Sarah Lander Couch (nee Roose) was the third wife of Jonathan Couch. She was only 22 when she married while Jonathan was 69. The marriage was not supported by all members of the Couch family. On Jonathan's death, his family were not well provided for. In 1891, Sarah's daughter Bertha Couch wrote a biography of her father.

 

1836: Birth of Sarah Lander Roose, daughter of Robert Roose (mariner) and Elizabeth in Dorset. Census: Brentsea, 1861; Swanage, 1871; Levange, 1881.

18??: Robert, Elizabeth and Sarah Roose return to Polperro.

1855: Sarah Roose engaged to Samuel Langmaid of Polperro, working in Plymouth.

Christmas: Spent by Samuel Langmaid in Polperro.

1856, January: Samuel Langmaid returns to Plymouth and falls ill.

February: Samuel Langmaid returns to Polperro seriously ill.

Summer: Samuel Langmaid dies.

Autumn: Sarah Roose develops brain fever and is attended by Jonathan Couch.

1857, 6 September: Death of Jane Couch, wife of Jonathan Couch.

1858: Jonathan Couch, 69 years old, proposes to Sarah Roose.

23 October: Jonathan Couch marries Sarah Roose in Greenbank United Methodist Free Church, Liskeard. The marriage is not fully accepted by the Couch family.

1861: Birth in Polperro of Bertha Couch.

186?: Birth of second daughter.

1868: Birth of Clarinda in Polperro.

1870, 13 April: Death of Jonathan Couch with little provision for family.

1870-1: A petition to the P.M. for a pension refused.

1871: (Census) Sarah, Bertha and Clarinda Couch are staying with Mark Daniel, blacksmith, and his wife Jane at St. Ive.

18??: Sarah Couch nee Roose marries James Lean, Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths, living at Tywardreath. Lean born St. Mawes, Cornwall. He is also a coal merchant.

1881: (Census) Bertha Couch, is Governess to Edith Eyre at Launceston.

1891: Bertha Couch writes the Life of Jonathan Couch, F.L.S. of Polperro, published by John Philp of Liskeard.