Ancestors of Mandy Willard

Richard NORRIS (1755-1826)

and Ann ALFREY (1759-1788)

and Hannah SCUTT (1769-1849)

Richard Norris and Hannah Scutt were my 4x Great Grandparents.  (Click here to see their place in my pedigree chart.)  They married by banns on Friday 25 June 1790 at the parish church of St. Mary's in Billingshurst, Sussex.  They were both of Billingshurst.  Richard signed his name and Hannah made her X mark.  The witnesses to their marriage were George Turner (can't quite make out his surname, but having looked through the registers think it was probably Turner) and Robert Parsons, who both signed their names.  I don't know if the witnesses were in any way related to Richard and Hannah.

Richard had previously married Ann Alfrey by banns on Monday 24 April 1780 at the parish church of St. Margaret's in Ditchling, Sussex.  Richard was a bachelor of Billingshurst and Ann a spinster of Ditchling.  They both signed their names.  The witnesses to their marriage were John Alfrey and Mary Toft and they both signed their names.  (John Alfrey may have been Ann's father and Mary Toft was Ann's sister who had married George Toft on 24 January 1780 in Ditchling.)  Richard and Ann were married by the curate, Edward Peyton.  The banns for Richard and Ann's marriage were published in Billingshurst.

Richard Norris was most probably baptised on Sunday 27 July 1755 in Steyning, Sussex, which would mean he was the son of 5 145 Richard Norris (c1725-1789) and 5 145 Mary Penfold (c1730-?).  He died aged 70 years and was buried on Friday 14 April 1826 in Billingshurst.  Richard was a collarmaker. 

Ann Alfrey was born on Thursday 31 May and baptised on Friday 15 June 1759 in Steyning.  She was the daughter of 5 90 John Alfrey (1727-1814) and 5 90 Mary (c1724-1813).  She was buried on Tuesday 18 March 1788 in Billingshurst.

Ann's brother 5 89 Philip Alfrey (1754-1835) was my 6x Great Grandfather on my Dad’s side, whereas Richard Norris and Hannah Scutt are ancestors on my Mum’s side.

Hannah Scutt was baptised on Sunday 26 March 1769 in Billingshurst.  She was the daughter of 5 146 Thomas Scutt (1726-?) and 5 146 Hannah Miriam (1734-1817).  In 1841 she was living with her Grandson Norris Burchall (1816-?).  Hannah died aged 80 of palsey, on Tuesday 30 January 1849 and was buried on Sunday 4 February 1849 in Billingshurst.  There is a problem with her death certificate, as it states she was the wife of Philip Norris, a harness maker, although her death was registered by Sarah Cranstone, who probably muddled the names of Hannah's husband and son.

Richard Norris and Ann Alfrey had 3 known children:

1. Richard Norris was baptised on Saturday 31 March 1781 in Billingshurst and buried there on Tuesday 30 December 1788.

2. Mary Norris was baptised on Monday 25 November 1782 in Billingshurst.

   Mary may have married James Streeter by banns on 20 September 1814 in the parish church of St. Mary's in Pulborough, Sussex.  He was a bachelor and she a spinster.  They were both of Pulborough.  The witnesses to their marriage were Thomas Streeter and James Collins (parish clerk).  (Thomas Streeter may have been James's elder brother.)

   James may have been the James Streeter who was baptised on 16 December 1777 in Billingshurst, the son of William Streeter and Elizabeth Moore.  That James died aged 76 years in Lancing and was buried on 15 September 1854 in Billingshurst.

   The 1841 census records that a 60 year old James Streater was living in Lancing, Sussex, and he was then a dealer in hops.  Also with him on census night was his 45 year old servant, Ann Sparry.  The pair were still living in Lancing in 1851 and he was then a 73 year old retired malster and he gave his place of birth as Billingshurst.  Ann was a 52 year old servant and she gave her place of birth as Storrington, Sussex.  They were both said to be unmarried.  In 1861, 70 year old Ann Sparry, born in Storrington, was described as mother-in-law and she was living in Lower Street, Pulborough in the home of 39 year old James Hopkins and his 41 year old wife Mary Ann, born in London.  James Hopkins married Mary Ann Sparry on 21 June 1843 at Old Church, St. Pancras, London.  In 1871, Ann Sparry was 75 years old and nearly blind.  She was described as mother and was living with 51 year old James Hopkins, a veterinary surgeon and 50 year old Mary A.  Ann Sparry died aged 74 years (as per the burial register) and was buried on 22 January 1872 in Pulborough.  Ann may have married James Sparry from Herefordshire.  Mary Ann Sparry may have been born on 13 May 1816 and baptised on 5 June 1816 in Marylebone, London.

