Martha Jennings born about 1685.
She married (1) 15 Nov 1704, in Earl Stonham, Suffolk, Francis Driver, born about
1680, died about 1714.
She married (2) 19 February 1719/20, in Earl Stonham, Suffolk,
Edward Hoffey,
baptized: 26 December 1693, Combs, Suffolk, (son of Edward Hoffey and Mary
Gabb), buried: 13 May 1739, Coddenham, Suffolk.
Martha was a widow who had already
had children by her first marriage & one bastard child before she married
Edward.
The overseers of Earl Stonham made Edward marry Martha Driver (widow)
as he made her pregnant. They were removed from there to Coddenham by order
issued February 19, 1719/20. He later pretended to be her father so she could
marry John Bishop.
Martha married (3) 11 January
1721/22, in St. Stephens, Ipswich, Suffolk, John Bishop, born 1676,
baptized: 15 October 1676, Earl Stonham, Suffolk, (son of John Bishop
and Anna Scott) buried: 9 July 1732, Earl Stonham, Suffolk.
She was arrested for her bigamous marriage to John Bishop
on 11 January 1721/22. She was found guilty at
Bury St. Edmunds Assizes, July 67, 1722. The two newspaper articles follow:
Newspaper Article #1.
Martha Hoffee, alias Bishop, was indicted for marrying two Husbands, both
now living. The Overseers of Earl-Stonham depos'd, That about two years ago,
the Prisoner was with Child by Edward Hoffee, upon which they oblig'd the
said Hoffee to marry her, after which they carried them with an Order to
Coddenham; that in January last she was again marry'd to John Bishop, and
that her first Husband, Edward Hoffee, acted the Part of a Father, and gave
her away. The Prisoner deny'd the Fact, and Bishop being call'd would not
swear against her; but her Confession before a Justice, sign'd by her self,
with Hoffee's and Bishop's Hand to it, being produced, she said there was
a Bond made between her and Hoffee by a Lawyer, who told her that she was
at her own Liberty, Upon which the Jury brought her in guilty.
Question 1 - Why did the lawyer tell Martha that "she was at her own liberty", or
that a lie?
Question 2 - How did Edward manage to pass himself as Martha's
father? She was older than him.
Newspaper Article #2.
Last night the Assizes ended here, when ....... John
Gold was burnt in the Hand for Sheep-stealing, and Martha Hoffee, alias Bishop,
for having two Husbands alive.
Martha was buried in Codddenham as Martha Hoffy on 6 November 1748.
Children by Francis Driver:
-
Martha Driver baptized: 22 January 1705/06, Earl Stonham, Suffolk.
-
Mary Driver baptized: 30 March 1707, Earl Stonham, Suffolk.
-
Hannah Driver baptized: 14 March 1707/08, Earl Stonham, Suffolk, buried:
18 April 1708, Earl Stonham, Suffolk.
-
John Driver baptized: 15 March 1708/09, Earl Stonham, Suffolk, married 30 August
1733, in Earl Stonham, Suffolk, Mary Boar, born about 1710. He was married
as John Driver of Coddenham. He probably moved to Coddenham when Edward married
Martha and was "removed" from Earl Stonham to Coddenham. John was 12 years
old at the time.
-
Ann Driver baptized: 5 July 1711, Earl Stonham, Suffolk.
-
Thomas Driver baptized: 14 December 1712, Earl Stonham, Suffolk, buried:
24 June 1715, Earl Stonham, Suffolk. Baptized as "son of Martha" in register.
Maybe Francis was had died before Thomas was born.
-
William Driver baptized: 7 March 1713/14, Earl Stonham, Suffolk, buried:
4 May 1714, Earl Stonham, Suffolk.
-
Elizabeth Driver baptized: 13 May 1716, Earl Stonham, Suffolk, buried:
26 June 1717, Earl Stonham, Suffolk. "Baseborn of Martha a widow" in baptismal register.
Children by Edward Hoffey:
-
Edward Hoffey baptized: 27 March 1720, Coddenham, Suffolk, married
14 December 1738, in Barham, Suffolk, Mary Harvey, born Barham, Suffolk,
baptized: 5 December 1718, Barham, Suffolk, (daughter of Lionel Harvey
and Whyborough Brett). Edward was married as Edward Hoffy of Coddenham.