Person Page - 403

Raphe Akehurst

Parents:

• Birth*: Raphe Akehurst was born circa 1625 at Sussex, England.
• He was the son of Raffe Akehurst and Letticia (?)
• (Witness) Will: Raphe Akehurst is mentioned in the will of Raffe Akehurst dated 23 December 1652 at Lewes, Sussex, England^B.¹
• Marriage*: Raphe Akehurst married BW73 Mary Baker, daughter of Richard Baker and Anne Akehurst, on 11 August 1653 at Warbleton, Sussex, England^B, Randolph [Raphe] Akehurst of Cliffe, Lewes and Mary Baker of Burwash.²
• Anecdote: Mortgage by Lease for £120
  Date: 3 June 1656
  Thomas Akehurst of Jevington, yeoman, and his wife Susanna Akehurst to Ralph Akehurst of the Cliffe near Lewes, haberdasher
  1.     3 pieces of land called Fritters Water, Cuthale and the Knowle (9 acres) in Jevington and Willingdon
  2.     a close called the Two acre piece (2 acres) in Jevington, one other piece in Eastwish in Willingdon (1 rood), another piece (3 roods) in a field called Stonefield in Willingdon, several pieces in Jevington (4 acres)
  Witnesses: Richard Lewis, Jane Lewis, John Store, Thomas Snatt etc
  This supports the origin of this Akehurst line being Jane Akehurst of Folkington which is adjacent to both Jevington and Willingdon. (ESRO: SAS/C 456.)
• Occupation*: Raphe Akehurst was a haberdasher in 1666.³
• Will*: Raphe Akehurst left a will made on 27 August 1666 at St Thomas a Beckett, Lewes, Sussex, England^B: "residing in Dublin, Ireland."³
• Will/Adm Transcript*: Will of Raphe Akehurst of Lewes, 1666
  (TNA: PROB 11/322/49)
  Made: 27th August 1666
  Proved: 5th October 1666
  In the name of God Amen the Twenty Seaventh day of August in the yeare of our lord God one Thousand Six Hundred Sixty and Six And in the Eighteenth yeare of the Raigne of our Soveraigne Lord King Charles the Second of England etc I Raphe Akehurst of Cliffe neare Lewes in the County of Sussex Haberdasher now resideing in the CItty of Dublin in the Realme of Ireland being sicke and weake of body But of sound and perfect memory (Praise be given to God for the same) And knowing the uncertenty of this life on Earth And being desirous to settle things in order doe make this my last will and Testament in manner and forme following (That is to say) First and principally I Commend my soule to Almighty God my Creator Assuredly believing that I shall receive full pardon and free remission of all my sinnes And be saved by the pretious death and merits of my blessed Saviour Christ Jesus And my body to the earth from whence it was taken To be buried in such Christian manner As to my frends within the CItty of Dublin shalbe thought meete and convenient And as touching my worldly Estate As the Lord by much mercy hath beene pleased to lend me my will and meaning is the same shalbe ymployed and bestowed as by this my will is expressed And first I doe revoake renounce frustrate and make void All wills by me formerly made And declare and appoint this my last will and Testament Item I give and bequeath unto my dearly beloved wife Mary Akehurst Two hundred pounds Sterling Currant and lawfull money of and in England To be paid unto her out of the First money That shalbe raysed out of the issues and profits of the land that Robert Fennell gent made over unto me by Deed which Two hundred pounds I devise unto her in consideracion of that house I lately soulde of hers in the Towne and Port of Hastings in the County of Sussex aforesaid Item I give and devise unto my Eldest sonne Ralphe Akehurst the summe of Fifty pounds Sterling Currant and lawfull money of and in England And my will and meaning is that the said Fifty pounds shalbe ymployed and given to binding ……………. as Apprentice to a Lynnen Draper as soone as he shalbe capable to be bound Apprentice All the rest of my goodes and Chattells my debs Legacies and funeral Expences discharged I give and bequeath to my Foure youngest Children Samuell Akehurst Alexander Akehurst John Akehurst and Thomas Akehurst to be equally devided betwixt them And my will and meaning is that the remainder of my Estate devised to my said Foure youngest Children be imployed for their best Advantage until they attaine the age of one and Twenty yeares And if any or either of my said Foure Children happen to depart this life before hee or they attaine their severall ages aforesaid That then my will and meaning is That the same shalbe equally devided betwixt the Survivors of my said Children And my will and desire is That my said wife with the advice and consent of my Executors and Overseers hereafter named Doe sett the Shopp with soe much of the House in the Cliffe aforesaid for the better putting of my goods and the advancement of my Estate And my will and meaning is That my said wife and Children doe keepe the back part of my house aforesaid and follow such Trade in buying and selling as shee with the advice of my Executors and Overseers shall thinke most fitt and convenient Item my will and desire is That my House and Two Gardens in Hastings aforesaid be sold by my Executors for the best advantage of my said Foure Children And the Twelveth part of that Barke I have with Captaine Tetterffeild of Brighthelmston in the County of Sussex aforesaid which Cost me Thirty pounds Sterling But that I leave to the discretion of my wife and my Executors whether to be sold or not but in my Thoughts it may be usefull to her for Coales and Salt Item I doe make and ordaine my welbeloved Brother Alexander Akehurst of Leatherhead in the County of Surrey gent my full and sole Executor of this my last will and Testament And also I desire my Loveing Frends Mr Thomas Parge? of Stoneham and Mr William Elphicke of Cliffe aforesaid my Overseers To see this my last will and Testament performed In Witnes whereof I the said Ralph Akehurst have hereunto sett my hand and seale and published this to be my last will and Testament the day and yeare First above written Ra: Akehurst Signed sealed Published and declared in the presence of Chr: Arundell Geo Tracy Robert Fennell Ri Baker William Carter
  