   James and Mary had 2 or 3 children: 

   1. Mary Streeter was baptised on 22 February 1815 in Pulborough.  The baptism register noted that her father was a labourer.

      Mary married James Hide by banns on 18 May 1834 in West Tarring, Sussex.  She was then a spinster and he a bachelor and they were both of West Tarring.  The witnesses to their marriage were William Marley and Esther Marley.

      James was baptised on 27 August 1811 in Ferring and was the son of James Hide and Ann Ayling.

      When the 1841 census was recorded James aged 20 and Mary aged 25 were living in North Street, West Tarring.  With them on census night was their young son and 6 year old Mary Mitchell and 60 year old plasterer James Parsons.

      In 1851 the couple were living in South Street, West Tarring.  James was then a 39 year old farm labourer and Mary was a 36 year old laundress.  He gave his place of birth as Ferring and she as Pulborough.  With the couple on census night was his 26 year old married sister Harriet Sayers and her 1 year old son James Sayers.

      The 1861 census records that the couple were living at 20 South Street, West Tarring.  James was a 50 year old agricultural labourer and Mary a 45 year old laundress.  Also with the couple was 60 year old widow, former housekeeper and mother-in-law, Elizabeth Streeter who had been born in Guildford, Surrey.  James's 76 year old mother and widow, Ann Hide, was living next door at 19 South Street.  Ann then gave her place of birth as Tortington, Sussex.  (In 1871, 76 year old widow Elizabeth Streeter, born in Guildford, was living at 1 Church Street, West Tarring.  She died aged 83 years and her death was registered in the first quarter of 1878 in the East Preston registration district.)

      At the time of the 1871 census the couple were living at 18 South Street, West Tarring.  James was a 59 year old agricultural labourer and Mary was 56.  His 86 year old mother, Ann Hide, was also living with them.

      James and Mary had 1 known son:

      1. James Hide was born in 1841 in West Tarring.  He was a month old when the 1841 census was recorded.

   2. Sarah Streeter was baptised on 9 November 1817 in Pulborough.  The baptism register noted that her father was a labourer.  Sarah died aged 14 years and was buried on 24 October 1831 in Pulborough.

   3. Elizabeth Streeter was baptised on 29 January 1825 and again on 20 February 1825 in Pulborough.  The baptism register noted that her father was a labourer.  She died as an infant and was buried on 23 April 1825 in Pulborough.

   A Mary Streeter from Billingshurst died aged 31 years and was buried on 12 February 1825 in Pulborough, therefore, she was born about 1794.  Might Mary Streeter, nee Norris have died soon after the birth of Sarah in 1817 and James have remarried another Mary sometime before or about 1824?  A James Streeter married Mary Hammond on 2 July 1818 in Sevenoaks, Kent.  And another James Streeter married Mary Allen on 1 August 1819 at St. Leonards in Shoreditch, London.

   (A James Streeter married Ann Atfield on 13 September 1820 in Houghton, Sussex.  She was then from Storrington and married with consent of her parents.  They had children baptised between 1821 and 1848.)

3. Ann Norris was baptised on Monday 4 April 1785 in Billingshurst.  She may have been buried on Monday 12 November 1787 in Billingshurst as Nanny Norris.

Richard Norris and Hannah Scutt had 11 known children:

1. Milly Norris was baptised on 12 November 1790 in Billingshurst.  She may have been buried there on 10 December 1803 as Meliah Norris.

2. Jenny Norris was baptised on 13 June 1792 in Billingshurst.  She may have been buried there on 26 July 1804 as Jane Norris.

3. Philip Norris was baptised on 25 June 1794 in Billingshurst.  He died aged 85 years in the first quarter of 1878 in the Steyning registration district.  Like his father he was a collar maker and also a harness maker.  In 1848 he was described as a sadler.

