Person Page - 533

Susanna Stegning

• Married Name: As of 28 June 1731, her married name was Wickersham.
• Marriage*: Susanna Stegning married Thomas Wickersham, son of Herbert Wickersham and Anne Ashdown, on 28 June 1731 at Cuckfield, Sussex, England^B.¹
• Death*: Susanna Stegning died in 1754 at Worth, Sussex, England^B.
• Burial*: Susanna Stegning was buried on 30 October 1754 at St Swithun, East Grinstead, Sussex, England^B, "wife of Thomas, Worth."²

Herbert Wickersham

Parents:

• Baptism*: Herbert Wickersham was baptized on 15 February 1731/32 at St Swithun, East Grinstead, Sussex, England^B.¹
• He was the son of Thomas Wickersham and Susanna Stegning.
• Death*: Herbert Wickersham died in 1753 at Worth, Sussex, England^B.
• Burial*: Herbert Wickersham was buried on 23 April 1753 at St Swithun, East Grinstead, Sussex, England^B, "Hubert WICKERSON, Worth."²

Thomas Wickersham

Parents:

• Baptism*: Thomas Wickersham was baptized on 5 July 1734 at St Swithun, East Grinstead, Sussex, England^B.¹
• He was the son of Thomas Wickersham and Susanna Stegning.

Joseph Wickersham

Parents:

• Baptism*: Joseph Wickersham was baptized on 15 April 1737 at St Swithun, East Grinstead, Sussex, England^B, mother's name Susannah.
• He was the son of Thomas Wickersham and Susanna Stegning.

Richard Ashdown

• Birth*: Richard Ashdown was born circa 1600 at Sussex, England.
• Marriage License: Richard Ashdown and Mary Turner obtained a marriage licence on 12 March 1627/28 at Archdeaconry of Lewes, Sussex, England, Richard a husbandman of Rotherfield; Mary a widow of the same parish. Sponsors: Richard Ashdowne, Nich. Ashdowne, yeoman of the same parish.¹
• Marriage*: Richard Ashdown married Mary Turner on 14 March 1627/28 at Hartfield, Sussex, England^B, Mary a widow.¹

Thomas Ashdown

Parents:

• Baptism*: Thomas Ashdown was baptized on 24 October 1630 at St Margaret, Buxted, Sussex, England^B.¹
• He was the son of Richard Ashdown and Amy Gildridge.
• (Witness) Will: Thomas Ashdown is mentioned in the will of Richard Ashdown dated 11 April 1649 at Buxted, Sussex, England^B.²

Amy Ashdown

Parents:

• Baptism*: Amy Ashdown was baptized on 12 February 1631/32 at St Margaret, Buxted, Sussex, England^B, "Eamie ASHDOWNE."¹
• She was the daughter of Richard Ashdown and Amy Gildridge.
• (Witness) Will: Amy Ashdown is mentioned in the will of Richard Ashdown dated 11 April 1649 at Buxted, Sussex, England^B.²

Elizabeth Skipton

• Birth*: Elizabeth Skipton was born circa 1590 at England.
• Married Name: As of 10 June 1616, her married name was Ashdown.
• Marriage*: Elizabeth Skipton married Richard Ashdown, son of Nicholas Ashdown and Margery Alfrey, on 10 June 1616 at Brenchley, Kent, England^B.¹

Elizabeth Ashdown

Parents:

• Baptism*: Elizabeth Ashdown was baptized on 20 February 1619/20 at St Denys, Rotherfield, Sussex, England^B.¹
• She was the daughter of Richard Ashdown and Elizabeth Skipton.
• Married Name: As of 28 May 1644, her married name was Hunt.
• Marriage*: Elizabeth Ashdown married William Hunt on 28 May 1644 at St John sub Castro, Lewes, Sussex, England^B, William HUNT of Ticehurst and Elizabeth ASHDOWNE of Lamberhurst, Kent.²
• (Witness) Will: Elizabeth Ashdown is mentioned in the will of Richard Ashdown dated 11 April 1649 at Buxted, Sussex, England^B.³

Richard Ashdown

Parents:

• Birth*: Richard Ashdown was born circa 1622 at Rotherfield, Sussex, England^B.
• Anecdote*: There is a baptism at Rotherfield on 2 Jun 1622 of a Richard ASHEDOWNE son of Robert ASHEDOWNE. The original parish register has been checked and it is indeed Robert. However, could this be a mistake made by the parish clerk?
• He was the son of Richard Ashdown and Elizabeth Skipton.
• (Witness) Will: Richard Ashdown is mentioned in the will of Abraham Ashdown dated 19 April 1627 at Frant, Sussex, England^B.¹
• Anecdote: A document titled "Exemplification of a judgement in Chancery. Sir Thomas Puxty and Nicholas Puxty, pl. v. Elias Blunt and Robert Brookes, def." states that Richard Ashdown was in occupation of a "Capital messuage and land called Puxtie" at Buxted. (WSRO.)
• Marriage*: Richard Ashdown married Jane Puxted on 27 April 1648 at Buxted, Sussex, England^B.
• (Witness) Will: Richard Ashdown is mentioned in the will of Richard Ashdown dated 11 April 1649 at Buxted, Sussex, England^B.²

