Raphe Akehurst

b. circa 1625, d. 1666

Parents:

Father: Raffe Akehurst b. c 1590, d. 1653/54
Mother: Letticia (?) d. 1631
Last Edited: 4 Jan 2022
  • Birth*: Raphe Akehurst was born circa 1625 at Sussex, England.
  • He was the son of Raffe Akehurst and Letticia (?)
  • (Witness) Will: Raphe Akehurst is mentioned in the will of Raffe Akehurst dated 23 December 1652 at Lewes, Sussex, EnglandB.1
  • Marriage*: Raphe Akehurst married BW73 Mary Baker, daughter of Richard Baker and Anne Akehurst, on 11 August 1653 at Warbleton, Sussex, EnglandB, Randolph [Raphe] Akehurst of Cliffe, Lewes and Mary Baker of Burwash.2
  • Anecdote: Mortgage by Lease for £120
    Date: 3 June 1656
    Thomas Akehurst of Jevington, yeoman, and his wife Susanna Akehurst to Ralph Akehurst of the Cliffe near Lewes, haberdasher
    1.     3 pieces of land called Fritters Water, Cuthale and the Knowle (9 acres) in Jevington and Willingdon
    2.     a close called the Two acre piece (2 acres) in Jevington, one other piece in Eastwish in Willingdon (1 rood), another piece (3 roods) in a field called Stonefield in Willingdon, several pieces in Jevington (4 acres)
    Witnesses: Richard Lewis, Jane Lewis, John Store, Thomas Snatt etc
    This supports the origin of this Akehurst line being Jane Akehurst of Folkington which is adjacent to both Jevington and Willingdon. (ESRO: SAS/C 456.)
  • Occupation*: Raphe Akehurst was a haberdasher in 1666.3
  • Will*: Raphe Akehurst left a will made on 27 August 1666 at St Thomas a Beckett, Lewes, Sussex, EnglandB: "residing in Dublin, Ireland."3
  • Will/Adm Transcript*: Will of Raphe Akehurst of Lewes, 1666
    (TNA: PROB 11/322/49)
    Made: 27th August 1666
    Proved: 5th October 1666
    In the name of God Amen the Twenty Seaventh day of August in the yeare of our lord God one Thousand Six Hundred Sixty and Six And in the Eighteenth yeare of the Raigne of our Soveraigne Lord King Charles the Second of England etc I Raphe Akehurst of Cliffe neare Lewes in the County of Sussex Haberdasher now resideing in the CItty of Dublin in the Realme of Ireland being sicke and weake of body But of sound and perfect memory (Praise be given to God for the same) And knowing the uncertenty of this life on Earth And being desirous to settle things in order doe make this my last will and Testament in manner and forme following (That is to say) First and principally I Commend my soule to Almighty God my Creator Assuredly believing that I shall receive full pardon and free remission of all my sinnes And be saved by the pretious death and merits of my blessed Saviour Christ Jesus And my body to the earth from whence it was taken To be buried in such Christian manner As to my frends within the CItty of Dublin shalbe thought meete and convenient And as touching my worldly Estate As the Lord by much mercy hath beene pleased to lend me my will and meaning is the same shalbe ymployed and bestowed as by this my will is expressed And first I doe revoake renounce frustrate and make void All wills by me formerly made And declare and appoint this my last will and Testament Item I give and bequeath unto my dearly beloved wife Mary Akehurst Two hundred pounds Sterling Currant and lawfull money of and in England To be paid unto her out of the First money That shalbe raysed out of the issues and profits of the land that Robert Fennell gent made over unto me by Deed which Two hundred pounds I devise unto her in consideracion of that house I lately soulde of hers in the Towne and Port of Hastings in the County of Sussex aforesaid Item I give and devise unto my Eldest sonne Ralphe Akehurst the summe of Fifty pounds Sterling Currant and lawfull money of and in England And my will and meaning is that the said Fifty pounds shalbe ymployed and given to binding ……………. as Apprentice to a Lynnen Draper as soone as he shalbe capable to be bound Apprentice All the rest of my goodes and Chattells my debs Legacies and funeral Expences discharged I give and bequeath to my Foure youngest Children Samuell Akehurst Alexander Akehurst John Akehurst and Thomas Akehurst to be equally devided betwixt them And my will and meaning is that the remainder of my Estate devised to my said Foure youngest Children be imployed for their best Advantage until they attaine the age of one and Twenty yeares And if any or either of my said Foure Children happen to depart this life before hee or they attaine their severall ages aforesaid That then my will and meaning is That the same shalbe equally devided betwixt the Survivors of my said Children And my will and desire is That my said wife with the advice and consent of my Executors and Overseers hereafter named Doe sett the Shopp with soe much of the House in the Cliffe aforesaid for the better putting of my goods and the advancement of my Estate And my will and meaning is That my said wife and Children doe keepe the back part of my house aforesaid and follow such Trade in buying and selling as shee with the advice of my Executors and Overseers shall thinke most fitt and convenient Item my will and desire is That my House and Two Gardens in Hastings aforesaid be sold by my Executors for the best advantage of my said Foure Children And the Twelveth part of that Barke I have with Captaine Tetterffeild of Brighthelmston in the County of Sussex aforesaid which Cost me Thirty pounds Sterling But that I leave to the discretion of my wife and my Executors whether to be sold or not but in my Thoughts it may be usefull to her for Coales and Salt Item I doe make and ordaine my welbeloved Brother Alexander Akehurst of Leatherhead in the County of Surrey gent my full and sole Executor of this my last will and Testament And also I desire my Loveing Frends Mr Thomas Parge? of Stoneham and Mr William Elphicke of Cliffe aforesaid my Overseers To see this my last will and Testament performed In Witnes whereof I the said Ralph Akehurst have hereunto sett my hand and seale and published this to be my last will and Testament the day and yeare First above written Ra: Akehurst Signed sealed Published and declared in the presence of Chr: Arundell Geo Tracy Robert Fennell Ri Baker William Carter

