Ancestors of Mandy Willard

William RICHARDSON (1829-?)

and Eliza HILLS (1833-?)

William Richardson and Eliza Hills married on 20 July 1850 in Lower Beeding, Sussex.  Their fathers were named as Henry Richardson and Henry Hills.  (They were not my direct ancestors.)

William Richardson was baptised on 11 October 1829 in Chailey, Sussex.  He was the son of Henry Richardson (1776-?) and Mary Everden (c1788-?).  His father was a farmer.  William died before 1860.  His death may have been registered in the first quarter of 1857 in the Cuckfield registration district.

Eliza Hills may have been born in Lower Beeding, Sussex, although she was baptised in Nuthurst, Sussex on 28 July 1833.  She was the daughter of Henry Hill (c1807-1894) and Hannah Combes (c1809-1849).  Her death may have been registered in the first quarter of 1863 in the Cuckfield registration district.

As a widow, Eliza Richardson married Thomas Venn on 7 April 1860 in Slaugham.

Thomas Venn was baptised on 18 November 1838 in Slaugham.  He was the son of Joseph Venn (1789-1866) and Mary Tullett (1798-1873).  His death may have been registered in the first quarter of 1863 in the Horsham registration district.

In 1851 William was 22 years old and living with his father-in-law in Lower Beeding.

When the 1861 census was recorded Thomas and Eliza were living in Slaugham.  He was a 22 year old wood sawyer and she was said to have been 25 and born in Beeding.  Also with them was their infant daughter and Eliza's 2 sons from her previous marriage.  They were living next door to Eliza's mother-in-law Mary Richardson.

William Richardson and Eliza Hills had 2 known children:

1. William Richardson was baptised on 9 January 1853 in Lower Beeding.  He was an 8 year old scholar in 1861 and living with his mother and step father.

2. Henry Francis Richardson was baptised on 27 July 1856 in Slaugham.  He died in 1935  He was 4 years in 1861.

   In 1871 he would seem to have been a 14 year old gardener living in the home of Benjamin Attree (1831-?) and Susannah Still (1839-?) at Crabtree, Cowfold.  He was described as their nephew.  Benjamin was the son of Henry Attree and Mary Penfold, and Susannah was the daughter of William Still and Susannah Hill and she was born in Tonbridge, Kent.

   Henry married Mary Ann Botting in the first quarter of 1880 in the Horsham registration district.

   Mary Ann was baptised on 4 October 1857 in Shipley and was the daughter of James Botting (c1814-?) and Mary Ann Brown (c1829-?).  She died in 1939.  When the 1861 census was recorded she was 3 years old and living with her parents at Dragon Green in Shipley.

   In 1881 the couple and their young daughter were living at 14 Mill Lane, Lower Beeding.  Henry was a 24 year old gardener and Mary Ann was 23.

   The 1891 census records the family were living at Leonardslee Stables in Lower Beeding.  Henry was then a 33 year old gardener/labourer and Mary Ann was 34.  Five of their children were with them on census night.

   When the 1901 census was recorded the couple and 6 children were living at Selehurst Gardens in Lower Beeding.  Henry Francis was then a 43 year old gardener and Mary Ann was 44.

   Henry and Mary Ann had 8 known children:

   1. Mary Ann Richardson was born on 20 November 1880 and baptised on 6 February 1881 in Lower Beeding.  The baptism register noted that her father's name was Harry Richardson and he was a gardener.  She was 4 months old in 1881.  In 1891 she was a 10 year old scholar.  The 1901 census recorded that she was an unmarried 20 year old dressmaker and living with her parents.

   2. William Richardson was born on 6 January 1882 and baptised on 5 March 1882 in Lower Beeding.  He was a 9 year old scholar in 1891.  In 1901 he was a 19 year old assistant gardener and living at home.

   3. Henry James Richardson was born on 20 December 1883 and baptised on 17 February 1884 in Lower Beeding.  He died on 7 September 1971.  Henry was a 7 year old scholar in 1891.  In 1901 he was living in Slaugham (Roffey) where he was training to be a butcher with George Nailard and Alice Nailard at Crawley Road, Horsham.

      Henry married Annie Brown on 7 September 1907, possibly in Lower Beeding.

   4. Rose Agnes Richardson was born on 30 September 1885 and baptised on 15 November 1885 in Lower Beeding.  She was a 5 year old scholar in 1891.  In 1901 she was 15 years old and "helping at home".

   5. Nellie Jane Richardson was born on 28 October 1887 and baptised on 18 March 1888 in Lower Beeding.  She died on 29 June 1959.  She was a 3 year old scholar in 1891.  In 1901 she was 13 years old.

   6. Beatrice Amy Richardson was born on 4 February 1890 and baptised on 20 April 1890 in Lower Beeding.  She died aged 6 months and was buried on 11 August 1890 in Lower Beeding.

   7. Charles Edward Richardson was born on 26 July 1891 and baptised on 20 September 1891 in Lower Beeding.  He was 9 years old in 1901.

   8. Florence Alice Richardson was born on 3 March 1896 and baptised on 5 April 1896 in Lower Beeding.  She was 5 years old in 1901.

Thomas Venn and Eliza Hills had 1 known child:

1. Mary Anne Venn was baptised on 27 January 1861 in Slaugham.  She was 4 months old when the 1861 census was recorded.  In 1871 she was a 10 year old scholar and living with her 72 year old widowed grandmother Mary Venn at Slaugham Green.  When the 1881 census was recorded she may have been 20 year old Mary Venn, employed as a housemaid in the home of Elizabeth Elphick at 19 Sillwood Road, Brighton.

   Mary Ann married in the second quarter of 1890 in the Brighton registration district, to John William Hollister.

   John William was born about 1863/4 in Brighton.  In 1871 he was a 7 year old scholar and living with his widowed mother Caroline Hollister, aged 44 and born in Lambeth.  They were living at 30 Boston Street, Brighton along with John's siblings James 10 born in Swindon, Wiltshire, Thomas 5 born Brighton, Rhoda 3 born Brighton and Caroline's 75 year old widowed grandmother Ann Bennet who was born in Wiltshire.

   In 1901 the couple were living at 12 Monson Road, St. Pauls, Deptford, London.  John was then a 37 year old assistant oilman.  Mary Ann was 38.  Also with them on census night were 2 of their children, William's 40 year old unmarried brother James B. Hollister, 77 year old widowed aunt Jane Venn (born Pirbright, Surrey), 71 year old widow and monthly nurse, Eliza Hart, and 33 year old unmarried lodger, George H. Harris.

   John William and Mary Ann had 2 known children:

   1. Gladys E. Hollister was born about 1899/1900 in New Cross.  She was a year old in 1901.

   2. Cecil B. Hollister was born in 1901 in New Cross.  He was 3 weeks old when the 1901 census was recorded.

Need to obtain marriage certificates or check marriage registers for details from William and Eliza's marriage in 1850 (Lower Beeding) and also Thomas and Eliza's marriage in 1860 (Slaugham).

Also need to obtain death certificates and check burial registers:

HILLS          RICHARDSON