William Hunt

• Marriage*: William Hunt married Elizabeth Ashdown, daughter of Richard Ashdown and Elizabeth Skipton, on 28 May 1644 at St John sub Castro, Lewes, Sussex, England^B, William HUNT of Ticehurst and Elizabeth ASHDOWNE of Lamberhurst, Kent.¹

Susannah Maynard

Parents:

• Baptism*: Susannah Maynard was baptized on 18 August 1689 at St Andrew & St Mary the Virgin, Fletching, Sussex, England^B.¹
• She was the daughter of Abraham Maynard and Elizabeth Maynard.
• Married Name: As of 1709, her married name was Ashdown.
• Marriage*: Susannah Maynard married Richard Ashdown, son of Richard Ashdown and Ann Osburne, in 1709 at Fletching, Sussex, England^B.²
• Anecdote*: A document at the East Sussex Record Office titled "Deeds of Heaths Farm Plumpton" (ESRO: AMS5797) provides an understanding of this family and in particular, Richard:
  Wood assigned the lease on 24 June 1698 to Abraham Maynard of Fletching yeoman; a house and barn had lately been built on the land. Maynard's will of 1 Jan 1700 bequeathed the property to his daughter Susannah; she married Richard Ashdown of St Mary Magdalen Bermondsey Surrey tanner who after her death by his will of 6 Apr 1714 bequeathed it to his brother Robert Ashdown
  Robert Ashdown's will of 6 May 1714 gave a life interest to his father Richard with remainders to his brothers John and Alexander Ashdown & sister Ann Wickersham as tenants in common
  On 1 Apr 1735 John (of Chiddingstone Kent husbandman) assigned the third share in the lease to his brother Alexander senior of Tonbridge Kent tiler for £40 (1). On 26 Mar 1736 Alexander Ashdown assigned his two-thirds share to Edmund Hobbs of Fletching yeoman; Ann, who had meanwhile married Anthony Ellis, joined with him to assign the remaining third to Hobbs on 30 Apr 1737. On 8 Oct 1737 Hobbs assigned to John Bradford of Falmer gent for £256; the farm was occupied by Edmund Chapman (2.)
  
• Death*: Susannah Maynard died circa 1712 at England.

Anthony Ellis

• Marriage*: Anthony Ellis married Anne Ashdown, daughter of Richard Ashdown and Ann Osburne, on 11 November 1716 at East Grinstead, Sussex, England^B, confirmed in Deeds of Heaths Farm Plumpton. [1595] - 1820 (ESRO: AMS5797.)¹

Richard Ashdown

Parents:

• Birth: Richard Ashdown was born in 1711 at Chiddingstone, Kent, England^B.
• Baptism*: Richard Ashdown was baptized on 26 December 1711 at Chiddingstone, Kent, England^B.¹
• He was the son of Richard Ashdown and Susannah Maynard.
• (Witness) Will: Richard Ashdown is mentioned in the will of Richard Ashdown dated 6 April 1714 at Bermondsey, Surrey, England.
• Anecdote*: Possible marriage to Elizabeth Watson at Tonbridge on 31 May 1737.²

Abraham Maynard

• Marriage License*: Abraham Maynard and an unknown person obtained a marriage licence on 12 May 1688 at Archdeaconry of Lewes, Sussex, England, Abraham of Fletching, Elizabeth of teh same parish.¹
• Marriage*: Abraham Maynard married Elizabeth Maynard on 30 June 1688 at Fletching, Sussex, England^B, Elizabeth a widow.¹
• Will*: Abraham Maynard left a will made on 1 January 1700 at Fletching, Sussex, England^B.
• Death*: Abraham Maynard died in 1701 at Fletching, Sussex, England^B.
• Burial*: Abraham Maynard was buried on 19 June 1701 at St Andrew & St Mary the Virgin, Fletching, Sussex, England^B.²

Elizabeth Maynard

• Marriage*: Elizabeth Maynard married Abraham Maynard on 30 June 1688 at Fletching, Sussex, England^B, Elizabeth a widow.¹

Ann Mercer

• Married Name: As of 3 March 1731, her married name was Ashdown.
• Marriage*: Ann Mercer married Alexander Ashdown, son of Richard Ashdown and Ann Osburne, on 3 March 1731 at Bidborough, Kent, England, Alex of Tonbridge, Ann of Speldhurst.¹
• Death*: Ann Mercer died in November 1742 at Speldhurst, Kent, England.
• Burial*: Ann Mercer was buried on 25 November 1742 at Speldhurst, Kent, England, "wife of Alexander Ashdown."

