Descendants by Generation 7 Mar 2015
Katherine WHITLOCK (1622-1690)
1. Katherine WHITLOCK was born in 1622 in London, MDX.1 She died in 1690 in London.1 She married Thomas JORDAN.
1690: WILL OF KATHERINE (WHITLOCK) JORDEN
In the name of God Amen I Katherine Jorden of London widdow being weake in body but of sound mind and memory (blessed be God doe make and ordaine this my last will and Testament And as touching the Temporall Estate wherewith God hath Graciously blessed mee I doe Will and devise the same as followeth Imprimus I give unto Doctor Samuell Annesly and to my brother Mr. John Whitlock the sume of one hundred pounds of lawfull oney of England to bee payd nto them within one yeare next after my decease Uppon trust in the in them .....ed that they or the survivour of them shall give and dispose the same to such and soe many poore Godly Ministers and in such proportions as I shall either in writeing under my hand or by word of mouth before witnesses nominiate and apppoint to receive the same within one yeare next after my decease And if any of these persons that I shall nominate dye before they have received the proportion by mee appointed them Then my said Trustees are to pay the same to such other person or persons in his or their stead as my sayd Trustees shall thinke fitt Item I further give to the said Doctor Annesley and my brother Whitlock the sume of Thirty pounds like money to bee payd them within the Time aforesayd uppon Trust that they or the Survivour of them doe likewise give and dispos of the same to such and soe many poore widdowes feareing God (and in such proportions as I shall either by word or writeing nominate and appoint to that end) within one Yeare next after my decease And if any of them soe nominated shall dye before they have received the proportion by mee appointed them Then to such others in their stead as my sayd Trustees shall thinke fitt Item I give to the poore of the parish where I share bee buryed (in case it shall be the parish of Stratford Bow where my deare Husband was interred) the sume of Five pounds but if I bee buryed in any other parish Then I give the sume of Three pounds to the poore of any such parish Item I give unto my Sister Mary Whitlock wife of my sayd brother John Whitlock To my Nephew James Whitlock to my Nephew John Whitlock and to my Neece Anne Langford ffourty shillings apeece Item I give to all the children of my Brother Robert Whitlocke Deceased Twenty shillings apeice Item I give unto my sonnes in Law Mr. Joseph Burrough Mr. Godfrey Webster Mr. John Timme and Mr. John Billingsley Fourty shillings apiece Item I give unto my aforesayd brother Mr. John Whitlock and my sonne in Law Mr. Godfrey Webster the sume of Fifty pounds of lawfull English money in Trust to bee payd to my Granddaughter Anne Timme whe she shall attaine the Age of one and Twenty yeares or on the day of her Marryage which shall First happen and if she dye before her age or Marryage Then to bee payd to her brothers and sisters (if any of them shall be liveing att the time of her decease) equally share and share alike Item I give to my sayd brother John Whitlock and the sayd Godfrey Webster the sume of one Hundred pounds more of like money in Trust for the sole and separate use of my daughter Katherine Burrough wherein Mind and will is that her husband Joseph Burrough shall not intermeddle therewith or with any parte thereof and that the improvement that shall be made thereof dureing her sayd husbands life shall be either kept or layd upp for her good and advantage is such manner as my sayd brother and sonne in Law Godfrey Webster sall thinke fitt and best for her and after her sayd husbands decease my will is that the sayd one hundred pounds with such profitts the rest as shall bee then undisposed shall bee payd unto the sayd Katherine Burrough or he Assignes And in case shee dye in the life tyme of her sayd Husband then the sayd one hundred pounds shall bee payd unto he daughter Katherine Clerke the wife of James Clerke Item I give unto my sonne Thomas Jorden the summe of Foure hundred pounds And alsoe I give unto him my sayd sone my large Diamond Ringe and Gilded Silver Cup with a Ewer Item I give to my daughter Margarett Scott the sume of one hundred pounds Item I give to my Grand daughter Katherine Scott the sume of one hundred pounds And in case shee dye before her are of one and Twenty years or day of Marryage then my Will is that Fifty pounds of the last mentioned one hundred shall bee payd to my Grand daughter Elizabeth Scott Item I give to my sayd Grand daughter Elizabeth Scott Fifty pounds And as to these last Legacyes given to the children of my daughter Margarett Scott my Will is that my Executors hereafter named shall and may either keepe the same and the Improvement that shall bee mad thereof in their hands until the sayd children sall attaine their respective ages of one and Twenty yeares or bee marryed or else lay on the same and what improvement shall bee made thereof soe much as they shall judge necessary towards theire education and prootion before they come to their respective ages or be marryed Item I give to my daughter Abigail Webster the sume Fifty pounds And to my Grandson Thomas Webster the sume of one hundred pounds Ansd to my sayd Grandsonne Thomas Webster dye before hee attaine the Age of one and Twenty years I doe hereby give and bequeath the last mentioned one hundred pounds to my sayd Abigail Webster and if shee dye before her husband Then I give him the sayd Godfrey Webster the sayd one hundred pounds Item I have to my sayd brother Mr. John Whitlock and my sonne in Law Godfrey Webster the sume of one hundred pounds more In Trust of the sole and separate use of my daughter Elizabeth Timme wherein my mind and will is that her husband John Timme shall not
1 Produced by Family Historian Descendants by Generation 7 Mar 2015
intermeddle therewith and that the Improvement that hall bee made thereof during the life of her sayd husband shall bee ...or layd upp or layd out as my sayd brother Mr. John Whitlock and Mr. Godfrey Webster shal thinke fiff for her good and after her sayd husbands decease I wil that the last mentioned one Hundred pounds with such such profitts thereof as shall bee undisposed shallo bee payd unto the sayd Elizabeth Timme or her Assignes And in case shee dye in the life time to her sayd Husband Then the sayd one hundred pounds shall bee payd unto the children of my sayd daughter Elizabeth Timme equally share and share alike Item I give unto my daughter Dorcas Billingsley the sume of one hundred pounds to my daughter Katherine Billingsley the some of Fowerscore pounds To my Grandaughters Mary Billingsley and Dorcas Billingsley Threescore pounds apeece and my Grandsonne John Billingsley Tenn pounds Item my will is that all my place Lynnen and household goods (not already disposed in this my Will) shall be equally divided amongst all my daughters that shall bee liveing att the time of my decease And if any of my above named Grandchildren shall happen to dye either before marryage or theire respective ages of one and Twenty yeares Then my will is that the Legacy and parte of the deceased Grandchild or Grandchildren shall goe and bee payd to his and theire surviveing bretheren and sisters and I case there bee none such then to my other surviving Grandchildren equally share and share alike Excepting what is otherwise disposed of in this my Will Item I give to Hannah Smalley daughter of Robert Smalley deceased the sume of Three pounds The rest and residue of all my Estate (after my debts Legacyes and Funerall charges shall bee payd and discharged) I give and devise as followeth That is to say the one halfe thereof I give to my sayd sonne Thomas Jorden and the other halfe thereof I give to and amongst my daughters that shall bee liveing att the time of the decease to bee equally divided among them share and share alike And I hereby nominate make and ordaine my sayd Brother Mr.John Whitlock and my sayd sonne in Law Mr Godfrey Webster Executors of this my last will and Testament I Trust for the performance thereof for the benefit of the Legatees therein named according to my true intent therein And I doe give nto my sayd brother Mr.John Whitlock and my said sonne in Law Mr. Godfrey Webster the sume of Fifty pounds apeice for theire paines and care in the execution of this my Will And as touching my Funerall my Will is that all my children and Grandchildren with both my Executors and their wives shall have Mourning that is to say five pounds apeece shall be allowed for men and women and Three pounds apeece shall be allowed for younger persons And for all other thingsjrelateing to my Funerall I leave the same to the discretion of my sayd Executors Provided they keepe within ... compasse of Two hundred pounds And as to the Legacyes left to my Grandchildren excepting those left to the children of my daughter Margaret Scott and the children of my daughter Elizabeth Timme my Will is that if their parents shall give such security as shall bee satisfactory to my sayd Executors for the payment thereof according to this my Will Then they may pay such Legacyes into the hands of such parents and thereuppon my sayd Executors shall bee discharged thereof and from any Account for the same In wittnesse whereof to this my Will conteyneing two sheets of paper and the parte of another sheete have to the Two First sheets putt my hand att the bottome of each sheete and to this last sheete putt my hand and seale and sealed the whole attk the Topp of the First sheete The Fowerteenth day of June in the second year of the Reign of our Sovewraigne Lord and Lady King William and Queene Mary over England or Anno duo one Thousand six hundred Nynety Katherine Jordan signed sealed published and declared to bee the last will and Testament fo the sayd Katherine Jorden in the presence of us and before the signeing sealeing publishing and declareing here of the word (Grandsonne was interlined in the second sheete) Thos AbrahamWilliam Marriott Mary Enden
Probatum fuit...Testament apud London coram Venti et Egregis vico Duo apolo hedges milite Legu ...Richard Raines Militis Legidetiam Dcoris ... Prerogat Cantuar Magri Custoa sive Comissar...Quinto die mensis Septembris Anno Duo Millimo Sexcentmo Nonagefuus Ju....Johis Whitlocke et Godfriedi Webster Executor in dio testamento.... 1
Thomas JORDAN was baptised on 10 September 1609 in London (St Stephen Coleman), MDX.1 He and Katherine WHITLOCK had the following children:
+2 Dorcas JORDAN ( -1717) Second Generation 2. Dorcas JORDAN, daughter of Thomas JORDAN and Katherine WHITLOCK, married John BILLINGSLEY on 23 August 1682 in Northowram, YKS.2 She died on 29 December 1717 in London, MDX.
1682: Transcription of non-conformist register states that Mr John BILLINGSLEY of Mansfield married Mrs Dorcas JORDAN of Mansfield.
