Hi there,

I am trying to establish a link between two people, one of whom is definitely related to me and another that

is 'circumstantially' related.

The first is:
Henry Speed
1793–1880
BIRTH 1793 • Isle of Man
DEATH SEP 1880 • Brighton, Sussex, England

I have three census records stating he was born in the Isle of Man (1851,61,71) but no birth or baptism

record.

He was living in Croydon, Surrey by 1819 according to his marriage certificate.

The second person, and the one I would like to prove a link to, is circumstantially his father, also Henry

Speed.

Henry Speed the elder was a member of Parliament who was charged with fraud over his expenses (!) and fled to

the Isle of Man. There are many references to this, (Google Henry Speed Isle of Man and lots appear)

There is a baptism record for a Henry James Speed in Malew in 1807, parents Henry Speed and Augusta Montague.

This is the same Henry the elder as above, i.e. the member of Parliament. Augusta Montague is the illegitimate

child of John Montagu 4th Earl of Sandwich and Martha Ray, an opera singer.

Augusta and Henry had other children, at least one of whom was also baptised in Malew:

Ann, bapt. 1803 Onchan,
Charles bapt. 1803, Malew,
Laura bapt 1802 St Mathews, Douglas, Isabella Eliza 1790,
Joseph Henry George 1792,
George John Henry 1793,
Carolina 1801
William Augustus 1805, baptised St Matthews, Douglas,
and possibly my ancestor Henry in about 1793.

There is an obvious disconnect, in that my Henry Speed was born in 1793 and the Henry of Augusta and Henry was

baptised in 1807. However, I can find no other records to either prove or dis-prove the link.

One other thing: all the children of Augusta and Henry went on to have well-documented, society lives, except

Henry, who disappears. That could mean he died or that he is indeed my Henry. If he is indeed my Henry, the

mystery is why he ended up in Croydon and why he was working as a footman and later a fly driver in Brighton.

If anyone can shed any light on this intriguing mystery, I would be very grateful!

Thanks,
Julian Bridle