Person:Joseph Cannon (8)

Joseph Cannon's origins are unknown. His first confirmed sighting is on 1st March 1716, when he married Elizabeth Brough at Ardeley in Hertfordshire. At the time of their marriage she was described as being of the neighbouring parish of Clothall. As the Clothall parish registers only start from 1717 it may well be that either or both of them was originally from Clothall but no record survives of their baptisms.

After their marriage, Joseph and Elizabeth moved to Clothall, where they had six children baptised between 1718 and 1733.

Joseph must have died some time before 1756, when Elizabeth was described as a widow in a settlement certificate. Three plausible candidates have been found for Joseph's burial: 10th January 1735 at Clothall (who lived at Hickmans Hill), 26th October 1751 at Clothall (who was a gardener), or 25th July 1751 at the neighbouring parish of Rushden (who was a carpenter and left a will). Insufficient evidence has been found to determine which of these is the Joseph who was married to Elizabeth Brough.

1.   Wills (1413-1857), in Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies. Hertfordshire Names Online.

   Joseph Cannon, Carpenter of Rushden, 1751
   Registered will: 15HR104
   Filed will: 28HW53

2.   Church of England. Clothall Parish Registers, 1717-1904. (Hertford: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies).

   Two plausible entries:
   
   1734
   Joseph Cannon of Hickmans Hill Jan[uar]y 10 [i.e. 10 Jan 1734/5]
   
   or
   
   1751
   Joseph Cannon, Gardener, Oct[ober] 26th

3.   Church of England. Rushden Parish Registers, 1607-1975. (Hertford: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies).

   1751
   Joseph Cannon, Carpenter, Aff[idavit] July 25