  Probatum fuit Testamentum suprascriptum apud ades Exon Coram Petro Lane in Artibus magistro Surrogato venerabilis viri Domini Guilielmi Mericke militis Legum Doctoris Curia Prerogativa Cantuariensis Magistro Custodis sive Commissarii legitime constituto Quinto die mensis Octobris Anno Domini Millesimo Sexcentesimo Sexagesimo Sexto Juramento Alexander Akehurst fratris dicti defuncti et Executoris in huiusmodi Testamento nominato Cui Commissa fuit Administratio omnium et singulorum bonorum Jurium et Creditorum dicti defuncti de bene et fideliter Administrando eadem Ad Sancta Dei Evangelia Jurat
  (Transcribed by Rosie Ansell July 2016.)
• Death*: Raphe Akehurst died in 1666 at Dublin, Ireland.
• Probate*: His estate was probated on 5 October 1666 at London, England.

Lettitia Akehurst

Parents:

• Birth*: Lettitia Akehurst was born circa 1630 at Sussex, England.
• She was the daughter of Raffe Akehurst and Letticia (?)
• (Witness) Will: Lettitia Akehurst is mentioned in the will of Raffe Akehurst dated 23 December 1652 at Lewes, Sussex, England^B.¹

BW73 Mary Baker

Token issued by Mary Akehurst at Cliffe, Lewes, 1667 (obverse)

Parents:

