Disconnect or not: Elizabeth Cottell (1642- ) Devon England [closed]

Question

see Elizabeth (Cottell) Gayer - WikiTree Profile

The only source I have for her is The Vistation of the county of Devon by LT Col J L Vivian 1895 Cottell of Yealmbridge.   

I have marked her as uncertain, as the mother of my known ancestor, but still I feel uneasy about it.  if i disconnect her, I would put notes under   research. What would others do.

Answer 1

Will, I'm not sure what you are uncertain about: Elizabeth Cottell's parentage, or whether she was the mother of Elizabeth Palmer?

It seems near-certain that she was the mother of Elizabeth Palmer. She married Roger Gayer in Feb 1663, and I've also sighted the baptism record for Elizabeth daughter of Roger Gayer, clerk in early 1665 (buried 1669) and another daughter Elizabeth baptised 1669. There is no burial record for Elizabeth wife of Roger Gayer or a remarriage for Roger Gayer in 1663-1669. There is a burial record for Elizabeth wife of Roger Gayer, clerk in 1699.

The parish records are available on FindMyPast but that requires a subscription so I will add the sources to the profiles.

Comments

I've also added a source to Roger's profile (a court case over his will) that links Elizabeth wife of Joseph Palmer to him by inference.

I found Elizabeth Cottell's baptism in Cornwall, in her mother's home parish (which is where her parents were married).

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There was an Elizabeth Palmer baptised in South Molton in 1705 to Joseph and Elizabeth Palmer but how do we know that this Elizabeth was the former Elizabeth Heywood nee Gayer?

She probably was if F.T.Colby's book says so but I'm slightly concerned that I can't find this marriage in the records, or even the birth of Joseph Palmer. Can anyone find this marriage?

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Yes, Colby's pedigree quotes a marriage licence but I can't find record of the marriage either: this year range for Devon marriage licences is currently not searchable online. He also says that many of the names and dates for the Heywoods and Palmers come from a family bible.

I think the circumstantial evidence is strong that they are the same person; I've added a reference to Elizabeth Gayer's profile to a Chancery case involving the widow of Roger Gayer and a number of others who can be definitely identified as her step-children. The parties include Elizabeth Palmer, wife of Joseph Palmer, surgeon of South Molton. The parish records for their children and Joseph's burial all refer to him as Mr Joseph Palmer, consistent with his professional status.

Given his occupation, it may be that Joseph Palmer was not born locally? The son attributed to them, Joseph born 1706, is not in the South Molton baptisms with his siblings. Finding his baptism record elsewhere might offer some clues.

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 Thank you for your answers,I felt a little uneasy about  Elizabeth Cottell , because all I could find was  LT Col J L Vivian Visitation  being my main "source"  Thank you for your answers.  I do not think Joseph was born  in South Molton or Devon either.  Colby was a descendant of Joseph Palmer, I have found very few mistakes in his works. he edited several genealogical  books. mostly to do with the Palmer and associated families a.  i will leave her connected.