Ancestors of Mandy Willard

George DENYER (c1778-1855)

and Mary KNIGHT (1777-1859)

George Denyer and Mary Knight married by banns on 1 January 1801 in Tillington, Sussex.  He was a bachelor and she a spinster.  The witnesses to their marriage were William Bridger and Jean Stoner.  (They were not my direct ancestors.)

George Denyer was born about 1777/8 in Wisborough Green, Sussex.  He died aged 77 years in the Tillington Alms Houses and was buried on 18 March 1855 in Tillington.  On 4 April 1814, George together with William Bridger were witnesses to the marriage of John Bentley and Sarah Austin in Tillington.  Might he have been the son of Henry Denyer and Mary Wheeler who married on 7 July 1776 in Northchapel, Sussex.  Henry was then of Tillington.

Mary Knight was most probably baptised on 12 October 1777 in Tillington, the daughter of William Knight and Mary Hall (c1744-1823) (married 1769).  However, another Mary Knight was baptised in Tillington on 9 January 1781, the daughter of William Knight (c1755-?) and Ann Palmer (c1754-?) (married 1778).  She died aged 81 years in Petworth and was buried on 24 January 1859 in Tillington.

At the time of the 1841 census, George and Mary were living in Fittleworth.  In 1851 the couple were living in Upperton, Tillington.  They were both aged 73 years and he was a pauper agricultural labourer.  George's place of birth was recorded as Wisborough Green and Mary's as Tillington.

George Denyer and Mary Knight had 4 known children:

1. James Denyer was born on 7 July 1801 and baptised on 26 July 1801 in Tillington.

2. George Denyer was born on 25 September 1803 and baptised on 9 October 1803 in Tillington.

3. Henry Denyer was born on 8 February 1806 and baptised on 9 March 1806 in Tillington.

   Henry married Rhoda Chalcraft by banns on 26 September 1835 in Tillington.  He was a bachelor and she a spinster.  The witnesses to their marriage were James Denyer and Charles Bridger.

   Rhoda was born on 6 December 1810 and baptised on 3 February 1811 in Tillington.  She was the daughter of George Chalcraft (1772-1844) and Sarah Jenman (c1769-1841), although a transcript of the baptism register notes that her mother's name was Elizabeth.

   When the 1851 census was recorded the couple and 6 children were living in Edburton village, Sussex.  Henry was then a 44 year old agricultural labourer and Rhoda was 39.  They were both said to have been born in Tillington.

   Henry and Rhoda had the following children:

   1. Charlotte Denyer was baptised on 11 September 1836 in Fittleworth.

   2. George Denyer was born about 1838 in Tillington, as per the 1851 census, and baptised on 8 April 1838 in Fittleworth, Sussex.  In 1851 he was a 13 year old agricultural labourer and living with his parents.

   3. William Denyer was born about 1840 in Fittleworth.  He was an 11 year old agricultural labourer in 1851 and living with his parents.

   4. James Denyer was baptised on 17 October 1841 in Fittleworth.  He was a 9 year old scholar in 1851.

   5. Charles Denyer was baptised on 1 October 1843 in Fittleworth.  He was a 7 year old scholar in 1851.

      Charles married Rebecca Silverson by banns by the Rector, R. C. Hales, on 25 February 1868 in Woodmancote.  The banns were published in Woodmancote on 2, 9 and 16 February 1868.  Charles was a bachelor and mate of full age from New Shoreham and Rebecca was a 20 year old spinster from Woodmancote.  Their fathers were named as Henry Denyer and James Silverson who were both labourers.  The witnesses to their marriage were Thomas James Sourn(?) and Annie Denyer.  The bride, groom and witnesses all signed their names.

   6. Mary Denyer was born about 1847 in Edburton.  She was 4 years old in 1851.

   7. Anna Denyer was born about 1850 in Edburton.  She was a year old when the 1851 census was recorded.

   8. Caroline Denyer was baptised on 5 February 1854 in Coombes, Sussex.

4. Charlotte Denyer was born on 2 March 1811 and baptised on 17 March 1811 in Tillington.  Charlotte died aged 59 years and was buried on 5 January 1871 in Petworth.

   Charlotte married Joseph Cragg by banns on 4 June 1831 in Fernhurst.  They were both then of Fernhurst.

   Joseph was born on 12 March 1807 and baptised on 30 March 1807 in Petworth.  He was the son of Joseph Cragg (c1777-1861) and Nancy Neal (c1780-1859).  He died aged 33 years and was buried on 13 July 1840 in Petworth.

   When the 1851 census was recorded, 40 year old Charlotte Cragg was a widow living in Parsonage Cottage, Petworth, along with her 18 year old son George Cragg and 26 year old Mary Foice who was a single dressmaker.  Charlotte's place of birth was then given as Tillington. 

   Joseph and Charlotte had the following children:

   1. George Cragg was baptised on 13 September 1832 in Petworth, at which time his father was a painter.

      George married Emma Joyes by banns on 17 April 1866 in Petworth.  He was a bachelor and painter, whilst she was a spinster.  Their fathers were named as Joseph Craggs and William Joyes who were both deceased.  The witnesses to their marriage were William A. Lewis and Mary Smith (?) Morgan.

   2. William Cragg was baptised on 21 September 1834 in Petworth, at which time his father was a painter.

DENYER          KNIGHT