   Philip married Avice Piper by banns on 17 May 1815 in the parish church of Billingshurst.  He was a bachelor and signed his name as Phillip Norris.  She was a spinster and made her X mark.  They were both of Billingshurst.  The witnesses to their marriage were William Stening and James Champion who both signed their names.

   Avice was baptised on 1 June 1788 in Wisborough Green, Sussex and was the daughter of William Piper and Ann.

   In 1841 the family were living in Billingshurst, and 26 year old Harriett Whiting was visiting.  The 1851 census records Philip and Avice were living in Billingshurst village along with their 8 year old grandson Richard Norris.

   Philip and Avice had 6 known children: 

   1. Richard Norris was baptised on 10 March 1816 in Billingshurst.  He married Rhoda.  The had at least 1 known child:

      1. Thomas James Norris was baptised on 4 November 1838 in Wisborough Green, Sussex.  A Thomas James Norris married in the second quarter of 1868 in the Lewes registration district.

   2. Ann Norris was baptised on 12 July 1818 in Billingshurst, on the same day as her cousin Lucy Burchell.  The death of an Ann Norris aged 75 was registered in the first quarter of 1894 in the Steyning district.  Ann had an illegitimate son:

      1. Richard Kempsell Norris was baptised on 20 November 1842 in Billingshurst.  At that time his mother was a servant of Billingshurst.  His birth was registered as Richard Kempshill Norris in the third quarter of 1842 in the Petworth registration district.  He died aged 53 years and his death was registered as Richard Kempshall Norris in the first quarter of 1896 in the Horsham registration district.  He was an 8 year old scholar in 1851 and he was then living with his maternal grandparents.

         As Richard Kempshell Norris he married Caroline Shepperd on 29 December 1869 in Stanmer, Sussex..

         When the 1881 census was recorded he was a married policeman living in the Police Station at Patcham, Sussex, along with his widowed mother Ann Norris aged 50 (surely this should be 62?), daughter Ann Norris aged 9 and 6 year old son Thomas Norris.

         Caroline was baptised on 15 August 1841 in Great Bookham, Surrey and was the daughter of Thomas Shepherd and Barbara.  When the 1881 census was recorded, 40 year old, married, Caroline Norris, born in Surrey, was a visitor in the home of Jasper Steer (56) and his wife Jane Steer (60) at Vine Cottage, East Street, Billingshurst.  The death of a Caroline Norris aged 40 was registered in the third quarter of 1881 in the Steyning registration district.

      An Ann Norris was a witness to the marriage William Hills and Elizabeth Bennett on 24 December 1842 in Billingshurst.  Ann may also have witnessed her brother Charles's marriage in 1848.

   3. Jane Norris was baptised on 11 June 1821 in Billingshurst, on the same day as her aunts Hannah Norris and Caroline Norris, and her aunt Susan Norris also married on that day.

      Jane married Francis Coleman by banns on 4 June 1848 in Billingshurst.  He was then aged 34, a widower and a hoopmaker of Billingshurst.  His father was named as George Coleman a hoopmaker.  Jane was aged 28 and a spinster of Billingshurst.  Francis made his X mark and Jane signed her name.  The witnesses to the marriage were George Coleman and Harriet Coleman who both signed their names.  Francis may have previously married Elizabeth Fuller on 24 July 1837 in Billingshurst.

   4. Charles Norris was baptised on 20 April 1823 in Billingshurst.

      Charles married Harriet Holden by banns on 26 February 1848 in Billingshurst.  He was then aged 25, a bachelor and a labourer of Billingshurst.  She was aged 19 and a spinster of Billingshurst.  Her father's name was not recorded on their marriage certificate.  Charles and Harriet both made their X marks.  The witnesses to the marriage were James Holden and Ann Norris.

      Harriet was baptised on 8 February 1829 in Billingshurst and was the daughter of Eliza Holden.

      In 1881 the couple were living at 64 William Street in Brighton where Charles was stableman and Harriet a needlewoman.  They had living with them then a lodger, 25 year old Lewis Evans who was an unmarried carpenter journeyman who had been born in Lewes, Sussex.

