Joshua Nunn of Bocking (1744-1781)

Joshua was the first child of Joshua Nunn and Mary Baker. He was born in Earl Stonham, Suffolk, on 1 December 1744. Although he would eventually move to Essex, he lived in London for time, working as a coachman, and living in the parish of St Lawrence Jewry. His brothers James and William also worked in London – James remained in the city, although William moved to Romford in Essex.

On 20 September 1768, Joshua married Ann Pain in Coddenham, Suffolk, the daughter of William Pain.^[1]Joshua’s will names his father-in-law, William Pain. The marriage licence gives his place of residence in London, and his occupation as coachman. The following year, they were in Braintree, Essex, where their son Joshua was baptised on 11 April. It would seem that Ann was already pregnant when the couple married.

Joshua’s story rapidly became a sad one. At some point, the couple’s first son died, because when they reappear in the records again in 1774, they are baptising another son called Joshua, who was born on 30 May, and was baptised on 26 June in Bocking (which is right next door to Braintree). This little boy died not long after and was buried in Bocking on 2 August 1774.^[2]The register says “Joseph Nunn’s child, aged 2 months”, which is a mistake for “Joshua Nunn.” The burials in Bocking at this time lack most forenames where someone is a … Continue reading A daughter, Ann, was born on 3 June 1776, and baptised at the end of that month, but she died in April the following year.^[3]The register says “Joseph Nunn’s child aged 10 months”, again, an error for Joshua. In Feburary 1778, a son was born, but he died soon after – there doesn’t appear to be a baptism for him, but the burial on 31 March 1778 tells us the child was the son of Joshua Nunn, a month and a half old.

One last son was born on 13 March 1779 and named William at his baptism on 11 April 1779. His mother died not long afterwards, and was buried in Bocking on 30 April.^[4]“Nun, Joseph’s wife, aged 36.” Again, another mistake for “Joshua”.

When Joshua wrote his will on 28 Nov 1781, he left a legacy to Margaret Stebbing, a widow who lived in Braintree, who had been Joshua’s “intended wife”. He was clearly ill as he marked his will, when he had signed the marriage licence back in 1768. He mentioned his son William, asking that his mother take on William’s guardianship and care for the son who would be orphaned. Clearly knowing that there was a risk that William might die – just being a young child in the 1700s made that a risky situation, let alone the fact that poor Joshua had lost every child he’d had other than William – he mentions all his siblings. The fact that he does means that we have extra supporting evidence about the family of Joshua Nunn and Mary Baker.

Joshua died in December 1781, and was buried in Bocking on 10 Dec 1781, aged 36.

It’s possible that his son is the William Nunn whose son, also called William, was baptised in Bocking on 14 June 1807, having been born on 21 May 1807. His wife was called Jane, and it’s very likely that this is the couple who married in Braintree on 20 May 1806. William was a bachelor and his bride, Jane Harriss, was a widow. They were both of Braintree at the time.^[5]The transcription for this marriage on Findmypast gives Danbury as William’s abode – or possibly Jane’s. The register itself clearly says they were both of Braintree, though! I haven’t been able to trace them any further, unfortunately.

By Helen Barrell

First published 14 January 2024

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