Ancestors of Mandy Willard

John WILMSHURST (c1650-1730)

and Elizabeth HOLLICK (c1650-?)

John Wilmshurst and Elizabeth Hollick married by licence on 23 March 1674/5 in Ringmer, Sussex.  John was then of Warbleton, Sussex and Elizabeth of Glynde, Sussex.  Their marriage licence was issued in the South Malling Peculiar on 20 March 1674/5.  Sponsors for the licence were John himself and William Grover of Glynde.  (They were not my direct ancestors.)

John Wilmshurst may have been baptised on 4 March 1655/6 in Mayfield, the son of Stephen Wilmshurst (c1620-?) and Sarah Wilmshurst (c1625-?).  But I think it more likely he was the son of Stephen Wilmshurst (c1615-1700) and Susan Brightridge (1628-1708) who had 3 daughters baptised in Warbleton and were themselves buried in Warbleton.  Susan's parents were John Brightridge (c1595-1668) and Susan Hollock (c1605-?), and she was of Glynde when she married John in 1626.  John left a will dated 3 July 1728 which was proved on 30 May 1730.  From at least 1692 until sometime between 1720 and 1730 he was the tenant of Moorcocks in Warbleton (map ref TQ 6119).  He was also the tenant of Beckworth in Warbleton (map ref TQ 6118) from at least 1692 until sometime between 1720 and 1723.  In 1692, or thereabouts, he was assessed for £2 land tax on Rigford/Rivers in Warbleton.  He also held the tenancy of Courtlands in Herstmonceux (map ref TQ 617 160), which had previously been held by John Brightridge (1633-1713).

Elizabeth Hollick's date and place of birth/baptism are unknown, to me.  She may have been the daughter of William Hollock (c1610-?) and Joan Elphick.  William was a yeoman of Ranscombe in South Malling and was the brother of Susan Hollock, therefore, John Wilmshurst may have married his mother's cousin.

John Wilmshurst and Elizabeth Hollick had 10 known children:

1. John Wilmshurst was baptised on 15 December 1676 in Warbleton.  He may have married Elizabeth Saxly on 27 April 1708 in Warbleton.

2. Stephen Wilmshurst was baptised on 21 January 1677/8 in Warbleton.

   Stephen married Mary before or about 1714.

   The 1747 Window Tax assessment lists a Stephen Wilmshurst, senior and a Stephen Wilmshurst, junior, both of Warbleton.  Senior had 8 windows and was required to pay 2 shillings, and junior had 9 windows and also paid 2 shillings.  The same list also recorded there was a Stephen Wilmshurst, farmer in Warbleton, with 9 windows and required to pay 2 shillings.

   Stephen and Mary had 5 known children:

   1. Stephen Wilmshurst was baptised on 29 October 1714 in Warbleton.  He may have married Ann Hood by licence on 17 November 1737 in Wartling, Sussex.  They were both then of Warbleton.

   2. John Wilmshurst was baptised on 15 June 1716 in Warbleton.

   3. Sarah Wilmshurst was baptised on 27 August 1721 in Warbleton.

   4. William Wilmshurst was baptised on 24 August 1725 in Warbleton.

   5. Mary Wilmshurst was born in 1731 in Warbleton.

   A Stephen Wilmshurst shoemaker of Warbleton, married Ann Hover on 25 April 1733 in Wartling.  Ann was also of Warbleton at the time of their marriage.  But which Stephen married Ann?  Might it have been father or son, or someone else?

3. William Wilmsherst was baptised on 14 June 1680 in Warbleton.  He inherited the tenancy of Courtlands in Herstmonceux from his father, but had relinquished the property by about 1742/3.

4. Jeremiah Wilmshurst was baptised on 2 January 1681/2 in Warbleton.

5. Elizabeth Wilmshurst was baptised on 21 December 1683 in Warbleton.  She was buried there on 11 August 1722.  Elizabeth married Thomas Mitten on 20 January 1708/9 in Warbleton.

6. Susan Wilmshurst was baptised on 1 October 1686 in Warbleton.

7. Sarah Wilmshurst was born about 1689 in Warbleton.

8. Edward Wilmshurst was baptised on 5 February 1690/1 in Warbleton.

9. Thomas Wilmshurst was baptised on 15 November 1692 in Warbleton.

10. Mary Wilmshurst was baptised on 5 February 1694/5 in Mayfield.

HOLLOCK          WILMSHURST