John BILLINGSLEY, son of John BILLINGSLEY (1625-1683) and Mary BOURNE ( -1665?), was born in 1657 in Chesterfield, DBY. 3 He died in 1722 in London.4
2 Produced by Family Historian Descendants by Generation 7 Mar 2015
John BILLINGSLEY, of Chesterfield, born there 14 February 1657, subsequently of Charterhouse Square, London, buried at Bunhill Fields, London. He married 22 August 1682, Dorcas, daughter of Thomas JORDAN, of London, merchant, and by her had issue two daughters – Dorcas, born 11 April 1689 and Mary, born 14 December 1684 and three sons.5
BILLINGSLEY, John (1657- 1722), Presbyterian minister, was born at the vicarage at Chesterfield in Derbyshire, the only son of John BILLINGSLEY (1625 - 1683), vicar of Chesterfield, and his wife, Mary (d. in or before 1665), daughter of the puritan minister Immanuel BOURNE.
Educated at Nottingham by John REYNER (son of Edward REYNER, the presbyterian minister of Lincoln), BILLINGSLEY briefly attended Trinity College, Cambridge, but did not matriculate. Instead he continued his studies under his father, who kept a school in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, and his uncle, John WHITLOCK the elder.
In a remarkable instance of hereditary succession BILLINGSLEY, John Oldfield, and Samuel Coates were ordained together by their fathers at Mansfield in September 1681.
On 22 August 1682 Billingsley married Dorcas JORDAN (d. 1717) at Oliver Heywood's chapel at Coley, Northowram, Yorkshire.
After preaching for a time to his father's former flock at Chesterfield, he moved to Sheffield to assist the Presbyterian Edward PRIME. He ministered in and around Selston, Nottinghamshire, from about 1687 to 1694, when he accepted a call to succeed Samuel CHARLES as pastor to a joint congregation of Presbyterians and Independents at Kingston upon Hull. There he remained until 1706 when he was elected to replace Samuel ROSEWELL as assistant to William HARRIS at the Presbyterian meeting of Crutched Friars, London. He also preached a Sunday evening lecture to a society of young men at the Old Jewry, in which he expounded the Westminster assembly's shorter and larger catechisms.
Despite his own orthodoxy, when the Exeter Trinitarian controversy divided London dissenters at the Salters' Hall synod in 1719 BILLINGSLEY sided with the non-subscribers, who thought the imposition of religious tests of any sort violated the fundamental principle of dissent. It is not clear whether his decision was at all affected by the prominent role taken by his cousin Nicholas BILLINGSLEY, of Ashwick, Somerset, in sheltering the Arians Hubert Stogdon and James Foster.
With its uncompromising insistence that ‘strictness is not fanaticism’, BILLINGSLEY's first work, The Believer's Daily Exercise (1690), placed him squarely within the godly tradition. Dedicated to his Selston congregation, it offered a wealth of practical guidance to help serious Christians distinguish themselves from hypocrites and formalists. This included warning readers against wasting their mornings ‘between the comb and the glass’, like ‘the gaudy butterflies and gay peacocks of our days’, and advising them, quite specifically, on what and how to read (pp. 71, 9).
Personal reformation alone, however, was not sufficient, as Billingsley made clear in his two sermons preached before the societies for reformation of manners in Hull and London (1700, 1706). Christians must be reformers, first of themselves, ‘but next of others also’ (BILLINGSLEY, A Sermon Preached to the Societies for the Reformation of Manners, 1706, 20). After defending the societies from the usual charges of canting and meddling, BILLINGSLEY employed the language of patriotic whiggery in contrasting the slavishness sown in their debauched subjects by absolute monarchs with the sobriety which sustained England's freedom: ‘sobriety and the love of liberty are twins that laugh and live, mourn and die together’ (ibid., 18). Besides a number of separate sermons he also published Brief Discourse of Schism (2nd edn, 1714), and the exposition of the epistle to Jude in the continuation of Matthew HENRY's commentary. William HARRIS edited his posthumous Sermons Against Popery (1723).
BILLINGSLEY and his wife had five children, including one son, John, a dissenting minister in Dover, Kent, who dedicated a sermon to his father in 1717. John subsequently married a sister of Sir Philip YORKE, later Chancellor Hardwicke, conformed to the Church of England, and became a prebendary of Bristol. In addition to suffering all his life under a ‘crazy constitution’, BILLINGSLEY was naturally melancholy. During his last sickness, he confessed, ‘[I] pretend not to transports of affection, and rapturous joys; for...you know my temper and make’. He died, probably in London, on 2 May 1722, and was buried on 13 May in Bunhill Fields. Harris published funeral sermons for both BILLINGSLEY and his wife in his Funeral Discourses (1736).
Mr. BILLINGSLEY left behind him a son, whom he brought up for the ministry, and who was called John, after his
3 Produced by Family Historian Descendants by Generation 7 Mar 2015
father. This son was born at Chesterfield; and his first ministerial services were performed there in an evening.
He afterwards preached seven years at Selston, and ten years at Hull. From Hull he removed to London, where he became assistant to Dr. William HARRIS, who preached and published a Funeral Sermon on the occasion of his death. He was an excellent scholar, and a man of great integrity.
His preaching was solid and judicious, and his manner grave, but occasionally very animated. He lived to see five children grow up, and settle in the world, all of whom bore excellent characters.
He laboured under a weakly habit of body, which he brought into the world with him, and which harassed him greatly. His wife, Mrs. Dorcas BILLINGSLEY, died December 29th, 1717, and a Funeral Sermon was preached upon the occasion by Dr. HARRIS, from Job v. 26. " Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season."
His own death took place in the year 1722. One of his sons, whom he educated for the ministry, was settled for many years at Dover, among the Dissenters; but, marrying a sister of Sir Philip YORK, afterwards Lord Chancellor, he conformed, obtained a good living in the Church, and held a prebcndal stall in Bristol Cathedral; though he continued to keep up a friendly intercourse with the Dissenters to the end of his life. He died about the year 1770, leaving behind him two sons, the elder of whom was Clerk of the Patents, and the younger a Clergyman.4
John BILLINGSLEY and Dorcas JORDAN had the following children:
+3 John BILLINGSLEY (1684-1770?) +4 Mary BILLINGSLEY (1684- ) +5 Dorcas BILLINGSLEY (1689- ) +6 Thomas BILLINGSLEY (1693-1693) +7 Samuel BILLINGSLEY (1696- ) Third Generation 3. John BILLINGSLEY, son of John BILLINGSLEY and Dorcas JORDAN, was born on 8 July 1684.5 He died in 1770 (approx.) in Bristol, SOM.4 He married Elizabeth YORKE.
John BILLINGSLEY, born 8 July 1684; Rector of Newington, Oxfordshire, and of Purley, Berks; a prebendary of Bristol, died in 1751, and was buried at Newington. By Elizabeth, daughter of Philip YORKE, of Dover, Kent (father of first Earl of Hardwicke), he had issue a son and daughter. 5
Elizabeth YORKE and John BILLINGSLEY had the following children:
+8 Philip BILLINGSLEY ( - ) +9 Mary BILLINGSLEY ( - )
4. Mary BILLINGSLEY, daughter of John BILLINGSLEY and Dorcas JORDAN, was born on 14 December 1684.5
5. Dorcas BILLINGSLEY, daughter of John BILLINGSLEY and Dorcas JORDAN, was born on 11 April 1689. 5
6. Thomas BILLINGSLEY, son of John BILLINGSLEY and Dorcas JORDAN, was born on 7 September 1693.5 He died on 22 September 1693.5
Thomas BILLINGSLEY, born 7 September 1693, died 22 September same year. 5
7. Samuel BILLINGSLEY, son of John BILLINGSLEY and Dorcas JORDAN, was born on 4 June 1696.5 He was baptised on 17 June 1696 in Hull, YKS.5 He married Esther RUSSELL on 21 December 1723 in Dovver (St Mary), KEN.6
Samuel BILLINGSLEY, in the liberty of the Rolls, in the parish of St Dunstan’s in the West, born 4 June 1696, baptised
4 Produced by Family Historian Descendants by Generation 7 Mar 2015
17 same month, at Hull, married at St Mary’s, Dover, Esther, daughter of Michael RUSSELL, of Dover, gent, and had issue two sons, John and Samuel, and a daughter, Esther, born at Dover. 5
The Liberty of the Rolls was a liberty, and civil parish from 1866, in the metropolitan area of London, England.
It consisted of the part of the ancient parish of St Dunstan in the West that was in the Ossulstone hundred of Middlesex, the rest was within the City of London. It became a separate civil parish in 1866.
Named perhaps for the ancient Rolls House upon Chancery Lane where the rolls of the Court of Chancery of England were kept, or perhaps, like other parishes, its more recent chapel. The site of the house and chapel was later associated with the Public Record Office, and currently occupied by a library of King's College London.
It was grouped into the Strand District in 1855 when it came within the area of responsibility of the Metropolitan Board of Works.
In 1889 the parish became part of the County of London and in 1900 it became part of the Metropolitan Borough of Westminster. It was abolished as a civil parish in 1922. 7
1723: Transcription of parish register marriage record states bride's name as Hester RUSSELL.
Esther RUSSELL5 and Samuel BILLINGSLEY had the following children:
+10 John BILLINGSLEY ( -1774) +11 Samuel BILLINGSLEY ( - ) +12 Esther BILLINGSLEY ( - ) Fourth Generation 8. Philip BILLINGSLEY, son of John BILLINGSLEY and Elizabeth YORKE, married Lucy Mary DOTTIN.
Philip BILLINGSLEY, Rector of Newington and of Swincombe, co. Oxford, died 1774, buried at Newington. He married Lucy Mary, daughter of Abel DOTTIN, of English, co. Oxford. 5
Lucy Mary DOTTIN was born in 1728 (calculated). She died in 1803 in Brewington, OXF.
