Genealogy Request

Every family has its secrets, and mine is no exception!

I am trying to research my 4x great-uncle, one Dirk Vanderpant (1779-1841), who lived in the Mundens area for some considerable time. Dirk was born in 1779 and baptised in Angmering, Sussex. He had a very brief career as an Army officer, being promoted to Captain just before being placed on half pay in 1802. It seems likely that he moved to Levens Green shortly afterwards. Although he was barely a Captain, apparently he called himself ‘Major’ Vanderpant for the next 39 years.

Dirk lived with Amelia, and may indeed have married her, but she died without issue in 1828 at about thirty years old. She was buried at Great Munden. Subsequently he cohabited with Mary Clark, from High Cross, Standon, and she bore him five children. All were baptised at Great Munden between 1831 and 1839. Dirk himself died on 10 February 1841 and was buried at Great Munden.

I have found virtually no other local information concerning Dirk and his family. Was he the unmentionable black sheep of the parish?

My great-great grandfather must have visited his uncle, for he married Mary Ann Lawrence (1809-1887) at Little Munden on 3 January 1837!

I’d be grateful for any information or pointers to likely sources.

Colin Hague