Jane Dunham
(1793-1859)

Jane Dunham (later Jane Hawkins) was the third of the five children of William Dunham and his wife Alice Foreman of Witchford, Cambridgeshire, England.

Of all five children, Jane appears to have been the only one to survive into adulthood, with all four siblings dying before the age of 10.

By 1815, Jane marries John Hawkins, a labourer, who unlike her appears to have been illiterate (signing his name on the marriage register with a cross).

They settle down in Witcham where they had nine children between 1818 and 1840. Sadly, their daughter Mary died when she was 9 years old in 1844. The event is recorded in the Witcham burial records as "Burnt to death in the absence of her Mother. Buried by coroner's order".

On the 1851 census (Jane's last), the rest of the family are described as living 'Wardy Hill Way' - most likely describing a direction more than an actual place, and I assume that the family lived in the fenland between the two villages.

Jane pre-deceased John in 1859. He lived for another 8 years.

Life Events

Born

• During 1793 at Witchford, Cambridgeshire, England.

Baptism

• 19th January 1794 at St. Andrew's Church, Witchford, Cambridgeshire, England.

Married

• John Hawkins (1799-1867) on 12th June 1815 at St. Andrew's Church, Witchford, Cambridgeshire, England.

Children

• John Hawkins (1818-1898) married Ethel Rowell (1821-1871)
• Sarah Hawkins (1820-1882) married William Gothard (1816-1887)
• Thomas Hawkins (1822-1854)
• Susan Hawkins (1825-?) married Thomas Sykes (1824-?)
• William Hawkins (1829-?)
• Joseph Hawkins (1830-?)
• Mary Hawkins (1834-1844)
• Wesley Hawkins (1837-?)
• Hannah Hawkins (1840-?)

Census and Residence

• 1841: 45yrs, Silver Street, Witcham, Cambridgeshire, England.
• 1851: 57yrs, Wardy Hill Way, Witcham, Cambridgeshire, England.

Death

• During December 1859 at Witcham, Cambridgeshire, England.

Burial

• 31st December 1859 at St. Martin's Church, Witcham, Cambridgeshire, England.