Lucy-Mary m to the Rev Philip BILLINGSLEY, rector of Newington in Oxfordshire, son of John BILLINGSLEY esq, of Dover, by Elizabeth, daughter of Philip YORKE, esq, and sister of the first Earl of Hardwicke. 8
1803: The Christian Observer: Volume 2 (01 January)
Same day at Beacon Hill, Mrs BILLINGSLEY, relict of the Rev Philip BILLINGSLEY, rector of Brewington, Oxfordshire.9
1803: The Orthodox Churchman's Magazine; or, A Treasury of Divine and Useful Knowledge
Same day, at Beacon-Hill, aged 75, Mrs Mary Lucy BILLINGSLEY, relict of relict of the Rev Philip BILLINGSLEY, rector of Brewington, Oxfordshire.9
9. Mary BILLINGSLEY, daughter of John BILLINGSLEY and Elizabeth YORKE, married Thomas FOTHERGILL.
Mary BILLINGSLEY married Thomas FOTHERGILL, Provost of Queen’s College, Oxford, and Vice-Chancellor from 1772 to 1776.5
10. John BILLINGSLEY, son of Samuel BILLINGSLEY and Esther RUSSELL, was born in Dover, KEN.5 He married Sarah HUGHES in January 1765.10 He died in May 1774.10,11 He was buried on 2 June 1774 in London (St Dunstan in the West), MDX.6
5 Produced by Family Historian Descendants by Generation 7 Mar 2015
John BILLINGSLEY, the eldest son, of the liberty of the Rolls, married, at St Dunstan’s in the West, Sarah, daughter of John HUGHES, of Cheltenham, and had issue a daughter, Sarah, married to Robert TAYNTON, of Bromley and two sons.5
Sarah HUGHES5 married Richard CRITCHETT on 4 June 1776 in London (St Dunstan in the West). 6 She died in 1823.10
1776: Transcription of marriage record names the bride as Sarah BILLINGSLEY (widow) of Holborn (St Andrew).
CRITCHETT v TAYNTON
22 May 1830
John HUGHES, of Cheltenham, esq, by his will dated the 23rd November 1766, after devising an estate to his son-in-law, John BILLINGSLEY and his heirs, devised all the rest, residue and personal, of what nature or kind soever, unto trustees therein named, their heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns, in trust to pay and apply the rents, interest, dividends, and proceeds thereof, unto his daughter Sarah BILLINGSLEY, for her natural life, for her sole and separate use and benefit, and so as the same should not be subject to the debts of her said husband: and, after her decease, gave and bequeathed all his personal estate, of what nature or kind soever, unto his next of kin, who, as such, would be entitled thereunto, under the Statute of Distribution. And he also gav and devised, from and after the decease of his said daughter, all the rest, residue, and remainder of his real estates, of what nature or kind soever, unto her second, third, fourth, and every younger child or children, share and share alike, as tenants in common; but in case his said daughter should die leaving no issue behind her, or if his said daughter’s second, third, fourth, and every other child did not attain his, her, or their respective age or ages of twenty-one years, and were not married before such age, with the consent of his son and daughter, and the survivor of them, he gave and devised his estate in Leckampton, then in the possession of Mr ROSE, and fifty acres of land, was the same more or less, adjoining part of the said estate, which he bought of Thomas WHITE, unto his sister Eizabeth GREGORY, and her heirs for ever; and remainder of his real estate, of what nature or kind soever, into the parish of Chetenham aforesaid, unto his sister Mary MARSHAM, and her heirs for ever; and that no misconstruction might be put upon the word ‘consent’ his will and meaning was, that his son and daughter, or the survivor of them, should be subscribing witnesses or witness at the wedding of such child or children that should so marry before his, her, or their respective age or ages of twenty-one years, otherwise such child or children should not have or receive any benefit from his will.
The prayer of the bill was, that the rights and interests of the plaintiffs, and the several other parties claiming to be entitled to the residue of the real estates of the testator, might be declared by the Court.
The testator’s daughter Sarah had intermarried with John BILLINGSLEY in January 1765; and John BILLINGSLEY died in the month of May 1774, leaving his said wife him surviving, and having had issue by her five children.
Sarah, after the death of her late husband, intermarried with the defendant Richard CRITCHETT, by whom she had issue ten children.
Sarah died in 1823.
Several of the children died under the twenty-one years and without being married.
Mr PEMBERTON and Mr JEMMETT appeared for the plaintiffs.
Mr BICKERSTETH and Mr LYNCH were for the defendants.
It was contended – first, that the children of the second marriage did not take any share – and that the testator referred only to the children of his daughter’s then subsisting marriage.
A second question was, whether children, who died under twenty-one years, without having been married with the required consent, took any share of the fund; and that depended on the question, whether the interests vested in the children as they came in esse.
6 Produced by Family Historian Descendants by Generation 7 Mar 2015
The Master of the Rolls - The first question is, whether the children of the second marriage share with the children of the first - I am of the opinion that they do share. The testator did not contemplate a second marriage of his daughter; but her purpose was to make a provision for his younger children generally; and the limitation over is in case she should die leaving no issue. If therefore, she had left issue by a second marriage, the gift over would not have taken effect.
The second question is, when did the interest rest in the children. The first words, by which he gives, after the decease of his said daughter, all the rest, residue and remainder of his real estates, of what nature or kind soever, unto her second, third, fourth, and every younger child or children, share and share alike, as tenants in common, would give the children a vested interest at the death of the testator. Are there any subsequent expressions in the will, which manifest that such was not the intention of the testator? In the subsequent part of the will, he states his will and meaning was, that his son and daughter, or the survivor of them, should be subscribing witnesses or witness at the wedding of such child or children that should so marry before his, her, or their respective age or ages of twenty-one years, otherwise such child or children should not have or receive any benefit from his will. Therefore a child, who married under twenty-one years without consent, was to take no benefit under the will: it necessarily follows, that nothing was to vest in such a child; for, if anything had vested, the child would have been entitled to maintenance out of the share belonging to it. Nothing, therefore, vested in any of the children, except those who attained twenty-one, or married with consent.
The fund is not given over, unless all the children die under twenty-one years, or marry without consent. They did not all die under twenty-one years, or marry without consent. Therefore nothing passes by the gift over.
24 May 1830
Two questions were made in the cause: first, whether the children of the second marriage were entitled equally under the will with the children of the first marriage; secondly, whether the children, who died under twenty-one, and unmarried, took vested interests.
Mr JEMMETT, for the Plaintiffs.
Mr BICKERSTETH, Mr HAYTER, Mr PURVIS, and Mr LYNCH for different defendants.
On the first point it was argued, on behalf of the children of the second marriage, that the words ‘her second, third, fourth and every other child or children,’ included all her children, whether by her first or by any subsequent husband; and BARRINGTON v TRISTRAM was cited.
On the other hand, it was said that the question was simply as to the intention of the testator; and it was manifest from the language of the will that he had not any children in contemplation, except children of his daughter by her then husband, Mr BILLINGSLEY. The children included within the devise must be the same with those, upon the death of whom under twenty-one, and unmarried, the limitations over were to take effect. Now they were children, who, if they married under twenty-one, were to marry with the consent of ‘my son and daughter, or the survivor of them;’ and the testator further requires ‘my said son and daughter, or the survivor of them, to be subscribing witnesses or witness to the wedding.’ In these phrases the word ‘son’ necessarily refers to Mr BILLINGSLEY; and the devise must, therefore, be confined to the children of the daughter by Mr BILLINGSLEY.
On the second point it was argued, on the one side, that the devise of the residue of the testator’s real estates, after his daughter’s death, to her second and other younger children, gave them vested interests; that there was no gift over, except in the event of all these children dying under the age of twenty-one and unmarried; that that event had not happened, for some of them had attained twenty-one; and, therefore, that the interest which vested in them was never devested. SKEY v BARNES. The clauses, which related to the marriage of the younger children under twenty-one, and to their death under twenty-one without having been married with the required consent, were, at the utmost, equivalent only to direction, that the shares should not be transferred to the children respectively, until they attained twenty-one or married with the consent of both parents or the survivor duly given; and it is settled that, where there is an antecedent gift, a direction not to pay or transfer the property to the legatee or devisee till he attains a particular age, or till a particular event happens, will not postpone the vesting. LEAKE v ROBINSON.
On the contrary, it was contended, it was contended, on behalf of the surviving children, that it was apparent on the whole
7 Produced by Family Historian Descendants by Generation 7 Mar 2015
context of the will, that a child was not to participate in the devise, till marriage under twenty-one without due consent was impossible, in other words, till the child had either married with consent or attained twenty-one; and this intention could not be effected, unless the vesting of shares was postponed.
The Master of the Rolls
As to the first point, the testator certainly had not in his contemplation a second marriage of his daughter; but still his plain purpose being to provide for all the children of his daughter, and the limitation over being ‘in case his daughter should die leaving no issue behind her,’ I am of opinion that the gift in the will must be construed to extend to children of the second marriage.
