Ancestors of Mandy Willard

Abraham CURTIS (c1685-1771)

and Sarah (?-?)

Abraham Curtis and Sarah may have married in or about 1707, but no possible marriage has been found in either the Sussex Family History Group's marriage index or the IGI.  (I had at one point thought they may have been my 7x Great Grandparents, via their daughter Sarah, but have since found this not to be so.)

Abraham Curtis's date and place of birth/baptism are unknown, to me.  As widower he was buried on 14 March 1771 in Bolney, Sussex.  He does not seem to have left a will.  He was not the son of Phineas Curtis - see below.

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

Abraham Curtis and Sarah had 12 known children:

1. John Curtis was born on 23 August 1707 and baptised on 31 August 1707 in Henfield, Sussex.  He or his son was buried in Henfield on 10 March 1778.

   John married Ann before or about 1728 and they had 1 known son:

   1. John Curtis was born on 1 April 1728 and baptised on 12 April 1728 in Henfield.

2. Abraham Curtis may have been unbaptised.  He was buried on 1 December 1709 in Henfield.

3. Abraham Curtis was born on 9 May 1711 and baptised on 22 May 1711 in Henfield.  He was buried on 7 July 1773 at St. Thomas in the Cliffe, Lewes.  He was mentioned as deceased in the wills of his brother-in-law John Hoadley and sister Sarah Hoadley.  John and Sarah also mentioned Abraham's 2 children.  The Sussex marriage index does not record a possible marriage for him.  He had 2 known children:

   1. John Curtis was named in the 1775 will of his uncle John Hoadley, by which he was to receive a legacy of two hundred pounds.  At the time he was a flaxdresser of Cliffe near Lewes, Sussex.

      John married Mary before 1783, possibly Mary Legg on 4 April 1768 in Cuckfield, Sussex.

      John and Mary had 3 known children all mentioned in his aunt Sarah Hoadlee's will of 1783:

      1. Abraham Curtis may have been born about 1771.  As a bachelor aged 22 years and upwards and a flaxdresser of Cliffe, Lewes, he married Elizabeth Wood by licence on 8 August 1793 in St. Michael's, Lewes.  She was then a spinster aged 21 years and upwards of the parish of St. Michael's.  The witnesses to the marriage were James Wood and Mary Curtis - all 4 signed their names.  Elizabeth died aged 64 years and was buried on 3 July 1836 at St. Thomas in the Cliffe.

         The following is an extract from the A2A web site:

         Deeds of The Brewers Arms, 91 High Street, Lewes
         By his will of 2 March 1805, James Wood left the Brewers Arms to his son John Wood, subject to a £40 annuity to his wife Mary and legacies to his daughters Elizabeth wife of Abraham Curtis of Cliffe, flaxdresser, Martha wife of Thomas Baxter of Southover, an excise officer and Mary wife of Jesse Wood of Boreham in Wartling, shopkeeper; the will was proved at Lewes by William Verrall of Lewes St John and John Blaker of St Michael, mercer, on 26 November 1807. Discharges were given for the legacies charged on the personal estate in December 1807 and January 1808 and for those charged on the real estate (that of Martha Baxter being witnessed by Abraham Walter, customs riding officer) in January and February 1821, after the death of Mary Wood in April 1820 (16-21)

      2. Mary Curtis was born on 21 May 1774 and baptised on 22 July 1774 at St. Thomas in the Cliffe, Lewes.  She married John Smith on 28 January 1793 at St. Thomas in the Cliffe.  He was then a bachelor and she a spinster, and they were both of St. Thomas in the Cliffe.  The witnesses to the marriage were John Garrett (think that's his surname) and E. Verrall - all 4 signed their names.  The next entry in the St. Thomas in the Cliffe marriage register was that of John Smith, bachelor and Mary Thompson, spinster.  The witnesses to their marriage were Thomas Novis and Sarah Novis - only John signed his name.  (I did not check the baptism register to see if both couples had remained in the parish.)

      3. John Curtis was born on 9 December 1784 and baptised on 28 April 1785 at St. Thomas in the Cliffe, Lewes.

   2. Mary Curtis was named in the 1775 will of her uncle John Hoadley and was to receive a legacy of twenty pounds.  She was also mentioned in her aunt Sarah Hoaldee's will of 1783, by which she was to receive ten pounds each year for the rest of her life.