    Probatum fuit Testamentum suprascriptum apud ades Exon Coram Petro Lane in Artibus magistro Surrogato venerabilis viri Domini Guilielmi Mericke militis Legum Doctoris Curia Prerogativa Cantuariensis Magistro Custodis sive Commissarii legitime constituto Quinto die mensis Octobris Anno Domini Millesimo Sexcentesimo Sexagesimo Sexto Juramento Alexander Akehurst fratris dicti defuncti et Executoris in huiusmodi Testamento nominato Cui Commissa fuit Administratio omnium et singulorum bonorum Jurium et Creditorum dicti defuncti de bene et fideliter Administrando eadem Ad Sancta Dei Evangelia Jurat
    (Transcribed by Rosie Ansell July 2016.)
  • Death*: Raphe Akehurst died in 1666 at Dublin, Ireland.
  • Probate*: His estate was probated on 5 October 1666 at London, England.

Family:

BW73 Mary Baker b. c 1635, d. Sep 1691

Children:

Raphe Akehurst b. c 1655
Samuel Akehurst b. c 1657, d. 1679
Alexander Akehurst b. c 1659, d. 1683
John Akehurst b. c 1661, d. 1672
Thomas Akehurst b. 7 Nov 1664
Mary Akehurst b. c 1665

Citations

  1. [S764] Will of Raphe Akehurst of Lewes, Sussex, England, made 23 Dec 1652, proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 26 Dec 1654. (TNA: PROB 11/248/299).
  2. [S24] Index to Marriages, 1538-1837, Compact Disc SFHGCD003, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, 2008.
  3. [S765] Will of Raphe Akehurst of Lewes, Sussex, England, made 27 Aug 1666, proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 5 Oct 1666. (TNA: PROB 11/322/49).

Lettitia Akehurst

b. circa 1630

Parents:

Father: Raffe Akehurst b. c 1590, d. 1653/54
Mother: Letticia (?) d. 1631
Last Edited: 30 Aug 2018

Citations

  1. [S764] Will of Raphe Akehurst of Lewes, Sussex, England, made 23 Dec 1652, proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 26 Dec 1654. (TNA: PROB 11/248/299).

BW73 Mary Baker

b. circa 1635, d. September 1691
Token issued by Mary Akehurst at Cliffe, Lewes, 1667 (obverse)

Parents:

Father: Richard Baker b. c 1609, d. Sep 1637
Mother: Anne Akehurst b. 2 Sep 1610
Last Edited: 8 Jul 2023
  • Birth*: BW73 Mary Baker was born circa 1635 at Hastings, Sussex, EnglandB.1
  • She was the daughter of Richard Baker and Anne Akehurst.
  • (Witness) Will: BW73 Mary Baker is mentioned in the will of Richard Baker dated 10 September 1637 at Hastings, Sussex, EnglandB.1
  • Marriage*: BW73 Mary Baker married Raphe Akehurst, son of Raffe Akehurst and Letticia (?), on 11 August 1653 at Warbleton, Sussex, EnglandB, Randolph [Raphe] Akehurst of Cliffe, Lewes and Mary Baker of Burwash.2
  • Married Name: As of 11 August 1653, her married name was Akehurst.
  • Anecdote*: Mary Akehurst was born of a reasonably wealthy family and was an early Quaker in the town of Lewes. She was much persecuted in her lifetime and spent time in prison for her beliefs.
    The first preaching by a Quaker in Sussex was in 1655 at Horsham and in the same year they preached at Lewes where a group calling themselves "Seekers" were converted. In 1668 the Lewes Quaker meeting formally became part of the movement named the "Society of Friends".
    Mary was clearly an independent and strong willed woman but suffered greatly until 1689 when the Act of Toleration released Quakers from the obligation of attending church and taking the sacraments. She was probably also somewhat relieved by the death of her husband Raphe Akehurst in 1666 who clearly did not share her beliefs (see below).
    After the death of her husband she carried on the family business and in 1667 issued a halfpenny token in her name (Sussex BW73) which now seems to stand as a symbol of her strength and resilience (tokens were issued by traders after the Civil War due to a shortage of coins). She continued her support of the Quakers until her death in 1691 playing a key role in the development of the Society of Friends at Lewes.
    It is also clear that she had the support of her children who were also members of the Quakers at Lewes. All her surviving children (sons Raphe, Alexander and Thomas and daughter Mary) were fined at various times, typically for non attendance at the Anglican church.
    The passage below is just one account of her early sufferings as a Quaker at the hands of her husband:
    In this year [1659] Mary Akehurst, the wife of Ralph Akehurst, of the Cliff,
    neare Lewis, beeing moved to goe to St Michal’s Steeplehouse [church] (soe called), where an
    Independent priest [Walter Postlethwaite] was speaking, she for asking him a question,
    was by people haled out, and then sent for her aforesaid husband, who after she came
    home, did so hunch and pincht her, that she could not lift her arms to her head.
    The same Ralph again on the seventeenth day of the third month of this present
    yeare, bound the hands and feet of his said wife and pinioned her, and then covered her
    very hot with bed-cloathes, and soe kept her for the space of foure or five houres; this it
    seems he did because she tooke occasion to reprove a hireling priest for belying her.
    Againe, upon the twenty-fifth day of the eighth month, the aforesaid Ralph did
    sorely abuse his wife, on which the following lines were sent unto two Justices of the Peace
    (soe called), to complain of and to declare the same that she might not perish in private,
    but to lay it home to them, then in authority, viz.:
    Whereas complaint hath beene made unto two of those who are in place to doe justice
    as, namely, Richard Boughton and Nathaniel Studly, of cruel persecution inflicted upon
    the body of a woman in the Clift, neare Lewis, by the hands of a wicked tirant, who is
    called her husband; his name is Ralph Akehurst, he hath chained his wife in a close
    back chamber in his house, between two high bed-steads, with a great chain much like a
    timber chain, containing thirty-five links, and a staple and lock, soe that this woman
    cannot move aboute the roome, or lye in the bed without this chaine, soe that with wait of
    itt it hath done much wrong to her legg, besides blows and bruses that he hath given her
    in executing his cruelty in putting on of this chaine, soe that thereby her body is much
    weakened at present, and murther may ensue if the Lord by his providence doth not some
    way for her deliverance; for this man hath promised that he will never unlock the chaine
    from off her, soe that in all likelyhood his heart is bent to destroy the body of this woman
    someway, for he hath attempted her life, as she hath said, by endeavouring to throatle her.
    We set this forth to declare to the world, that if this woman shall putt off the body or
    sacrifice her life through his cruelty, that none shall hereafter upon just grounds say that
    she hath destroyed herself, or done any evil to her owne body, soe that if inocent blood be
    shead, we shall be cleare and the guilt shall remaine upon the heads which suffer such things to be done.
    Mary Akehurst
    Subscribed by Mary Coulstock
    Ambrose Galloway
    Mary Dapson.3
  • (Witness) Will: BW73 Mary Baker is mentioned in the will of Raphe Akehurst dated 27 August 1666 at St Thomas a Beckett, Lewes, Sussex, EnglandB; "residing in Dublin, Ireland."4
  • Anecdote: Mary's husband Raphe died in 1666 and he wrote his will that year while residing in Ireland. It is assumed that he died there. His presence there is not necessarily surprising as his business was concerned with importing and exporting goods from Lewes (as his father had done) and that his will indicates that he owned a one twelveth part interest in a boat. He was accused of smuggling more than once!
  • Anecdote: In 1672 Mary was visited by William Penn who lodged with her. Penn was an early Quaker and advocate of democracy and religious freedom, and later the founder of the English North American Colony the Province of Pennsylvania.5
  • Anecdote: In 1675 Mary Akehurst, widow, was fined seven pounds for being part of a meeting of Friends (Quakers).6
  • Anecdote: In 1681 the Friend's Monthly Meeting reproved Widow Akehurst for allowing her children to "scoff at people on the fast day as they went to the Steeplehouse [church]".7
  • Anecdote: In 1683, Mary Akehurst widow, Mary Akehurst spinster, and Thomas Akehurst were fined for absenting themselves from church for three Sundays.8
  • Anecdote: Mary was one of the last Quakers to be held prisoner at Horsham gaol. She was sued for not paying tithes and excommunicated for refusing to pay. "On Sunday morning, 10th July 1687, although poor and weak, she was taken on horseback to Horsham Gaol, one of the bailiffs drunk with many oaths threatening that if she could not hold on he would have her dragged at the horse’s tail. Eventually they got her to the gaol where she remained a close prisoner for 7 months and was afterwards committed to the Kings Bench prison in London. The Kings Bench prison was for debtors. It is not surprising that Friends who had been fined and had the tools of their trade taken from them should find themselves unable to pay their creditors, but it is surprising that they counted it a kindness when one of these creditors sued them. The debtor’s prison was a much more comfortable place than Horsham Gaol! Soon afterwards in 1689 the Act of Toleration released Friends from the obligation of attending church and taking the sacraments. This ended the worst of the persecution, but they were still liable for the payment of tithes and suffered much financial loss during the next two centuries."9
  • Death*: BW73 Mary Baker died in September 1691 at Sussex, England.
  • Burial*: BW73 Mary Baker was buried on 29 September 1691 at Quaker burial ground, Rottingdean, Sussex, England.10
  • Anecdote: Quakers would not have their bodies buried in consecrated ground and hence provided their own burial grounds, or utilized their own orchards or gardens.The burial ground for Quakers at Lewes was at Rottingdean (Coords: 50.807409, -0.057749). It was bought by Nicholas Beard in 1661. The Beard family were a local landowning family who were influential in the local Quaker movement. 102 individuals are known to have been buried at the site between 1675 and 1889. The majority of the graves appear to have been unmarked, which is in line with Quaker tradition.

Family:

Raphe Akehurst b. c 1625, d. 1666

Children:

Raphe Akehurst b. c 1655
Samuel Akehurst b. c 1657, d. 1679
Alexander Akehurst b. c 1659, d. 1683
John Akehurst b. c 1661, d. 1672
Thomas Akehurst b. 7 Nov 1664
Mary Akehurst b. c 1665

Citations

  1. [S769] Will of Richard Baker of Hastings, Sussex, England, made 10 Sep 1637, proved in the Archdeaconry Court of Lewes, 27 Jan 1638. (ESRO: PBT/1/1/25/80).
  2. [S24] Index to Marriages, 1538-1837, Compact Disc SFHGCD003, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, 2008.
  3. [S768] David Hitchin, "Quakers in Lewes: an informal history", 2nd Edition (2010), ISBN: 978-1-4461-4488-6, p.18-20.
  4. [S765] Will of Raphe Akehurst of Lewes, Sussex, England, made 27 Aug 1666, proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 5 Oct 1666. (TNA: PROB 11/322/49).
  5. [S768] David Hitchin, "Quakers in Lewes: an informal history", 2nd Edition (2010), ISBN: 978-1-4461-4488-6, p.20.
  6. [S768] David Hitchin, "Quakers in Lewes: an informal history", 2nd Edition (2010), ISBN: 978-1-4461-4488-6, p.28.
  7. [S359] Colin Brent, "Pre-Georgian Lewes: c890-1714: the emergence of a county town", 1st Edition (2004) p. 372.
  8. [S768] David Hitchin, "Quakers in Lewes: an informal history", 2nd Edition (2010), ISBN: 978-1-4461-4488-6, p.43.
  9. [S768] David Hitchin, "Quakers in Lewes: an informal history", 2nd Edition (2010), ISBN: 978-1-4461-4488-6, p.44-45.
  10. [S388] Website "FamilySearch" (http://www.familysearch.org/) "Film no: 007561620; Image no: 149."

