Person Page - 22

Mary Wickens

Parents:

• Birth: Mary Wickens was born in 1804 at Keymer, Sussex, England^B.
• Baptism*: Mary Wickens was baptized on 29 January 1804 at St Cosmos & St Damian, Keymer, Sussex, England^B, surname spelt WICKENS.¹
• She was the daughter of Richard Wickens and Sarah Belchamber.
• Marriage*: Mary Wickens married William White, son of Henry White and Jane Gorringe, on 23 April 1823 at Keymer, Sussex, England^B.²
• Married Name: As of 23 April 1823, her married name was White.
• Anecdote*: It is interesting to note that William and Mary had two children, William and Henry, who died in Brighton but were buried in Edburton in 1832 and 1829 respectively. William's parents, Henry and Jane White would have been living there at that time.
• Residence: On 16 October 1831 Mary Wickens and William White lived at Hereford St, Brighton, Sussex, England.³
• Residence*: On 7 June 1841 Mary Wickens and William White lived at Bread St, Brighton, Sussex, England.⁴
• (Witness) Birth: Mary Wickens witnessed the birth of Susannah Victoria White on 19 January 1842 at Brighton, Sussex, England^B.^5,1
• Residence: On 19 January 1842 Mary Wickens and William White lived at 30 Sun Street, Brighton, Sussex, England.⁵
• Residence: On 30 March 1851 Mary Wickens and William White lived at 30 Sun St, Brighton, Sussex, England. Note that Sun St no longer exists.⁶
• Death*: Mary Wickens died after 1854. Both William and Mary White cannot be found in the 1861 census suggesting they died before then. Also, they were not buried in Edburton as these records have been checked. Their daughter Susanna Victoria White was living with her sister in 1861 suggesting they may have died before then.
• (Witness) Death: Mary Wickens witnessed the death of William White on 4 March 1854 at 16 Nelson St, Brighton, Sussex, England; He died of Hypochondriasis (once Delirium Tremens) and General Debility (4 months).
  Delirium Tremens is a psychotic condition typical of withdrawal in chronic alcoholics, involving tremors, hallucinations, anxiety, and disorientation. Hypochondriasis is a technical term for hypochondria - worrying about having a serious illness.^7,8

Ann Akehurst

Parents:

• Anecdote: The information on this family comes from Peter Dillon who is a descendant of John Wright's brother, James Wright. (Email: 8 Sep 2020.)
• Birth: Ann Akehurst was born in 1799 at Hellingly, Sussex, England^B.
• Baptism*: Ann Akehurst was baptized on 17 November 1799 at Hellingly, Sussex, England^B.¹
• She was the daughter of John Akehurst and Maria Burgess.
• Marriage*: Ann Akehurst married John Wright, son of Edward Wright and Elizabeth Wood, on 7 March 1819 at Hellingly, Sussex, England^B.^2,3
  
• Married Name: As of 19 March 1819, her married name was Wright.
• Anecdote*: Parish of Hailsham
  Removal order. Date: 23 Mar 1827
  ESRO Reference: PAR353/32/3/80
  Description: Ann Wright (wife of John Wright, transported) from Uckfield.
• Anecdote: Parish of Hailsham
  Overseers of the Poor: Removal orders to Hailsham. Date: 28 Dec 1832
  ESRO: PAR353/32/3/100
  Description: Ann Wright (wife of John Wright, transported) from Uckfield.
• Anecdote: Peter Dillon writes (8 Sep 2020):
  Under the poor laws a wife automatically assumed her husband's settlement status upon marriage. So if Ann was removed to Hailsham due to falling in need of parish relief, then her husband John the transportee's parish of settlement has to have been Hailsham. At the time of interest there was only one set of WRIGHTs at Hailsham, the descendants of Edward & Elizabeth WRIGHT, which implies that John WRIGHT has to be their son John who was baptised at Framfield 19 Nov 1797.
  These WRIGHTs were travellers and the baptisms of Edward & Elizabeth's children were all over East Sussex with several at Hailsham which was a hub for them. Edward's parents Adam & Jane WRIGHT were also travellers. These types were usually baptised really late, typically a few years late and sometimes a lot of years late, due to the lifestyle, so that John can easily have been born elsewhere and earlier. A couple of John's siblings married into the romany-descended RIPLEY clan based at Hellingly. John's siblings who remained at Hailsham over the years were no strangers to the insides of the workhouses in the Hailsham Union or the House of Correction at Lewes. Two of John's nephews were transported as well, James to NSW in 1830 and William to Van Dieman's Land in 1842.
  I descend from John's brother James WRIGHT who married Elizabeth STACE and raised his family at Hailsham then Ore by Hastings. A daughter Eliza WRIGHT married Richard WRIGHT (my gg-grandparents) and they sailed for Nelson New Zealand in 1842.

Harriet Akehurst

Parents:

• Birth: Harriet Akehurst was born in 1802 at Hellingly, Sussex, England^B.
• Baptism*: Harriet Akehurst was baptized on 18 July 1802 at St Peter & St Paul, Hellingly, Sussex, England^B.¹
• She was the daughter of John Akehurst and Maria Burgess.
• Marriage License*: Harriet Akehurst and Philip Sargent obtained a marriage licence on 10 March 1824 at Archdeaconry of Lewes, Sussex, England, Harriet of Eastbourne, Philip of East Dean.²
• Married Name: As of 10 March 1824, her married name was Sargent.
• Marriage: Harriet Akehurst married Philip Sargent on 12 March 1824 at Eastbourne, Sussex, England^B.
• Death*: Harriet Akehurst died in 1835 at Icklesham, Sussex, England.
• Burial*: Harriet Akehurst was buried on 17 July 1835 at All Saints & St Nicholas, Icklesham, Sussex, England^B, "33 years old, wife of Philip jnr."³
• Anecdote*: It would appear that Harriet's mother Maria took over the raising of the children after Harriet died in 1835, and is living with Philip Sargent in the 1841 and 1851 census at Icklesham. Maria's husband John Akehurst had died in 1831 at Hellingly.

Martha Akehurst

Parents:

• Birth: Martha Akehurst was born in 1804 at Hellingly, Sussex, England^B.
• Baptism*: Martha Akehurst was baptized on 4 November 1804 at Hellingly, Sussex, England^B.
• She was the daughter of John Akehurst and Maria Burgess.
• Marriage*: Martha Akehurst married James Holden, son of James Holden and Sarah Akehurst, on 7 June 1826 at Hellingly, Sussex, England^B.
• Married Name: As of 7 June 1826, her married name was Holden.
• Religion*: Martha Akehurst and James Holden were Methodists.¹
• Emigration*: Martha Akehurst and James Holden emigrated in 1838 to Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, on the ship "Alfred" arriving 16 Jan 1839. One of the daughters is said to have died on the journey. They settled in the Allyn River area of NSW now called Dungog.¹
• Death*: Martha Akehurst died on 25 November 1854 at Bulli, New South Wales, Australia, at age 50.
• Anecdote: Martha is said to have drowned in a creek on their property in Park Road, Bulli, NSW. The coroner reported it as suicide.