• Birth*: BW73 Mary Baker was born circa 1635 at Hastings, Sussex, England^B.¹
• She was the daughter of Richard Baker and Anne Akehurst.
• (Witness) Will: BW73 Mary Baker is mentioned in the will of Richard Baker dated 10 September 1637 at Hastings, Sussex, England^B.¹
• Marriage*: BW73 Mary Baker married Raphe Akehurst, son of Raffe Akehurst and Letticia (?), on 11 August 1653 at Warbleton, Sussex, England^B, Randolph [Raphe] Akehurst of Cliffe, Lewes and Mary Baker of Burwash.²
• Married Name: As of 11 August 1653, her married name was Akehurst.
• Anecdote*: Mary Akehurst was born of a reasonably wealthy family and was an early Quaker in the town of Lewes. She was much persecuted in her lifetime and spent time in prison for her beliefs.
  The first preaching by a Quaker in Sussex was in 1655 at Horsham and in the same year they preached at Lewes where a group calling themselves "Seekers" were converted. In 1668 the Lewes Quaker meeting formally became part of the movement named the "Society of Friends".
  Mary was clearly an independent and strong willed woman but suffered greatly until 1689 when the Act of Toleration released Quakers from the obligation of attending church and taking the sacraments. She was probably also somewhat relieved by the death of her husband Raphe Akehurst in 1666 who clearly did not share her beliefs (see below).
  After the death of her husband she carried on the family business and in 1667 issued a halfpenny token in her name (Sussex BW73) which now seems to stand as a symbol of her strength and resilience (tokens were issued by traders after the Civil War due to a shortage of coins). She continued her support of the Quakers until her death in 1691 playing a key role in the development of the Society of Friends at Lewes.
  It is also clear that she had the support of her children who were also members of the Quakers at Lewes. All her surviving children (sons Raphe, Alexander and Thomas and daughter Mary) were fined at various times, typically for non attendance at the Anglican church.
  The passage below is just one account of her early sufferings as a Quaker at the hands of her husband:
  In this year [1659] Mary Akehurst, the wife of Ralph Akehurst, of the Cliff,
  neare Lewis, beeing moved to goe to St Michal’s Steeplehouse [church] (soe called), where an
  Independent priest [Walter Postlethwaite] was speaking, she for asking him a question,
  was by people haled out, and then sent for her aforesaid husband, who after she came
  home, did so hunch and pincht her, that she could not lift her arms to her head.
  The same Ralph again on the seventeenth day of the third month of this present
  yeare, bound the hands and feet of his said wife and pinioned her, and then covered her
  very hot with bed-cloathes, and soe kept her for the space of foure or five houres; this it
  seems he did because she tooke occasion to reprove a hireling priest for belying her.
  Againe, upon the twenty-fifth day of the eighth month, the aforesaid Ralph did
  sorely abuse his wife, on which the following lines were sent unto two Justices of the Peace
  (soe called), to complain of and to declare the same that she might not perish in private,
  but to lay it home to them, then in authority, viz.:
  Whereas complaint hath beene made unto two of those who are in place to doe justice
  as, namely, Richard Boughton and Nathaniel Studly, of cruel persecution inflicted upon
  the body of a woman in the Clift, neare Lewis, by the hands of a wicked tirant, who is
  called her husband; his name is Ralph Akehurst, he hath chained his wife in a close
  back chamber in his house, between two high bed-steads, with a great chain much like a
  timber chain, containing thirty-five links, and a staple and lock, soe that this woman
  cannot move aboute the roome, or lye in the bed without this chaine, soe that with wait of
  itt it hath done much wrong to her legg, besides blows and bruses that he hath given her
  in executing his cruelty in putting on of this chaine, soe that thereby her body is much
  weakened at present, and murther may ensue if the Lord by his providence doth not some
  way for her deliverance; for this man hath promised that he will never unlock the chaine
  from off her, soe that in all likelyhood his heart is bent to destroy the body of this woman
  someway, for he hath attempted her life, as she hath said, by endeavouring to throatle her.
  We set this forth to declare to the world, that if this woman shall putt off the body or
  sacrifice her life through his cruelty, that none shall hereafter upon just grounds say that
  she hath destroyed herself, or done any evil to her owne body, soe that if inocent blood be
  shead, we shall be cleare and the guilt shall remaine upon the heads which suffer such things to be done.
  Mary Akehurst
  Subscribed by Mary Coulstock
  Ambrose Galloway
  Mary Dapson.³
• (Witness) Will: BW73 Mary Baker is mentioned in the will of Raphe Akehurst dated 27 August 1666 at St Thomas a Beckett, Lewes, Sussex, England^B; "residing in Dublin, Ireland."⁴
• Anecdote: Mary's husband Raphe died in 1666 and he wrote his will that year while residing in Ireland. It is assumed that he died there. His presence there is not necessarily surprising as his business was concerned with importing and exporting goods from Lewes (as his father had done) and that his will indicates that he owned a one twelveth part interest in a boat. He was accused of smuggling more than once!
• Anecdote: In 1672 Mary was visited by William Penn who lodged with her. Penn was an early Quaker and advocate of democracy and religious freedom, and later the founder of the English North American Colony the Province of Pennsylvania.⁵
• Anecdote: In 1675 Mary Akehurst, widow, was fined seven pounds for being part of a meeting of Friends (Quakers).⁶
• Anecdote: In 1681 the Friend's Monthly Meeting reproved Widow Akehurst for allowing her children to "scoff at people on the fast day as they went to the Steeplehouse [church]".⁷
• Anecdote: In 1683, Mary Akehurst widow, Mary Akehurst spinster, and Thomas Akehurst were fined for absenting themselves from church for three Sundays.⁸
• Anecdote: Mary was one of the last Quakers to be held prisoner at Horsham gaol. She was sued for not paying tithes and excommunicated for refusing to pay. "On Sunday morning, 10th July 1687, although poor and weak, she was taken on horseback to Horsham Gaol, one of the bailiffs drunk with many oaths threatening that if she could not hold on he would have her dragged at the horse’s tail. Eventually they got her to the gaol where she remained a close prisoner for 7 months and was afterwards committed to the Kings Bench prison in London. The Kings Bench prison was for debtors. It is not surprising that Friends who had been fined and had the tools of their trade taken from them should find themselves unable to pay their creditors, but it is surprising that they counted it a kindness when one of these creditors sued them. The debtor’s prison was a much more comfortable place than Horsham Gaol! Soon afterwards in 1689 the Act of Toleration released Friends from the obligation of attending church and taking the sacraments. This ended the worst of the persecution, but they were still liable for the payment of tithes and suffered much financial loss during the next two centuries."⁹
• Death*: BW73 Mary Baker died in September 1691 at Sussex, England.
• Burial*: BW73 Mary Baker was buried on 29 September 1691 at Quaker burial ground, Rottingdean, Sussex, England.¹⁰
  
• Anecdote: Quakers would not have their bodies buried in consecrated ground and hence provided their own burial grounds, or utilized their own orchards or gardens.The burial ground for Quakers at Lewes was at Rottingdean (Coords: 50.807409, -0.057749). It was bought by Nicholas Beard in 1661. The Beard family were a local landowning family who were influential in the local Quaker movement. 102 individuals are known to have been buried at the site between 1675 and 1889. The majority of the graves appear to have been unmarked, which is in line with Quaker tradition.