      A Mary Curtis died aged 82 years and was buried on 14 January 1835 at St. Thomas in the Cliffe.  Was this the wife or sister of John?  However, this would mean she was born about 1753 and if she and John married in 1768, then the burial was probably that of his sister.

   (I have checked the East Sussex Record Office Baptism Index and could not find John and Mary children of Abraham nor Abraham son of John.)

   A Samuel Curtis, bachelor, aged 26 years and upwards, flaxdresser of Heathfield, Sussex married by licence Elizabeth Harmer a spinster aged 24 years and upwards of St. Thomas in the Cliffe on 26 September 1785 in St. Thomas in the Cliffe, Lewes.  The witnesses to their marriage were John Ewen and John Beard, who may have been the parish clerk as his signature was on several entries.  The 3 men signed their names whilst Elizabeth Harman made her mark - her surname is clearly Harman in the marriage register, but recorded as Harmer in the marriage licence.  Could Samuel be related?  Or was his occupation and place of marriage just a coincidence?

4. Hannah Curtis was born on 4 November 1713 and baptised on 13 November 1713 in Henfield.  She had an illegitimate daughter:

   1. Abigail Burtonshaw Curtis was born on 27 June 1731 and baptised on 11 July 1731 in Henfield.  She was buried on 23 February 1732/3 in Henfield.

   Hannah may have married James Soper on 3 November 1734 in West Grinstead, Sussex.

5. William Curtis was born on 31 August 1715 and baptised on 11 September 1715 in Henfield.  He was buried there on 8 April 1720.

6. Sarah Curtis was born on 1 May 1717 and baptised on 10 May 1717 in Henfield.  She was buried on 8 March 1793 in Ashurst, Sussex and the burial register noted that she was from Lewes.  She left a will dated 6 August 1783, at which time she was of Southover, Sussex, and proved on 30 October 1793.

   Sarah married John Hoadley on 12 May 1736 in Shermanbury, Sussex.  It would seem this couple did not have any children.

   John left a will dated 27 December 1775 and proved on 5 May 1778.  The main beneficiary of his will was Sarah Lelyott daughter of Henry Lelyott and Mary Curtis who had married in 1762.  John was a yeoman of Ashurst.  He may have been baptised on 29 December 1700 in Shermanbury and have been the son of Thomas Hoadley (1677-?) and Anne Dobell (?-?).  He was buried on 7 March 1778 in Ashurst when he was described as John Hoadlee of Blakes.

7. Rebecca Curtis was born on 6 December 1719 and baptised on 16 December 1719 in Henfield.  She was buried on 30 October 1775 in Stopham, Sussex.

   Rebecca married twice.  Firstly to Thomas Gearing by licence on 8 April 1740 in Shermanbury.  He was then of Shermanbury and she of Cowfold.

   Thomas and Rebecca had 7 known children:

   1. Richard Gearing was baptised on 25 January 1740/1 in Shermanbury.

      Richard married Jane Clear on 16 July 1765 in Arundel, Sussex.  They were then both of Arundel and the witnesses were Richard Holder and Sarah Gearing.

      Richard and Jane had 3 known children:

      1. Richard Gearing was baptised on 17 November 1771 in Arundel.

      2. Thomas Gearing was baptised on 15 November 1773 in Arundel.

      3. John Gearing was baptised on 9 April 1776 in Arundel.

   2. Sarah Gering was baptised on 21 February 1741/2 in Shermanbury.

      Sarah married John Gilbert on 28 June 1767 in Bury, Sussex.  At the time they were both of Bury.

      The couple had 2 known daughters:

      1. Elizabeth Gilbert was baptised on 7 April 1771 in Arundel.

      2. Mary Guilbert was baptised on 10 March 1773 in Arundel.

   3. Thomas Gearing was baptised on 22 September 1743 in Shermanbury.

   4. Mary Gearing was baptised on 26 January 1745/6 in Shermanbury.

   5. Mary Geering was baptised on 15 March 1746/7 in Shermanbury.

   6. Abraham Geering was baptised on 15 July 1748 in Shermanbury and buried there on 17 July 1748.

   7. Phebe Gearing was baptised on 11 June 1749 in Shermanbury.

   Rebecca next married George Seagrave on 20 April 1751 in Horsham, Sussex.