With respect to the second point, the children would plainly take an immediate vested interest by the expression of the gift to them as tenants in common, if a different intention did not appear from the subsequent parts of the will. The testator proceeds to make a gift over, in case all the children should die under twenty-one, and not married under that age with the consent of his son and daughter; and he afterwards adds ‘my will and meaning is, that my said son and daughter, or the survivor of them, shall be subscribing witnesses or witness at the wedding of such child or children that shall so marry before his, her, or their respective age or ages of twenty-one years, otherwise such child or children shall not receive any benefit from the will.’ It necessarily follows, that such child would not take a previous vested interest, because from such interest because, from such interest, the child would be entitled to maintenance, and would take a benefit under the will. And if a consent is necessary to give a vested interest to a child marrying under twenty-one, it is clear that the testator did not intend that the children should take a vested interest by the first gift to them as tenants in common; and the attaining twenty-one must be as necessary to give them a vested interest, as the marriage with consent under age. I am of opinion, therefore, that the younger children, who attained twenty-one, take the real estates equally between them as tenants in common.10,11
Sarah HUGHES and John BILLINGSLEY had the following children:
+13 John BILLINGSLEY ( - ) +14 Samuel BILLINGSLEY (1772-1863) +15 Sarah BILLINGSLEY ( - )
11. Samuel BILLINGSLEY, son of Samuel BILLINGSLEY and Esther RUSSELL, was born in Dover.5
12. Esther BILLINGSLEY,5 daughter of Samuel BILLINGSLEY and Esther RUSSELL, was born in Dover.5 Fifth Generation 13. John BILLINGSLEY, son of John BILLINGSLEY and Sarah HUGHES, married Frances COX on 18 October 1792 in London (St Marylebone), MDX.12
John BILLINGSLEY, of H.E.I.C.S, married Fanny, daughter of Richard COX, by whom he had two daughters, Fanny, married to Rev James WALKER, Rector of Raddington, co. Somerset, and has issue; and Sarah, married to John LOOKER, of Oxford, and has issue: and a son, John Richard Frederick BILLINGSLEY, Rector of Wormington, co. Gloucester, who - by Elizabeth, daughter of Rev John POLSON - Rector of St Mary Major, Exeter, and a Prebendary of the Cathedral - has issue.
Frances COX and John BILLINGSLEY had the following children:
+16 John BILLINGSLEY (1793- ) +17 Samuel BILLINGSLEY (1795- ) +18 Sarah BILLINGSLEY (1798- ) +19 Fanny BILLINGSLEY (1799- ) +20 Sarah BILLINGSLEY (1803- ) +21 John Richard Frederick BILLINGSLEY (1805-1878)
14. Samuel BILLINGSLEY, son of John BILLINGSLEY and Sarah HUGHES, was born on 1 April 1772 in Chancery
8 Produced by Family Historian Descendants by Generation 7 Mar 2015
Lane, London, MDX.5,6 He was baptised on 23 April 1772 in London (St Dunstan in the West), MDX. 6 He married Elizabeth VINY in 1793 in Southwark, MDX. He appeared in the census on 6 June 1841 in Bishop Hull, Taunton, SOM. HO107/959 (Folio 11) page 15. Samuel appeared in the census on 30 March 1851 in Stonehouse (St Matthew), GLS. HO107/1964 (Folio 94) page 24. Samuel appeared in the census on 7 April 1861 in Stonehouse, GLS. RG9/1771 (Folio 64) page 19. Samuel died on 12 July 1863 in Cain's Cross, GLS.5,13 He died on 12 July 1863 in Stroud, GLS.13
1772: Transcription of parish register baptism record states parents' names as John BILLINGSLEY and Sarah.
1841: Ind (Bishop Hull, Taunton, SOM, aged 65). Not born in county.
1851: Widowed annuitant (Cains Cross, Stonehouse, GLS, aged 79).
1861: Widowed retired inspector (Cains Cross Steet, Stonehouse, GLS, aged 89).
1863: GRO deaths index Sep quarter (Stroud, volume 6a, page 209).
1863: The will (30 July) of Samuel BILLINGSLEY late of Cains Cross near Stroud in the County of Gloucester deceased who died 12 July 1863 at Cains Cross aforesaid was proved at Gloucester by the oaths of John BILLINGSLEY of Stroud aforesaid Esq a Commander in the Royal Navy the son and Sarah Elizabeth BILLINGSLEY of Cains Cross aforesaid Spinster and Mary BILLINGSLEY of Cains Cross aforesaid Spinster the daughters the Executors. Effects under £3,000.
Samuel BILLINGSLEY, of Cliff House, Dovercourt, during the French wars Inspector of Aliens, born 1 Apr 1772, in Chancery Lane, London. He married, in 1793, Elizabeth, daughter of John VINEY. He died 12 July 1863, at Cain’s Cross, Gloucestershire, and was buried there. He had issue two sons - Samuel BILLINGSLEY married to Margaret, daughter of J LOGAN of Harwich, has issue one daughter, Agnes, wife of Oliver John WILLIAMS - and John BILLINGSLEY, Captain R.N., married to Charlotte, daughter of R HICKS; also two daughters, Elizabeth and Mary. 5
Elizabeth VINY appeared in the census on 6 June 1841 in Bishop Hull. HO107/959 (Folio 11) page 15. Elizabeth died "1841-1851". She and Samuel BILLINGSLEY had the following children:
+22 Sarah Eliza BILLINGSLEY (1795-1871) +23 Samuel BILLINGSLEY (1796- ) +24 Elizabett BILLINGSLEY (1796- ) +25 John BILLINGSLEY (1796-1886) +26 Mary BILLINGSLEY (1799-1884)
15. Sarah BILLINGSLEY, daughter of John BILLINGSLEY and Sarah HUGHES, married Robert TAYNTON . Sixth Generation 16. John BILLINGSLEY, son of John BILLINGSLEY and Frances COX, was born in 1793 in Eynsham, OXF. He was baptised on 16 June 1793 in Eynsham.12
17. Samuel BILLINGSLEY, son of John BILLINGSLEY and Frances COX, was born in 1795 in Eynsham. He was baptised on 10 May 1795 in Eynsham.12
18. Sarah BILLINGSLEY, daughter of John BILLINGSLEY and Frances COX, was born in 1798 in Eynsham. She was baptised in 1798 in Eynsham.12
19. Fanny BILLINGSLEY, daughter of John BILLINGSLEY and Frances COX, was born in 1799 in Eynsham. She was baptised on 18 August 1799 in Eynsham. She married James WALKER .
20. Sarah BILLINGSLEY, daughter of John BILLINGSLEY and Frances COX, was born in 1803 in Eynsham. She was baptised on 26 June 1803 in Eynsham. She married John LOOKER.
John LOOKER5 and Sarah BILLINGSLEY had the following children:
9 Produced by Family Historian Descendants by Generation 7 Mar 2015
+27 John Billingsley LOOKER (1823?-1903)
21. John Richard Frederick BILLINGSLEY,14 son of John BILLINGSLEY and Frances COX, was born in 1805 in Eynsham.15 He was baptised on 26 December 1805 in Eynsham.12 He married Elizabeth POLSON Q4 1838 in Exeter, DEV. 14 GRO marriage index (Exeter, volume 10.page 136). John appeared in the census on 30 March 1851 in Wormington, GLS. HO107/1971 (Folio 230) page 1. John died Q4 1878 in Wormington. 14,16
Jackson's Oxford Journal (16 May 1829)
On Thursday, the following Degrees were conferred:
BACHELORS OF ARTS
John Richard F BILLINGSLEY, Lincoln.
Jackson's Oxford Journal (14 Jul 1842)
At an ordination held by the Lord Bishop of Gloucester, in the Cathedral Church of Gloucester, on Sunday last, the following persons were ordained:
PRIESTS
John Rich. Fred. BILLINGSLEY, MA, Lincoln college, Oxford.
1878: GRO deaths index Dec quarter (Winchcombe, volume 6a, page 285). Indexed as John Richard F.
Elizabeth POLSON14,16 was born in 1819. She died on 10 April 1849 in Wormington. 9,13,14,16
1849: GRO deaths index Jun quarter (Winchcombe, volume 11, page 422). Age at death not indexed before 1866.
Jackson's Oxford Journal (21 Apr 1849)
April 10, at Wormington Rectory, Gloucestershire, Elizabeth, wife of the Rev J R F BILLINGSLEY, aged 30.
1875: Administration of the effects of Elizabeth BILLINGSLEY (wife of the Reverend John Richard Frederick BILLINGSLEY, clerk) late of Wormington in the County of Gloucestershire, who died 10 April 1849 at Wormington, was granted at Gloucester 22 April to the said Reverend John Richard Frederick BILLINGSLEY of Wormington. Effects under £300.
Elizabeth POLSON and John Richard Frederick BILLINGSLEY had the following children:
+28 Fanny BILLINGSLEY (1842- ) +29 Charlotte Georgiana BILLINGSLEY (1844-1858) +30 Mary E BILLINGSLEY (1845- ) +31 Sophia BILLINGSLEY (1847-1848) +32 Lydia M BILLINGSLEY (1847- ) +33 Agnes Bessie BILLINGSLEY (1849-1849)
22. Sarah Eliza BILLINGSLEY, daughter of Samuel BILLINGSLEY and Elizabeth VINY, was born in 1795 in Croydon, SRY. 15 She appeared in the census on 30 March 1851 in Stonehouse (St Matthew), GLS. HO107/1964 (Folio 94) page 24. Sarah appeared in the census on 7 April 1861 in Stonehouse, GLS. RG9/1771 (Folio 64) page 19. Sarah appeared in the census on 2 April 1871 in Ipswich (St Clement), SFK. RG10/1753 (Folio 25) page 6. Sarah died on 16 April 1871 in Ipswich, SFK.13
1841: East side Church Street, Harwich, ESS, aged 50. Born in county.
10 Produced by Family Historian Descendants by Generation 7 Mar 2015
1851: Daughter - annuitant (Cains Cross, Stonehouse, GLS, aged 55). Listed as Sarah Eliza.
1861: Unmarried daughter - fund holder (Cains Cross Steet, Stonehouse, GLS, aged 65). Listed as Sarah E.
1871: Head of household (33 Lower Brook, Ipswich, SFK, aged 75). Listed as Sarah E.
1871: GRO deaths index Sep quarter (Ipswich, volume 4a, page 407). Age at death stated as 76. Indexed as Sarah Elizabeth.