William Akehurst

Parents:

• Birth: William Akehurst was born in 1808 at Hellingly, Sussex, England^B.
• Baptism*: William Akehurst was baptized on 9 October 1808 at Hellingly, Sussex, England^B.¹
• He was the son of John Akehurst and Maria Burgess.
• Marriage*: William Akehurst married Harriet Winchester, daughter of Thomas Winchester and Mary Lusted, on 7 May 1832 at Hellingly, Sussex, England^B.
• Occupation*: William Akehurst was a labourer in 1836.²
• Death*: William Akehurst died in 1840 at Hellingly, Sussex, England^B.
• Burial*: William Akehurst was buried on 13 September 1840 at St Peter & St Paul, Hellingly, Sussex, England^B, "age 32 years."³

Elizabeth Collins

Parents:

• Birth: Elizabeth Collins was born in 1753 at Hellingly, Sussex, England^B.
• Baptism*: Elizabeth Collins was baptized on 18 February 1753 at St Peter & St Paul, Hellingly, Sussex, England^B.¹
• She was the daughter of Charles Collins and Lydia Goodwin.
• Marriage Bann: Marriage banns for Elizabeth Collins and John Akehurst were published on 24 November 1776 at St Peter & St Paul, Hellingly, Sussex, England^B; Banns were read on 24 Nov, 1 Dec and 15 Dec 1776.
• Marriage*: Elizabeth Collins married John Akehurst, son of John Akehurst and Elizabeth Burwash, on 26 December 1776 at Hellingly, Sussex, England^B, Elizabeth's surname spelt COLLEN. Both of Hellingly parish. Witnesses: John Burgess and Henry Blunden.²
• Married Name: As of 26 December 1776, her married name was Akehurst.
• Death*: Elizabeth Collins died in November 1792 at Hellingly, Sussex, England^B, at age 39.
• Burial*: Elizabeth Collins was buried on 4 November 1792 at Hellingly, Sussex, England^B, "wife of John, poor."³

John Akehurst

Signature of John Ackhurst 29 Sep 1777, ten days before he was buried.

Parents:

• Baptism*: John Akehurst was baptized on 22 November 1720 at Hellingly, Sussex, England^B.
• He was the son of Richard Akehurst and Elizabeth Blaber.
• Marriage*: John Akehurst married Elizabeth Fuller on 14 November 1751 at Hellingly, Sussex, England^B, surname ACKHURST.¹
• Anecdote: In the Poor Book of the parish of Hellingly (1747-1764) it is recorded that they (Overseers of the Poor?) met at the house of Widow Akehurst on 3 Feb 1755 and that: John Akehurst is to keep Jane Oxley (aged 7 years) youngest girl of Wm Oxley decd. from this day to Lady Day 1756 for 3 pounds 10 shillings.
  https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-D1X3-NRW?mode=g&i=196&cat=216231
  (image 197 of 919) (ESRO PAR 375/31/1/2.)
• Anecdote: John Akehurst was an Overseer of the Poor between 1758 and 1759. His signature in the Churchwarden's Accounts book matches that on his will made in 1777.²
  
• Anecdote*: David Evans of the Akehursters group (www.akehursters.co.uk) is a descendant of their son Thomas (1760).
• Occupation*: John Akehurst was the Keeper of the Poor House at Hellingly. in 1777.³
• Will*: John Akehurst left a will made on 29 September 1777 at Hellingly, Sussex, England^B: Note: Signs his name John ACKHURST, although name spelt AKEHURST in the first few lines of the will.³
• Will/Adm Transcript*: Will of John Akehurst of Hellingly, 1783
  (ESRO: PBT 1/1/64/667)
  Made: 29 Sep 1777
  Buried: 9 Oct 1777 at Hellingly
  Proved: 23 Sep 1783
  www.familysearch.org (film no: 1886069; image no: 230)
  In the Name of God Amen I John Akehurst of Hellingly in the County of Sussex Governor or Keeper of the Poor House there do make and publish my last Will and Testament in Manner following that is to say I give and bequeath all and every my Ready Monies Securities for Money Debts to me owing Goods Chattels and Estate whatsoever and every Part thereof (after Payment of such Debts as I shall justly owe at the Time of my decease my Funeral Expences and the Expences of proving this my Will) unto my two Sons John and William their Executors and Administrators Upon this special Trust and Confidence that they shall and do by and out of my said Monies and Estate from Time to Time Cloath Maintain and Provide for my two younger Children Samuel and Henry untill such Time or Times as they shall severally be capable of going into Service or otherwise providing for and maintaining themselves And when and as soon as they my said two younger Children shall be so capable of providing for and maintaining themselves then upon Trust to put and place out all such Monies as shall be remaining in the Hands of my said Trustees their Executor or Administrator at Interest on good and sufficient Security or Securitys in order to increase and improve the same untill my said two younger Children Samuel and Henry shall respectively attain their Ages of twenty one years and when and as soon as they shall respectively have attained that Age then upon Trust to distribute and divide all my said Monies and Estate between and amongst them my said two Sons John and William and all other my Children in equal Shares and Proportions Share and Share alike And I make constitute and appoint them my said Sons John and William Executors of this my Will hereby revoking and making void all other wills by me at any Time heretofore made and declaring this only to be my last Will and Testament In witness whereof I the said John Akehurst have hereunto set my Hand and Seal the twenty ninth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one Thousand seven Hundred and Seventy seven J Ackhurst Signed and Sealed by the above named John Akehurst and by him published and declared as and for his last Will and Testament in the Presence of Us who have hereunto subscribed our Names as Witnesses thereto in his Presence Edward Tanner J H Sinnock
  Septr 23 1783
  Then were sworn John and William Akehurst Executors of this Will to whom was committed the Administration of the Goods Chattels and Credits of the deceased and the burden of the execution of the same by me Wm North Surrogate
  Sworn also that the Goods Chattels and Credits do not amount to six hundred Pounds
  (Transcribed by Rosie Ansell December 2016.)
• Death*: John Akehurst died in October 1777 at Hellingly, Sussex, England^B, at age 56.
• Burial*: John Akehurst was buried on 9 October 1777 at Hellingly, Sussex, England^B, "widower" (Ackhurst.)⁴
• Probate: His estate was probated on 23 September 1783.

Elizabeth Fuller

• Birth*: Elizabeth Fuller was born circa 1730 at Sussex, England.
• Marriage*: Elizabeth Fuller married John Akehurst, son of Richard Akehurst and Elizabeth Blaber, on 14 November 1751 at Hellingly, Sussex, England^B, surname ACKHURST.¹
• Married Name: As of 14 November 1751, her married name was Akehurst.
• Death*: Elizabeth Fuller died in 1777 at Hellingly, Sussex, England^B.
• Burial*: Elizabeth Fuller was buried on 24 July 1777 at Hellingly, Sussex, England^B, "wife of John" (Ackhurst.)²

Abraham Alce

Parents:

• Birth: Abraham Alce was born in 1691 at East Blatchington, Sussex, England^B.
• Baptism*: Abraham Alce was baptized on 14 April 1691 at St Peter's, East Blatchington, Sussex, England^B, twin?^1,2
• He was the son of Thomas Alce and Susanna Burroughs.
• (Witness) Will: Abraham Alce is mentioned in the will of Thomas Alce dated 31 December 1718 at East Blatchington, Sussex, England^B.³
• (Witness) Will: Abraham Alce is mentioned in the will of Susanna Burroughs dated 30 December 1723 at East Blatchington, Sussex, England^B.⁴
• Marriage*: Abraham Alce married Ann Ince, daughter of Thomas Ince and Mary (?), on 7 November 1731 at East Blatchington, Sussex, England^B, surname spelt INSE.⁵
• Anecdote: Abraham Alce was a beneficiary of his mother's will proved on 16 Dec 1730:
  "I give & devise un[N]to my Second Son Abraham Alce all that my Mesuage & Tenement of Land with the appurtenances in Seaford to him & his Heires for ever".
  Other properties in East Blatchington were bequeathed to Abraham's sister Margaret and his younger brother John. However, John died in 1729 and Margaret in 1730, and it would appear that the properties then came to Abraham as who, as the youngest surving son, would be the next heir. Abraham is recorded as mortgaging the properties in East Blatchington (termed a conditional surrender when dealing with copyhold property). The properties later end up in the hands of Abraham's son, Abraham Alce who married Sarah Richardson in 1768 at Alciston.
• Anecdote: Conditional surrender
  Date: 19 Jan 1739
  ESRO reference: SAS/G 20/249
  Description: Abraham Alce to the use of William Hammond of the Cliffe, gent, for £110, of a tenement, barn and 11a 1r of land in Blatchington late Watts and formerly Gough's, quitrent 7s 11/2d
  Creator(s): Gage family of Firle, East Sussex.
• Anecdote*: Conditional surrender
  Date: 26 May 1739
  ESRO reference: SAS/G 20/252
  Description: Abraham Alce to the use of John Fletcher of Seaford, gent, for 117, of a tenement, barn and 11a 1r of land in Blatchington late Watts, formerly Goughes, quitrent 7s 1d
  Creator(s): Gage family of Firle, East Sussex.
• Death*: Abraham Alce died in 1753 at East Blatchington, Sussex, England^B.
• Burial*: Abraham Alce was buried on 3 February 1753 at St Peter's, East Blatchington, Sussex, England^B.⁶

