I've noticed a few trees that have a gentleman who is in my direct line, but all have the same "issue" in them... I am talking about Samuel Gooding (b. 1802 Debenham, Suffolk, England to William Gooding and Elizabeth Amass).

Samuel has four children: Samuel, Philip, Mary, and Caroline. Samuel, Philip, and Mary were born in 1829 or previous, and Caroline in 1840.

Samuel has a wife, Elizabeth Bryant, that he married in 1839. Every tree I've come across has this person as Samuel, Philip, and Mary's mother, but clearly she shouldn't be. I find it hard to believe they'd have gone 10+ years and three children outside of marriage. Elizabeth's surname Bryant is a name from her first marriage, and her maiden name is Mack.

Getting to my point, does ANYONE know, or have any inkling, to what Samuel's first wife was named? In the Blything registration district, where Debenham falls, there is a death in early 1839 for a Susannah Gooding, but I have no idea if this would be her.

Any information would be most appreciated!