Ancestors of Mandy Willard

William WEDGE (1809-1872)

and Sarah MILLS (1808-1879)

William Wedge and Sarah Mills were my 3x Great Grandparents.  (Click here to see their place in my pedigree chart.)  They married on Sunday 20 October 1833 at the parish church of St. John the Evangelist in Bury, Sussex.

William Wedge was probably born between January and June 1809 and was baptised on Sunday 11 June 1809 at the parish church of St. Mary's in Shipley, Sussex.  He was the second son of John Wedge (1781-1833) and Mary Freeman (1782-1852).  He died aged 62 years on Saturday 13 January 1872 and was buried on Wednesday 17 January 1872 in Pulborough.  He was the only person buried in Pulborough that day.  His cause of death was ingravescent apoplexy which had lasted 3 hours.  He death was registered by William Wedge, junior (he made his X mark) who was also of Pulborough and had been present at the death.

William's father was granted settlement in Pulborough in 1813.  William gave his place of birth as Shipley in the 1851, 1861 and 1871 census.  From at least 1841 until his death he lived at Pi(d)geons Gate in Pulborough.  He was at various times a carter and a farm labourer.

Sarah Mills was baptised on Sunday 11 December 1808 at the parish church of St. Mary's in Pulborough, Sussex.  She was the youngest daughter of 5 73 James Mills (1779-1862) and Charlotte Brooks (1780-1862).  She died aged 71 years on Tuesday 25 November 1879 and was buried on Friday 29 November 1879 in Pulborough.  Her cause of death was bronchitis.  Her daughter-in-law, Jane Wedge, who was of Pulborough and present at the death, registered Sarah's death.  In December 1852, Sarah was most probably the informant who recorded her mother-in-law's death.

William and Sarah had 34 known grandchildren born between 1857 and 1891.  Although they were both buried in Pulborough they do not seemed to have a headstone to mark their grave.

William Wedge and Sarah Mills had 6 known children:

1. John Wedge was baptised on Thursday 11 September 1834 in Pulborough.  He died aged 66 years and his death was registered in the third quarter of 1901 in the East Preston registration district.  At the time of his death he may have been living with his son John in Arundel, Sussex  John was a gardener and labourer.  When the 1901 census was recorded John was living in London Road, Pulborough and he was then a carter on a farm.  Also with him on census night was his son William and 2 cousins, namely Harriet Stepney who was a married 49 year old who had been born in Hardham, Sussex and was employed as a housekeeper, and unmarried 46 year old Edwin Brockhurst who was a butcher/slaughterman who was also born in Hardham.

   John married Jane Coot on Saturday 19 September 1857 in Pulborough.  He was a 23 year old bachelor and labourer of Pulborough.  She was a 25 year old spinster of Pulborough.  John made his X mark and Jane signed her name.  The witnesses to the marriage were William Wedge and Jesse Greenfield.

   Jane was born about 1832-4 in Kirdford, Sussex and was the daughter of Charles Coot and Hannah Stevens.  She died aged 56 years in 1890.  Her name would seem to have been recorded as Jane Coute in the 1851 census, at which time she was a 16 year old house servant living at what looks like, Keababs in Kirdford.

   John and Jane had 4 known children:

   1. Mary Wedge was baptised on 23 May 1858 in Kirdford, although according to the 1861 census she was born in Pulborough.  She died aged 9 years and was buried on 15 May 1867 in Pulborough.

   2. William Wedge was baptised on 28 October 1860 in Pulborough.  In 1901 he was an unmarried 43 year ordinary agricultural labourer, living with his father.

   3. John Wedge was baptised on 22 February 1863 in Pulborough.  He married Eliza before or about 1898.  By the time of the 1901 census was recorded the couple were living in Queen Street, Arundel, Sussex along with their 4 sons, including twins, and John was a brewery tunman.  Also with them on census night was their 12 year old sister-in-law, Isabel Covey who had been born in Billingshurst.  Eliza was born about 1862 in Billingshurst, Sussex.

      John and Eliza had the following children by 1901:

      1. Wilfred Felix V. Wedge was born in the fourth quarter of 1897 in Arundel.  He was 3 years old when the 1901 census was recorded.

      2. Reginald William V. Wedge was born in the fourth quarter of 1897 in Arundel.  He was also 3 in 1901.

      3. Alfred John Wedge was born in the fourth quarter of 1899 in Arundel.  He was a year old in 1901.

      4. Edward Alexander Wedge was born in the second quarter of 1901 in Arundel.  He was a month old when the 1901 census was recorded.

   4. Eliza Wedge was baptised on 8 February 1868 in Pulborough.  She married Walter Smart in 1892.  In 1901 the couple together with 3 children were living in Coldwaltham, Sussex and Walter was a carter on a farm.  Walter was baptised on 12 November 1871 in Pulborough and was the son of George Smart (1830-?) and Maria Elliott (c1834-?).  (See below for more details about the Smart's.)