Ann Ince

Parents:

• Birth*: Ann Ince was born on 19 May 1701 at Chalvington, Sussex, England^B.¹
• She was the daughter of Thomas Ince and Mary (?)
• Baptism: Ann Ince was baptized on 1 June 1701 at St Bartholomew's, Chalvington, Sussex, England^B.¹
• Anecdote*: The Sussex Baptisms Index was searched for all baptisms of Ann INCE from 1700 to 1790 and the only possibility was 1.6.1701 (born 19.5.1701) at East Chalvington daughter of Thomas Ince (poor labourer) and Mary. The connection has been made on this basis only, so should be treated with caution.²
• Marriage*: Ann Ince married Abraham Alce, son of Thomas Alce and Susanna Burroughs, on 7 November 1731 at East Blatchington, Sussex, England^B, surname spelt INSE.³
• Married Name: As of 7 November 1731, her married name was Alce.
• Death*: Ann Ince died in 1771 at East Blatchington, Sussex, England^B.
• Burial*: Ann Ince was buried on 23 April 1771 at East Blatchington, Sussex, England^B, "widow."⁴

Susannah Alce

Parents:

• Birth: Susannah Alce was born in 1734 at East Blatchington, Sussex, England^B.
• Baptism*: Susannah Alce was baptized on 11 August 1734 at St Peter's, East Blatchington, Sussex, England^B.¹
• She was the daughter of Abraham Alce and Ann Ince.

Thomas Alce

Parents:

• Birth: Thomas Alce was born in 1735 at East Blatchington, Sussex, England^B.
• Baptism*: Thomas Alce was baptized on 2 December 1735 at St Peter's, East Blatchington, Sussex, England^B.¹
• He was the son of Abraham Alce and Ann Ince.
• Anecdote*: Possible burial on 4 Jun 1759 at Beddingham.²

Thomas Alce

Parents:

• Birth*: Thomas Alce was born circa 1650 at Sussex, England.
• He was the son of William Alce.
• Anecdote*: Thomas Alce is thought to have been born at West Firle or Beddingham c1645-58. This will be difficult to confirm as the parish records for Beddingham are missing for the period 1641 to 1673 and West Firle similarly. However, the most likely candidate is the Thomas Alce mentioned as a beneficiary in the will of Abraham Alce of West Firle proved 1684. He would have been born about the right time and after Abraham Alce's death in 1684 he named his next male child Abraham (bap. 1691).
• Marriage*: Thomas Alce married Susanna Burroughs, daughter of Ralph Burroughs and Margaret (?), on 2 June 1678 at East Blatchington, Sussex, England^B.
• Anecdote*: There were two Thomas and Susanna ALCE families in East Blatchington at this time and it is impossible to differentiate them using just the parish register. The fact that two baptisms occur just a few months apart in both 1688 and 1694 indicates separate families. However, Thomas ALCE's will proved on 7 March 1718 lists his children enabling the two families to be differentiated. It would appear that the other family (Thomas ALCE and Susannah GLIDD) left East Blatchington about 1694 to 1700 although one of their children (Elizabeth) was baptised there in 1694 and was later married there in 1711.¹
• (Witness) Will: Thomas Alce is mentioned in the will of Abraham Alce dated 16 December 1683 at West Firle, Sussex, England^B.²
• Will*: Thomas Alce left a will made on 31 December 1718 at East Blatchington, Sussex, England^B.¹
• Will/Adm Transcript*: Will of Thomas Alce, Yeoman of East Blatchington, 1718/19
  (ESRO: PBT 1/1/50/80A)
  Made: 31 December 1718
  Proved: 7 March 1718/19
  FamilySearch: Film: 1885994; Image: 326
  In the name of God Amen, I Thomas Alce of Blatchington in the County of Sussex, yeoman, being sick and weak but of sound mind and memory, praise be Almighty God, therefore do make and ordayne this my last will and testament in manner and form following. First I commit my soul unto the hand of Almighty God my Savior hoping through the mercy of Jesus Christ to have pardon of all my sins and my body I commit to the earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my executor hereafter named and as for my real estate I give and devise as followeth. Item: I give all that my yard land in Beddingham with the appertenance their unto belonging unto my eldest son Thomas Alce and his heirs forever. Item: I give unto my son in law William Milton one shilling to be paid him within one year after my decease. Item: I give unto Susana, wife of John Hide, one shilling to be paid her at the time above said. Item: I give unto Mary Alce, my daughter, three pounds to be paid her within one year after my decease. Item: I give unto my second son, Abraham Alce, the sume of three pounds of lawfull money of Great Brittain to be paid him at the above said. Item: I give unto my daughter, Margaret Alce, the sum of three pounds of like lawfull money. Item: I give unto John Alce, my youngest son, when he comes to the age of one and twenty years, the sum of ten shillings. Item: All the rest of my real estate that came to me by my loving wife Susana Alce, that is to say the cottag in Blatchington and the yard land with appertenance their unto belonging and also the free hold cottag in the liberty of Seaford I will and bequeath unto Susana Alce, my loving wife, to dispose at her will and pleasure after my decease to such of my children as she shall think fitt by her last will. All the rest of my personal estate I give and bequeath unto my loving wife Susana Alce whom I make sole executrix of this my last will and testament in witness here of I have here unto set my hand and seal this one and thirtieth day of December 1718.
  The mark of Thomas Alce
  Witness: John Cooper, John Farncomb, Sam Younge
  [Latin] 7 Marty 1718 Jurat Susanna Alce executrix etc.
  Transcribed by Geoffrey Barber.
  
• Death*: Thomas Alce died in 1719 at East Blatchington, Sussex, England^B.
• Burial*: Thomas Alce was buried on 5 February 1718/19 at St Peter's, East Blatchington, Sussex, England^B.³
• Probate: His estate was probated on 7 March 1718/19.
• Anecdote: It is interesting to note the property which came to Thomas Alce via his wife Susanna Burroughs. She was probably the only surviving child in her parent's family as all the others discovered so far died in childhood.

