Old Cleeve, and appears to have been born about 1778 at Old Cleeve?