Raphe Akehurst

b. circa 1655

Parents:

Father: Raphe Akehurst b. c 1625, d. 1666
Mother: BW73 Mary Baker b. c 1635, d. Sep 1691
Last Edited: 30 Aug 2018

Citations

  1. [S765] Will of Raphe Akehurst of Lewes, Sussex, England, made 27 Aug 1666, proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 5 Oct 1666. (TNA: PROB 11/322/49).
  2. [S244] Website "Ancestry" (http://www.ancestry.co.uk/) "The National Archives; Kew, England; General Register Office: Society of Friends' Registers, Notes and Certificates of Births, Marriages and Burials; Class: RG 6; Piece: 1264."

Samuel Akehurst

b. circa 1657, d. 1679

Parents:

Father: Raphe Akehurst b. c 1625, d. 1666
Mother: BW73 Mary Baker b. c 1635, d. Sep 1691
Last Edited: 7 Sep 2018

Citations

  1. [S765] Will of Raphe Akehurst of Lewes, Sussex, England, made 27 Aug 1666, proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 5 Oct 1666. (TNA: PROB 11/322/49).
  2. [S388] Website "FamilySearch" (http://www.familysearch.org/) "Film no: 007561620; Image no: 147."

Alexander Akehurst

b. circa 1659, d. 1683

Parents:

Father: Raphe Akehurst b. c 1625, d. 1666
Mother: BW73 Mary Baker b. c 1635, d. Sep 1691
Last Edited: 7 Sep 2018

Citations

  1. [S765] Will of Raphe Akehurst of Lewes, Sussex, England, made 27 Aug 1666, proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 5 Oct 1666. (TNA: PROB 11/322/49).
  2. [S388] Website "FamilySearch" (http://www.familysearch.org/) "Film no: 007561620; Image no: 148."

John Akehurst

b. circa 1661, d. 1672

Parents:

Father: Raphe Akehurst b. c 1625, d. 1666
Mother: BW73 Mary Baker b. c 1635, d. Sep 1691
Last Edited: 7 Sep 2018

Citations

  1. [S765] Will of Raphe Akehurst of Lewes, Sussex, England, made 27 Aug 1666, proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 5 Oct 1666. (TNA: PROB 11/322/49).
  2. [S388] Website "FamilySearch" (http://www.familysearch.org/) "Film no: 007561620; Image no:."

Thomas Akehurst

b. 7 November 1664

Parents:

Father: Raphe Akehurst b. c 1625, d. 1666
Mother: BW73 Mary Baker b. c 1635, d. Sep 1691
Last Edited: 6 Sep 2018

Citations

  1. [S388] Website "FamilySearch" (http://www.familysearch.org/) "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975."
  2. [S765] Will of Raphe Akehurst of Lewes, Sussex, England, made 27 Aug 1666, proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 5 Oct 1666. (TNA: PROB 11/322/49).
  3. [S244] Website "Ancestry" (http://www.ancestry.co.uk/) "The National Archives; Kew, England; General Register Office: Society of Friends' Registers, Notes and Certificates of Births, Marriages and Burials; Class: RG 6; Piece: 1264."
  4. [S768] David Hitchin, "Quakers in Lewes: an informal history", 2nd Edition (2010), ISBN: 978-1-4461-4488-6, p.35.
  5. [S359] Colin Brent, "Pre-Georgian Lewes: c890-1714: the emergence of a county town", 1st Edition (2004) p. 370.
  6. [S359] Colin Brent, "Pre-Georgian Lewes: c890-1714: the emergence of a county town", 1st Edition (2004) p. 354.

George Cottara

Last Edited: 31 Aug 2018

Family:

Child:

Sarah Catherine Ward

b. 5 March 1861

Parents:

Father: Edwin Ward b. c 1840, d. 14 Nov 1896
Mother: Mary (?) b. 1841, d. 22 Sep 1867
Last Edited: 31 Aug 2018

Elizabeth Collins

Last Edited: 31 Aug 2018

Family:

Francis Akehurst b. 16 Sep 1743

Citations

  1. [S24] Index to Marriages, 1538-1837, Compact Disc SFHGCD003, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, 2008.

Edward Akehurst

b. 2 October 1700, d. 1758

Parents:

Father: John Akehurst b. 17 Nov 1671, d. Jan 1714/15
Mother: Ann (?)
Last Edited: 4 Jan 2022
  • Baptism*: Edward Akehurst was baptized on 2 October 1700 at St Mary the Virgin, Warbleton, Sussex, EnglandB.1
  • He was the son of John Akehurst and Ann (?)
  • (Witness) Will: Edward Akehurst is mentioned in the will of John Akehurst dated 13 January 1714/15 at Warbleton, Sussex, EnglandB.2
  • Marriage*: Edward Akehurst married Mary (?) circa 1725 at Sussex, England.
  • Will*: Edward Akehurst left a will made on 10 October 1757 at Hooe, Sussex, EnglandB.3
  • Will/Adm Transcript*: Will of Edward Akehurst of Hooe, 1758
    (ESRO: PBT/1/1/59/624)
    Made: 10 Oct 1757
    Proved: 30 Mar 1758
    www.familysearch.org (film: 1886025; Image: 18)
    In the Name of God Amen I Edward Akehurst of the Parish of Hoo in the County of Sussex Yeoman being Weak in Body but of Sound and Perfect Mind Memmory and Understanding Praised be Almighty God for the same Do this present Tenth Day of October in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Seven Make and Ordain Publish and Declare this my last Will and Testament in Writing in Manner and Form following That is to say First and Principally I Recommend my Soul to Almighty God that gave it And my Body to the Earth to receive a Decent and Christian like Burial at the Discretion of my Executors herein after Named And as Touching and concerning my Worldly Goods and Effects I Do Dispose of the Same as Followeth In the first place I give and Bequeath unto my two Grandsons Richard Stubberfield and Edward Stubberfield Sons of Richard Stubberfield the Younger of Bexhill each of them two pair of Sheets to be chose for them out of my Linnen by my Executors and to be kept by my Executors untill the said Richard and Edward Stubberfield shall Attain to the Age of Twenty one Years and then to be Deliver’d to them Also I Give and Bequeath unto my Daughter Sarah the Wife of John Akehurst of the Parish of Hoo my Chest of Drawers and also all my Linnen (Except before Given) that I shall have in my House or elswhere at the Time of my Decease to be Deliver’d to her by my Executors within Months after my Decease Also I give and Bequeath unto my Grandson Thomas Akehurst the Son of John and Sarah Akehurst of the Parish of Hoo My Colt that came of the Pony Mare Except the said Colt be Dead or Sold before my Decease But if the Said Colt be Sold before my Decease then my Will is that my said Grandson Thomas Akehurst shall have So much Money as the Said Colt Shall be Sold for over and above the Legacys hereinafter Given him And all the rest residue and remainder of my Said Goods Chattels and Effects of whatsoever kind or wheresoever the Same or any part thereof is or may be found I Give and bequeath unto my Executors hereinafter named But nevertheless only uppon this Trust that the Same may be Sold as Soon as Conveniently may be after my Decease for the best Purchase they can get and the Money ariseing from Such Sale I Give and Despose of as followeth First I Give and Bequeath unto Mary Sharp (my Maid Servant) the Sum of Ten Pounds of Lawful Money of Great Brittain to be paid her by my Executors within Six Months after my Decease Also I give and Bequeath unto my Grandson Richard Stubberfield the Sum of Five Shillings of Lawful Money of England to be Paid him by my Executors when he shall attain to the Age of Twenty one Years Also I give and Bequeath unto my Grandson Edward Stubberfield the Sum of Thirty Pounds of Good and Lawful Money of Great Brittain to be Paid him by my Executors when he shall attain to the Age of Twenty one Years Also I give and Bequeath unto the First Son of my Daughter Sarah that shall Live and first Attain to the Age of Twenty one Years the Sum of Five Shillings of like Lawful Money to be paid him by my Executors at the Time aforesaid And also I give and Bequeath the Sum of thirty Pounds of Lawful Money of Great Brittain to be Divided amongst all the rest of the Children of My Daughter Sarah Share and Share alike and to be paid them by my Executors when they Shall Severaly attain to the Age of Twenty one Years And all the rest residue and remainder of the Money ariseing by Such Sale as aforesaid and remaining in the hands of my Executors // (My Debts Legacys Funeral Expences and the Probate of this my Last Will &c) being first paid and Discharged I Give and Dispose of as followeth (that is to say) One Moiety or half part thereof to my Grandsons Richard and Edward Stubberfield aforesaid to be Equally Divided between them Share and Share alike and to be paid them by my Executors when they shall Severally Attain to the Age of Twenty one Years The other Moiety or half part to all the Children of my Daughter Sarah to be equally Divided amongst them Share and Share alike and to be paid them by my Executors when they shall Severaly attain to the Age of Twenty one Years And my Will is that if it shall happen that either of my Grandsons Richard or Edward Stubberfield Shall Dye before they attain to the Age of Twenty one Years and not leaving a Child or Children Lawfully Begotten of their Bodies then such Legacy part or Share as aforesaid as would have been payable to him at the Time he should have ariv’d to the Age of Twenty one Years to be paid to the surviving Brother when he shall attain to the Age of Twenty one Years But if they have a Child or Children Lawfully Begoten then Such Child or Children to have their Deceased Fathers part And further my Will that if they shall both happen to Dye before they Attain to the Age of Twenty one Years and not have a Child or Children Lawfully Begotten then their Legacys parts or shares to go to the Children of my Daughter Sarah to be equally divided amongst them Share and Share alike and be paid to them by my Executors when they shall Severally Attain to the Age of Twenty one Years The Same Rules to be Used at the Discretion of my Executors amongst the Children of my Daughter Sarah In case any of them Should Dye as aforesaid And Further my Will is that my Executors Shall put the Money arising by the Sale of the Effects as Aforesaid Out at Interest on a good and Sufficient Security as Soon as conveniently they can (but if there shall happen any loss thereby my Executors not to Suffer that loss) And the Interest ariseing therefrom to be Aplied at the Descretion of my Executors for and towards the Maintaining and Educating of my Grand Children aforesaid as they shall think proper and convenient And further I do hereby Nominate Constitute and Apoint my Trusty Friends John Blackman of the Parish of Hoo and George Hammond of Bexhill Joynt Executors of this My last Will and Testament (Revokeing all former Wills whatsoever by me formerly made and Declareing them to be Void and of no Effect) And Allowing my said Executors all Reasonable Charges and Expence which they shall be at in and about the Same And lastly I give and Bequeat unto my Said Executors each of them One Guinea for their Trouble In Witness whereof I the Said Edward Akehurst have to this my last Will and Testament Wrote on two Sheets of Paper to each Sheet of Paper Sett my Hand and Seal the Day and Year first above Written
    The mark of Edward Akehurst
    Signed Sealed Publised and Declared by the Testator Edward Akehurst to be his last Will and Testament In the Presence of us who have Subscribed our Names as Witnesses in the Presence and at the request of the Said Edward Akehurst the Testator
    John Beale
    Thomas Beale
    Ransom
    Probate: 30th March 1758 to John Blackman and George Hammond, executors.
    (Transcribed by Claire Wickens, 30 August 2018 for Geoffrey Barber.)
  • Death*: Edward Akehurst died in 1758 at Hooe, Sussex, EnglandB.
  • Burial*: Edward Akehurst was buried on 4 February 1758 at Hooe, Sussex, EnglandB.4
  • Probate: His estate was probated on 30 March 1758 at Archdeaconry of Lewes, Sussex, England.3