Susanna Burroughs

Parents:

• Birth: Susanna Burroughs was born in 1660 at East Blatchington, Sussex, England^B.
• Baptism*: Susanna Burroughs was baptized on 23 September 1660 at East Blatchington, Sussex, England^B.
• She was the daughter of Ralph Burroughs and Margaret (?)
• Marriage*: Susanna Burroughs married Thomas Alce, son of William Alce, on 2 June 1678 at East Blatchington, Sussex, England^B.
• Anecdote: There were two Thomas and Susanna ALCE families in East Blatchington at this time and it is impossible to differentiate them using just the parish register. The fact that two baptisms occur just a few months apart in both 1688 and 1694 indicates separate families. However, Thomas ALCE's will proved on 7 March 1718 lists his children enabling the two families to be differentiated. It would appear that the other family (Thomas ALCE and Susannah GLIDD) left East Blatchington about 1694 to 1700 although one of their children (Elizabeth) was baptised there in 1694 and was later married there in 1711.¹
• Married Name: As of 2 June 1678, her married name was Alce.
• (Witness) Will: Susanna Burroughs is mentioned in the will of Thomas Alce dated 31 December 1718 at East Blatchington, Sussex, England^B.¹
• Anecdote: It is interesting to note the property which came to Thomas Alce via his wife Susanna Burroughs. She was probably the only surviving child in her parent's family as all the others discovered so far died in childhood.
• Will*: Susanna Burroughs left a will made on 30 December 1723 at East Blatchington, Sussex, England^B.²
• Will/Adm Transcript*: Will of Susana Alce, widow of East Blatchington, 1730
  (ESRO: PBT 1/1/53/180B)
  Made: 30 December 1723
  Proved: 16 December 1730
  Familysearch: Film: 1885997, Image: 398
  In the name of God Amen Susana Alce of Bletchington in the County of Sussex widow being of Sound Mind & Memory thanks to God for the Same Do; Make & ordaine this my last will & testament in Man[N]er & forme following Vist; First I commit My soule into the hands of God that gave it; Hoping through the Meritts of Jesus Christ to have pardon of Al my sins My Body I comitt to the Earth to be decently buried at the discrestion of My Executors herafter to be Named Item; I give & devise unto my Second Son Abraham Alce al that my Mesuage & Tenement of Land with the appurtenances in Seaford to him & his Heires for ever; Item I give & Devise unto my Younger Daughter Margerett Alce Al that Mesuage of Copyhold Land that I late Surrendered to the use of my will to her & her Heires forever Item I give unto Mary wife of David Holder one shilling to be paid withing one yeare after my Deceasd; Item I give unto my Daughter Susana wife of John Hide the Sum of one Shilling to be paid within one yeare after my Deceas’d; Item I give unto my Son in Law William Milton one shilling to be paid within one yeare after my Deceas’d Item I give & devise unto my Younger Son John Alce al the rest & residue of My Coppyhold Land in Bletching to him & his Heires for ever All the rest of my personal Estate goods & Chattells what Soever I give unto my two sons Thomas Alce & Abraham Alce whom I make Sole Executors of this my Last will & Testament In witness hereof I have set my hand & Seale this thirtteth day of December Anno Domini 1723
  Susana Alce her marke
  Sined Sealed & published to be the last will & Testament of Susana Alce In the presents of us
  James Newman
  John Dnstal
  Edw: Boys
  Probate: 16^th December 1730 to Thomas Alce one of the executors, power reserved re Abraham Alce the other executor. Goods sworn not exceeding £20.
  Transcribed by Claire Wickens, 16^th January 2021 for Geoffrey Barber.
  
• Death*: Susanna Burroughs died in 1730 at East Blatchington, Sussex, England^B.
• Burial*: Susanna Burroughs was buried on 11 November 1730 at St Peter's, East Blatchington, Sussex, England^B.³
• Probate: Her estate was probated on 16 December 1730 at Archdeaconry of Lewes, Sussex, England, Inventory £6 13s 2d.

Sarah Alce

Parents:

• Birth: Sarah Alce was born in 1691 at East Blatchington, Sussex, England^B.
• Baptism*: Sarah Alce was baptized on 14 April 1691 at St Peter's, East Blatchington, Sussex, England^B, twin?^1,2
• She was the daughter of Thomas Alce and Susanna Burroughs.
• Death*: Sarah Alce died in 1706 at East Blatchington, Sussex, England^B.
• Burial*: Sarah Alce was buried on 16 May 1706 at East Blatchington, Sussex, England^B.

Thomas Taylor

Parents:

• Birth: Thomas Taylor was born in 1757 at West Firle, Sussex, England^B.
• Baptism*: Thomas Taylor was baptized on 16 October 1757 at West Firle, Sussex, England^B.¹
• He was the son of Abraham Taylor and Ann (?)
• Marriage*: Thomas Taylor married Anne Forde, daughter of Thomas Forde and Mary Weller, on 1 December 1780 at Ringmer, Sussex, England^B. Both of this parish. The marriage banns were read on 1st, 8th, and 15th October 1780.
• Anecdote*: There is a removal order dated 26 Apr 1781 for Thomas Taylor and wife Ann removing them from Ringmer to West Firle. ( ESRO: QO/26/1781-04-26).
  Thomas Taylor was born and baptised at West Firle, so this was his parish of settlement. However, they probably found a way around this as their subsequent children were baptised at Ringmer until 1789 when Sarah was baptised at West Firle.
  They lived at West Firle thereafter.
• Anecdote*: The Sussex Militia List of 1803 for West Firle lists:
  Abraham Taylor, aged 17 to 30 years, wiling to serve
  William Taylor, aged 17 to 30 years, wiling to serve
  Thomas Taylor, aged 17 to 55 years, wiling to serve
  Could these be the father Thomas and two of his sons, or perhaps the three sons?
• Death*: Thomas Taylor died in 1823 at West Firle, Sussex, England^B.
• Burial*: Thomas Taylor was buried on 25 November 1823 at West Firle, Sussex, England^B, age given as 69 yrs. The following burials are the possibilities for Thomas TAYLOR:
  25.11.1823 Thomas TAILOR West Firle aged 69 (would be 66)
  22.7.1835 Thomas TAYLOR Beddingham aged 78 (would be 77)
  The second came from the East Sussex Burial Index for TAYLOR's. Anne TAYLOR's burial place may give a clue here but it has not yet been found (it possibly occurred before 1812).
  Also, from the SFHG on-line burial index:
  2.12.1838      Thomas Taylor      Beddingham     aged 77 yrs (would be 81.^2,3 )

Anne Forde

Parents:

• Birth: Anne Forde was born in 1752 at Ringmer, Sussex, England^B.
• Baptism*: Anne Forde was baptized on 5 April 1752 at St Mary the Virgin, Ringmer, Sussex, England^B.¹
• She was the daughter of Thomas Forde and Mary Weller.
• Anecdote*: There are two possibilities for the baptism of Anne Forde in the Ringmer parish register:
  5 Apr 1752 Anne dau. Thomas Ford and Mary Weller.
  2 Aug 1747 Anne dau. John Ford and Mary.
  The 1747 baptism is the only baptism recorded for John Ford and Mary, yet there are many baptisms for Thomas and Mary Ford, and also a John and Sarah Ford at this time. The fact that John & Mary and John & Sarah both had a child baptised in 1747 indicates that John and Mary were a different family and not just an error in the register.
  John & Mary Ford are likely John Ford and Mary Kerwin married 5 Feb 1743/44 at Waldron.
  In order to account for the two Anne Ford baptisms listed above, the Sussex Marriage Index was searched for candidate marriages and only the following two marriages were reasonable possibilities:
  1. 25 Jun 1769 Ann Foord and Thomas Hunt at Waldron
  2. 1 Dec 1780 Ann Forde and Thomas Tayler at Ringmer
  The first would most likely be Anne Ford (bap. 1747) given her age would have been 22 years vs 17 years for Anne (bap. 1752), and also the connection to Waldron, where the parents John & Mary were married.
  The second is most likely to be Anne Forde (bap. 1752) where her age at marriage would have been 28 years.
• Marriage*: Anne Forde married Thomas Taylor, son of Abraham Taylor and Ann (?), on 1 December 1780 at Ringmer, Sussex, England^B. Both of this parish. The marriage banns were read on 1st, 8th, and 15th October 1780.
• Married Name: As of 1 December 1780, her married name was Taylor.
• Anecdote: There is a removal order dated 26 Apr 1781 for Thomas Taylor and wife Ann removing them from Ringmer to West Firle. ( ESRO: QO/26/1781-04-26).
  Thomas Taylor was born and baptised at West Firle, so this was his parish of settlement. However, they probably found a way around this as their subsequent children were baptised at Ringmer until 1789 when Sarah was baptised at West Firle.
  They lived at West Firle thereafter.
• Death*: Anne Forde died in 1809 at West Firle, Sussex, England^B.
• Burial*: Anne Forde was buried on 26 January 1809 at West Firle, Sussex, England^B, "wife of Thomas."²

Thomas Taylor

Parents:

• Birth: Thomas Taylor was born in 1781 at Ringmer, Sussex, England^B.
• Baptism*: Thomas Taylor was baptized on 8 April 1781 at Ringmer, Sussex, England^B.
• He was the son of Thomas Taylor and Anne Forde.