   John and Jane were the witnesses to the 1857 marriage of his sister Mary to George Willard.  In 1861 John was a labourer in a garden and the family were living at Pidgeons Gate, Pulborough.  By 1881 the couple were living at 5 Bells Cottages, Pulborough and John was then a farm labourer.  Also in 1881 they had a lodger living with them, 30 year old, unmarried, Frederick Houndsome who was a brother-in-law to 2 of John's sisters, Emily and Charlotte.  When the 1901 census was recorded, John was a 66 year old carter on a farm in Pulborough and he an his son, William, were the only Wedge's left in Pulborough.

2. William Wedge was baptised on Sunday 11 February 1838 in Pulborough.  He was an agricultural labourer.

   William married Sarah Smart on Saturday 27 December 1862 in Pulborough.  He was a 25 year old bachelor and labourer of Pulborough.  She was a 21 year old spinster of Pulborough.  The witnesses to the marriage were Jesse Greenfield and Eliza Smart (Sarah's sister).

   Sarah was baptised on 23 January 1842 in Pulborough and was the daughter of Charles Smart (1813-?) and Hester Daughtry (1813-?).  (See below for more details about the Smart's.)  She died aged 50 years in 1892.

   The family were living at Pidgeons Gate in Pulborough when the 1871 and 1881 census were recorded.  Sarah was a widow by 1891 and she and 3 of her children were living at Church Hill, Cross -rown Coffe Tavern in Pulborough, where she was a coffee tavern keeper.

   William and Sarah had 5 known children:

   1. George Wedge was born on 4 March 1869 and baptised on 25 March 1869 in Pulborough.  In 1871 he was 2 years old.  He was an unmarried 22 year old grocer's porter in 1891.  He married Julia Wood on 18 June 1894 in Lydd, Kent, when he was a grocer's stockman of Tunbridge Wells, Kent.  Julia was born about 1867/8 in Lydd and died aged 31 years in 1899.  She was the daughter of Thomas Wood and Elizabeth Duff Butchers.  George then married Eliza Sheppard on 11 April 1906 in Howard, Kent, Ontario, Canada.  Eliza was born about 1865 in England and was the daughter of James Sheppard and C. E. Knollihe.  George probably left for Canada before the recording of the 1901 British census.  He may have been buried in Ridgetown, near Windsor, Ontario.

   2. Charles Wedge was baptised on 24 September 1871 in Pulborough.  He married Charlotte Emma Baker in 1900.  She was born in the first quarter of 1871 in Islington, Middlesex.  When the 1901 census was recorded the couple were living at 31 Cromwell Road in Tunbridge Wells, Kent and Charles was a town carman.  The couple emigrated to Canada after the birth of their daughter Gladys Lillian Wedge in 1905.  Charles and Charlotte were buried in the Erie Cemetery in Wheatley, Ontario.

              

   The above photographs have been kindly provided by Marcy Scott, Great Granddaughter of Charles Wedge and Charlotte Emma Baker, known as Lottie, and Granddaughter of Gladys Lilian Wedge.  (Click on the images to enlarge.)

   3. Alfred Wedge was baptised on 28 December 1873 in Pulborough.  In 1901 he was living in Chatham, Kent where he was a constable with the Metropolitan Police Force.

   

   Alfred Wedge - again, thanks to Marcy for this photograph.

   4. Walter Wedge was born about 1877 in Pulborough.  When the 1891 census was recorded he was a 14 year old errand boy.  In 1901 he was a 24 year old boarder at 41 Cromwell Road in Tunbridge Wells where he was a grocer's assistant.  He may have married in the second quarter of 1901 in the Tunbridge Wells registration district, to either Sarah Ann Smith or Mary Ann Thorogood - the other groom was Stephen Henry Bennett (details from FreeBMD).

   5. Mary Ann Wedge was born about 1880 in Pulborough.  She was an 11 year old scholar in 1891.  In 1901 she was a housemaid living in Putney, London.

3. Mary Wedge, my 2x Great Grandmother, was born on 3 May 1840 and baptised on 31 May 1840 in Pulborough.  She married George Willard in 1857.  (They have their own page.)

4. Sarah Wedge was baptised on Sunday 13 March 1842 in Pulborough.  She married Edward Henry Hedger in 1862.  (They have their own page.)

5. Emily Wedge was baptised on Sunday 22 April 1849 in Pulborough.  She was deaf.  At the age of 18 she had an illegitimate daughter:

   1. Amelia Greenfield Wedge was born on 28 May 1867 and baptised on 28 July 1867 in Pulborough.  She died on 8 November 1948.  In 1871 she was 3 years old and living with her mother in her grandparents home.  The 1881 census records that she was a 15 year old Amelia Houndsome and she was then a general servant in the home of George Robinson and his wife Charlotte at 32 Arundel Road in Littlehampton, Sussex.

      As Amelia Hounsome she married Mark Laker on 26 June 1886 at Southwater, Sussex.

      Mark was born about 1861/2 in Horsham.

      When the 1891 census was recorded the couple and young daughter were living at Vine Cottage in Shipley.  By 1901 the couple and 6 children were living at Birchwood Cottage in Southwater.  Mark was a groom and gardener.  Also with the family on census night was 25 year old single brother-in-law, William Hounsome.