   5. Solomon Norris was baptised on 27 January 1828 in Billingshurst.  The death of a Solomon Norris aged 36 was registered in the second quarter of 1866 in the Cuckfield district.

   6. William Norris was baptised on 19 April 1829 in Billingshurst.  He died aged 61 in the fourth quarter of 1890 in the Steyning district.

      William married Esther Cooper in the first quarter of 1857 in the Thakeham registration district.  In the 1881 census he was recorded as a 49 year old groom living at New Row, Steyning along with wife 49 year old wife Esther and 3 children Avis, Sarah and Thomas.  In 1891 Esther and Thomas were living together at Castle Row, Steyning.  She was then a charwoman.

      The death of Esther Norris aged 67 was registered in the second quarter of 1897 in the Steyning district.  She was born in Tarring, Sussex.

      William and Esther had 3 or 4 known children:

      1. Avis Norris was baptised on 17 January 1858 in Steyning.  She was a general servant in 1881.  She married James Turrell on 6 March 1886 in Steyning.  She was then said to be 24 and he 28 years old.  When the 1891 census was recorded the couple were living in Castle Row, Steyning, a few doors away from her widowed mother.  He was then a 29 year old plumber and painter and she was 33.

      2. Philip Norris was born in the first quarter of 1860 in Steyning.  He was baptised on 15 April 1860 in Steyning.

      3. Sarah Jane Norris was born in the second quarter of 1862 in Steyning.  She was baptised on 18 May 1862 in Steyning.  She was a general servant in 1881.  She married George Durrant on 24 December 1890 in Steyning.  She was then said to be 26 and he 28 years old.  When the 1891 census was recorded the couple were living in Hurstpierpoint and he was a 26 year old gardener and she was aged 29.

      4. Thomas William Norris was born in the second quarter of 1876 in Steyning.  In 1881 he was described as the son of William and Esther, but in the 1891 census he was Esther's Grandson.  He was a shepherd and agricultural labourer.

4. Rebecca Norris was baptised on 26 December 1796 in Billingshurst.  A Rebecca Overington was a witness to the 1823 marriage of Hannah Norris - did Rebecca marry and Overington?  No possible marriage has been found in the Sussex Family History Group's marriage index or the IGI.

5. Elizabeth Norris was baptised on 8 June 1800 in Billingshurst, but she may have been born 2 years earlier.  She married William Burchell as his second wife in 1815.  (They have their own page.)

6. John Norris was baptised on 1 June 1800 in Billingshurst.  In 1824 John was a collarmaker, but in 1826 he was a labourer.

   John married Mary Reeves by banns on 19 November 1823 in the parish church of Billingshurst.  He was a bachelor and signed his name as Jon Norris.  She was a spinster and made her X mark.  They were both of Billingshurst.  They married with the consent of parents.  The witnesses were William Burchell and James Champion, who both signed their names.  (William Burchell was probably John's Brother-in-Law.)

   Mary was baptised on 10 November 1805 in Billingshurst and was the daughter of William Reeves and Hannah Ayles.

   John and Mary had 2 known children: 

   1. John Norris was baptised on 23 May 1824 in Billingshurst.

   2. Mary Norris was baptised on 12 March 1826 in Billingshurst.

   In 1881 John and Mary were living in New Shoreham and he was an 80 year old harnessmaker and she a 75 year old charwoman.

7. Susan Norris, my 3x Great Grandmother, was baptised on 13 June 1802 in Billingshurst.  She married John Hoadley in 1821.  (They have their own page.)

8. Mary Ann Norris was baptised on 29 August 1804 in Billingshurst.

9. Hannah Norris was born about 1806 and baptised on 11 June 1821 in Billingshurst aged 14 years.  She married William Jackson in 1823.  (They have their own page.)

10. Thomas Richard Norris was, according to the IGI, born on 10 February 1809 in Billingshurst, but the original source of this data has not be found.

11. Caroline Norris was born about 1812 and baptised on 11 June 1821 in Billingshurst aged 9 years.  She had an illegitimate daughter:

    1. Caroline Norris was baptised on 31 March 1833 in Billingshurst.

ALFREY          NORRIS          SCUTT