William Taylor

Parents:

• Birth: William Taylor was born in 1782 at Ringmer, Sussex, England^B.
• Baptism*: William Taylor was baptized on 24 March 1782 at Ringmer, Sussex, England^B.
• He was the son of Thomas Taylor and Anne Forde.

Anne Taylor

Parents:

• Birth: Anne Taylor was born in 1786 at Ringmer, Sussex, England^B.
• Baptism*: Anne Taylor was baptized on 26 February 1786 at Ringmer, Sussex, England^B.
• She was the daughter of Thomas Taylor and Anne Forde.

Maria Murrell

Parents:

• Birth*: Maria Murrell was born on 11 February 1846 at Slindon, Sussex, England^B.¹
• She was the daughter of Philip Murrell and Charlotte Evans.
• Residence: On 30 March 1851 Maria Murrell lived at Dyers Lane, Slindon, Sussex, England, a scholar with her parents.
• Residence*: On 7 April 1861 Maria Murrell lived at Slindon St, Slindon, Sussex, England, a scholar with her parents.
• Marriage*: Maria Murrell married William George Buckran Marchant, son of George William Marchant and Elizabeth Redman, on 26 September 1865 at Slindon Chapel, Slindon House, Slindon, Sussex, England, in the Roman Catholic Church.²
• Married Name: As of 26 September 1865, her married name was Marchant.
• (Witness) Birth: Maria Murrell witnessed the birth of Annie Marchant on 25 August 1866 at Slindon, Sussex, England^B.³
• Residence: On 2 April 1871 Maria Murrell and William George Buckran Marchant lived at 19 Vine St, Brighton, Sussex, England.⁴
• Residence*: On 3 April 1881 Maria Murrell and William George Buckran Marchant lived at 106 Ellen St, Hove, Sussex, England.⁵
• (Witness) Marriage: Maria Murrell witnessed the marriage of James Middleton and Annie Marchant on 19 April 1885 at The Parish Church, Annunciation, Brighton, Sussex, England.⁶
• Residence: On 5 April 1891 Maria Murrell and William George Buckran Marchant lived at 45 Jersey St, Brighton, Sussex, England.⁷
• Anecdote*: Maria died of cancer of the cervix in 1893. It is reported that her death was rather painful and that the cast iron rails of her bed were deformed as she gripped them to ease the pain. The family had to put straw on the road outside the house to deaden the noise from passing carts so she could get some sleep. Her married daughter Annie was left in charge of the family as she was the eldest child and the youngest, Violet, was only 2 years old.⁸
• Death*: Maria Murrell died on 14 July 1893 at 45 Jersey St, Brighton, Sussex, England, at age 47. She died of cancer of the uteri (1 year.)⁹

Philip Murrell

Parents:

• Birth: Philip Murrell was born in 1794 at Arundel, Sussex, England^B.
• Baptism*: Philip Murrell was baptized on 27 February 1794 at St Nicholas, Arundel, Sussex, England^B.¹
• He was the son of Philip Murrell and Mary Bishop.
• Marriage*: Philip Murrell married Maria Mason on 15 November 1814 at Slindon, Sussex, England^B.²
• Anecdote*: Philip's first marriage to Maria Mason, was at St Mary's Church of England, Slindon. Witnesses were John Bateman, Frances Mason and John Ruff (clerk)). Their children were baptised in the Slindon Roman Catholic Chapel hence the Latinised versions of their names.
• Marriage*: Philip Murrell married Charlotte Evans, daughter of George Evans and Anne Cluer, on 28 August 1838 at Roman Catholic Chapel, Slindon, Sussex, England^B.³
• Anecdote*: Philip Murrell was a widower when he married Charlotte Evans.
• Anecdote: The Roman Catholic Chapel, Slindon House, at Slindon was registered to conduct marriages on 18.12.1837 and was later transferred to St Richard's Church, Slindon on 21.11.1865. "Throughout penal times the chapel in Slindon House was continuously served by a priest. During the worst days of persecution Mass was said in a secret chamber under the roof. Later the chapel was on the first floor with an arched roof, and in close proximity were three priest's hiding places. The last to occupy one of these holes was Fr. Joseph Molyneux, (Slindon 1765 to 1778) who thus eluded arrest upon a search being made for him by order of a magistrate during a temporary outburst of "No Popery" fever (from: "Catholic Record Society, Miscellanea, Vol VI, Bedingfeld Papers, etc, published 1909" LDS Microfilm No. 1068700).
  It appears that most Murrell's in Slindon were Catholics. This could come about from most of these Murrells being descendants or relatives of Jeremy Murrell of Slindon who was Steward to Lord Newberg according to his burial on 23 Jan 1763 (St Mary's Church of England Register). I suspect that Lord Newberg was a Catholic although I haven't thoroughly researched this yet. In the 1861 census it appears that Philip Murrell is a gardener for Anne, Countess of Newburgh. There is no information so far on the background of Philip's father, another Philip Murrell. He is found at Arundel in 1793 (another Catholic hotspot) when he married Mary Bishop but nothing is known of his origins.
  It is a mystery how Philip came to marry Charlotte Evans who was born some distance away in Tichfield, Hampshire. Perhaps she was working as a servant at Slindon where she became pregnant and so it was arranged for her to marry Philip, a widower (Philip 44 years, Charlotte 22 years)? There is no evidence that she came from a Roman Catholic family although her line does go back to Twyford in Hampshire where there was a highly regarded RC school dating from the late 1600s. However, a document survives showing that her direct ancestor, William Primmer (1703- ), was an informant against this RC school in 1743/44, just before the Jacobite uprising in 1745.
  Philip Murrell and his family do appear to have been committed Catholics and oral family history says that his daughter Maria Murrell and her daughter Annie Marchant maintained a connection to the high church of England which, while not Catholic, is close to it in their practices.
• Occupation: Philip Murrell was an agricultural labourer on 7 June 1841.⁴
• Residence: On 7 June 1841 Philip Murrell and Charlotte Evans lived at Slindon, Sussex, England^B.⁴
• Occupation: Philip Murrell was a gardener on 11 February 1846.⁵
• Occupation*: Philip Murrell was a garden labourer on 30 March 1851.⁶
• Residence*: On 30 March 1851 Philip Murrell and Charlotte Evans lived at Dyers Lane, Slindon, Sussex, England.⁶
• Occupation: Philip Murrell was a gardener probably for Anne, Countess of Newburgh who was residing nearby in Slindon St on 7 April 1861.⁷
• Residence*: On 7 April 1861 Philip Murrell and Charlotte Evans lived at Slindon St, Slindon, Sussex, England.⁷
• (Witness) Marriage: Philip Murrell witnessed the marriage of William George Buckran Marchant and Maria Murrell on 26 September 1865 at Slindon Chapel, Slindon House, Slindon, Sussex, England; in the Roman Catholic Church.⁸
• Occupation: Philip Murrell was an under gardener (out of employ) on 2 April 1871.⁹
• Residence: On 2 April 1871 Philip Murrell and Charlotte Evans lived at Slindon Common, Slindon, Sussex, England.⁹
• (Witness) Marriage: Philip Murrell witnessed the marriage of Catherine Josephine Wellsteed and George Murrell on 25 July 1875 at St Philips Church, Stepney, Middlesex, England.¹⁰
• Death*: Philip Murrell died on 10 February 1881 at Slindon, Sussex, England^B, at age 86. Died of decay of nature.¹¹
• Anecdote*: One of Phillip and Maria Murrell's sons (Dominic) is recorded as a servant of the Catholic priest Joseph Silviera on the 1841 census. "The Rev. Joseph Maria Silveira was born England 30.3.1794 son of Albert Garcia da Silviera of Lisbon, Spain. He was admitted to the English College at Lisbon on 8.7.1815. Left Lisbon in 1817 due to ill health and was admitted to Old Hall College. Ordained priest 6.8.1822. Between 1827 and 1829 he served at Gosport, Hampshire, 1829 to 1845 at Slindon, Sussex. In 1845 he retired from missionary work and served Havant, Hampshire 184956. His successor at Slindon was John Sheehan, another priest from the college at Lisbon. He served at Slindon 1845 to 1869."
  from: "Catholic Record Society, Miscellanea, Vol VI, Bedingfeld Papers, etc, published 1909" LDS Microfilm No. 1068700.
  The presence of a Spanish priest (albeit born in England) was an intriguing discovery for me. When I first started my family history research my mother told me that her mother had said "there was Spanish blood in the family". Is this something I have yet to uncover or is it a distortion of the Spanish priest story? There are also intriguing connections between Slindon and other areas in Hampshire (Catholic strongholds?). The Catholic priest Silviera served first at Gosport, Hampshire then Slindon then at Havant, Hampshire. (GGB.)