      Mark and Amelia had 7 children, 6 of whom were:

      1. Annie L Laker was born about 1887 in Horsham.  She was 4 years old in 1891.  In 1901 she was 14 years old

      2. Ernest Laker was born about 1892 in Shipley.  He was 9 years old in 1901.

      3. Cecil Laker was born about 1892 in Shipley.  He was 9 years old in 1901.

      4. William A Laker was born about 1894 in Horsham.  In 1901 he was 7 years old.

      5. Daisy M Laker was born about 1896 in Horsham.  She was 5 years old in 1901.

      6. Charlie J Laker was born about 1899 in Horsham.  In 1901 he was 2 years old.

   Emily married William Houndsome on Saturday 21 October 1871 in Pulborough.  He was a 24 year old bachelor and labourer of Pulborough.  She was a 23 year old spinster of Pulborough.  The witnesses to the marriage were William Wedge and Sarah Wedge.

   William was baptised on 26 April 1846 in Pulborough and was the son of William Houndsome and Mary.  In 1871 William was a lodger in the Wedge household at Pidgeons Gate, Pulborough.  When the 1881 census was recorded the family were living at Codmore Hill, Pulborough and William was then a farm labourer.  By 1901 the couple were living in Cranleigh, Surrey along with 4 children.  The 1901 census index records William's occupation as farm maker.

   William and Emily had 7 known children, they may also have been the parents of Mary Ann Hounsome who died aged 7 days and was buried in Pulborough on 27 March 1872:

   1. Louisa Hounsome was born 1873 in Pulborough.

   2. William Alfred Hounsome was born 1876 in Pulborough.  In 1901 he was a general labourer living with the family of his elder sister.

   3. Albert Hounsome was born about 1879 in Pulborough.

   4. Charles Hounsome was born about 1881 in Pulborough.

   5. Walter Henry Hounsome was born 1883 in Ockley, Surrey.

   6. Harry Hounsome was born about 1888 in Bramley, Surrey.

   7. Edith Hounsome was born about 1891 in Cranleigh, Surrey.

6. Charlotte Wedge was baptised on Sunday 14 March 1852 in Pulborough.  When the 1901 census was recorded she was a 49 year old widow and laundress living in Littlehampton, Sussex.

   Charlotte married Richard Hounsome on Saturday 18 March 1876 in Pulborough.  He was a 26 year old bachelor and blacksmith of Pulborough.  She was a 24 year old spinster of Pulborough.  The witnesses to the marriage were James Hounsome and Harriet Parker.

   Richard was baptised on 6 May 1849 in Pulborough and was the son of William Houndsome and Mary.  He died aged 46 years in 1894.  When the 1881 census was recorded the family were living at 19 East Street, Littlehampton and Richard was still a blacksmith.

   Richard and Charlotte had 3 known children:

   1. Kate Hounsome was born in about 1876 in Pulborough, as per the 1881 census.  In 1901 she was a domestic cook in Littlehampton, which is where she then said she was born.  She may have been named after her father's sister, Kate Hounsome who was born in 1856 and who had married John Singleton Brooker in 1876.

   2. Fanny Janet Hounsome was born about 1878 in Pulborough.

   3. William Hounsome was born about 1880 in Littlehampton.  In 1901 he was a carpenter in a timber yard.

The Smart Family of Pulborough

William Wedge (1834-?) married Sarah Smart (1841-?).  His niece Eliza Wedge (1868-?) married Walter Smart (1871-?).  Walter's father was George Smart (1830-?) and he was the son of George Smart (1802-?) and Esther Pledge.  1802 George Smart was the brother of Charles Smart (1813-?) who was the father of Sarah Smart married to William Wedge.  George and Charles were the sons of William Smart (1780-?) and Sarah Holden.

1871 census - Pigeons Gate, Pulborough, Sussex (RG10/1104, folio 52, page 7)

William Wedge, Junr, Head, Mar, 33, Ag Lab, born Sussex, Pulborough

Sarah Wedge, Wife, Mar, 29, born Sussex, Pulborough

George Wedge, Son, 2, born Sussex, Pulborough

William Holden, Lodger, Unm, 20, Railway Porter, born Sussex, Billingshurst

next household

William Wedge, Senr, Head, Mar, 62, Ag Lab, born Sussex, Shipley

Sarah Wedge, Wife, Mar, 62, born Sussex, Pulborough

Emily Wedge, Daur, Unm, 22, born Sussex, Pulborough, Deaf

Amelia G Wedge, Grandaughter, 3, born Sussex, Pulborough

James Pollard, Lodger, Unm, 34, Ag Lab, born Sussex, Burpham

Charles Wilmer, Lodger, Unm, 29, Ag Lab, born Sussex, Pulborough

William Houndsome, Lodger, Unm, 24, Ag Lab, born Sussex, Pulborough

William Bo??ow, Lodger, Unm, 25, Groom, born N.K.

MILLS          WEDGE