Family:

Mary (?) b. c 1700, d. 1756

Children:

Mary Akehurst+ b. 14 Jul 1725, d. 1753
Thomas Akehurst b. 6 Jan 1726/27, d. 1728
Sarah Akehurst+ b. 14 Jun 1728
Edward Akehurst b. 29 Jan 1730/31, d. 1752
Thomas Akehurst b. 30 Mar 1733, d. Dec 1733
Ann Akehurst b. 8 Sep 1734, d. Sep 1734
Elizabeth Akehurst b. 1 Jun 1740, d. 1751
Ann Akehurst b. 17 Jul 1741, d. 1753

Citations

  1. [S23] Online Index to Baptisms, 1538 onwards, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, http://www.sfhg.uk/, ongoing project,.
  2. [S789] Will of John Akehurst of Warbleton, Sussex, England, made 13 Jan 1714/15, proved in the Archdeaconry Court of Lewes, 25 Jun 1715. (ESRO: PBT 1/1/43/128).
  3. [S776] Will of Edward Akehurst of Hooe, Sussex, England, made 10 Oct 1757, proved in the Archdeaconry Court of Lewes, 30 Mar 1758. (ESRO: PBT/1/1/59/624).
  4. [S25] Online Index to Burials, 1538 onwards, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, http://www.sfhg.uk/, ongoing project,.

John Akehurst

b. 17 November 1671, d. January 1714/15

Parents:

Father: Samuel Akehurst b. c 1640, d. 1685
Mother: Mary Maides
Last Edited: 4 Jan 2022
  • Birth: John Akehurst was born in 1671 at Hellingly, Sussex, EnglandB.
  • Baptism*: John Akehurst was baptized on 17 November 1671 at St Peter & St Paul, Hellingly, Sussex, EnglandB.1
  • He was the son of Samuel Akehurst and Mary Maides.
  • Marriage*: John Akehurst married Ann (?) circa 1690 at Sussex, England.
  • Will*: John Akehurst left a will made on 13 January 1714/15 at Warbleton, Sussex, EnglandB.2
  • Will/Adm Transcript*: Will of John Akehurst of Warbleton, 1714
    (ESRO: PBT 1/1/43/128)
    Made: 13 Jan 1714/15
    Proved: 25 Jun 1715
    www.familysearch.org (film no: 1885993; image: 796)
    In the name of God amen, I John Akehurst of Warbleton in the County of Sussex being sick in body but of sound & perfect memory, praised be God for it, do make this my last Will and Testament as followeth.
    Imprimis I comment my soul to God trusting to be saved through the merits of our Saviour and my Body to the ground to be decently buried according to the usage of the Church of England.
    And after my just debts and funeral expences are satisfied and discharged I give and bequeath all the rest of my worldly goods and estate unto my loving wife Ann and my seven children John Sarah Mary Thomas Ann Edward and Samuel to be equally divided between them when my youngest child shall have attained the age of 21 years.
    And I do hereby constitute and ordain my said wife Ann and my son John joint Executors of this my last will & testament, desiring them to take all due care of my younger children & to do them justice. In witness of all which I have hereunto sett my hand and seal this 13th day of January 1714.
    X
    John Akehurst his mark
    Signed sealed published and declared in the presence of
    Roger Callow
    Joseph Stone
    John Wilmshurst

    25 June 1715
    [Latin – Anne Akehurst and Johannis Akehurst executors]
    Thos Pierce Snr
    (Transcribed by Geoffrey Barber, 23 April 2017.)
  • Death*: John Akehurst died in January 1714/15 at Warbleton, Sussex, EnglandB, at age 43.
  • Burial*: John Akehurst was buried on 19 January 1714/15 at St Mary the Virgin, Warbleton, Sussex, EnglandB.3
  • Probate: His estate was probated on 25 June 1715 at Archdeaconry of Lewes, Sussex, England, £241 4s 6d.

Family:

Ann (?)

Children:

John Akehurst+ b. c 1690, d. 1737
Sarah Akehurst b. 17 May 1691
Mary Akehurst b. c 1693
Thomas Akehurst b. 22 Dec 1695
Ann Akehurst b. 14 Mar 1697/98
Edward Akehurst+ b. 2 Oct 1700, d. 1758
Elizabeth Akehurst b. 7 Jan 1702/3
Samuel Akehurst b. 29 Mar 1705

Citations

  1. [S388] Website "FamilySearch" (http://www.familysearch.org/) ""England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V5L1-8JM : 11 February 2018, John Akehurst, 17 Nov 1671); citing , index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 942.25 H3 V26F."
  2. [S789] Will of John Akehurst of Warbleton, Sussex, England, made 13 Jan 1714/15, proved in the Archdeaconry Court of Lewes, 25 Jun 1715. (ESRO: PBT 1/1/43/128).
  3. [S25] Online Index to Burials, 1538 onwards, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, http://www.sfhg.uk/, ongoing project,.