Ann Ashdown

Parents:

• Baptism*: Ann Ashdown was baptized on 2 April 1732 at Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England^B.¹
• She was the daughter of Alexander Ashdown and Ann Mercer.

Alexander Ashdown

Parents:

• Baptism*: Alexander Ashdown was baptized on 23 October 1734 at Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England^B.¹
• He was the son of Alexander Ashdown and Ann Mercer.
• Marriage*: Alexander Ashdown married Hannah Killick on 23 November 1763 at Speldhurst, Kent, England, Possibility only - needs further work.²
• Anecdote*: The Sussex People Index has the following entry that needs to be checked:
  Name: Alexander Ashdown Age: Place: Selmeston Date: 8 9 1798
  Further info from Kent Family History Society CD11
  Source: KFHS Kent Parish of Speldhurst. a Stray(Removals and Settlements).³
• Death*: Alexander Ashdown died in 1815 at Speldhurst, Kent, England.
• Burial*: Alexander Ashdown was buried on 23 March 1815 at Speldhurst, Kent, England, "81 years."⁴

Robert Ashdown

Parents:

• Baptism*: Robert Ashdown was baptized on 2 February 1739 at Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England^B.¹
• He was the son of Alexander Ashdown and Ann Mercer.

Elizabeth Ashdown

Parents:

• Baptism*: Elizabeth Ashdown was baptized on 26 March 1742 at Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England^B.¹
• She was the daughter of Alexander Ashdown and Ann Mercer.

Hannah Killick

• Birth*: Hannah Killick was born circa 1740 at England.
• Married Name: As of 23 November 1763, her married name was Ashdown.
• Marriage*: Hannah Killick married Alexander Ashdown, son of Alexander Ashdown and Ann Mercer, on 23 November 1763 at Speldhurst, Kent, England, Possibility only - needs further work.¹

Jane Finch

• Birth*: Jane Finch was born circa 1700 at England.
• Married Name: As of 29 May 1722, her married name was Ashdown.
• Marriage*: Jane Finch married John Ashdown, son of Richard Ashdown and Ann Osburne, on 29 May 1722 at Chiddingstone, Kent, England^B, John of Leigh. This marriage is a possiblity only - needs further work.¹

Alexander Seale

Parents:

• Baptism*: Alexander Seale was baptized on 19 March 1815 at Leigh, Kent, England^B.¹
• He was the son of Nathaniel Seale and Lydia Ashdown.

William Seale

• Birth*: William Seale was born in 1737 at Leigh, Kent, England^B; according to a tree in Ancestry - not verified.
• Marriage*: William Seale married Jane Clark on 15 October 1764 at Tonbridge, Kent, England^B, William of Leigh.¹

Jane Clark

• Baptism*: Jane Clark was baptized on 10 February 1739 at Bidborough, Kent, England, according to a tree in Ancestry - not verified.
• Marriage*: Jane Clark married William Seale on 15 October 1764 at Tonbridge, Kent, England^B, William of Leigh.¹
• Married Name: As of 15 October 1764, her married name was Seale.¹

John Ashdown

Parents:

• Birth*: John Ashdown was born circa 1740 at England.
• He was the son of (?) Ashdown.
• Marriage*: John Ashdown married Ann Dane on 13 October 1767 at Hartfield, Sussex, England^B.
• Will*: John Ashdown left a will made on 5 February 1807 at Hartfield, Sussex, England^B.¹
• Will/Adm Transcript*: Will of John ASHDOWN, Farmer of Hartfield, 1809
  (PCC: PROB 11/1491/287)
  Made: 5 Feb 1807
  Probate: 31 Jan 1809
  In the Name of God Amen Ashdown     I John Ashdown of Hartfield in the County of Sussex Farmer being in indifferent health of body and of sound and disposing mind and memory praised be God for the same do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following/ that is to say/ First I give devise and bequeath unto John Simmons my son in law William Carrett of Withyham in the County of Sussex farmer and Richard Streatfield of Hartfield in the said County farmer and their heirs Executors and Administrators All and every my household goods / Except such part of my household goods as my beloved wife Ann Ashdown shall choose to furnish two rooms with for her own use / chattels stock corn hay and all other my personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever of what nature or kind soever it may be In Trust for them the said John Simmons William Carrett and Richard Streatfield or the survivor of them or their heirs Executors or Administrators of such survivor to make sale of my said personal property within twelve months next after my decease or as soon after my decease the same can be conveniently done for the most money that can be reasonably had or got for the same and the money thereby raised together with all my ready money and securities for money all of which is to form our fund In event to pay and apply as hereinafter as mentioned namely in the first place to pay thereout all my just debts my funeral expences legacies hereinafter mentioned and the charges of proving this my will and other incidental expences attending the Trust and after payment thereof the remainder of the money arising by sale of my personal property In Trust to place out on Government or other good security and the interest proceeds or dividends thereof In Trust to pay and apply half yearly as the same shall become due after my decease unto and to the use of my beloved wife Ann Ashdown which I give and bequeath unto her for her maintenance and support And if at any time my said Wife should be in want of any further support I desire my Executors In Trust to call in such sum and sums of money as she shall want and pay her accordingly And from and immediately after my wife’s decease I give devise and bequeath the whole of the property out at use (Except five pounds apiece unto my said Executors In Trust and five pounds unto my nephew Edward Ashdown which they are to receive and pay within three months after my decease (that is to say) one moiety unto Ann the wife of the said John Simmons And Ann the wife of Henry Nye daughter of Edward Everest of Hartfield in the County of Sussex yeoman and the other moiety unto my sister Elizabeth Slater and Sarah Peerless the wife of Richard Peerless of Cowden in the County of Kent husbandman to be paid them within twelve months next after my wife’s decease by my Executors In Trust and in case my sister Elizabeth Slater should not live to receive her share then I give and bequeath her share unto her son John Slater And I do hereby make nominate constitute and appoint the said John Simmons William Carrett and Richard Streatfield Executors In Trust of this my last Will and Testament and to retain and reimburse themselves and himself all and whatsoever sum or sums of money which they or either of them may expend disburse or lay out in or about the execution of this my Will reasonably for their time and trouble In Witness whereof I the said John Ashdown have to this my last Will and Testament contained in two sheets of paper to each sheet set my hand and to the last my seal this fifth day of February in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seven -- John Ashdown –
  Signed sealed published and declared by the said Testator as and for his last Will and Testament who in his presence and in the presence of each other at his request have hereunto set our names as witnesses – Geo. Bankin att^y East Grinstead -- J. Palmer Jun^r East Grinstead -- Elizabeth Bankin.
  This Will was proved at London on the thirty first day of January in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and nine before Right Honorable Sir John Nicholl Knight, Letter of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oaths of John Symonds (by mistake in the will written Simmons) and Richard Streatfield two of the Executors named in the said Will to whom Administration was granted of all and singular the goods chattels and credits of the deceased they having been first sworn duly to administer. Power reserved of making the like grant to William Carrett the other Executor when he shall apply for the same.
  (Transcribed by Geoffrey Barber, 7 Apr 2020.)
  
• Death*: John Ashdown died in 1808 at Hartfield, Sussex, England^B.
• Burial*: John Ashdown was buried on 14 December 1808 at St Mary the Virgin, Hartfield, Sussex, England^B, "farmer."²
• Probate: His estate was probated on 31 January 1809 at Prerogative Court of Canterbury, London, England.

Ann Dane

• Birth*: Ann Dane was born in 1725 at Sussex, England.
• Anecdote*: A possible baptism is 21 Jul 1724 at Stanmer, daughter of William and Mary Dane.
• Married Name: As of 28 January 1749, her married name was Everest.
• Marriage*: Ann Dane married John Everest on 28 January 1749 at Hartfield, Sussex, England^B, both of this parish.¹
• Married Name: As of 13 October 1767, her married name was Ashdown.
• Marriage*: Ann Dane married John Ashdown, son of (?) Ashdown, on 13 October 1767 at Hartfield, Sussex, England^B.
• (Witness) Will: Ann Dane is mentioned in the will of John Ashdown dated 5 February 1807 at Hartfield, Sussex, England^B.²
• Death*: Ann Dane died in 1812 at Hartfield, Sussex, England^B.
• Burial*: Ann Dane was buried on 23 January 1812 at St Mary the Virgin, Hartfield, Sussex, England^B, "widow of John."³

(?) Ashdown

• Birth*: (?) Ashdown was born circa 1710 at England.

Sarah Ashdown

Parents:

• Birth*: Sarah Ashdown was born circa 1739 at England.
• She was the daughter of (?) Ashdown.
• Married Name: As of 9 December 1771, her married name was Peerless.
• Marriage*: Sarah Ashdown married Richard Peerless, son of Edward Peerless and Laetitia Tye, on 9 December 1771 at Cowden, Kent, England^B.
• (Witness) Will: Sarah Ashdown is mentioned in the will of John Ashdown dated 5 February 1807 at Hartfield, Sussex, England^B.¹
• Death*: Sarah Ashdown died in 1827 at Cowden, Kent, England^B.
• Mon-Inscr: A gravestone inscription at St Mary Magdalene, Cowden, Kent, England^B, for Sarah Ashdown was recorded as.²
  
• Burial*: Sarah Ashdown was buried on 1 May 1827 at St Mary Magdalene, Cowden, Kent, England^B, "age 88 years."