1871: The will (01 June) of Sarah Elizabeth BILLINGSLEY late of Ipswich in the County of Suffolk Spinster who died 16 April 1871 at Ipswich was proved at Ipswich by Mary BILLINGSLEY of Ipswich Spinster John BILLINGSLEY of 12 Albert Road St John's Wood in the County of Middlesex Esquire Commander in the Royal Navy the brother and Henry GRIFFIN Deane of Colchester in the County of Essex Gentleman the Executors. Effects under £10,000.
23. Samuel BILLINGSLEY, son of Samuel BILLINGSLEY and Elizabeth VINY, was born in 1796 in Not ESS.17 He appeared in the census on 6 June 1841 in Harwich (St Nicholas), ESS. HO107/344 (Folio 43) page 5. Samuel married Margaret LOGAN.
1835; The Newcastle Courant (14 March)
SATURDAY, MARCH 7
Mr Justice PARKE took the only remaining town cause at the County Court this morning.
TINN v BILLINGSLEY AND ANOTHER
This action was brought to recover compensation for damage done the plaintiff's sloop, the Amity, of between 60 and 70 tons, by that of the defendants, the Jemima, burthen 41 tons, when lying at anchor in the harbour of Harwich, on 28th October last.
The defendants' vessel got under weigh, intending to remove to more secure anchorage, the wind then blowing freshly about eleven in the forenoon of the above day. At that time the Amity was lying at single anchor, with only the mate on board, who, having gone below for a short time, heard, when there, a loud halloing. He immediately ran on deck, and found that the Jemima, which had being (sic) lying at anchor about a quarter of a mile to windward of the Amity, was coming down right upon her, with the wind upon her beam, and with mainsail, jib, and fore sail all set.
The tide was dead, but the wind blew strong from the south, and when he first saw her, on coming on deck, she was only about her own length and a half from the Amity. He called to the people on board the Jemima, a man and a boy, but got no answer; and the Jemima directly afterwards struck the Amity on the larboard quarter with such force as to make him think she must go down, staving in two planks, the covering board, and two stanchions, shivering the cross beam, and opening the seams on the opposite side of the ship.
The defendants were applied to, to make the necessary repairs, which they assented to at first, but ultimately refused. Captain TINN had the damage surveyed at Harwich, and after repairing it temporarily, proceeded to Sunderland, where, being a ship carpenter, he bought stuff, and made the necessary repairs himself. He afterwards applied to the defendants for 10l which he was then willing to take as complete satisfaction; but this was also refused, and the present action was brought to try the issue, and to obtain such further damages as the jury might think fit for loss of the use of the Amity during her repairs, and for permanent injury suffered by the shock, so as to disqualify her from taking such long voyages as formerly.
It was maintained for the defence, that the collision was accidental; that when those on board the Jemima saw they were bearing down on the Amity they shouted to that vessel to put a fender out, and tried to put their own vessel into stays, but a squall of wind caught them, and then they lowered their peak, put up their helm, and attempted to pass under the Amity's stern; that a person should always be on deck in a vessel riding at single anchor; that if a fender had been placed alongside, or more cable been put out, no injury would have been done to the Amity; that the surveyor at Harwich had offered to complete the repairs for 8l: and that, if so repaired, the sloop would have been more seaworthy than ever.
11 Produced by Family Historian Descendants by Generation 7 Mar 2015
Mr CRESSWELL in reply, contended that the [unreadable text] has been carelessly managed; that her captain should have been on board; that the accident would not have occurred, if she had dropped anchor on perceiving she was taking a course direct for the Amity; and that there was no necessity for a man being always on deck, to avoid being run down. If the Amity had put out more head cable, by which it was said the accident would have been avoided, he showed that the consequences would have been worse, for then the Jemima would have taken her a-midship: and, as to the fender, could anything be more absurd that to think of a man holding a piece of cork over a ship's side, to ward off the blow of a vessel coming down upon him with all her sails set, and running right before a strong wind? Nothing could be more preposterous, and he was sure the jury would mark their sense of such an obvious attempt to defeat the ends of justice. The learned judge having summed up the evidence, and noticed the points of the case, the jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff, damages 15l.
1836; Jackson's Oxford Journal (02 January)
HARWICH - The election of Councillors for this borough has terminated in the complete triumph of the Conservatives, notwithstanding all the unfounded accusations which have been industriously circulated against them by the Whig- Radicals. The following gentlemen have been elected: Messrs William RANFIELD, Philip HAST, George DEANE, P W FRESHFIELD, F HANSORD, F STEVENS, Lewis COTTINGHAM, John PATTRICK, F HALES, Samuel BILLINGSLEY, W J BULL and Thomas GEORGE. The first 10 gentlemen are Conservatives and with the exception of Mr BILLINGSLEY were members of the old Corporation. The result of this election clearly shows the confidence which is reposed in the members of the old body; indeed, they must be as desirous to promote the best interests of all classes in the town as any other individuals, however noisy in their professions.
1838: The Ipswich Journal (17 February)
CASE OF SALVAGE
The following case between Messrs W LEWIS, E LEWIS, T WILD and J ROBINSON, salvage men, and Alexander ADAMS, captain of the Mary, schooner, bound from Dunkirk to Yarmouth, came on before G DEAN, Esq. Mayor and Messrs GRAHAM and SANSUM, Magistrates of Harwich, on the 7th inst. Mr CHAPMAN appeared for the salvage men, and Mr BILLINGSLEY on the part of Capt. ADAMS.
Mr CHAPMAN opened the case by stating that it was a claim made by Lewis and Co, for services rendered to the above schooner on the 28th of January. The evidence went to show that they were first on board, excepting a Torbay man, who had the charge, but had brought her as far into the harbour as he could; that they asked the Captain if he wanted any assistance? He replied in the affirmative, and gave charge of the vessel to them - that she had 3½ feet of water in her hold, and were till 10pm before she sucked; commenced pumping at 4 pm; continued jogging pumps until 7am: had 8 hands engaged at the pumps - Mr BILLINGSLEY argued that, from statements he should make, it would appear these men were not hired, and that only WILD was employed to take the mate on shore, who was nearly dead with the frost.
MR MIALL (Mr BILLINGSLEY's clerk) stated he boarded the schooner, and found LEWIS and Co on board: that the Captain finding he was agent for LLOYD's gave the charge of the vessel to his boat's crew, eight hands; agreeing to give them 3£ to bring her into safety, which they did. The Torbay man had engaged to bring her further in, but called off. The Captain said he did not agree with, not give the vessel in charge to any, but Mr B's boat's crew.
Other evidence appeared on behalf of the Captain to the same effect. The court being cleared, after a few minute's deliberation, they decided in favour of the salvage men, 8£, and the expences (sic) of the Court. The case was withdrawn from the Admiralty Court (after the warrant had been obtained) by mutual consent. The salvage men anticipated 40£ for their job.
1839: The Ipswich Journal (16 November)
HARWICH
At the annual meeting of the Town Council, on Saturday last, Samuel BILLINGSLEY, jun., Esq, was elected Mayor; Mr F B PHILBRICK, of Colchester, Town Clerk; and Mr DICKERSON, Treasurer; and all the inferior officers of the
12 Produced by Family Historian Descendants by Generation 7 Mar 2015
Council were also appointed. The radical proceedings of the Council have given general disgust to the inhabitants save a few interested and gaping individuals. Every officer appointed by the Conservatives has been displaced by those illiberal men; neither respectability; ability, nor age & long and faithful services were considered; and even two individuals (the gaoler and the keeper of the house of correction) who have each been in office respectively nearly a quarter of a century, and who have spent their best days in the service of the Corporation (being between 60 and 70 years of age, and too old now to labour for maintenance) have shared the same fate to the disgrace of the Radical majority of the Council. The proceedings of this day may have sealed their fate in a future election. They may rejoice in their party victory, but that rejoicing will be of short duration; they now stand upon a rotten foundation, and will be buried in ruins, and nothing of it will remain, save the mischief it has accomplished.
1841: Merchant (East side Church Street, Harwich, ESS, aged 45). Not born in county.
Margaret LOGAN5 and Samuel BILLINGSLEY had the following children:
+34 Agnes Maria BILLINGSLEY ( - )
24. Elizabett BILLINGSLEY, daughter of Samuel BILLINGSLEY and Elizabeth VINY, was born in 1796 in Not SOM.17 She appeared in the census on 6 June 1841 in Bishop Hull, Taunton, SOM. HO107/959 (Folio 11) page 15.
1841: Bishop Hull, Taunton, SOM, aged 45. Not born in county.
25. John BILLINGSLEY, son of Samuel BILLINGSLEY and Elizabeth VINY, was born in 1796 in Croydon.18,19,20 He married Charlotte HICKS Q2 1839 in Poole, DOR.21 GRO marriage index Jun quarter (Poole, volume 8, page 133). John appeared in the census on 30 March 1851 in Alverstoke (St Matthew), HAM. HO107/1660 (Folio 274) page 37. John appeared in the census on 7 April 1861 in Stroud, GLS. RG9/1774 (Folio 62) page 28. John appeared in the census on 2 April 1871 in Ipswich. RG10/1753 (Folio 25) page 6. John appeared in the census on 3 April 1881 in Ipswich. 20 RG11/1873 (Folio 27) page 7. John died on 26 January 1886 in Brighton, SSX.13
1820: Caledonian Mercury (10 July)
THE NAVY
The following Midshipmen and Masters' Mates to the rank of Lieutenants:-
John BILLINGSLEY and C PARKER, and to the Iphigenia frigate, all on the Jamaica station.
1833: Plymouth and Cornish Advertiser (19 December)
Lieut John BILLINGSLEY, to the Excellent.
1836: Hampshire Telegraph (27 June)
A Court of Inquiry, composed of Commander LAYTON and Lieutenants SIMS and BILLINGSLEY, was held on the 17th inst., to investigate the conduct of W W HARVEY, steward of the Adder revenue cutter, stationed in Newport River, at the instance of Commander Deane, Inspecting Commander of the Isle of Wight, for leaving the deck of the Adder, on the 24th ult, whereby a deserter from the Primrose, under the custody of the watch, effected his escape, by jumping into one of the cutters' boats alongside. There were two men on the same watch with the steward, who forgetting the prisoner, went below soon after the steward did so.