Mary (?)

b. circa 1700, d. 1756
Last Edited: 12 Sep 2018

Family:

Edward Akehurst b. 2 Oct 1700, d. 1758

Children:

Mary Akehurst+ b. 14 Jul 1725, d. 1753
Thomas Akehurst b. 6 Jan 1726/27, d. 1728
Sarah Akehurst+ b. 14 Jun 1728
Edward Akehurst b. 29 Jan 1730/31, d. 1752
Thomas Akehurst b. 30 Mar 1733, d. Dec 1733
Ann Akehurst b. 8 Sep 1734, d. Sep 1734
Elizabeth Akehurst b. 1 Jun 1740, d. 1751
Ann Akehurst b. 17 Jul 1741, d. 1753

Citations

  1. [S25] Online Index to Burials, 1538 onwards, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, http://www.sfhg.uk/, ongoing project,.

Mary Akehurst

b. 14 July 1725, d. 1753

Parents:

Father: Edward Akehurst b. 2 Oct 1700, d. 1758
Mother: Mary (?) b. c 1700, d. 1756
Last Edited: 12 Sep 2018

Family:

Richard Stubberfield

Children:

Richard Stubberfield b. 2 Aug 1747
Edward Stubberfield b. 26 Feb 1747/48
Thomas Stubberfield b. 29 Jul 1750, d. Sep 1750

Citations

  1. [S23] Online Index to Baptisms, 1538 onwards, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, http://www.sfhg.uk/, ongoing project,.
  2. [S24] Index to Marriages, 1538-1837, Compact Disc SFHGCD003, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, 2008.
  3. [S25] Online Index to Burials, 1538 onwards, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, http://www.sfhg.uk/, ongoing project,.

Thomas Akehurst

b. 6 January 1726/27, d. 1728

Parents:

Father: Edward Akehurst b. 2 Oct 1700, d. 1758
Mother: Mary (?) b. c 1700, d. 1756
Last Edited: 31 Aug 2018

Citations

  1. [S23] Online Index to Baptisms, 1538 onwards, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, http://www.sfhg.uk/, ongoing project,.
  2. [S25] Online Index to Burials, 1538 onwards, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, http://www.sfhg.uk/, ongoing project,.

Sarah Akehurst

b. 14 June 1728

Parents:

Father: Edward Akehurst b. 2 Oct 1700, d. 1758
Mother: Mary (?) b. c 1700, d. 1756
Last Edited: 12 Sep 2018

Family:

John Akehurst b. c 1730, d. 1796

Children:

Elizabeth Akehurst b. 27 Apr 1753
Ann Akehurst b. 17 Feb 1754, d. Feb 1754
Thomas Akehurst b. 21 May 1756
John Akehurst b. 26 Dec 1758, d. 1759
William Akehurst b. 16 Oct 1762
John Akehurst+ b. 20 Oct 1766

Citations

  1. [S23] Online Index to Baptisms, 1538 onwards, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, http://www.sfhg.uk/, ongoing project,.
  2. [S24] Index to Marriages, 1538-1837, Compact Disc SFHGCD003, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, 2008.
  3. [S776] Will of Edward Akehurst of Hooe, Sussex, England, made 10 Oct 1757, proved in the Archdeaconry Court of Lewes, 30 Mar 1758. (ESRO: PBT/1/1/59/624).

Edward Akehurst

b. 29 January 1730/31, d. 1752

Parents:

Father: Edward Akehurst b. 2 Oct 1700, d. 1758
Mother: Mary (?) b. c 1700, d. 1756
Last Edited: 31 Aug 2018

Citations

  1. [S23] Online Index to Baptisms, 1538 onwards, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, http://www.sfhg.uk/, ongoing project,.
  2. [S25] Online Index to Burials, 1538 onwards, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, http://www.sfhg.uk/, ongoing project,.

Thomas Akehurst

b. 30 March 1733, d. December 1733

Parents:

Father: Edward Akehurst b. 2 Oct 1700, d. 1758
Mother: Mary (?) b. c 1700, d. 1756
Last Edited: 31 Aug 2018

Citations

  1. [S23] Online Index to Baptisms, 1538 onwards, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, http://www.sfhg.uk/, ongoing project,.
  2. [S25] Online Index to Burials, 1538 onwards, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, http://www.sfhg.uk/, ongoing project,.

Ann Akehurst

b. 8 September 1734, d. September 1734

Parents:

Father: Edward Akehurst b. 2 Oct 1700, d. 1758
Mother: Mary (?) b. c 1700, d. 1756
Last Edited: 31 Aug 2018

Citations

  1. [S23] Online Index to Baptisms, 1538 onwards, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, http://www.sfhg.uk/, ongoing project,.
  2. [S25] Online Index to Burials, 1538 onwards, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, http://www.sfhg.uk/, ongoing project,.

Elizabeth Akehurst

b. 1 June 1740, d. 1751

Parents:

Father: Edward Akehurst b. 2 Oct 1700, d. 1758
Mother: Mary (?) b. c 1700, d. 1756
Last Edited: 12 Sep 2018

Citations

  1. [S23] Online Index to Baptisms, 1538 onwards, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, http://www.sfhg.uk/, ongoing project,.
  2. [S25] Online Index to Burials, 1538 onwards, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, http://www.sfhg.uk/, ongoing project,.

Ann Akehurst

b. 17 July 1741, d. 1753

Parents:

Father: Edward Akehurst b. 2 Oct 1700, d. 1758
Mother: Mary (?) b. c 1700, d. 1756
Last Edited: 31 Aug 2018

Citations

  1. [S23] Online Index to Baptisms, 1538 onwards, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, http://www.sfhg.uk/, ongoing project,.
  2. [S25] Online Index to Burials, 1538 onwards, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, http://www.sfhg.uk/, ongoing project,.