Raphe Akehurst

Parents:

• Birth*: Raphe Akehurst was born circa 1655 at Lewes, Sussex, England^B.
• He was the son of Raphe Akehurst and BW73 Mary Baker.
• (Witness) Will: Raphe Akehurst is mentioned in the will of Raphe Akehurst dated 27 August 1666 at St Thomas a Beckett, Lewes, Sussex, England^B; "residing in Dublin, Ireland."¹
• (Witness) Marriage: Raphe Akehurst witnessed the marriage of Ruth Hobbs and Ambrose Galloway on 10 July 1679 at Monthly Meeting, Lewes, Sussex, England; Quaker records.²

Samuel Akehurst

Parents:

• Birth*: Samuel Akehurst was born circa 1657 at Lewes, Sussex, England^B.
• He was the son of Raphe Akehurst and BW73 Mary Baker.
• (Witness) Will: Samuel Akehurst is mentioned in the will of Raphe Akehurst dated 27 August 1666 at St Thomas a Beckett, Lewes, Sussex, England^B; "residing in Dublin, Ireland."¹
• Death*: Samuel Akehurst died in 1679 at Lewes, Sussex, England^B.
• Burial*: Samuel Akehurst was buried on 7 April 1679 at Quaker burial ground, Rottingdean, Sussex, England.²

Alexander Akehurst

Parents:

• Birth*: Alexander Akehurst was born circa 1659 at Lewes, Sussex, England^B.
• He was the son of Raphe Akehurst and BW73 Mary Baker.
• (Witness) Will: Alexander Akehurst is mentioned in the will of Raphe Akehurst dated 27 August 1666 at St Thomas a Beckett, Lewes, Sussex, England^B; "residing in Dublin, Ireland."¹
• Death*: Alexander Akehurst died in 1683 at Lewes, Sussex, England^B.
• Burial*: Alexander Akehurst was buried on 19 June 1683 at Quaker burial ground, Rottingdean, Sussex, England.²

John Akehurst

Parents:

• Birth*: John Akehurst was born circa 1661 at Lewes, Sussex, England^B.
• He was the son of Raphe Akehurst and BW73 Mary Baker.
• (Witness) Will: John Akehurst is mentioned in the will of Raphe Akehurst dated 27 August 1666 at St Thomas a Beckett, Lewes, Sussex, England^B; "residing in Dublin, Ireland."¹
• Death*: John Akehurst died in 1672 at Lewes, Sussex, England^B.
• Burial*: John Akehurst was buried in June 1672 at Quaker burial ground, Rottingdean, Sussex, England.²

Thomas Akehurst

Parents:

• Baptism*: Thomas Akehurst was baptized on 7 November 1664 at St Thomas a Beckett, Lewes, Sussex, England^B.¹
• He was the son of Raphe Akehurst and BW73 Mary Baker.
• (Witness) Will: Thomas Akehurst is mentioned in the will of Raphe Akehurst dated 27 August 1666 at St Thomas a Beckett, Lewes, Sussex, England^B; "residing in Dublin, Ireland."²
• (Witness) Marriage: Thomas Akehurst witnessed the marriage of Ruth Hobbs and Ambrose Galloway on 10 July 1679 at Monthly Meeting, Lewes, Sussex, England; Quaker records.³
• Occupation*: Thomas Akehurst was a mercer in 1682 at St Thomas a Beckett, Lewes, Sussex, England^B.⁴
• Anecdote: Mary's sons Thomas and Ralp traded in grain, iron shot, wine, flax and pantiles, glasses, brandy and blacking.⁵
• Anecdote*: Thomas was a small dealer in guns, shot and grain at West Street, Cliffe.⁶

George Cottara

Sarah Catherine Ward

Parents:

• Birth*: Sarah Catherine Ward was born on 5 March 1861 at Calcutta, Bengal, India.
• She was the daughter of Edwin Ward and Mary (?)
• Baptism: Sarah Catherine Ward was baptized on 25 April 1861 at Old Church, Calcutta, Bengal, India.

