Ancestors of Mandy Willard

Bridger CHAMPION (1740-?)

and Mary LUXFORD (?-?)

and Sarah WILLARD (1754-?)

Bridger Champion and wives, were not my direct ancestors.  He first married Mary Luxford by banns on 18 August 1767 in Cowfold, Sussex.  They were both then of Cowfold.  The witnesses to the marriage were Mary Field (see notes below) who made her X mark and Walter Hills (he was an Overseer of Cowfold in 1755 and died in 1802 aged 80 years).  Bridger next married Sarah Willard on 23 September 1774 in Findon, Sussex.  They married by licence, which stated he was a widower aged 29 years and of Findon, and she a 20 year old spinster of Storrington who married with the consent of her father, Jo. Willard a Farmer of Storrington.  Henry Baker provided surety for the marriage licence, which was dated 24 August 1774 and issued by the Archdeaconry of Chichester.

Bridger Champion was baptised on 1 February 1739/40 in Storrington, Sussex.  He was the son of John Champion and Hannah Longley, who had married on 23 September 1733 in Wiggonholt, Sussex.

Mary Luxford's date and place of birth/baptism are unknown.  She died between November 1771 and August 1774.  She may have been the daughter of:

Sarah Willard was born about 1754.  A Sarah Willard was baptised on 22 June 1754 in Storrington, Sussex, the daughter of Richard Willard (1715-?) and Jane Steer, but given that her father was named as Jo. Willard in her marriage licence, this baptism would seem unlikely.  A John Willard married Sarah Walder on 30 January 1754 in Burpham, Sussex, and Burpham borders Storrington to the south-west.  John may have died aged 71 years in 1790 in Storrington.

Bridger Champion and Mary Luxford had 2 known children:

1. Hannah Champion was baptised on 31 July 1768 in Findon.

2. James Champion was baptised on 17 November 1771 in Findon.  He may have died as an infant.

Bridger Champion and Sarah Willard had 10 known children:

1. John Champion was baptised on 9 October 1774 in Findon.  He died in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire in 1851.

   John married Sarah Turner on 18 July 1800 at St. Clement Dane in Westminster, London.

   John and Sarah had 8 known children:

   1. Thomas Champion was born in 1801 in Croydon, Surrey.  He died in the first quarter of 1875.

      Thomas married Catherine Wood on 2 September 1828 at St. Peter in Leckhampton, Gloucestershire.  She died in the fourth quarter of 1855.

      Thomas and Catherine had 8 known children:

      1. Anne Champion was born about 1830 in Leckhampton.

      2. William Champion was born about 1833 in Leckhampton.

      3. James Champion was born about 1834 in Leckhampton.

      4. Henry Champion was born about 1836 in Leckhampton.

      5. Ellen Champion was born about 1838 in Leckhampton.

      6. Frederick Champion was born about 1841 in Leckhampton.

      7. Emma Champion was born about 1842 in Leckhampton.

      8. Charles Champion was born about 1847 in Leckhampton.

   2. Elizabeth Champion was baptised on 7 June 1802 in Cheltenham.

   3. William Champion was baptised on 11 May 1804 in Cheltenham.

   4. Edmund Champion was baptised on 20 May 1805 in Cheltenham.

   5. Sarah Champion was baptised on 3 May 1807 in Cheltenham.

   6. Harriot Champion was baptised on 20 Jan 1811 in Cheltenham.

   7. John Champion was born about 1814 in Cheltenham.

   8. Esther Champion was born about 1815 in Cheltenham.

2. Ann Champion was baptised on 5 October 1777 in Findon.

3. Elizabeth Champion was baptised on 10 October 1779 in Findon.

4. Henry Champion was baptised on 5 February 1781 in Findon.

5. James Champion was baptised on 1 December 1782 in Findon.

6. William Champion was baptised on 26 April 1785 in Findon.

7. Richard Champion was baptised on 27 March 1788 in Findon.

8. David Champion was baptised on 11 December 1789 in Findon.  When the 1851 census was recorded David was a 61 year old widower and agricultural labourer living on Rogers Farm in Findon with his son Jesse.  On census night in 1861 he was a visitor at the Green Man Inn in Hurst Green Road, Ringmer, Sussex.  He was then said to be a 73 year old former agricultural labourer.

   David married Ann Hanson on 11 July 1814 in Findon.  He was then a bachelor and she a spinster, and they were both of Findon.  The witnesses to the marriage were George Holford (see notes below) and Susan Smith.

   David and Ann had 6 known children:

   1. Charles Champion was baptised on 16 February 1815 in Findon.

      Charles married Sarah Smith on 26 December 1842 in Brighton, Sussex.  Sarah was born about 1815 in West Grinstead, Sussex and was the daughter of Thomas Smith.

