Person:Ann Hobbs (12)

Ann Hobbs’ origins have yet to be established. The age quoted on her marriage licence suggests she was born around 1731.

Ann’s first confirmed sighting is on 14th April 1752, when a marriage licence was obtained to allow her to marry a weaver called Thomas Spire from the village of Ashton under Hill, then in Gloucestershire. At the time Ann was said to be 20 years old and living at Woolstone, about five miles to the south of Ashton under Hill. Ann and Thomas married at Woolstone on 25th April 1752.

After their marriage Ann and Thomas moved to Ashton under Hill, having a son, Isaac, baptised there in 1753. He appears to have been their only child.

Ann has yet to be traced for certain after Isaac’s baptism. There are at least three burials of people called Ann Spire at Ashton under Hill, any or none of which may be her.

1. ↑ Ann's marriage licence (transcribed on family page) says that she was 20 years old in April 1752, implying that she was born between April 1731 and April 1732.