Ancestors of Mandy Willard

Nicholas CATT (c1590-?)

and Ann HIGHAM (c1595-?)

Nicholas Catt and Ann Hyam married on 17 July 1615 in Westfield, Sussex.  Her surname was recorded as Hyam in the Sussex Family History Group's marriage index and Hyde in the IGI.  He or another Nicholas Catt married Ann Freeman on 21 September 1607 in Ewhurst, Sussex.  He was then of Hawkhurst, Kent, whilst Ann was of Ewhurst.  Yet another Nicholas Catt married Joan Ilgate (?-1632) on 23 September 1609 in Rotherfield.

Nicholas Catt's date and place of birth/baptism are unknown, to me.

Ann Higham's date and place of birth/baptism are unknown, to me.  Might she have been the daughter of Stephen Hiham and Alice Gillit who married in Ticehurst in 1590 or William Heygham and Margaret Pankerst who married in 1583, also in Ticehurst?  An Anne Hygham was baptised on 3 February 1598/9 in Iden, Sussex, the daughter of Richard Higham and Elizabeth, but she probably married in Iden in 1626.  An Anne Catt was buried on 5 April 1617 in Westfield - was this the burial of mother or daughter or someone else?

Nicholas Catt and Ann Higham may have had the following children:

1. John Catt was baptised on 27 September 1613 in Westfield, Sussex.  (Was he the son of a first marriage?)  He may have married Susan Gunter by licence on 15 December 1635 in Burwash.  Their marriage licence was issued on 7 December 1635 by the Archdeaconry of Lewes which recorded that he was a yeoman of Ewhurst and she a spinster of Burwash.  Surety for the licence was provided by John himself and Anthony Medhurst a yeoman of Mountfield.

2. Nicholas Catt was born on 30 October 1615 in Westfield.

   Was he also baptised on 1 October 1615 in Sedlescombe, Sussex?  His father was from Brede, but was not named in the baptism register.

   On 22 February 1652, a Nicholas Catt yeoman of Ewhurst took on Leonard Coeman as a husbandry apprentice.  Which Nicholas was this?  Was it 1615 Nicholas or perhaps the Nicholas Catt who left a will in 1659?

3. Anne Catt was born on 4 February 1616/7 and baptised on 2 April 1617 in Westfield.  (Is it possible her name was wrongly recorded in the baptism register?)

Stephen Higham and Johan had the following children:

1. John Higham was baptised on 21 April 1560 in Ticehurst.  He was the father of:

   1. Jane Highame was baptised on 30 March 1589 in Ticehurst.

2. Margaret Hygham was baptised on 27 December 1561 in Ticehurst.

3. Peter Higham was baptised on 22 August 1563 in Ticehurst.  As Peter Heyman he may have left a will dated 14 September 1621.  He married Dorothy Ornall on 25 June 1593 in Burwash.  They may have been the parents of:

   1. John Highame was baptised on 30 March 1594 in Ticehurst.  He may have married Martha Bunce on 28 Juen 1619 in Burwash.

   2. Jone Higham was baptised on 8 February 1596 in Ticehurst.  She may have married William Gilles on 16 April 1620 in Battle.

   3. Dorate Higham was baptised on 2 December 1598 in Ticehurst.  She may have married John Hunnt on 16 April 1620 in Battle.

   4. Thomas Higham was baptised on 29 July 1607 in Ticehurst.

A Stephen Higham, labourer of Ticehust, left a will dated 28 March 1605 or 11 February (ref 127-66).

Edward Higham was the father of:

1. Martha Highame was baptised on 18 January 1588 in Ticehurst.

2. Edmunde Highome was baptised on 7 October 1593 in Ticehurst.

Stephen Higham married Alice Gellit on 17 June 1590 in Ticehurst.  They may have been the parents of:

1. Jone Higham was baptised on 28 March 1596 in Ticehurst.

William Higham married Margaret Pankerst on 2 November 1583 in Ticehurst.  They may have been the parents of:

1. Grace Higham was baptised on 1 May 1586 in Ticehurst.

2. Robert Highame was baptised on 14 January 1588 in Ticehurst.

CATT          HIGHAM