Mike

1861 census at Pillowell
Thomas Adams Labourer 37 Newland
Elizabeth Wife 30 West Dean
William Son 8 West Dean

Piece 3981 Folio 89 Page 28
I can’t find the whereabouts of William Adams born c 1852 in West Dean. I thought I had found the birth registration some time ago but on checking the new GRO registers which give the maiden name of the mother, I found it was the wrong one being LABAN. His mother Elizabeth was born Elizabeth Archer 1831 in Ruardean and didn’t marry who I supposed to be the father, Thomas Adams until 26 December 1859 at Parkend. To confuse matters Elizabeth had had two other sons before her marriage as follows:-

1848 Frederick Archer Morse (father Frederick Morse)
1 February 1853 Hiram Archer ( (father unknown)

If she had Thomas in 1852 it looks like she had yet another illegitimate child straight away. I know what happened to Frederick Archer Morse and Hiram Archer but William seems to have disappeared. I can’t find a death or find him in the censuses after 1861. Frederick Archer Morse was registered under the name of Frederick Morse Archer and he also married under this name. A very confusing family. Any help would be appreciated.