Ancestors of Mandy Willard

William STILVE alias COBBY (1737-1819)

and Mary WARD (1746-?)

William Stilve and Mary Ward were most probably my 5x Great Grandparents.  (Click here to see their place in my pedigree chart.)  They married by banns on Sunday 25 July 1773 at the parish church of St. Peter's in Henfield, Sussex.  William was then said to be a bachelor and sojourner (traveller) and Mary was a spinster.  They were both of Henfield and both made their X marks.  The witnesses to their marriage were Edward Stenning and William Vinall.  They were married by the curate Miles Williams.  The banns were published in Henfield on 13, 20 and 27 June 1773.

William Stilve was baptised as William Cobby on 28 February 1737/8 in Northchapel, Sussex.  He was the son of William Cobby (c1710-1786) and Elizabeth Nowel (1717-?).  William Stillwell alias Cobb died aged 84 years and was buried on 17 December 1819 in Northchapel.

A settlement examination was undertaken on 28 July 1775 of William Cobby, labourer of Kirdford and Northchapel, who had been hired by Thomas Cooper of Kirdford in about 1772.  William had also served George Keene of Northchapel.  A removal order was issued on 9 March 1814 returning William Stillaway alias Cobby from Henfield to Northchapel.

Mary Ward was born on 1 December and baptised on Wednesday 14 December 1746 at St. Peter's in Henfield.  She was the eldest daughter of Thomas Ward (1716-1783) and Mary Caplin (1714-1755).

William Stilve and Mary Ward had 8 known children:

1. William Stilve, my supposed 4x Great Grandfather, was baptised on 20 February 1774 in Henfield.  He married twice.  Firstly to Elizabeth Woodley in 1803 and then to  Elizabeth Knight, widow in 1814.  (They have their own page.)

2. Henry Stilve was baptised on 22 October 1775 in Henfield.  He married Elizabeth Peters in 1800.  (They have their own page.)

3. Thomas Stilve, a twin, was baptised privately "in peril of death" on 13 June 1777 in Henfield and received into the church on 29 June 1777.

   Thomas may have first married Ann.

   As Thomas Stillaway he may also have married Sarah Geering, widow, by banns on 4 June 1815 at All Saints in Lewes, Sussex.  Thomas and Sarah were both then of the parish of All Saints.

   When the 1841 census was recorded Thomas was a 65 year old agricultural labourer living in Wivelsfield, Sussex in the home of Samuel and Elizabeth Cork.

4. Joseph Stilve, a twin, was baptised privately "in peril of death" on 13 June 1777 in Henfield and received into the church on 29 June 1777.  Joseph died aged 42 years in the workhouse and was buried on 14 March 1820 in Henfield.

   Joseph married Jane Plumer by licence on 24 December 1800 in Lindfield, Sussex.  Their marriage licence was issued by the Archdeaconry of Lewes on 23 December 1800.  It described Joseph as "Joseph Stilloway, alias Cobby, alias Ward of Wivelsfield, Sussex" and he was aged 21 years and upwards.  Jane was also aged 21 years and upwards and she was a spinster of Lindfield.  Surety for the licence was provided by Joseph himself and Thomas Stanbridge a yeoman of Lindfield.

   Jane died aged 35 years at Barrow Hill in Henfield and was buried in Henfield on 19 July 1818.

   Joseph and Jane had 1 known daughter:

   1. Mary Stillaway was baptised on 15 March 1801 in Henfield.  She may have married William Carter by banns on 7 January 1817 in Chailey, Sussex.  The witnesses to their marriage were John Baker and Phillip Pellings.

5. Elizabeth Stilve was baptised on 9 December 1781 in Henfield.  She was buried as Elizabeth Cobbe, daughter of William and Mary, on 3 July 1787 in Henfield.

6. Benjamin Stilve was baptised on 24 October 1784 in Henfield.  His parents paid the 3 pence baptism fee.  He was buried as Benjamin Cobbe, son of William and Mary, on 3 July 1787 in Henfield.  At his and his sisters burials, their parents were described as paupers and were exempt from paying the burial fees.

7. George Cobbe was baptised on 29 November 1789 in Henfield.  He married Sarah Barnett in 1814.  (They have their own page.)

8. James Cobbe was baptised on 11 March 1792 in Henfield.  His parents were described as paupers and were exempt from paying the 3 pence baptism fee.  As James Stillaway he married Frances Chatfield in 1817.  (They have their own page.)

COBBY          STILLAWAY          WARD