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Emma Smith was born in Snape, Suffolk around 1825 [1]. She was christened on 17 Apr 1825 in Snape , Suffolk [2]. In 1851, she was working as a servant [2].

In 1851 she was living with her father at Friston, Suffolk [3]. In 1891, she was living at Sternfield Corner, Sternfield, Suffolk [4]. There is no record of her whereabouts in the 1901 census. She died in Jul-Sep 1903 in Plomesgate district.[5].

She gave birth to the following children: James Thomas HILLEN, born about 1850, Friston, Suffolk [6]. James married Lucy HODSON, on 10 Dec 1877, at St James Church, Islington [7] and died in 1931/32.

Emma SMITH and John HILLEN were married on 27 Feb 1854 in St Clements Church, Ipswich [7]. The witnesses were Frederick Doughty and Robert Cade. Emma's new husband was the older brother of John Eley's wife (spelling of surname had varied). He died before 1891. See note concerning John Eley's daughter Sophia, under Lucy Hodson. The 1861 census saw them living at Habstead?, Snape, Suffolk [ 8]. Ten years later, they were living at Farnham Road, Snape, Suffolk [9] and they were still there ten years later[10]. John HILLEN was born about 1825 in Snape , Suffolk [2,6]. Emma SMITH and John HILLEN had a daughter, Emma Catherine HILLEN, who was born in 1854/55 at Snape , Suffolk [6].

A search for Emma Smith in the 1841 census revealed the following results:

This Emma Smith was aged 15 (which gives the correct date of birth - 1825), working as a servant (which matches up with David Trebilcock's findings for the 1851 census). She was living in Marlesford (near Wickham Market), and her employers were William Wade (aged 60) and his wife Susan (aged 70).

Here is another possible candidate for our Emma Smith in the 1841 census:

Candidate 2 for our Emma Smith in the 1841 census was working as a servant in Framlingham. She was employed by Henry Clutten, aged 30, owner of a chemist's shop. The other occupant of the premises was John Taylor, also aged 15.

Candidate 3 for Emma Smith in 1841 census

Candidate 3 for Emma Smith in 1841 census

Candidate 3 for Emma Smith in 1841 census

This candidate for our Emma Smith in 1841 census was living at Sternfield - in the same household as one William Bates - aged 72 - an agricultural labourer (remarkable to still be working at that age).

This is the most likely option, as Emma's father - James - was born in Sternfield. Also, Sternfield is very close to Friston, where she lived with her father.

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If you slide the map around, you will see that Sternfield is more or less equidistant between Saxmundham, Friston and Snape.

John and Emma Hilling (plus her father - James Smith, her son - James Thomas, and her daughter - Emma Catherine) in the 1861 census.

John and Emma Hilling (plus Smith Snr, James Thomas, and Emma Catherine) in 1861 census. Note that Emma's profession is given as "Binder". This may account for our previous error regarding her surname.

1871 Census, Snape:

1871 Census - Snape (03) - Emma and John are living at Farnham Road in Snape. David appears to have mis-read "Farnham Road" and "Turnham Row", Snape, Suffolk in 1871"

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1871 Census - Snape: John Hillen - Head - 46 - Cordwainer - POB: Friston / Emma Hillen - wife - 46 - POB: Snape / James Thomas Hillen - son - 21 - Cordwainer - POB: Friston / Emerson (? - Emma elsewhere - ref?) Catherine Hillen - daughter - age 16 (crossed out) - POB: Snape. / James (not Thomas?) Smith - Father-in-Law - 75 - Labourer - POB: Sternfield.