      When the 1851 census was recorded Charles and family were living in Droxford, Hampshire and Charles was a 37 year old huntsman.  By 1861 the family had moved to West Derby in Lancashire and Charles was still a huntsman.  At the time of the 1881 census, Charles, wife Sarah, daughter Emma and grandson 12 year old Frederick Champion were living at Woodlands in Ferring, Sussex, where Charles was a huntsman.

      Charles and Sarah may have had the following children:

      1. William Champion was born about 1839 in Findon.  He was 12 years old when the 1851 census was recorded.

      2. Susan Champion was born about 1842 in Findon.  She was a 9 year old scholar in 1851.  She was also known as Susannah.  She married Clement Harris Berry and the couple lived on the Wirral.

      3. Bridger Champion was baptised on 25 January 1845 in Findon.  He was a 6 year old scholar in 1851.  In 1861 he was a 16 year old "whipperin" and the eldest of his siblings living at home.  He married Caroline Cox on 25 July 1866 at St. Marys in Portsea, Hampshire.  When the 1881 census was recorded the couple and 5 children were living at Aske Wood Yard, Gilling, Yorkshire, where Bridger was a huntsman.

      4. Ellen Champion was baptised on 3 January 1847 in Findon.  She was 4 year old in 1851.  In 1861 she was a 14 year old scholar.

      5. Fanny Champion was born in Findon and baptised on 26 August 1849 in Droxford, Hampshire.  She was a year old in 1851 and an 11 year old scholar in 1861.

      6. Emma Champion was baptised on 30 March 1851 in Droxford.  When the 1851 census was recorded she was 2 months old.  She was a 10 year old scholar in 1861.  In 1881 she was an unmarried 30 year old domestic servant living with her parents.

   2. Susanna Champion was baptised on 9 February 1817 in Findon.

   3. Edward Champion was baptised on 10 February 1822 in Findon.  When the 1861 census was recorded he was an unmarried 38 year old servant and groom living at Folkington Place in Folkington, Sussex.  He married Sarah.  In 1881 the couple were living at 10 Hartington Place, Eastbourne, Sussex, where Edward was a lodging house keeper.

   4. George Champion was baptised on 10 December 1826 in Findon.  He married Sarah.  When the 1861 census was recorded the family were living at the Dog Kennels of Ringmer House in Ringmer, Sussex.  George was then a 36 year old huntsman.  In 1881 the couple together with son Charles Champion aged 26, niece Ellen Percival aged 21, and servant Fanny Newnham aged 16, were living in Ringmer House, Turnpike Road, Ringmer, Sussex, where George was a huntsman.

      George and Sarah had the following children:

      1. Charles Champion was born about 1855 in Reading, Berkshire.  He was a 6 year old scholar in 1861.

      2. Susan Champion was born about 1857 in Droxford, Hampshire.  She was a 4 year old scholar in 1861.

   5. Walter Champion was baptised on 17 May 1829 in Findon.  When the 1881 census was recorded he was an unmarried 53 year old gentleman visiting the home of William Horscroft at 10 Clarence Street, Brighton, Sussex.

   6. Jesse Champion was baptised on 17 May 1835 in Findon. He was a 16 year old errand boy in 1851.  He married Letitia.  In 1861 the couple were living in the parish of St. Giles in Camberwell, Surrey.  Jesse was then a 26 year old painter journeyman.  Letitia was a 25 year old schoolmistress who gave her place of birth as Dulwich, Surrey.

9. Charles Champion was baptised on 11 November 1792 in Findon.  He died before the recording of the 1851 census.

   Charles married Elizabeth Thorne by banns on 13 April 1818 in Findon.  He was then a bachelor and she a spinster, and they were both of Findon.  The witnesses were James Ratley (see notes below) and Mary Mandy Boston.

   Elizabeth was baptised on 28 October 1792 in West Grinstead, Sussex and was the daughter of Thomas Thorns (1758-?) and Elizabeth Luckens.  When the 1851 census was recorded she was a 58 year old shoemaker's widow living next door to her brother-in-law, David, at Rogers Farm in Findon.  In 1861 she was living with her son William and she was then described as a pauper.

   Charles and Elizabeth had 7 known children:

   1. William Champion was baptised on 29 August 1818 in Findon.  He married Mary Elizabeth Marsh on 3 July 1847 in Findon.

      Mary Elizabeth was born on 14 May 1820 in Fareham, Hampshire and baptised on 6 July 1824 in Portchester, Hampshire.  She was the daughter of James Joseph Marsh and Mary Elizabeth.

      When the 1851 census was recorded the family were living in Findon Village and William was a 32 year old gardener.  Also with them on census night were logder Reuben Parker a 21 year old unmarried under groom and visitor James William Marsh an unmarried 22 year old sign writer and grainer.

      William was still a gardener in 1861 and he was then living in Findon Street, Findon.  His wife was not at home on census night in 1861.  She was living at 83 Queen Street in Portsea, Hampshire, where she was described as the sister-in-law of Jesse Harris and his wife Charlotte.  Also living in the Harris household in 1861 was 61 year old mother-in-law, Mary E. Marsh who was a widow.