Mr DAY appeared for the accused, and forcibly represented that his client had innocently violated his duty, by his desire to perform that of steward, the only object he had in going below. Certificates as to the excellent character borne by the steward previous to his joining the Adder were handed in, and the Captain and the Mate of this cutter spoke in the highest terms of his conduct. In their opinion he was the last man who would designedly connive at or facilitate by his absence or otherwise the escape of any prisoner.
1851: Married lieut Royal Navy and coast guard service (33 Cold Harbour, Alvestoke, HAM, aged 56).
13 Produced by Family Historian Descendants by Generation 7 Mar 2015
1861: Commander Royal Navy (Castle Street, Stroud, GLS, aged 65).
1871: Widowed Commander RN - brother of Sarah E BILLINGSLEY (33 Lower Brook, Ipswich, SFK, aged 75).
1881: Widowed Commander RN (33 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, SFK, aged 85).
1886: GRO deaths index Mar quarter (Steyning, volume 2b, page 214). Age at death stated as 89.
1886: The will of John BILLINGSLEY (20 February) formerly of Ipswich in the County of Suffolk but late of Brighton in the County of Sussex a Commander in the Royal Navy who died who died 26 January 1886 at 56 Tisbury Road Brighton was was proved at the Principal Registry by Edmund Logan Willyams WILLIAMS of 26 St Martin's Lane Cannon Street in the City of London Solicitor and Oliver John WILLIAMS of Harwich in the County of Essex Gentlemen the great nephews two of the Executors. Personal effects £9,356 4s 3d.
Charlotte HICKS5 was born in 1800 in Ringwood, HAM.15,19 She appeared in the census on 30 March 1851 in Alverstoke (St Matthew). HO107/1660 (Folio 274) page 37. Charlotte appeared in the census on 7 April 1861 in Stroud. RG9/1774 (Folio 62) page 28. Charlotte died Q2 1866 in Axbridge, SOM. 14
1851: Wife (33 Cold Harbour, Alvestoke, HAM, aged 50).
1861: Wife (Castle Street, Stroud, GLS, aged 61).
1866: GRO deaths index Jun quarter (Axbridge, volume 5c, page 437).
Charlotte HICKS and John BILLINGSLEY had the following children:
+35 Charlotte Elizabeth BILLINGSLEY (1840- ) +36 Mary BILLINGSLEY ( - )
26. Mary BILLINGSLEY, daughter of Samuel BILLINGSLEY and Elizabeth VINY, was born in 1799 in Camberwell, SRY. 15,20 She appeared in the census on 6 June 1841 in Bishop Hull. HO107/959 (Folio 11) page 15. Mary appeared in the census on 30 March 1851 in Stonehouse (St Matthew). HO107/1964 (Folio 94) page 24. Mary appeared in the census on 7 April 1861 in Stonehouse. RG9/1771 (Folio 64) page 19. Mary appeared in the census on 2 April 1871 in Ipswich. RG10/1753 (Folio 25) page 6. Mary appeared in the census on 3 April 1881 in Ipswich. 20 RG11/1873 (Folio 27) page 7. Mary died on 15 December 1884 in Ipswich.13
1841: Bishop Hull, Taunton, SOM, aged 40. Not born in county. 1851: Unmarried daughter - fund holder (Cains Cross, Stonehouse, GLS, aged 52) 1861: Unmarried daughter - fund holder (Cains Cross Steet, Stonehouse, GLS, aged 62) 1871: Unmarried sister of Sarah E BILLINGSLEY (33 Lower Brook, Ipswich, SFK, aged 72) 1881: Unmarried gentlewoman (33 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, SFK, aged 82) 1884: GRO deaths index Dec quarter (Ipswich, volume 4a, page 472). Age at death stated as 85.
1884: The will with two codicils (30 December) of Mary BILLINGSLEY late of 33 Lower Brook Street Ipswich in the County of Suffolk Spinster who died 15 December 1884 at 33 Lower Brook Street was proved at the Principal Registry by Edmund Logan Willyams WILLIAMS of 26 St Martin's Lane Cannon Street in the City of London Solicitor the great nephew one of the Executors. Personal estate £7,075 6s 1d. Seventh Generation 27. John Billingsley LOOKER, son of John LOOKER and Sarah BILLINGSLEY, was born in 1823 (calculated). He married Elizabeth Ellen CAMERON Q3 1851 in Clifton, GLS.14 GRO marriage index Sep quarter (Clifton, volume 11, page 347). John appeared in the census on 7 April 1861 in Banbury, OXF. 19 RG9/918 (Folio 53) page 28. John appeared in the census on 2 April 1871 in Banbury. 18 RG10/1464 (Folio 23) page 1. John died on 7 March 1903 in Kensington, London, MDX.13,14
14 Produced by Family Historian Descendants by Generation 7 Mar 2015
1851: Handwritten GRO marriage index records the groom's name as John Billingsby LOOKER.
1861: Married solicitor (Horse Fair, Banbury, OXF, aged 37). Listed as John B LOOKER. Two house servants named as Ann HOGG (unmarried, aged 30, born Tingewick, BKM) and Sarah RYMAN (unmarried, aged 22, born Enslone, OXF) in same household.
1871: Married solicitor (31 Horse Fair, Banbury, OXF, aged 47).
1903: GRO deaths index Mar quarter (Kensington, volume 1a, page 115). Age at death stated as 80. Indexed as John Billingsley LOOKER.
1903: John Billingsley LOOKER of 20 St Luke’s Road, Bayswater, Middlesex, died 07 March. Probate London 20 April to Edith Fanny LOOKER (spinster) and John Denison JORDAN (solicitor). Effect £5,069 5s 5d. Resworn August 1903 £4,651 14s 1d.
Elizabeth Ellen CAMERON7 was born in 1829 in St Pancras, London, MDX.18 She appeared in the census on 7 April 1861 in Banbury.19 RG9/918 (Folio 53) page 28. Elizabeth appeared in the census on 2 April 1871 in Banbury. 18 RG10/1464 (Folio 23) page 1.
1861: Solicitor's wife (Horse Fair, Banbury, OXF, aged 32). Listed as Ellen.
1871: Wife (31 Horse Fair, Banbury, OXF, aged 46). Listed as Ellen.
Elizabeth Ellen CAMERON and John Billingsley LOOKER had the following children:
+37 Ellen Mary LOOKER (1852- ) +38 Edith Fanny LOOKER (1854- ) +39 Horace B LOOKER (1856- ) +40 Ada LOOKER (1857- ) +41 Amy Gertrude LOOKER (1859- ) +42 Frank LOOKER (1862- ) +43 Emily Beatrice LOOKER (1867- )
28. Fanny BILLINGSLEY, daughter of John Richard Frederick BILLINGSLEY and Elizabeth POLSON, was born in 1842 in GLS.16
1842: Local birth index states mother's maiden name as POOLSON.
29. Charlotte Georgiana BILLINGSLEY,14,16 daughter of John Richard Frederick BILLINGSLEY and Elizabeth POLSON, was born in 1844 in Wormington, GLS. 15,16 She appeared in the census on 30 March 1851 in Wormington. HO107/1971 (Folio 230) page 1. Charlotte died on 25 June 1858 in Wormington. 9,16
1844: Local births index records child's name as Charlotte G and mother's maiden name a POLSON.
1851: Scholar at home (Rectory House, Wormington, GLS, aged 6).
1858: GRO deaths index Sep quarter (Winchcombe, volume 6a, page 213). Local BMD index states age at death as 14 and name as Charlotte Georg.
Jackson's Oxford Journal (03 Jul 1858)
June 25, at Wormington Rectory, Gloucestershire, aged 14 years, Charlotte Georgiana, second daughter of the Rev J R S BILLINGSLEY.
30. Mary E BILLINGSLEY, daughter of John Richard Frederick BILLINGSLEY and Elizabeth POLSON, was born in 1845 in Wormington. 15,16 She appeared in the census on 30 March 1851 in Wormington. HO107/1971 (Folio 230) page
15 Produced by Family Historian Descendants by Generation 7 Mar 2015
1.
1845: Local births index records child's name as Mary E and mother's maiden name a POLSON.
1851: Scholar at home (Rectory House, Wormington, GLS, aged 5).
31. Sophia BILLINGSLEY, daughter of John Richard Frederick BILLINGSLEY and Elizabeth POLSON, was born on 23 October 1847 in Wormington. 9,16 She died in January 1848 in Wormington. 16
1847: GRO births index Dec quarter (Winchcombe, volume 11, page 456). Local births index states mother's maiden name as POLSON.
Daily News (01 November 1847)
BILLINGSLEY - Oct 23, at Wormington Rectory, Gloucestershire, the wife of the Rev J R F BILLINGSLEY, of a daughter.
1848: GRO deaths index Mar quarter (Winchcombe, volume 11, page 475). Local BMD index states age at death as 3 months.
32. Lydia M BILLINGSLEY, daughter of John Richard Frederick BILLINGSLEY and Elizabeth POLSON, was born in 1847 in Wormington. 15 She appeared in the census on 30 March 1851 in Wormington. HO107/1971 (Folio 230) page 1.
1847: Birth registration not found in national or local indexes.
1851: Scholar at home (Rectory House, Wormington, GLS, aged 4).
33. Agnes Bessie BILLINGSLEY,16 daughter of John Richard Frederick BILLINGSLEY and Elizabeth POLSON, was born in 1849.16 She died in June 1849 in Wormington. 14,16
1849: Local births index states child's name as Agnes B and mother's maiden name as POLSON.