George William Marchant

Parents:

• Birth: George William Marchant was born in 1820 at Brighton, Sussex, England^B.
• Baptism*: George William Marchant was baptized on 12 November 1820 at St Nicholas, Brighton, Sussex, England^B.
• He was the son of Richard Marchant and Sarah Gillam.
• Residence: On 28 April 1839 George William Marchant lived at 11 Bunker's Hill, West Street, Brighton, Sussex, England.¹
• Occupation: George William Marchant was a fisherman on 28 April 1839.¹
• Marriage*: George William Marchant married Elizabeth Redman, daughter of John Redman and Sarah Fuller, on 28 April 1839 at St Nicholas, Brighton, Sussex, England^B.¹
  
• Occupation: George William Marchant was a fisherman on 7 June 1841.²
• Residence: On 7 June 1841 George William Marchant and Elizabeth Redman lived at 5 Little Russell St, Brighton, Sussex, England, with one month old daughter Sarah.²
• Occupation: George William Marchant was a fisherman on 8 July 1847.³
• Residence: On 8 July 1847 George William Marchant and Elizabeth Redman lived at 16 Suffolk Place, Brighton, Sussex, England.³
• Residence*: On 30 March 1851 George William Marchant and Elizabeth Redman lived at 2 Suffolk Cottages, Brighton, Sussex, England.⁴
• Occupation*: George William Marchant was a fisherman on 30 March 1851.⁴
• Anecdote*: For the 1861 census George Marchant was at sea on the vessel “Topsy” with two crew.
• Occupation: George William Marchant was a fisherman master on 7 April 1861.
• (Witness) Marriage: George William Marchant witnessed the marriage of William George Buckran Marchant and Maria Murrell on 26 September 1865 at Slindon Chapel, Slindon House, Slindon, Sussex, England; in the Roman Catholic Church.⁵
• Occupation: George William Marchant was a labourer according to son William's marriage certificate on 26 September 1865.
• Residence: On 2 April 1871 George William Marchant lived at 21 William St, Brighton, Sussex, England.⁶
• Occupation: George William Marchant was a fisherman on 2 April 1871.⁶
• Residence: On 3 April 1881 George William Marchant lived at 15 William St, Brighton, Sussex, England, a widower.⁷
• Occupation: George William Marchant was a mariner on 3 April 1881.⁷
• Residence*: On 5 April 1891 George William Marchant lived at 21 William St, Brighton, Sussex, England.⁸
• Occupation: George William Marchant was a fisherman on 5 April 1891.⁸
• Residence: On 31 March 1901 George William Marchant lived at 35 Carlton Row, Brighton, Sussex, England, a boarder.⁹
• Occupation: George William Marchant was a fisherman on 31 March 1901.⁹
• Death*: George William Marchant died on 8 May 1902 at 35 Carlton Row, Brighton, Sussex, England, at age 81. Died of old age, exhaustion.¹⁰

William Brown

Parents:

• Birth: William Brown was born in 1794 at Stepney, London, England.
• Baptism*: William Brown was baptized on 23 April 1794 at St Dunstan and All Saints, Stepney, Middlesex, England, "William son of William Brown of Poplar, Tea Dealer, & Mary (22 days old.)¹
• He was the son of William Brown and Mary Stone.
• Anecdote: In February 1833, William gave his age as 38 years in an official letter to the Colony of Van Diemen's Land. The baptism date fits perfectly with this. William's death certificate confirms that his parents were William Brown (gentleman) and Mary, and the baptism of his brother, George Bervin Brown, on 11 Mar 1799, to William Brown, victualler, and Mary also helps confirm this as the correct baptism as an occupation of tea dealer (William, 1794) and victualler (Thomas, 1799) seem consistent. What remains a little confusing is that while William (the father) was a victualler, his sons where blacksmiths and wheelwrights, although his son William is also recorded as a baker in London in 1831, a victualler in Hobart in 1837 and 1840, and a post office messenger in Launceston in 1842 and 1844. In later marriage and death certificates for his family, he is always referred to as a blacksmith though.
• Marriage*: William Brown married Hannah Hone on 22 July 1821 at St George in the East, Tower Hamlets, Middlesex, England, witness Isaac Hone.²
• (Witness) Will: William Brown is mentioned in the will of William Brown dated 26 May 1831 at East Ham, Essex, England.³
• Emigration*: William Brown and Hannah Hone emigrated in 1833 to Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, on the ship "Indiana" with children Mary Ann, William, Emma and John. William's brother Thomas Bervin Brown and wife Ann with children Ann, Eliza, Amelia, Harriet & Thomas also sailed with them. Also on the ship was Mr & Mrs Collier and 2 children (probably a family relative as their sister Mary Brown had married Stephen Collier). They arrived in Hobart Town on the 9th of September 1833. The Indiana was a 4000 ton vessel with two guns. The ship's master was James Webster. There were 14 passengers and 37 in steerage including 30 children. The Indiana then sailed onto Sydney departing 15th of November and arriving 29th of November 1833. The two Brown brothers and a John Collier (thought to be the brother of Stephen Collier) received £20 each from the Government in Hobart:
  Thomas Brown with his wife, one male child, 3 female children. (Thomas was a Wheelwright).
  William Brown with his wife, one male child, 2 female children. (William was a Blacksmith).
  John Collier with his wife and 2 female children. (John was also a Blacksmith).
  Of interest, is the fact that John Collier's brother William was sentenced to transportation for life on 2 January 1834 at the Old Bailey for forgery against the Bank of England. It is thought that John Collier may have been his accomplice but was never implicated by his brother.⁴
• Occupation*: William Brown was a blacksmith according to a letter written to the Colony in Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) on 6 February 1833.⁵
• Anecdote: Hobart Town was established as a penal a colony in 1803. General Ralph Darling visited Van Diemen’s Land in 1825 and promptly proclaimed the island independent from New South Wales before declaring himself Lieutenant- Governor. By 1831, the Crown had taken Edward Wakefield’s advice and began charging five shillings per acre for land, ostensibly to raise revenue to fund the arrival of more free settlers under the ‘assisted immigrants’ scheme.
• Anecdote: A letter written to the colony is dated 6 Feb 1833 and reads:
  Downing Street, 6th Feby 1833
  Sir, I am directed by Viscount Goderich to request that you will cause to be paid to Mr J Grant the sum of 20 pounds on account of William Brown, who is proceeding to Van D. Land onboard of the "Indiana". Wm Brown is a Blacksmith aged 38 years, & he will be accompanied by the following family: Wife aged 30 years, Mary Brown aged 15 years, Wm Brown aged 10 years, Emma Brown aged 8 years, & an infant. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient Humble Servant, (name indecipherable.)
  
