4. Samuel and Sarah Hedges of Worcestershire

Hedges might be a literal name, or it might be derived from the first name Hodge. Rose may be derived from a place where roses grew, or from a sign displayed by the family, or a rosy complexion.

Samuel Hedges (1780) married Sarah Rose (1789) in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire in 1819. Both families were established in the area. In the C18 and C19, Bromsgrove had developed from a small market town primarily producing cloth to become a major centre for the making of nails and needles. My photos are here.

Bromsgrove church, where Samuel and Sarah (Rose) were married (my photo)

For the record, and with the usual cautions, my oldest direct ancestors we know about in this part of the family are: Thomas Hodges (1739), Betty Wright (1743), John Rose (1530), Ann Sparry (1530), Elizabeth Chandeloure (1580), Avis Bradley (1613), Elizabeth Webb (1636), Elizabeth Hill (1683), John Hill (1674), William Clymer (1663), Valentine Sale (1688), Mary Baker (1700) and Alice Harwood (1734).

Sarah was from a large family whereas Samuel has no known siblings. He had married before (to Sarah Abbott) and had a daughter:

• 34.2.1 Mary Ann Hedges (1803)

Samuel and Sarah Rose also had one daughter

• 34.2.2 Sarah Rose Hedges (1822)

There is more on these individuals in Chapter 34.

In 1841, Samuel was a book-keeper; in 1842 an ironmonger, in 1851 a coal dealer. By 1861, he had died and Sarah has no occupation. Ten years later she was a retired domestic servant, with a lodger from London. She died in 1876.

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