Elizabeth Collins

• Marriage*: Elizabeth Collins married Francis Akehurst, son of Richard Akehurst and Mary Reeds, on 23 October 1766 at Eastbourne, Sussex, England^B, both of this parish. Witnesses: John MEDHURST; Thomas HART.¹
• Married Name: As of 23 October 1766, her married name was Akehurst.

Edward Akehurst

Parents:

• Baptism*: Edward Akehurst was baptized on 2 October 1700 at St Mary the Virgin, Warbleton, Sussex, England^B.¹
• He was the son of John Akehurst and Ann (?)
• (Witness) Will: Edward Akehurst is mentioned in the will of John Akehurst dated 13 January 1714/15 at Warbleton, Sussex, England^B.²
• Marriage*: Edward Akehurst married Mary (?) circa 1725 at Sussex, England.
• Will*: Edward Akehurst left a will made on 10 October 1757 at Hooe, Sussex, England^B.³
• Will/Adm Transcript*: Will of Edward Akehurst of Hooe, 1758
  (ESRO: PBT/1/1/59/624)
  Made: 10 Oct 1757
  Proved: 30 Mar 1758
  www.familysearch.org (film: 1886025; Image: 18)
  In the Name of God Amen I Edward Akehurst of the Parish of Hoo in the County of Sussex Yeoman being Weak in Body but of Sound and Perfect Mind Memmory and Understanding Praised be Almighty God for the same Do this present Tenth Day of October in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Seven Make and Ordain Publish and Declare this my last Will and Testament in Writing in Manner and Form following That is to say First and Principally I Recommend my Soul to Almighty God that gave it And my Body to the Earth to receive a Decent and Christian like Burial at the Discretion of my Executors herein after Named And as Touching and concerning my Worldly Goods and Effects I Do Dispose of the Same as Followeth In the first place I give and Bequeath unto my two Grandsons Richard Stubberfield and Edward Stubberfield Sons of Richard Stubberfield the Younger of Bexhill each of them two pair of Sheets to be chose for them out of my Linnen by my Executors and to be kept by my Executors untill the said Richard and Edward Stubberfield shall Attain to the Age of Twenty one Years and then to be Deliver’d to them Also I Give and Bequeath unto my Daughter Sarah the Wife of John Akehurst of the Parish of Hoo my Chest of Drawers and also all my Linnen (Except before Given) that I shall have in my House or elswhere at the Time of my Decease to be Deliver’d to her by my Executors within Months after my Decease Also I give and Bequeath unto my Grandson Thomas Akehurst the Son of John and Sarah Akehurst of the Parish of Hoo My Colt that came of the Pony Mare Except the said Colt be Dead or Sold before my Decease But if the Said Colt be Sold before my Decease then my Will is that my said Grandson Thomas Akehurst shall have So much Money as the Said Colt Shall be Sold for over and above the Legacys hereinafter Given him And all the rest residue and remainder of my Said Goods Chattels and Effects of whatsoever kind or wheresoever the Same or any part thereof is or may be found I Give and bequeath unto my Executors hereinafter named But nevertheless only uppon this Trust that the Same may be Sold as Soon as Conveniently may be after my Decease for the best Purchase they can get and the Money ariseing from Such Sale I Give and Despose of as followeth First I Give and Bequeath unto Mary Sharp (my Maid Servant) the Sum of Ten Pounds of Lawful Money of Great Brittain to be paid her by my Executors within Six Months after my Decease Also I give and Bequeath unto my Grandson Richard Stubberfield the Sum of Five Shillings of Lawful Money of England to be Paid him by my Executors when he shall attain to the Age of Twenty one Years Also I give and Bequeath unto my Grandson Edward Stubberfield the Sum of Thirty Pounds of Good and Lawful Money of Great Brittain to be Paid him by my Executors when he shall attain to the Age of Twenty one Years Also I give and Bequeath unto the First Son of my Daughter Sarah that shall Live and first Attain to the Age of Twenty one Years the Sum of Five Shillings of like Lawful Money to be paid him by my Executors at the Time aforesaid And also I give and Bequeath the Sum of thirty Pounds of Lawful Money of Great Brittain to be Divided amongst all the rest of the Children of My Daughter Sarah Share and Share alike and to be paid them by my Executors when they Shall Severaly attain to the Age of Twenty one Years And all the rest residue and remainder of the Money ariseing by Such Sale as aforesaid and remaining in the hands of my Executors // (My Debts Legacys Funeral Expences and the Probate of this my Last Will &c) being first paid and Discharged I Give and Dispose of as followeth (that is to say) One Moiety or half part thereof to my Grandsons Richard and Edward Stubberfield aforesaid to be Equally Divided between them Share and Share alike and to be paid them by my Executors when they shall Severally Attain to the Age of Twenty one Years The other Moiety or half part to all the Children of my Daughter Sarah to be equally Divided amongst them Share and Share alike and to be paid them by my Executors when they shall Severaly attain to the Age of Twenty one Years And my Will is that if it shall happen that either of my Grandsons Richard or Edward Stubberfield Shall Dye before they attain to the Age of Twenty one Years and not leaving a Child or Children Lawfully Begotten of their Bodies then such Legacy part or Share as aforesaid as would have been payable to him at the Time he should have ariv’d to the Age of Twenty one Years to be paid to the surviving Brother when he shall attain to the Age of Twenty one Years But if they have a Child or Children Lawfully Begoten then Such Child or Children to have their Deceased Fathers part And further my Will that if they shall both happen to Dye before they Attain to the Age of Twenty one Years and not have a Child or Children Lawfully Begotten then their Legacys parts or shares to go to the Children of my Daughter Sarah to be equally divided amongst them Share and Share alike and be paid to them by my Executors when they shall Severally Attain to the Age of Twenty one Years The Same Rules to be Used at the Discretion of my Executors amongst the Children of my Daughter Sarah In case any of them Should Dye as aforesaid And Further my Will is that my Executors Shall put the Money arising by the Sale of the Effects as Aforesaid Out at Interest on a good and Sufficient Security as Soon as conveniently they can (but if there shall happen any loss thereby my Executors not to Suffer that loss) And the Interest ariseing therefrom to be Aplied at the Descretion of my Executors for and towards the Maintaining and Educating of my Grand Children aforesaid as they shall think proper and convenient And further I do hereby Nominate Constitute and Apoint my Trusty Friends John Blackman of the Parish of Hoo and George Hammond of Bexhill Joynt Executors of this My last Will and Testament (Revokeing all former Wills whatsoever by me formerly made and Declareing them to be Void and of no Effect) And Allowing my said Executors all Reasonable Charges and Expence which they shall be at in and about the Same And lastly I give and Bequeat unto my Said Executors each of them One Guinea for their Trouble In Witness whereof I the Said Edward Akehurst have to this my last Will and Testament Wrote on two Sheets of Paper to each Sheet of Paper Sett my Hand and Seal the Day and Year first above Written
  The mark of Edward Akehurst
  Signed Sealed Publised and Declared by the Testator Edward Akehurst to be his last Will and Testament In the Presence of us who have Subscribed our Names as Witnesses in the Presence and at the request of the Said Edward Akehurst the Testator
  John Beale
  Thomas Beale
  Ransom
  Probate: 30th March 1758 to John Blackman and George Hammond, executors.
  (Transcribed by Claire Wickens, 30 August 2018 for Geoffrey Barber.)
  