• Anecdote: In Tasmania, the first baptisms of William and Hannah's children occur in the parish of Trinity in Buckingham County (their abode is listed as Hobart Town). The old Holy Trinity church is situated on the corner of Campbell street and Brisbane Street, Hobart. Public services ceased being held there in 1845. Before this date it was used both by the public and inmates of the old Hobart Gaol, after this date it was used only as the chapel to the Gaol. The present church (situated in Warwick Street North Hobart), began in 1841 was opened in January 1848, and consecrated in December 1849. Refer "The Anglican Church in Tasmania, A Diocesan History to Mark the Sesquicentenary: 1992", By Geoffrey Stephens.
• Occupation: William Brown was a victualler on 27 November 1837.
• Residence*: On 27 November 1837 William Brown and Hannah Hone lived at Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
• Anecdote*: This is not consistent with his letter of introduction as a blacksmith, but it is the same occupation as his father. The father of William's wife, Hannah, is possibly Thomas Hone, a blacksmith of Shoreditch St Leonard, London which would explain the connection to blacksmithing.
• Occupation: William Brown was a victualler on 26 July 1840.
• Residence: On 26 July 1840 William Brown and Hannah Hone lived at Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
• Occupation: William Brown was a post office messenger on 3 October 1842.
• Residence: On 3 October 1842 William Brown and Hannah Hone lived at Launceston, Tasmania, Australia.
• Occupation: William Brown was a post messenger on 17 January 1844.
• Residence: On 17 January 1844 William Brown and Hannah Hone lived at Launceston, Tasmania, Australia.
• Anecdote*: At some stage William and Hannah moved to Portland Bay (Geelong) before moving to Sydney in 1847. The date is not known, but we do know that William's brother, Thomas Bervin Brown, a wheelwright, moved from Hobart to Geelong c1846 and spent the rest of his life there. William's son John Hone Brown, a wheelwright like Thomas, also remained there and became a farmer, although he did eventually move to Sydney to be with his family.
• Anecdote: In 1847 William and family move from Portland Bay (Victoria) to Sydney on the ship "China". It is likely that William's daughter Elizabeth Phoebe Brown moved to Sydney with William and Hannah and appears to have lived with him in Walker St, Redfern, until his death in 1871, after which, in 1872, she married John Skottowe Richardson. Daughter Rose Hannah probably went with them as well, as her death certificate states 20 years in NSW even though she married Arthur Terrett in Geelong in 1863 and lived in Victoria thereafter. By 30 May 1879 John Hone Brown had moved from Geelong to Sydney, living in Paddington in 1880. His death certificate indicates that he moved to Sydney c1875 (29 years in NSW at the time of his death in 1904).⁶
• Anecdote: The following advertisement appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald on Saturday, 15 December 1849:
  WILLIAM BROWN, SENIOR, SON OF WILLIAM BROWN, FORMERLY OF POPLAR, VICTUALLER, AND AFTERWARDS OF EAST HAM.
  THE above-named party emigrated to Hobart Town in 1833, and subsequently settled in Launceston and Portland Bay, from which latter place he arrived in Sydney by the Ship China, in 1847. The undersigned will be obliged to any party who can give any information respecting the present residence of the above-named individual. MONTEFIORE, GRAHAM, AND CO. 9909
  This is probably connected to the death of William's sister Mary Collier (nee Brown) in 1849, as she was executor of their father's will of 1831 and she died intestate.^6,3
• Occupation: William Brown was a blacksmith according to John Hone Brown's marriage certificate on 12 June 1854.⁷
• Occupation: William Brown was a blacksmith according to Rose Hannah's marriage certificate on 7 October 1863.⁸
• Death*: William Brown died on 20 July 1871 at Walker Street, Redfern, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, at age 77. The cause of death was disease of the heart, diarrhoea and exhaustion. Age given on death certificate is 81 years. Place of birth given as London and states he was 39 years in NSW (which is not accurate as we know he arrived in Sydney in 1847). His occupation was listed as “Gentleman".⁹
• Burial*: William Brown was buried on 22 July 1871 at Church of England Cemetery, Balmain, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.⁹
• Anecdote: The following death notice appeared in The Sydney Morning Herald on Saturday 22 July 1871:
  On the 20th instant, at his residence, Walker-street, Redfern, Mr. WILLIAM BROWN, in his 82nd year.¹⁰
• Anecdote: The following death notice appeared three weeks later in The Argus (Melbourne) on Saturday 12 August 1871:
  BROWN.-On the 20th ult., at his residence, Walker street, Sydney, Mr. William Brown, eldest son of the late William Brown, Esq, Ivey-house, East-ham, Essex, England, father of Mr. John Hone Brown, and only brother of the late Mr. Thomas Bervin Brown, Pakington street, Geelong, aged 82 years. Home papers please copy.¹¹
• Anecdote: William Brown's death certificate in 1871 says that he had 4 male and 3 female children living, and 2 males and 1 female deceased. Two male children have yet to be found.⁹
• Anecdote: William's occupation is given as blacksmith on his son John Hone Brown's death certificate in 1904.¹²
• Anecdote: William's occupation is given as storekeeper on his son Charles Adam Brown's death certificate in 1922.¹³