John Akehurst

b. circa 1730, d. 1796
Last Edited: 12 Sep 2018

Family:

Sarah Akehurst b. 14 Jun 1728

Children:

Elizabeth Akehurst b. 27 Apr 1753
Ann Akehurst b. 17 Feb 1754, d. Feb 1754
Thomas Akehurst b. 21 May 1756
John Akehurst b. 26 Dec 1758, d. 1759
William Akehurst b. 16 Oct 1762
John Akehurst+ b. 20 Oct 1766

Citations

  1. [S24] Index to Marriages, 1538-1837, Compact Disc SFHGCD003, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, 2008.

Sarah Ann Griffiths

b. circa 1767, d. 26 January 1841
Last Edited: 7 May 2023
  • Birth*: Sarah Ann Griffiths was born circa 1767 at England.
  • Anecdote*: Sarah Ann was a widow when she gave birth to Richard Green Griffiths (illegitimate). The likely father is Richard Green who, according to the poor relief records of the parish of Theydon Garnon, received the following payments:
    1810 Jan 30. Richard Green ill                    5s.
    1810 Feb 14. Richard Green ill                    5s.
    These payments to Richard Green continued until July.
    1810 Jul 11. Paid for removing Richard Green to the Ospetal     10s.
    1810 Jul 15. Richard Green wife in distress               2s.6d.
    Payments continued to Richard Green’s wife until August.
    1810 Aug 10. Widow Green                    2s.
    Payments to Widow Green continued on into at least 1811.
    If this Richard Green is the father of Richard Green Griffiths, then he seems to have been becoming ill at around the time of Richard’s conception, and was dead before he was born.
    That could be possible – ill could mean just “not able to work”, rather than completely incapacitated with sickness.
    It is also possible that there was a Richard Green junior who was father to Richard Green Griffiths. This requires further investigation in the Theydon Garnon registers.1
  • Marriage*: Sarah Ann Griffiths married William Armstrong, son of John Armstrong and Susanna (?), on 16 October 1814 at Theydon Garnon, Essex, England, Witnesses: Joseph Armstrong, Peter Saville.2,3
  • Married Name: As of 16 October 1814, her married name was Armstrong.
  • Death*: Sarah Ann Griffiths died on 26 January 1841 at Back Street, Theydon Garnon, Essex, England. She died of "decay of nature".4
  • Burial*: Sarah Ann Griffiths was buried on 31 January 1841 at Epping Upland All Saints, Epping, Essex, EnglandB, "age 74 years."5

Family 1:

Richard Green b. c 1771, d. Aug 1810

Child:

Richard Green Griffiths+ b. 28 Oct 1810, d. 27 Apr 1879

Family 2:

William Armstrong b. 1768, d. 1832

Citations

  1. [S766] Theydon Garner All Saints Overseer's Accounts, 1809-1817. (D/P 152/12/9).
  2. [S767] Index to Essex Marriages, 1754-1851, compiled by Jack Baxter, Custodian: Rita Harris, e-mail address.
  3. [S802] Parish Register of Theydon Garnon, Essex, England, (ERO: D/P 152/1) "D/P 152/1/10."
  4. [S772] Death certificate of Sarah Armstrong, died 26 Jan 1841, registered 26 Jan 1841 in the Registration District of Epping, Essex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 12 Page 79).
  5. [S801] Parish Register of Epping Upland All Saints, Essex, England, (ERO: D/P 302/1) "D/P 302/1/13."

William Armstrong

b. 1768, d. 1832

Parents:

Last Edited: 2 Oct 2018

Family:

Sarah Ann Griffiths b. c 1767, d. 26 Jan 1841

Citations

  1. [S801] Parish Register of Epping Upland All Saints, Essex, England, (ERO: D/P 302/1) "D/P 302/1/6."
  2. [S767] Index to Essex Marriages, 1754-1851, compiled by Jack Baxter, Custodian: Rita Harris, e-mail address.
  3. [S802] Parish Register of Theydon Garnon, Essex, England, (ERO: D/P 152/1) "D/P 152/1/10."
  4. [S801] Parish Register of Epping Upland All Saints, Essex, England, (ERO: D/P 302/1) "D/P 302/1/13."

John Armstrong

Last Edited: 1 Sep 2018

Family:

Susanna (?)

Child:

William Armstrong b. 1768, d. 1832

Susanna (?)

Last Edited: 1 Sep 2018
  • Marriage*: Susanna (?) married John Armstrong circa 1760 at England.
  • Married Name: As of circa 1760, her married name was Armstrong.

Family:

John Armstrong

Child:

William Armstrong b. 1768, d. 1832

George Griffiths

b. 1846, d. 1851

Parents:

Father: Richard Green Griffiths b. 28 Oct 1810, d. 27 Apr 1879
Mother: Eliza Cornell b. 2 Apr 1814, d. 24 Mar 1887
Last Edited: 1 Sep 2018

Citations

  1. [S142] General Register Office: Indexes to Births, Sep 1837-2006, "Jul-Sep 1846, Islington, Vol 3 Page 276."
  2. [S141] General Register Office: Indexes to Deaths, Sep 1837 - 2006, "Jan-Mar 1851, Islington, Vol 3 Page 236. Age 4 years."

James Cornell

b. 11 January 1795

Parents:

Father: George Cornell b. c 1765, d. 31 Dec 1843
Mother: Lydia Noake b. c 1772, d. 30 Mar 1856
Last Edited: 1 Sep 2018

Elizabeth Cornell

b. 11 March 1798

Parents:

Father: George Cornell b. c 1765, d. 31 Dec 1843
Mother: Lydia Noake b. c 1772, d. 30 Mar 1856
Last Edited: 1 Sep 2018