• Death*: Edward Akehurst died in 1758 at Hooe, Sussex, England^B.
• Burial*: Edward Akehurst was buried on 4 February 1758 at Hooe, Sussex, England^B.⁴
• Probate: His estate was probated on 30 March 1758 at Archdeaconry of Lewes, Sussex, England.³

John Akehurst

Parents:

• Birth: John Akehurst was born in 1671 at Hellingly, Sussex, England^B.
• Baptism*: John Akehurst was baptized on 17 November 1671 at St Peter & St Paul, Hellingly, Sussex, England^B.¹
• He was the son of Samuel Akehurst and Mary Maides.
• Marriage*: John Akehurst married Ann (?) circa 1690 at Sussex, England.
• Will*: John Akehurst left a will made on 13 January 1714/15 at Warbleton, Sussex, England^B.²
• Will/Adm Transcript*: Will of John Akehurst of Warbleton, 1714
  (ESRO: PBT 1/1/43/128)
  Made: 13 Jan 1714/15
  Proved: 25 Jun 1715
  www.familysearch.org (film no: 1885993; image: 796)
  In the name of God amen, I John Akehurst of Warbleton in the County of Sussex being sick in body but of sound & perfect memory, praised be God for it, do make this my last Will and Testament as followeth.
  Imprimis I comment my soul to God trusting to be saved through the merits of our Saviour and my Body to the ground to be decently buried according to the usage of the Church of England.
  And after my just debts and funeral expences are satisfied and discharged I give and bequeath all the rest of my worldly goods and estate unto my loving wife Ann and my seven children John Sarah Mary Thomas Ann Edward and Samuel to be equally divided between them when my youngest child shall have attained the age of 21 years.
  And I do hereby constitute and ordain my said wife Ann and my son John joint Executors of this my last will & testament, desiring them to take all due care of my younger children & to do them justice. In witness of all which I have hereunto sett my hand and seal this 13^th day of January 1714.
  X
  John Akehurst his mark
  Signed sealed published and declared in the presence of
  Roger Callow
  Joseph Stone
  John Wilmshurst
  
  25 June 1715
  [Latin – Anne Akehurst and Johannis Akehurst executors]
  Thos Pierce Snr
  (Transcribed by Geoffrey Barber, 23 April 2017.)
  