Hannah Hone

• Birth*: Hannah Hone was born circa 1803 at England.
• Anecdote*: There is a Hannah Hone baptised on 28 Apr 1805 (born 7 Dec 1804) at St Dunstan and All Saints, Stepney, Tower Hamlets, Middlesex, daughter of Thomas and Phebe Hone, which could be our Hannah. The father Thomas is a labourer of Poplar. (London, Docklands and East End Baptisms, 1558-1933. X024/016)
  Thomas Hone and Phebe Gass married on 27 Oct 1798 at Shoreditch St Leonard, and Phebe Hone was buried 24 Dec 1817 at Shoreditch St Leonard age 35 years (Abode: Holywell Lane, St Leonard Shoreditch, Middlesex).
  If Thomas and Phebe are Hannah's parents then she had a sister Rebecca Hone baptised on 27 Sep 1801 at Christ Church, Spitalfields, Tower Hamlets (born 3 Sep 1801, the father Thomas is a blacksmith of Skinner Street).
  William Brown and Hannah Hone did use the name Phoebe as a middle name for their third daughter. However, they did not use the names Thomas or Rebecca.
  There is a Thomas Hone is in the Shoreditch Workhouse, St Leonard Shoreditch, Ossulstone (Tower Division) in the 1841 census, age 69 years (ie born c1772), a blacksmith, not born in Middlesex. There is also a Thomas Hone, age 76 years (ie born c1765), at Mary Street, All Saints Poplar, Tower Hamlets, Middlesex, not born in Middlesex.^1,2,3,4
• Marriage*: Hannah Hone married William Brown, son of William Brown and Mary Stone, on 22 July 1821 at St George in the East, Tower Hamlets, Middlesex, England, witness Isaac Hone.⁵
• Anecdote: The witness Isaac Hone is a bit of a mystery. He must be related to Hannah in some way (father or brother?). He has been located in Stepney, Hamlets of Poplar and Blackwall (Borough of Tower Hamlets) in the 1830 and 1832 Land Tax records for London. He was a tenant in a property owned by Geo. Woolford. (Ancestry.com. London, England, Land Tax Records, 1692-1932 [database on-line]). Until he is properly identified there will remain some doubt as to Hannah's parents being the Thomas and Phebe mentioned above.
• Married Name: As of 22 July 1821, her married name was Brown.
• Anecdote: Given that their third son was named John Hone Brown, there is also the possibility that Hannah's father was named John Hone. In the 1841 census there is a John Hone, age 69 years (ie born c1772), labourer born Middlesex, living with Thomas Hone age 27 and his wife Sarah E Hone age 25 years, both born Middlesex. They were residing at Mary Street, All Saints Poplar, Tower Hamlets, Middlesex. There is another possible John Hone in the 1841 census living in the Kensington Union Workhouse in College Place, Chelsea, Middlesex, age 65 years (ie born c1776), a bricklayer, not born in Middlesex.^6,7
• Emigration*: Hannah Hone and William Brown emigrated in 1833 to Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, on the ship "Indiana" with children Mary Ann, William, Emma and John. William's brother Thomas Bervin Brown and wife Ann with children Ann, Eliza, Amelia, Harriet & Thomas also sailed with them. Also on the ship was Mr & Mrs Collier and 2 children (probably a family relative as their sister Mary Brown had married Stephen Collier). They arrived in Hobart Town on the 9th of September 1833. The Indiana was a 4000 ton vessel with two guns. The ship's master was James Webster. There were 14 passengers and 37 in steerage including 30 children. The Indiana then sailed onto Sydney departing 15th of November and arriving 29th of November 1833. The two Brown brothers and a John Collier (thought to be the brother of Stephen Collier) received £20 each from the Government in Hobart:
  Thomas Brown with his wife, one male child, 3 female children. (Thomas was a Wheelwright).
  William Brown with his wife, one male child, 2 female children. (William was a Blacksmith).
  John Collier with his wife and 2 female children. (John was also a Blacksmith).
  Of interest, is the fact that John Collier's brother William was sentenced to transportation for life on 2 January 1834 at the Old Bailey for forgery against the Bank of England. It is thought that John Collier may have been his accomplice but was never implicated by his brother.⁸
• Anecdote: Hobart Town was established as a penal a colony in 1803. General Ralph Darling visited Van Diemen’s Land in 1825 and promptly proclaimed the island independent from New South Wales before declaring himself Lieutenant- Governor. By 1831, the Crown had taken Edward Wakefield’s advice and began charging five shillings per acre for land, ostensibly to raise revenue to fund the arrival of more free settlers under the ‘assisted immigrants’ scheme.
• Anecdote: A letter written to the colony is dated 6 Feb 1833 and reads:
  Downing Street, 6th Feby 1833
  Sir, I am directed by Viscount Goderich to request that you will cause to be paid to Mr J Grant the sum of 20 pounds on account of William Brown, who is proceeding to Van D. Land onboard of the "Indiana". Wm Brown is a Blacksmith aged 38 years, & he will be accompanied by the following family: Wife aged 30 years, Mary Brown aged 15 years, Wm Brown aged 10 years, Emma Brown aged 8 years, & an infant. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient Humble Servant, (name indecipherable.)
  
• Anecdote: In Tasmania, the first baptisms of William and Hannah's children occur in the parish of Trinity in Buckingham County (their abode is listed as Hobart Town). The old Holy Trinity church is situated on the corner of Campbell street and Brisbane Street, Hobart. Public services ceased being held there in 1845. Before this date it was used both by the public and inmates of the old Hobart Gaol, after this date it was used only as the chapel to the Gaol. The present church (situated in Warwick Street North Hobart), began in 1841 was opened in January 1848, and consecrated in December 1849. Refer "The Anglican Church in Tasmania, A Diocesan History to Mark the Sesquicentenary: 1992", By Geoffrey Stephens.
• Residence*: On 27 November 1837 Hannah Hone and William Brown lived at Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
• Residence: On 26 July 1840 Hannah Hone and William Brown lived at Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
• Residence: On 3 October 1842 Hannah Hone and William Brown lived at Launceston, Tasmania, Australia.
• Residence: On 17 January 1844 Hannah Hone and William Brown lived at Launceston, Tasmania, Australia.
• Anecdote: At some stage William and Hannah moved to Portland Bay (Geelong) before moving to Sydney in 1847. The date is not known, but we do know that William's brother, Thomas Bervin Brown, a wheelwright, moved from Hobart to Geelong c1846 and spent the rest of his life there. William's son John Hone Brown, a wheelwright like Thomas, also remained there and became a farmer, although he did eventually move to Sydney to be with his family.
• Anecdote: The following marriage notice appeared in The Sydney Morning Herald on Saturday, 20 April 1872 for Hannah's daughter Elizabeth Phoebe Brown. It is significant in that it implies that Hannah is still alive at that date and living in Walker St, Redfern, Sydney:
  RICHARDSON—BROWN—February 29, at the residence of the bride's mother, ''Hedley," Walker-street, Redfern, by the Rev. Samuel Chambers Kent, Mr. John Skottowe Richardson, to Elizabeth Phoebe, third daughter of the late William Brown.⁹
• Residence*: On 20 April 1872 Hannah Hone lived at "Hedley", Walker St, Redfern, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.⁹
• Death*: Hannah Hone died on 10 April 1880 at Old South Head Road, Paddington, New South Wales, Australia. She died of chronic bronchitis.¹⁰
• Burial*: Hannah Hone was buried on 12 April 1880 at Necropolis, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.¹⁰
• Anecdote: There is a burial at Rookwood for a Hannah Brown on 16 Apr 1880 (AN CC, Grave No 306). However, there was another Hannah Brown who died 15 Apr 1880 and whose death certificate says she was buried 16 April 1880, so it is likely not the correct one.
• Anecdote: The following death notice appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald on
  Tuesday 13 April 1880:
  BROWN. —April 10, at the residence of her son, Paddington, Hannah Brown, relict of the late William Brown, in her 77th year.
  Also, on Saturday, 17 April 1880:
  BROWN.-April 10, at her son's residence, Paddington, Mrs. Hannah Brown, in her 77th year, late of Walker-street, Redfern; mother of Mrs. J. S. Richardson, 39, Clarence-street.^11,12

Elizabeth Harrison

Parents:

• Birth*: Elizabeth Harrison was born circa 1799 at England.
• She was the daughter of William Harrison and Sarah Littlewood.
• Marriage*: Elizabeth Harrison married Thomas Ward on 15 February 1818 at Sheffield, Yorkshire, England.
• Married Name: As of 15 February 1818, her married name was Ward.
• Residence: On 21 June 1840 Elizabeth Harrison and Thomas Ward lived at Canal Cottage, Attercliffe, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, (from Sheffield Baptisms, Harrison Ward 21 Jun 1840.)
• Residence*: On 7 June 1841 Elizabeth Harrison and Thomas Ward lived at Canal Side, Attercliffe, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, with children Jane, Elizabeth, Thomas, Edwin, Harrison and female servant Ann Westren.¹

William Harrison

• Birth*: William Harrison was born circa 1770; based on age 29 years of age at time of marriage.¹
• Occupation*: William Harrison was a silversmith in 1799.
• Anecdote: William Harrison made a silver knitting sheath for his future wife, Sarah Littlewood, which survives today. With the knitting sheath is a note from Anne Ward, William and Sarah's granddaughter, which reads: "This knitting sheath was made by our Grandfather William Harrison (who was a silversmith) and given to our Grandmother Sarah Littlewood before their marriage. Ann Ward. To go to Harrison Ward at my death or to one of Tom's Daughters."
  
• Marriage*: William Harrison married Sarah Littlewood, daughter of John Littlewood, on 6 May 1799 at Sheffield, Yorkshire, England.¹
• Occupation: William Harrison was a silverplater in 1810.²
• Death*: William Harrison died in 1810 at Yorkshire, England.²
• Probate*: His estate was probated on 12 October 1810 at Sheffield, Yorkshire, England.²
• Anecdote*: The record of probate summarises the will and indicates that Elizabeth was the only surviving child. She was underage at the time of William's death, and John Littlewood and Jarvis Brady were appointed executors to manage a trust established for Elizabeth. The estate was valued at £450.