Misc. Notes
A John PARNWELL of Petersborough, age 63, was buried 22-AUG-1816. Could be a spelling error (his son John’s baptism was recorded as “PARNWELL”). In that case it moves his birth to 1753, making him 32 at time of marriage. Perhaps he was married before? There does not appear to be an earlier marriage for John in Northamptonshire, regardless of spelling.
A Thomas PARNELL was the executor of the estate of John’s wife, Elizabeth.
[7515] Since her son, Thomas, had died at age 11, it is likely that the executor was a brother or nephew of John. There was a Thomas PARNELL baptized 01-MAY-1754, in Peterborough. The parents were Robert and Mary PARNELL. Unfortunately, that Thomas died that same year and was buried 09-JUL-1754, Peterborough. A Thomas PARNELL was living in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, in 1830, listed in Poll book as a Freeholder. Interestingly the next line in the Poll book lists a William PARNELL in Thorney, which is where Elizabeth’s will said that Thomas PARNELL was living as of 1834. Both Thorney and Wisbech are fenland regions and Thomas was identified in that will as a Fen Farmer. The 1835 Poll book lists both Thomas and William at Thorney Fen.
1841 census has both living in Thorney, Wisbeach [sic] Hundred (Isle of Ely). Thomas was 58, born in Cambridgeshire, but there was also a younger Thomas age 24, not born in the county. William was reported as 50 (potentially rounded down from 54), born in Cambridgeshire. So the older Thomas was born ca.1783, so he could be a much younger brother of John or a nephew of John.
In 1851 Thomas and William appear to have moved to Eye, Peterborough. Thomas is 70 (1781) but born in Peterborough (though that still could equate to Cambridgeshire depending on changes in county lines etc). William is 63 (1788), born in Thorney, Cambridgeshire, and is identified as Thomas’ brother. The household also includes a niece of Thomas, Frances PARNELL, 35 (1816), born in Peterborough.
1861 census: William PARNELL, 77 (1784)-born in Thorney and Frances B. PARNELL, 50 (1811)-born Peterborough, living in Eye, Peterborough, but now she is described as William’s cousin.
Possible civil death record for William: BMD Jun Qtr. 1866, age 85 (1781),
Peterborough registration district. Volume: 3b, Page: 145. Matching Probate Calendar entry says he died 10-APR-1866 at Eye; “proved at Peterborough by the oaths of Thomas PARNELL of Thorney-causeway in the Parish of Thorney in the County of Cambridge Farmer the Nephew and John PARNELL of the City of Peterborough Chemist the Executors. That is clearly John the son of John & Elizabeth and Thomas is probably that younger Thomas found in the 1841 census (as shown below, the elder Thomas died in 1857).
There was a William PARNELL baptized 29-MAR-1784, Thorney, Cambridge, to Robert and Ann PARNELL.
Another John PARNELL was baptized 28 Feb 1781, Peterborough, St John, son of Robert and Ann PARNELL, so possibly brother to William.
A Robert PARNELL married Ann COLE in Peterborough, St John, 26-FEB-1764, so if that’s the same couple, then John & William were “late” children.
Robert & Ann also had a Thomas PARNELL baptized 9 Jun 1779, Peterborough, St John.
Thomas PARNELL of Eye (“and late of Thorney Causeway”), wrote a will 17-FEB-1855, proved 24-FEB-1857. Executor was his brother, William. This explains why Thomas was not in 1861 census. The will also mentions brothers John and Charles and nephew Thomas PARNELL of Thorney Causeway. And cousin John PARNELL of the city of Peterborough, Chemist (so Robert Sr. is probably John Sr.’s brother). And cousin Frances Bell PARNELL (see 1861 census), and it is also spelled out that Frances is the sister of John the Chemist. It also appears to say that nephew Thomas had a son, Robert.
Possible civil death record for Thomas: BMD Mar Qtr. 1857,
Peterborough registration district. Volume: 3b, Page: 141.
Will of Robert PARNELL, Gentleman of Thorney Causeway in the Isle of Ely, Cambridgeshire, 20-MAY-1817, proved 29-JAN-1818. The will names sons Thomas and William and Charles, and John and Robert (both of Spalding, Lincolnshire). It does not appear to mention his wife, so Ann must have died before the will was written. A codicil was added 18-OCT-1817 to modify the inheritance of son John. (is this will written in the 3rd person?)
On 13-APR-1804, a John Parnell of Peterborough, Northamptonshire, paid an Apprentice Indenture tax for having an apprentice named John PATRICK. The profession involved was that of butcher.
(Ancestry.com: “UK, Register of Duties Paid for Apprentices' Indentures, 1710-1811” from Board of Stamps: Apprenticeship Books, Series IR 1; The National Archives of the UK (TNA), Kew, Surrey, England.).
Misc. Notes