   George He was the son of George Seagrave (1701-1768) and Margaret Thompson (1700-1746) who married in 1723.  George junior died before his father and his father left a will in which he mentioned grandchildren.

   George and Rebecca had 8 known children:

   8. Margaret Segree was baptised on 29 September 1751 in Fittleworth.

      Margaret married George Hazelgrove on 4 August 1772 in Lyminster, Sussex.

   9. Elizabeth Segree was baptised on 19 November 1752 in Fittleworth.  She was buried on 21 April 1825 in Arundel.

      As Elizabeth Seagrave she married Daniel Dolton on 5 April 1773 in Arundel.

      Daniel was baptised on 16 January 1748/9 in Arundel and was the son of Thomas Dalton and Sarah Rice.

      Daniel and Elizabeth had 7 known children.

   10. Anne Segree was baptised on 25 July 1753 in Fittleworth and may have died young.  She was not mentioned in her Grandfather George Seagrave's will of 1 May 1767.

   11. George Segree was baptised on 13 June 1755 in Fittleworth.  He was buried in Stopham on 19 July 1759.

   12. John Seagrave was baptised on 14 October 1756 in Stopham and buried there on 9 December 1756.

   13. Hannah Seagrave was baptised on 1 April 1759 in Stopham.  She died aged 59 years and was buried on 17 December 1818 in Arundel.

       Hannah married Edward Elliott on 13 May 1781 in Arundel.  The couple had 14 known children.  (Edward and Hannah were the 4x Great Grandparents of Melissa Zimmerman.)

   14. Jane Seagrave was baptised on 17 December 1760 in Stopham.  She was mentioned in her Grandfather George Seagrave's will of 1767.

   15. James Seagrave was baptised on 26 February 1764 in Stopham.  He died aged 67 years and was buried on 4 May 1831 in Arundel.

       James married twice.  Firstly to Elizabeth Green on 31 August 1790 in Arundel.  He then married Catherine Mills on 19 November 1804 in Angmering, Sussex.

       Catherine was baptised on 23 November 1783 in Angmering and was the daughter of George Mills and Sarah Steel.

       James and Catherine had 8 known children.

8. Mary Curtis was born on 6 March 1720/1 and baptised the next day in Henfield.  She was buried there on 11 March 1721/2.

9. Samuel Curtis was born on 20 February 1721/2 and baptised on 24 February 1721/2 in Henfield.

10. Joseph Curtis was born on 11 December 1725 and baptised the next day in Henfield.  He was buried on 28 April 1799 in Steyning, Sussex.

    Joseph married Jane Cortis by licence on 9 June 1757 in Storrington.  He was then a bachelor of 30 years and a flaxdresser of Steyning.  Jane was a spinster of Storrington.

    Joseph and Jane couple had 4 known children:

    1. Elizabeth Curtis was baptised on 22 September 1762 in Steyning.

    2. Sarah Curtis was baptised on 29 December 1763 in Steyning. 

    3. Joseph Curtis was baptised on 4 October 1766 in Steyning.

       Joseph married Ann Shotter, widow by licence on 2 June 1789 in Steyning.  The marriage licence was issued of 1 June 1789 in the Archdeaconry of Chichester.  It stated that Joseph Curtis, junior, was a bachelor and ironmonger of Steyning and Ann Sholter a widow.

       Joseph and Ann had 8 known children:

       1. Thomas Curtis was baptised on 11 February 1790 in Steyning.

       2. Ann Curtis was baptised on 5 April 1792 in Steyning.

       3. Jane Curtis was baptised on 24 July 1794 in Steyning.

       4. Elizabeth Curtis was baptised on 15 September 1796 in Steyning.

       5. John Curtis was baptised on 9 July 1800 in Steyning.

       6. Joseph Curtis was baptised on 28 April 1804 in Steyning.

       7. Sarah Curtis was baptised on 17 April 1807 in Steyning.

       8. Charles Curtis was baptised on 16 March 1810 in Steyning.

    4. John Curtis was baptised on 11 April 1768 in Steyning.

11. Mary Curtis was baptised on 3 January 1727/8 and baptised on 13 January 1727/8 in Henfield.  She was buried on 10 June 1759 in West Grinstead.