1849: GRO deaths index Jun quarter (Winchcombe, volume 11, page 422). Local BMD index states age at death as six weeks.16
34. Agnes Maria BILLINGSLEY, daughter of Samuel BILLINGSLEY and Margaret LOGAN, married Oliver John WILLIAMS on 20 June 1850 in Harwich, ESS.5,9
1850: The Morning Chronicle (22 June)
On the 20th inst., at Harwich, Oliver John, second son of the Rev. James WILLIAMS, M. A., of Ratcliff, London, to Agnes Maria, only child of Samuel BILLINGSLEY, jun., Esq., Harwich, Essex.
35. Charlotte Elizabeth BILLINGSLEY, daughter of John BILLINGSLEY and Charlotte HICKS, was born in 1840 in Studland, DOR.5,15,19 She appeared in the census on 30 March 1851 in Alverstoke (St Matthew), HAM. HO107/1660 (Folio 274) page 3. Charlotte appeared in the census on 7 April 1861 in Stroud, GLS. RG9/1774 (Folio 62) page 28. Charlotte married Alexander Robert TANNER in September 1870 in Hampstead, volume 1a, page 1093.14
1851: Daughter (33 Cold Harbour, Alvestoke, HAM, aged 10). Listed as Charlotte C.
1861: Unmarried daughter (Castle Street, Stroud, GLS, aged 20).
1870: Hampshire Telegraph (17 September)
TANNER - BILLINGSLEY - On the 13th inst., at the Church of St Mary, Kilburn, by the Rev James TANNER, vicar of St Matthew's, Gosport, father of the bridegroom, assisted by the Rev R H PARR, vicar of St Martin's, Scarborough,
16 Produced by Family Historian Descendants by Generation 7 Mar 2015
Alexander Robert TANNER, Esq., solicitor, to Charlotte Elizabeth, Only child of Commander John BILLINGSLEY, Royal Navy.
36. Mary BILLINGSLEY5 was the daughter of John BILLINGSLEY and Charlotte HICKS. Eighth Generation 37. Ellen Mary LOOKER, daughter of John Billingsley LOOKER and Elizabeth Ellen CAMERON, was born Q4 1852 in Banbury, OXF. 14,19 She appeared in the census on 7 April 1861 in Banbury. 19 RG9/918 (Folio 53) page 28. Ellen appeared in the census on 2 April 1871 in Banbury. 18 RG10/1464 (Folio 23) page 1. Ellen married Thomas Packer Walter BUTT on 21 May 1891 in London (St Stephen, Westbourne Park), MDX. 9,14 GRO marriage index Jun quarter (Paddington, volume 1a, page 118.
1852: GRO births index Dec quarter (Banbury, volume 3a, page 588). Indexed as Ellen Mary.
1861: Scholar (Horse Fair, Banbury, OXF, aged 8). Listed as Ellen M.
1871: Scholar (31 Horse Fair, Banbury, OXF, aged 18). Listed as Ellen.
1891: Gloucester Citizen (25 May)
MARRIAGES
BUTT-LOOKER
May 21, at St Stephen’s, Westbourne Park, London, by the Rev Thomas B Harvey BROOKS, assisted by the Rev Will H CREATON, the Rev Walter William Arthur BUTT, vicar of Minety, Wiltshire, eldest son of Thomas Packer Walter BUTT, of Arle Court near Cheltenahm, to Ellen Mary, eldest daughter of John Billingsley LOOKER, of No 20, St Luke’s Road, Bayswater, London.
38. Edith Fanny LOOKER, daughter of John Billingsley LOOKER and Elizabeth Ellen CAMERON, was born in 1854 in Banbury.19 She appeared in the census on 7 April 1861 in Banbury. 19 RG9/918 (Folio 53) page 28. Edith appeared in the census on 2 April 1871 in Banbury. 18 RG10/1464 (Folio 23) page 1.
1854: GRO births index Jun quarter (Banbury, volume 3a, page 643). Indexed as Edith Fanny.
1861: Scholar (Horse Fair, Banbury, OXF, aged 6). Listed as Edith F.
1871: Scholar (31 Horse Fair, Banbury, OXF, aged 16). Listed as Edith F.
39. Horace B LOOKER, son of John Billingsley LOOKER and Elizabeth Ellen CAMERON, was born in 1856 in Banbury.19 He appeared in the census on 7 April 1861 in Banbury. 19 RG9/918 (Folio 53) page 28. Horace appeared in the census on 2 April 1871 in Northam, DEV. 18 RG10/2202 (Folio 31) page 8. Horace married Eliza Caroline PHILLIPS on 31 January 1888 in Selhurst (Holy Trinity), SRY. 9,14 GRO marriage index Mar quarter (Croydon, volume 2a, page 257).
1856: Birth registration not found.
1861: Scholar (Horse Fair, Banbury, OXF, aged 5). Listed as Horace B.
1871: Scholar (College, Northam, DEV, age 15).
1888: Oxford Journal (04 February)
MARRIAGES
17 Produced by Family Historian Descendants by Generation 7 Mar 2015
Jan 31, at Holy Trinity Church, Selhurst, Horace Billingsley LOOKER, of No 3, Westbury Park Road, Paddington W, eldest son of John Billingsley LOOKER, of No 32 Leamington Road Villas, Westbourne Park W, solicitor, to Eliza Caroline PHILLIPS (Dido), youngest daughter of the late Dr Samuel PHILLIPS, of Sydenham.
40. Ada LOOKER, daughter of John Billingsley LOOKER and Elizabeth Ellen CAMERON, was born Q3 1857 in Banbury.14,19 She appeared in the census on 7 April 1861 in Banbury. 19 RG9/918 (Folio 53) page 28. Ada appeared in the census on 2 April 1871 in Banbury. 18 RG10/1464 (Folio 23) page 1.
1857: GRO births index Sep quarter (Banbury, volume 3a, page 600).
1861: Ada (Horse Fair, Banbury, OXF, aged 3).
1871: Scholar (31 Horse Fair, Banbury, OXF, aged 13).
41. Amy Gertrude LOOKER, daughter of John Billingsley LOOKER and Elizabeth Ellen CAMERON, was born Q4 1859 in Banbury.19
1859: GRO births index Dec quarter (Banbury, volume 3a, page 626). Indexed as Amy Geertrude.
1861: Daughter (Horse Fair, Banbury, OXF, aged 1). Listed Amy G.
42. Frank LOOKER, son of John Billingsley LOOKER and Elizabeth Ellen CAMERON, was born Q3 1862 in Banbury. 18 He appeared in the census on 2 April 1871 in Banbury. 18 RG10/1464 (Folio 23) page 1.
1862: GRO births index Sep quarter (Banbury, volume 3a, page 618). Indexed as Frank.
1871: Scholar (31 Horse Fair, Banbury, OXF, aged 8). Listed as Frank.
43. Emily Beatrice LOOKER, daughter of John Billingsley LOOKER and Elizabeth Ellen CAMERON, was born Q3 1867 in Banbury.18 She appeared in the census on 2 April 1871 in Banbury. 18 RG10/1464 (Folio 23) page 1.
1867: GRO births index Sep quarter (Banbury, volume 3a, page 695). Indexed as Emily Beatrice.
1871: Daughter (31 Horse Fair, Banbury, OXF, aged 3). Listed as Emily B. Sources 1. "E-mail correspondence with Peter WHITLOCK March 2015" ([email protected]). 2. "Nonconformist register Northowram, YKS" (http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/YKS/northowram/index.html). 3. "Oxford Dictionary of National Biography" (Viewed via local library membership). 4. Rev George HALL, "The history of Chesterfield; with particulars of the hamlet contiguous to the town, and descriptive accounts of Chatsworth, Hardwick, and Bolsover Castle [with additions]" (https://archive.org/stream/historyofchester00halliala/historyofchester00halliala_djvu.txt). 5. "Miscellanea Genealogica Et Heraldica: Volume 1" (Hamilton, Adams and Company (01 January 1868)). 6. "Findmypast Parish Records Collection" (findmypast.co.uk/). 7. "FamilySearch Historical Records" (https://familysearch.org/). 8. John BURKE, "A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Landed Gentry; Or, Commoners of Great Britain and Ireland Etc." (Henry COLBURN 01 Jan 1837). 9. "Newspaper Report". 10. "The Law Journal: Volume 8 - 01 January 1830". 11. "Reports of cases argued and determined in the High court of chancery: during the time of Lord Chancellor Lyndhurst, Volume 1 - 01 January 1832" (Saunders and Benning). 12. "International Genealogical Index" (http://www.familysearch.org/). 13. "National Probate Index" (ancestry.co.uk). 14. "FreeBMD" (http://www.freebmd.org.uk/). 15. "1851 Census Image" (ancestry.co.uk or findmypast.co.uk).
18 Produced by Family Historian Descendants by Generation 7 Mar 2015
16. "Gloucestershire BMD Indexes" (http://ww3.gloucestershire.gov.uk/bmd/SimpleSearch.aspx). 17. "1841 Census Image" (ancestry.co.uk or findmypast.co.uk). 18. "1871 Census Image" (ancestry.co.uk or findmypast.co.uk). 19. "1861 Census Image" (ancestry.co.uk or findmypast.co.uk). 20. "1881 Census Image" (ancestry.co.uk or findmypast.co.uk). 21. "GRO Marriage Index" (http://www.findmypast.co.uk/).
19 Produced by Family Historian Descendants by Generation 7 Mar 2015
BILLINGSLEY ( - )
1. BILLINGSLEY has few details recorded about him.
Report prepared by:
Dr Virginia Gretton, 16 Holywell Road, Ilkeston, Derbyshire DE7 9HH, United Kingdom.
BILLINGSLEY had the following children:
+2 Thomas BILLINGSLEY ( - ) +3 Nicholas BILLINGSLEY (1599?- ) Second Generation 2. Thomas BILLINGSLEY1 was the son of BILLINGSLEY.
