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In the early 19th century, the Joseph and Prosser families' connections were solidified through a series of marriages, each of which intertwined their histories in a manner that has intrigued family researchers for ages. This narrative traces the journey of three significant unions and attempts to unravel the mystery of familial relationships, particularly focusing on the recurring presence of an enigmatic Elizabeth Prosser.

 

The Marriage of John James Joseph and Mary Prosser

On September 11, 1809, John James Joseph married Mary Prosser at St. James, Piccadilly, Westminster. The ceremony was witnessed by T (Thomas) and Elizabeth Prosser, sparking curiosity about their identities and their relationship to Mary. Despite exhaustive searches, no birth record was found for a Mary born to a Thomas and Elizabeth Prosser. This led to the exploration of alternative origins for Mary.

 

One possibility is Mary, born in 1790 to Thomas and Sarah Prosser in St. James, Westminster. If this is the case, Mary would have been 18 years old at the time of her marriage. However, the name Sarah does not appear among Mary and John James’s children, which casts doubt on this theory.

 

However, Elizabeth is the eldest sister to Mary, and she could very well have been the witness to the marriage.

 

A more compelling candidate is Mary, born in 1786 to John and Amelia Rowland. At the time of her marriage, she would have been 23 years old. This hypothesis gains strength from the fact that Mary named her eldest daughter Amelia Mary, likely honoring her mother, Amelia. Yet, this still leaves the question of who the Elizabeth witnessing the marriage was.

 

Mary's family, based on the best available evidence, is presumed to be as follows:

Father: Thomas Prosser

Mother: Amelia Prosser (née Rowland)

Siblings: None confirmed

Aunts: Elizabeth Prosser (née Powis), married to Benjamin Prosser (1762)

Niece: Elizabeth Prosser (1789), daughter of Elizabeth and Benjamin

 

In this instance, the Elizabeth who witnessed the marriage could either be the aunt (aged 47/48) or the niece (aged 20/21), both of whom were eligible witnesses.

 

The Marriage of Germain Winnock Joseph and Susan Prosser

On the next day after John James and Mary’s wedding, another significant union took place between Germain Winnock Joseph and Susan Prosser in Much Dewchurch, Hereford. Though the marriage banns are not accessible, a John Prosser frequently appears in documents related to Susan, suggesting a close familial connection.

 

Among the Susans born around 1790 in Hereford, the most likely candidate is Susannah, born in 1793 to Thomas and Susannah Prosser in Eyton. This makes sense, as Germain and Susan’s eldest son was named Thomas, following the tradition of naming children after their grandparents.

 

Susan’s family at the time of her marriage included:

Father: Thomas

Mother: Susannah

Brother: Thomas (1790)

Sister: Hannah (1780)

 

The Marriage of Mitchel Joseph and Sarah Ann Prosser

On May 23, 1816, Mitchel Joseph married Sarah Ann Prosser at St. Margaret's, Westminster. The wedding was attended by several individuals whose relationships to the bride and groom provide clues to Sarah Ann’s origins:

Chas (Charles) Prosser: Potentially Sarah Ann’s brother

Elizabeth Prosser: Identity uncertain

Harriot Humphrey: Likely a friend or married sister

Ann Sarah Prosser: Sarah Ann’s twin sister

Frances E. Joseph and Eliza Joseph: Sisters of the groom

Sarah Ann, born in 1796 to Thomas and Sarah Prosser, had the following family members:

Brother: Thomas Prosser (1786)

Sister: Mary Prosser (1790)

Brother: Charles Prosser (1792)

Twin Sister: Ann Sarah Prosser (1796)

Brother: James John Prosser (1799)

 

This indicates that Charles, the witness, was likely her brother. The identity of Elizabeth Prosser remains ambiguous, but she could be another sibling, potentially the same Elizabeth born in 1784 in Hereford, strengthening the Hereford-Westminster connection.

 

Unraveling the Mystery of Elizabeth Prosser

The recurrent presence of an Elizabeth Prosser as a witness in both John James Joseph’s and Mitchel Joseph’s marriages suggests a significant familial role. If Elizabeth, born in 1784 in Hereford, is indeed the eldest child of Thomas and Sarah Prosser, she would be a sister to both Mary and Sarah Ann. This connection would align with genealogist Pete Jousiffe's research, suggesting Mary and Sarah Ann were indeed sisters.

 

However, if Mary’s parents were Thomas and Amelia, naming her daughter Amelia Mary could be an indication of honoring her mother's name, supporting the theory of Mary’s birth to John and Amelia Rowland. The dual presence of Elizabeth at both marriages remains a key clue, potentially bridging the gap between the families and solidifying the intertwined histories of the Joseph and Prosser families.

 

In conclusion, the Joseph and Prosser family marriages in the early 1800s reveal a complex web of relationships and familial ties. The enduring mystery of Elizabeth Prosser's identity and role serves as a testament to the intricacies of family history, inviting further exploration and discovery.