    Mary married Richard Sturt on 29 July 1748 in West Grinstead, Sussex.

    Richard and Mary had 3 known daughters:

    1. Sarah Sturt was baptised on 9 December 1748 in West Grinstead.

    2. Mary Sturt was baptised on 28 December 1752 in West Grinstead and buried there on 8 June 1759.

    3. Nan Sturt was baptised on 23 June 1754 in West Grinstead.

    (Another Mary Curtis married Henry Lilliott on 18 October 1762 in Ashurst.)

12. Michael Curtis was born on 27 June 1730 and baptised on 8 July 1730 in Henfield.

    Michael married Barbara Robinson on 4 January 1754 in Newtimber, Sussex.

    Barbara was baptised on 31 October 1729 in Shermanbury and was the daughter of John Robinson and Elizabeth Street.

    Michael and Barbara had 7 known children:

    1. Babby Curtis was baptised on 25 April 1755 in Bolney, Sussex and buried there on 17 May 1769.

    2. John Curtis was baptised on 13 October 1756 in Bolney.

    3. Michael Curtis was baptised on 24 January 1759 in Bolney.  Might he have married Ann Stapley by banns on 2 February 1784 in Rotherfield?

    4. Sarah Curtis was baptised on 13 July 1760 in Bolney.

    5. James Curtis was baptised on 10 February 1764 in Bolney and buried there on 3 August 1766.

    6. William Curtis was baptised on 20 January 1768 in Bolney and buried there on 25 February 1769.

    7. Elizabeth Curtis was baptised on 29 July 1770 in Bolney.

    A Settlement certificate was issued to Michael Curtis on 11 May 1774, by Bolney for Lindfield, which stated that he was married to Barbara with 2 daughters:  Sarah aged 13 and Elizabeth aged 4.  Michael may have also married Ann Ward on 10 March 1776 in Lindfield, Sussex.

Notes

Phineas Curtis son of Thomas Curtis

Phineas Curtis left a will dated 16 May 1734 in which he mentioned wife Anne and children Samuel Curtis (1711-?) and Anne Curtis (1707-?).  He died of Smallpox.  He was the son of Thomas Curtice and Elinor Moore who had married in 1664.

Phineas married Anne Burt on 16 April 1704 in Bolney.

Thomas and Elinor had the following children baptised in Bolney:  Thomas (1665), Mary (1666), John (1669-1669), Ann (1670), John (1671-1680), Phineas (1676-1734), Samuel (1678), Sarah (1682-1682) and William (1683).  Thomas died in 1701 and  Elenor in 1710.

The only connection would seem to be the name Samuel and Bolney.  I think it possible that Abraham went to live with youngest son Michael in Bolney, hence how he would seem to have been buried there.  But why had Michael moved there from Henfield?

On 20 February 1732/3 a Samuel Curtis, senior was buried, and on 23 June 1771 a Samuel Curtis, widower was buried - both in Bolney.  Could Samuel senior be the one born 1678 to Thomas and Eleanor and widower Samuel his son?  The earliest marriage recorded in the Sussex Family History Group's marriage index for a Samuel Curtis was in 1749, Cuckfield.  Or was the 1771 burial for the Samuel born in 1711, son of Phineas?  (The 1749 marriage on 31 August was between Dr. Samuel Curtis and Elizabeth Brook.)

Is it possible that Thomas and Eleanor were the parents of Abraham?  Eleanor may have been born 1635 in Ditchling, in which case her son William born in 1683 would have been her youngest child, leaving gaps in the 1670's or 1680 for the birth of Abraham.  Which means he was over 90 when he died, and you would think some comment would have been entered into the burial register, but only his name appears.

I think I have taken the above family as far as I can for the moment.  If anyone reading this can add or make any corrections, I would be pleased to update this page.

CURTIS