• Death*: John Akehurst died in January 1714/15 at Warbleton, Sussex, England^B, at age 43.
• Burial*: John Akehurst was buried on 19 January 1714/15 at St Mary the Virgin, Warbleton, Sussex, England^B.³
• Probate: His estate was probated on 25 June 1715 at Archdeaconry of Lewes, Sussex, England, £241 4s 6d.

Mary (?)

• Birth*: Mary (?) was born circa 1700 at Sussex, England.
• Marriage*: Mary (?) married Edward Akehurst, son of John Akehurst and Ann (?), circa 1725 at Sussex, England.
• Married Name: As of circa 1725, her married name was Akehurst.
• Death*: Mary (?) died in 1756 at Hooe, Sussex, England^B.
• Burial*: Mary (?) was buried on 3 July 1756 at Hooe, Sussex, England^B.¹

Mary Akehurst

Parents:

• Baptism*: Mary Akehurst was baptized on 14 July 1725 at St Mary the Virgin, Warbleton, Sussex, England^B.¹
• She was the daughter of Edward Akehurst and Mary (?)
• Marriage*: Mary Akehurst married Richard Stubberfield on 24 May 1747 at Wartling, Sussex, England^B, surname STETHERFIELD (but spelt STUBBERFIELD in Mary's father's will of 1758). Mary of Bexhill, Richard of Hooe.²
• Married Name: As of 24 May 1747, her married name was Stubberfield.
• Death*: Mary Akehurst died in 1753 at Bexhill, Sussex, England^B.
• Burial*: Mary Akehurst was buried on 26 March 1753 at Bexhill, Sussex, England^B.³

Thomas Akehurst

Parents:

• Baptism*: Thomas Akehurst was baptized on 6 January 1726/27 at St Mary the Virgin, Warbleton, Sussex, England^B.¹
• He was the son of Edward Akehurst and Mary (?)
• Death*: Thomas Akehurst died in 1728 at Warbleton, Sussex, England^B.
• Burial*: Thomas Akehurst was buried on 12 November 1728 at St Mary the Virgin, Warbleton, Sussex, England^B, "son of Edward & Mary."²

Sarah Akehurst

Parents:

• Baptism*: Sarah Akehurst was baptized on 14 June 1728 at St Mary the Virgin, Warbleton, Sussex, England^B.¹
• She was the daughter of Edward Akehurst and Mary (?)
• Marriage*: Sarah Akehurst married John Akehurst on 11 April 1753 at Mountfield, Sussex, England^B, both of Hooe.²
• (Witness) Will: Sarah Akehurst is mentioned in the will of Edward Akehurst dated 10 October 1757 at Hooe, Sussex, England^B.³

Edward Akehurst

Parents:

• Baptism*: Edward Akehurst was baptized on 29 January 1730/31 at St Mary the Virgin, Warbleton, Sussex, England^B.¹
• He was the son of Edward Akehurst and Mary (?)
• Death*: Edward Akehurst died in 1752 at Hooe, Sussex, England^B.
• Burial*: Edward Akehurst was buried on 2 December 1752 at Hooe, Sussex, England^B, "son of Edward."²

Thomas Akehurst

Parents:

• Baptism*: Thomas Akehurst was baptized on 30 March 1733 at St Mary the Virgin, Warbleton, Sussex, England^B.¹
• He was the son of Edward Akehurst and Mary (?)
• Death*: Thomas Akehurst died in December 1733 at Warbleton, Sussex, England^B.
• Burial*: Thomas Akehurst was buried on 2 December 1733 at St Mary the Virgin, Warbleton, Sussex, England^B, "son of Edward."²

Ann Akehurst

Parents:

• Death*: Ann Akehurst died in September 1734 at Warbleton, Sussex, England^B.
• Baptism*: Ann Akehurst was baptized on 8 September 1734 at St Mary the Virgin, Warbleton, Sussex, England^B.¹
• She was the daughter of Edward Akehurst and Mary (?)
• Burial*: Ann Akehurst was buried on 17 September 1734 at St Mary the Virgin, Warbleton, Sussex, England^B, "daughter of Edward."²

Elizabeth Akehurst

Parents:

• Baptism*: Elizabeth Akehurst was baptized on 1 June 1740 at St Mary the Virgin, Warbleton, Sussex, England^B.¹
• She was the daughter of Edward Akehurst and Mary (?)
• Death*: Elizabeth Akehurst died in 1751 at Hooe, Sussex, England^B.
• Burial*: Elizabeth Akehurst was buried on 4 March 1751 at St Oswald's, Hooe, Sussex, England^B.²

Ann Akehurst

Parents:

• Baptism*: Ann Akehurst was baptized on 17 July 1741 at St Mary the Virgin, Warbleton, Sussex, England^B.¹
• She was the daughter of Edward Akehurst and Mary (?)
• Death*: Ann Akehurst died in 1753 at Warbleton, Sussex, England^B.
• Burial*: Ann Akehurst was buried on 22 September 1753 at St Mary the Virgin, Warbleton, Sussex, England^B.²

John Akehurst

• Birth*: John Akehurst was born circa 1730 at Sussex, England.
• Marriage*: John Akehurst married Sarah Akehurst, daughter of Edward Akehurst and Mary (?), on 11 April 1753 at Mountfield, Sussex, England^B, both of Hooe.¹
• Death*: John Akehurst died in 1796 at Hooe, Sussex, England^B.
• Burial*: John Akehurst was buried on 20 November 1796 at St Oswald's, Hooe, Sussex, England^B.

Sarah Ann Griffiths

• Birth*: Sarah Ann Griffiths was born circa 1767 at England.
• Anecdote*: Sarah Ann was a widow when she gave birth to Richard Green Griffiths (illegitimate). The likely father is Richard Green who, according to the poor relief records of the parish of Theydon Garnon, received the following payments:
  1810 Jan 30. Richard Green ill                    5s.
  1810 Feb 14. Richard Green ill                    5s.
  These payments to Richard Green continued until July.
  1810 Jul 11. Paid for removing Richard Green to the Ospetal     10s.
  1810 Jul 15. Richard Green wife in distress               2s.6d.
  Payments continued to Richard Green’s wife until August.
  1810 Aug 10. Widow Green                    2s.
  Payments to Widow Green continued on into at least 1811.
  If this Richard Green is the father of Richard Green Griffiths, then he seems to have been becoming ill at around the time of Richard’s conception, and was dead before he was born.
  That could be possible – ill could mean just “not able to work”, rather than completely incapacitated with sickness.
  It is also possible that there was a Richard Green junior who was father to Richard Green Griffiths. This requires further investigation in the Theydon Garnon registers.¹
• Marriage*: Sarah Ann Griffiths married William Armstrong, son of John Armstrong and Susanna (?), on 16 October 1814 at Theydon Garnon, Essex, England, Witnesses: Joseph Armstrong, Peter Saville.^2,3
• Married Name: As of 16 October 1814, her married name was Armstrong.
• Death*: Sarah Ann Griffiths died on 26 January 1841 at Back Street, Theydon Garnon, Essex, England. She died of "decay of nature".⁴
• Burial*: Sarah Ann Griffiths was buried on 31 January 1841 at Epping Upland All Saints, Epping, Essex, England^B, "age 74 years."⁵

William Armstrong

Parents:

• Birth*: William Armstrong was born in 1768 at Epping, Essex, England.
• He was the son of John Armstrong and Susanna (?)
• Baptism: William Armstrong was baptized on 8 May 1768 at Epping, Essex, England.¹
• Marriage*: William Armstrong married Sarah Ann Griffiths on 16 October 1814 at Theydon Garnon, Essex, England, Witnesses: Joseph Armstrong, Peter Saville.^2,3
• Death*: William Armstrong died in 1832 at Epping, Essex, England.
• Burial*: William Armstrong was buried on 13 June 1832 at Epping Upland All Saints, Epping, Essex, England^B, "age 65 years."⁴

John Armstrong

• Marriage*: John Armstrong married Susanna (?) circa 1760 at England.

Susanna (?)

• Marriage*: Susanna (?) married John Armstrong circa 1760 at England.
• Married Name: As of circa 1760, her married name was Armstrong.

George Griffiths

Parents:

• Birth*: George Griffiths was born in 1846 at Islington, Middlesex, England.¹
• He was the son of Richard Green Griffiths and Eliza Cornell.
• Death*: George Griffiths died in 1851 at Islington, Middlesex, England.²

James Cornell

Parents:

• Baptism*: James Cornell was baptized on 11 January 1795 at Hatfield Broad Oak, Essex, England^B, surname CONNELL.
• He was the son of George Cornell and Lydia Noake.

Elizabeth Cornell

Parents:

• Baptism*: Elizabeth Cornell was baptized on 11 March 1798 at Hatfield Broad Oak, Essex, England^B, surname CORNEY.
• She was the daughter of George Cornell and Lydia Noake.