Fourth Generation

9. Sarah CARTER was born about 1834 in Biddenden, Kent.⁷ She was baptized on 15 Jul 1838 in Biddenden, Kent.² She was living on 30 Mar 1851 in North Street, Biddenden, Kent.⁴ She was living on 7 Apr 1861 in Steed Quarter, Biddenden, Kent.⁸ She died about 1879. Sarah shows up on the 1871 census but not on the 1881. James, her husband is a widower by that time. There is a Sarah Bentley who died in Tenterden, Kent in 1879 (Sep Quarter (Q3) District Tenterden, County Kent, Volume 2a, Page 342)

Sarah CARTER and James BENTLEY had marriage banns published on 18 Jan 1860 in Biddenden, Kent.² They were married on 28 Jan 1860 in Biddenden, Kent.⁹ Married at the parish church, Biddenden. James BENTLEY (son of William BENTLEY and Hannah HIGGINS) was born about 1832 in Sutton Valence, Kent.⁷ He was living on 6 Jun 1841 in Sutton Valence, Kent.¹⁰ He was living on 7 Apr 1861 in Steed Quarter, Biddenden, Kent.⁸ He was living on 3 Apr 1881 in Podkin, Biddenden, Kent.¹¹ He died between 1881 and 1891. Not shown on 1891 census On the 1871 census, James is noted as being an Agricultural Laborer. However, on the marriage certificate of is daughter, Betsy, and Robert Law (18 April 1881) James was shown to be a Farmer.

By the time of the 1881 census, James is a widower and is living with his father, William, and his daughter, Betsy, at Podkin, Biddenden. James is a farm bailiff.

The LDS transcription of the 1881 census is incorrect in the name for the head of the household is BEASLEY. However, as Robert Law, Betsy's future husband, is visiting at the time then the evidence leans toward the fact that the name should be BENTLEY.

Interestingly, there is also another visitor, Caroline Cox (46). a spinster born in Tenterden. Did James marry her later? Sarah CARTER and James BENTLEY had the following children:

+18

i.

Betsey BENTLEY.