      William and Ann had 2 known children:

      1. Mary Elizabeth Champion was baptised on 3 September 1848 in Findon.  She was 2 years old in 1851.  She was a 12 year old scholar in 1861 living with her mother.

      2. William Bridger Champion was baptised on 3 October 1853 in Findon.  He was a 7 year old scholar in 1861.  In 1871 he was an 18 year old domestic servant living in Aldershot, Hampshire.  When the 1881 census was recorded he may have been a married 28 year old servant and groom living at Mount Cottage in Windlesham, Surrey.  His place of birth was given as Worthing.  His wife was not living at the same address on census night.  William married Jane Elizabeth Billinghurst in the on 22 February 1886 in Preston, near Brighton.  She was baptised on 27 February 1859 in Hove, Sussex and was the daughter of Henry Edward Billinghurst and Ann Eliza Mann.

   2. Thomas Champion was baptised on 1 April 1821 in Findon.  He married Ann Currall on 19 August 1850 in Findon.  When the 1851 census was recorded the couple were living with his mother and younger sister.  Thomas was then a 30 year old agricultural labourer.  Ann was a 34 year old laundress who gave her place of birth as Warwick in Warwickshire.  In 1881, Thomas was a lodging house proprietor at 8 Palmerston Terrace, Crescent Road, Broadwater.

      Thomas and Ann had 4 known children:

      1. Charles Champion was baptised on 14 September 1851 in Broadwater, Sussex.

      2. Elizabeth Champion was born about 1853 in Broadwater.

      3. William Henry Champion was baptised on 3 June 1855 in Broadwater.  He died on 24 December 1898 (IGI date).

      4. Walter Bridger Champion was baptised on 7 November 1858 in Broadwater.  He died on 24 December 1898 (IGI date).  When the 1881 census was recorded he was an unmarried grocers clerk boarding in the home of William Fry in Junction Road, Dorking, Surrey.

   3. Jane Champion was baptised on 28 September 1823 in Findon.  When the 1851 census was recorded she was an unmarried 27 year old housemaid living at 33 Bedford Square in Brighton, Sussex.  She married Thomas Currall on 24 November 1851 in Broadwater.  On the night the 1881 census was recorded, 56 year old widow Jane Currall was a visitor in the home of John G. Adams at Cisbury Villa, Devonshire Road, Lewisham, Kent.

   4. Maria Champion was baptised on 10 December 1826 in Findon.

   5. Bridger Champion was baptised on 14 December 1828 in Findon.

   6. Ann Champion was baptised on 22 January 1832 in Findon.  When the 1861 census was recorded she was an unmarried 29 year old pauper living with her brother William.

   7. Sarah Champion was baptised on 10 August 1834 in Findon.  When the 1851 cenus was recorded she was a 16 year old kitchen maid to the Vicar of Findon, living at The Rectory.

10. Thomas Champion was baptised on 13 December 1785 in Findon.

Notes

Mary Field, mentioned above, was a witness to the 1767 marriage of Bridger Champion and Mary Luxford.  Mary Field may have married Thomas Dudney by Banns on 26 April 1773 in Cowfold.  The witnesses to their marriage were William Shearlock and Mary Shearlock who made her X mark.  The Sussex Family History Group's marriage index gives that William Sherlock married Mary Lencer of Ashurst, on 20 November 1763 in Cowfold, but a transcript of the Cowfold registers by the Sussex Records Society does not include this marriage.

George Holford, mentioned above, was a witness to the 1814 marriage of David Champion and Ann Hanson.  The SFHG's marriage index records that a George Holford, junior and widower, married Sarah Pannet, spinster, by Banns on 21 May 1792 in Findon.  Previously on 24 May 1776 in Findon, as a 21 year old bachelor and Carpenter of Findon, he married Elizabeth Harland, a 21 year old spinster of Findon.  George junior was baptised on 26 December 1754 in Findon, and was the son of George Holford and Elizabeth Mills, who married on 29 July 1743 in Findon.  George senior may also have married Mary Baker on 14 October 1770.  As a 54 year old Carpenter who had lived in Findon for 43 years, he married Mary Mitchell, a 48 year old spinster of Clapham, on 5 July 1779.

James Ratley, mentioned above, was a witnesses to the 1818 marriages of Charles Champion and Elizabeth Thorne.  As a bachelor he married Sarah Ockenden, spinster, by Banns on 17 September 1818 in Findon.  They were both of Findon.  James was baptised on 11 June 1795 in Findon and was the son of Richard Ratley and Rebecca Grevatt who had married on 14 April 1791 in Goring, Sussex.

Thanks to Linda Richards for spotting the following marriage in the IGI:

CHAMPION          LUXFORD          WILLARD