Ancestors of Mandy Willard

George HYLAND (1726-1783)

and Elizabeth GOWER (1725-1755)

and Ann DURRANT (1737-1824)

George Hyland and Elizabeth Gower married on 1 July 1749 in Laughton, Sussex.  George was then of Ringmer and Elizabeth of Laughton.  George then married Ann Durrant by licence on 28 February 1757 in Laughton.  He was a widower and she a spinster.  They were both then of Laughton.  The witnesses to the marriage were Stephen Clinch and Joseph Fuller.

George Hyland was baptised on 1 June 1726 in Ringmer, Sussex.  He was the son of George Hyland (c1684-?) and Elizabeth Stanley (1686-1752).  He was probably buried on 10 November 1783 in Laughton.

Elizabeth Gower was probably baptised on 5 December 1725 in Ripe, Sussex and was the daughter of William Gower and Ann Hoad.  There was another Elizabeth baptised on 17 April 1715 in Laughton, who was the daughter of John Gower and Ann Bankes.  Elizabeth died aged 29 years and was buried on 19 January 1755 in Laughton.

Ann Durrant may have been baptised on 20 May 1737 in Buxted, Sussex and have been the daughter of John Durrant and Sarah Trill.  Ann was probably a witness to her daughter Lucy's marriage in 1787.  She died aged 86 years and was buried on 25 January 1824 in Laughton.

George Hyland and Elizabeth Gower had 2 known children:

1. William Hyland was baptised on 6 January 1749/50 in Laughton.  His parents were named as George and Elizabeth in the baptism register.

2. Elizabeth Hyland was baptised on 29 October 1752 in Laughton.  Her parents were named as George and Elizabeth in baptism register.  She may have been the infant Elizabeth Highland who was buried on 1 August 1753 in Ringmer (unlikely).  Or as Elizabeth Highlands she may have married Edward Medhurst on 15 July 1770 in Ringmer (likely).  She did have a cousin Elizabeth Highland who was born in 1753.

  The Laughton burial register records that John son of George and Elizabeth Hylands was buried on 26 March 1764.

George Hyland and Ann Durrant had 11 known children:

1. John Highlands was baptised on 17 January 1759 in Laughton.  His parents were named as George and Ann.  He was probably buried as an infant on 29 March 1760 in Laughton.

2. Mary Highlands was born on 7 January 1760 and baptised on 12 October 1760 in Laughton.  Her parents were named as George and Ann.

3. Robert Highlands was baptised on 18 September 1761 in Laughton.  His parents were named as George and Ann.  Might he have died a widower aged 49 years and have been buried on 8 March 1812 in Laughton?  And as Robert Hiland he may have married Mary Wood by licence on 15 December 1795 in Selmeston.  He was then said to be of Maresfield, Sussex and she of Selmeston.  Their marriage licence was, strangely, dated 16 December 1795 and was issued by the Archdeaconry of Lewes.  It recorded that Robert was a bachelor and servant aged 29 years and upwards, whilst Mary was a spinster of Selmeston aged 21 years and upwards.  Surety for the licence was provided by Robert himself and William Harmer a Carpenter of Selmeston.  Could the Roberts be one and the same?

4. Charles Highlands was baptised on 20 June 1762 in Laughton.  His parents were named as George and Ann.

5. Henry Highlands was baptised on 19 May 1765 in Laughton.  His parents were named as George and Ann.  A Henry Highlands was buried on 10 May 1770 in Laughton, but unfortunately the burial register only records the name and no other identifying details.  Did this Henry marry Sarah Taylor on 28 June 1800 in Laughton?  They were both then of Laughton and both made their (X) marks.  The witnesses to the marriage were Henry Gurr and John Vine.

6. Hannah Highlands was baptised on 20 April 1766 in Laughton and buried there on 1 April 1767.  Only her father's name was recorded in the baptism and burial registers.

7. Lucy Highlands was baptised on 3 September 1769 in Laughton.  Her parents were named as George and Ann.  She married William Stevens by banns on 10 October 1787 in Laughton.  She was then a spinster of Laughton and he a bachelor of Firle.  They both made their (X) marks.  The witnesses to the marriage were Ann Hylands (marked) and Stephen Walls (signed).

8. John Highlands was baptised on 20 April 1770 in Laughton.  His parents were named as George and Ann.  He may  have died aged 79 years and have been buried on 16 November 1845 in Ringmer, therefore, he was born about 1766.

   John married Rebecca sometime before or about 1792.

   Rebecca was born about 1762.  She died aged 92 years and was buried on 31 December 1854 in Ringmer.

   John and Rebecca had 6 known children:

   1. Sophia Hyland was baptised on 18 November 1792 in Ringmer and buried there on 18 May 1798.

   2. William Hyland was baptised on 18 November 1792 in Ringmer.  He may have married Lydia Cosham by banns on 13 May 1816 in Ringmer.

   3. John Hyland was baptised on 31 July 1796 in Ringmer.

   4. Henry Hyland was baptised on 4 March 1798 in Ringmer.  He died aged 82 years and was buried in Ringmer in 1880.

      As Henry Highlands he married Elizabeth Pierce by banns on 19 October 1815 in Ringmer.  They were both then of Ringmer and were married by the Curate, John Upton.  Henry and Elizabeth were both able to sign their names.  The witnesses to the marriage were John Highlands (Henry's father) and William Greenfield (he was possibly a Verger or Church Warden as his name appears as witness to several marriages) and they were also both able to sign their names.

      Elizabeth was born about 1801 in Fletching and died in 1854.

      Henry and Elizabeth had 7 known children:

      1. Harriet Hyland was baptised on 31 March 1816 in Ringmer.  She had an illegitmate son:

         1. Hophni Hyland was baptised on 13 March 1836 in Ringmer.  In 1841 he was most likely living with his Grandparents and his name was then recorded as Alfred Hyland.

         Harriet married and emigrated to America.  A letter written by one of Harriet's sons refers to "my half brother Alfred of England".

      2. Eliza Hyland was baptised on 28 June 1818 in Ringmer.

      3. Elizabeth Hyland was baptised on 27 May 1821 in Ringmer.

      4. George Hyland was baptised on 28 September 1823 in Ringmer.

      5. Mary Hyland was baptised on 23 October 1825 in Ringmer.

      6. Frances Hyland was baptised on 16 March 1828 in Ringmer.

      7. Henry Hyland was baptised on 29 September 1834 in Ringmer.

   5. Rebecca Hyland was baptised on 7 December 1800 in Ringmer.

   6. Jane Hilands was baptised on 6 June 1802 in Ringmer.

9. Joseph Highlands was born on 15 April 1773 and baptised on 17 May 1773 and/or 1 June 1789 in Laughton.  His parents were named as George and Ann.  Joseph married Alice Proger on 20 April 1802 in Laughton.  They were both then of Laughton and both made their (X) marks.  The witnesses were George Hilands (marked) and John Vine (signed).

10. Richard Highlands was baptised on 14 August 1774 in Laughton.  His parents were named as George and Ann.  He may have been buried in Laughton on 1 November 1775, but only the name was recorded in the burial register.

11. Ann Hylands was baptised on 4 May 1777 in Laughton.  Her parents were named as George and Ann.  She may have married Richard Calliway by banns on 5 May 1800 in Laughton.  They were both then of Laughton and both made their (X) marks.  The witnesses to the marriage were Thomas Page and John Vine.  The banns were published in Laughton on 6, 13 and 20 April 1800.

Harriet Hylands of Laughton died aged 18 years and was buried on 21 April 1814 in Laughton.

DURRANT          GOWER          HYLAND