James Challis was baptised 20 June 1813 at Depden, an illegitimate child of Lydia Challice (spinster).
James Challis (X), bachelor of Depden married Harriet Howe (X) spinster of Depden after banns 28 February 1833. The witnesses were Martha Simpkin (X) and Leonard Sintkin.
In 1841 at Chedburgh, James Chalice was aged 25, an agricultural labourer, Harriet was aged 25, Sarah was aged 7 and David was aged 4. There was also Susan Howe aged 11. All were born in Suffolk.
Harriet Challis was buried at Chedburgh, 4 May 1842 aged 29.
In 1851, at Windmill Green, Chedburgh, James was a widower aged 39, an agricultural labourer and born at Depden. His children were Mary aged 18 and David aged 13, an agricultural labourer, both born at Chedburgh.
He probably married Mary Ann Pettitt in the Thingoe district (includes Chedburgh) in the December quarter 1859. There is a baptism of a Mary Anne Pettit 30 September 1827 at Wickhambrook, a daughter of William Pettit (carrier) and Hannah.
In 1861, at The Street, Chedburgh, James Challes was aged 47, an agricultural labourer born at Depden. His wife, Mary A, was aged 33 and born at Wickhambrook. Their child was Jonathan G. aged 6 months and born at Chedburgh.
In 1871, at ‘Fleet City’ Wickhambrook, James Challis was aged 58, an agricultural labourer born at Depden. His wife was Mary Ann aged 43 and born at Wickhambrook and their children were Jonathan aged 10, Albert aged 5 and Sarah aged 3, all were born at Chedburgh. Fleet City is a place name within Wickhambrook.
James Challis was buried at Wickhambrook, 30 June 1879 aged 67.
In 1881, at ‘Fleet City’ (LDS has Flat City, but there is an internet (newspaper) reference to a sale of a cottage at Fleet City) Wickhambrook, Mary Ann was aged 53, an agricultural labourer’s widow and born at Wickhambrook and her children were Albert aged 15, born at Chedburgh, and Keziah Sarah aged 13, born at Wickhambrook.
James and Harriet’s children were:
1. Mary Challis, born about 1832.
2. Sarah Challis, born about 1833 and baptised 27 October 1833 at Chedburgh (labourer, mother late How).
3. David Challis, born about 1836 or 7 at Chedburgh.
In 1881, at Grange Cottage, College Road, Camberwell, David
was a widower, aged 43, a gardener born at Chedburgh. With him was a housekeeper, Lizzie J.
Green, unmarried, aged 27 and born at Depden.
James and Mary Ann’s children were
4. Jonathan George Challis, baptised 21 October 1860 at Chedburgh (labourer).
5. Hannah Louise Frances Jane Challis, baptised 19 April 1863 at Chedburgh (the register has a date of birth of 31 December 1863 (sic). She was registered as Hannah Louisa Frances Challis in the Thingoe district in the March quarter 1863.
6. Albert Challis, born about 1865 at Chedburgh.
7. Keziah Sarah Challis, born about 1868 at Wickhambrook or Chedburgh and baptised 15 September 1872 aged 4 years at Wickhambrook (labourer).
Posted 1 October 2013