Seth Hurt (Beckitt tree) is named in the 1851 census as one of 5 grandchildren of William Hurt (1895) and Sarah Ann born Hall. But who were his parents?
His marriage certificate records that his father was John Phoenix. In 1845, a Sarah Hurt married a John Phoenix. They went on to have 12 children together. Evidence from later censuses tends to confirm the identifications.
Seemingly, Sarah Hurt gave birth to Seth Hurt before her marriage to John Phoenix, hence the surname. Could that have been a spur to their marriage? However, one caveat: the marriage of Sarah Hurt and “John Fenix” took place on the 25th February 1845 at Southwell, Nottingham. Seth Hurt’s birth was not registered until the last quarter of 1845.