Thomas BILLINGSLEY had the following children:
+4 John BILLINGSLEY (1625-1683)
3. Nicholas BILLINGSLEY,2 son of BILLINGSLEY, was born in 1599 (approx.).1 He married Leticia BESBACHE.
Leticia BESBACHE1 and Nicholas BILLINGSLEY had the following children: Nicholas BILLINGSLEY, +5 Anne BILLINGSLY (1625-bef1631) Tomb of +6 Leticia BILLINGSLIE (1628- ) Nicholas BILLINGSLEY +7 John BILLINGSLEY (1630-bef1640) (Ashwick St +8 Anne BILLINGSLEY (1631- ) James, SOM) +9 Nicholas BILLINGSLEY (1633-1709) +10 Elizabeth BILLINGSLEY (1636- ) +11 John BILLINGSLEY (1640- ) Third Generation 4. John BILLINGSLEY,1 son of Thomas BILLINGSLEY, was born on 14 September 1625 in Chatham, KEN.1 He married Mary BOURNE in 1652.1 He married Alice in 1667 (approx.). He died on 30 May 1683 in Mansfield, NTT or Northowram, YKS.1,3 He was buried on 1 June 1683 in Northowram, YKS.1
BILLINGSLEY, John (1625-1683), clergyman and ejected minister, was born on 14 September 1625 at Chatham, Kent, the son of Thomas BILLINGSLEY. He attended Rochester School before matriculating on 8 July 1642 at Exeter College, Oxford.
He was admitted to St John's College, Cambridge, in 1644 and graduated BA in 1648, but the same year he returned to Oxford on his election to a Kentish fellowship at Corpus Christi College. He proceeded MA in 1649, and on 26 September that year received presbyterian ordination at St Andrew Undershaft, London.
In July 1650 he became vicar of Faringdon, Berkshire. In 1652 he was appointed vicar of Addingham, Cumberland, as part of the initiative to send godly preachers to the remoter parts of England. Active in the local association of ministers, he was a strong advocate of presbyterian discipline in church government and a penetrative preacher whose ‘style was plain...[and] voice, sweet and audible, tho' not very strong’ (Calamy, Abridgement, 2.169). Also in 1652 he married Mary, daughter of Immanuel BOURNE, presbyterian rector of Ashover, Derbyshire. They had two children who survived into adulthood, a daughter, Joyce, and a son, John BILLINGSLEY (1657-1722).
1 Produced by Family Historian Descendants by Generation 7 Mar 2015
On 18 March 1654 BILLINGSLEY was presented to the living at Chesterfield, Derbyshire, under authority of the great seal. Along with several other local ministers he held a dispute there with the Quaker James NAYLER on 3 January 1655, which his father-in-law, Immanuel BOURNE, recounted in his A Defence of the Scriptures (1656). The dispute became more contentious as BILLINGSEY subsequently published Strong Comforts for Weak Christians (1656) and later The Grand Quaker Prov'd a Gross Liar, the latter provoking George FOX to publish a reply. Appointed to the Derbyshire commission on 24 October 1657, BILLINGSLEY became a prominent figure in local affairs and did not hide his royalist sympathies.
He ‘prayed publickly for the king when it was hazardous to do it’ (Calamy, Abridgement, 2.170) and was summoned before the council on 17 September 1659 to answer charges of misdemeanour. The Restoration spared him further prosecution but not Anglican reprisals. On 16 July 1661 he was presented at the Derbyshire sessions for neglecting to read common prayer and in 1662 he was ejected from his living. At his farewell sermon he complained ‘that the prelatical ministers, at least some, were put out for murder, drunkenness, whoredom & c but such as himself, for being too holy and too carefull of religion’ (Calamy rev., 54). Billingsley was severely reprimanded by the bishop of Lichfield for this outburst and he subsequently made profuse apologies.
Some time in or before 1665, his first wife having died, he married Alice, whose other name is unknown.
BILLINGSLEY remained in the Chesterfield area until the passing of the Five Mile Act when he moved to Mansfield. Here he enjoyed the friendship of the vicar, John FIRTH, and the fellowship of other ejected presbyterian ministers.
He went once a fortnight to preach at Chesterfield, often travelling late at night to avoid detection. In 1669 he was identified as preaching in Mansfield and in 1672 licensed to preach at both Nottingham and Mansfield. His frail health was considerably weakened by these many exertions and towards the end of his life, as his itinerant activities were curtailed, he established a dissenting academy at Mansfield as an alternative means of livelihood.
Surviving records suggest that his son, John, had responsibility for running it. Not long afterwards, on 30 May 1683, BILLINGSLEY died at Mansfield; he was buried there on 1 June. According to BAXTER, ‘he made actual preparation for death’ (CARPENTER, 84). No funeral sermon was to be given, by his order, possibly to avoid confrontation with the authorities, but a ‘suitable consolatory Discourse was preached to his family on the Lord's day following by Mr SYLVESTOR’ (Calamy, Abridgement, 2.170). His will, proved at York on 21 June 1683, bequeathed £202 in cash alone. His inventory is severely damaged but valued his goods in excess of £100, of which his library of 47 folios, 122 quartos, and 217 lesser books was valued at £44. The majority of these appear to have been incorporated into the academy's library. His widow died on 18 September 1690. 1
The Rev. John BILLINGSLEY, M. A., was inducted to the living of Chesterfield in the year 1653. He was first of St. John's College, Cambridge, and afterwards of Corpus Christi, Oxford. He removed from Oxford to Addingham in Cumberland, and thence to Chesterfield, where he is said to have been "highly valued by many" while "the peevishness of some, and the apostacy of others, added greatly to the burden of his ministerial labours."
On the passing of the Act of Uniformity, he quietly seceded from his public station, thinking that he could no longer hold it without sin. He continued to labour among his former parishioners in private, as opportunities presented themselves, till the passing of the Oxford Act, which prevented him from residing within five miles of a corporate town.
He then took up his abode at Mansfield, which, not being a corporate town, "was to him and several others," as Palmer says, "a little Zoar, a place of refuge." He came once a fortnight, however, to Chesterfield, preached twice, and often' expounded and catechized, and visited the sick : but this he was obliged to do by stealth, and in the dead of the night, and the fatigue and exposure to the night-air, at length brought on a complaint which terminated fatally.
He was born at Chatham, in Kent, September 14th, 1625; ordained September 26th, 1649, in the Church of Saint Andrew Undershaft, London; and died (probably at Mansfield) May 30th, 1684. Like our present worthy Vicar, he had great temptations from secular advantages, and the importunities of friends, to leave Chesterfield ; but he was attached to his people, and made up his mind to live and die with them. He published a pamphlet against the Quakers, together with a sermon, the subject of which is not known.
At the time that Mr. BILLINGSLEY was the incumbent of Chesterfield, the Rev. James Ford resided there; occasionally
2 Produced by Family Historian Descendants by Generation 7 Mar 2015 assisted him in the duties of his parish, and probably acted in the capacity of Curate to him. He is said to have been of a melancholy temperament, and to have been prevailed upon with difficulty to preach. He too was silenced by the Act of Uniformity, and joined the Dissenters. He was friendly to the Congregational form of Church government, and in this respect differed from Mr. BILLINGSLEY. But they always lived upon terms of the greatest intimacy. Mr. FORD died of a consumption, brought on by close application, before he had attained the age of thirty. He committed his sermons to memory; several of which, from Isaiah v. 6., "I will command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it" he preached when he saw the Bartholomew storm arising. These were taken down in short-hand, transcribed and kept by his friends; and several passages in them are said to have appeared almost prophetical.
Nothing of public interest is recorded of any of the incumbents of Chesterfield, except Mr. BILLINGSLEY.
DISSENTING PLACES OF WORSHIP.
ELDER- YARD (UNITARIAN) CHAPEL.
BY the operation of the Act of Uniformity, which was passed in the year 1662, the churches in the county of Derby were deprived of the services of many clergymen, eminent for their learning and talents. Chesterfield, as we have already seen, was at that time enjoying the labours of the Rev. John Billingsley, and the Rev. James FORD, both of whom were driven into nonconformity by its operation. Mr. Billingsley, who was obliged to leave Chesterfield, in the manner and for the cause already described, settled at Mansfield, and was in the habit of coming over to Chesterfield by night, for the purpose of visiting those of his former flock, who still adhered to him. But he probably discontinued these nocturnal visits some time before his death.4
JOHN BILLINGSLEY, tutor at Mansfield, was the son of Thomas BILLINGSLEY, of Chatham, Kent, where he was born on 14 September 1625. He matriculated at Exeter College, Oxford, in 1642; he was admitted to St John’s College, Cambridge in 1644, graduated BA in 1648, returned to Oxford to take up a Kentish fellowship at Corpus Christi College, and proceeded MA in 1649 (Venn, Alumni Cantabrigienses, I, 151). BILLINGSLEYwas ordained at St Andrew Undershaft in London on 26 September 1649. By July 1650 he was the vicar of Faringdon in Oxfordshire (ODNB).
However, in 1652 he was the vicar of Addingham in West Yorkshire and a member of the Cumberland and Westmorland ministerial association (Reliquiae Baxterianae, I, 164). In this year he married Mary BOURNE, the daughter of Immanuel BOURNE, the rector of Ashover in Derbyshire. On 18 March 1654 he acquired the living of Chesterfield in Derbyshire. He was one of several ministers who disputed with the Quaker James NAYLOR at Chesterfield on 3 January 1655.
As part of the controversy with NAYLOR, BILLINGSLEY produced Strong Comforts for Weak Christians (1656), to which was annexed The Grand Quaker Prov’d a Gross Liar. He was also an assistant to the Derbyshire Commission for the ejection of scandalous ministers from 24 October 1657. According to Calamy, he ‘Prayed publickly for the King, when it was hazardous to do it’. As a result of an unstated misdemeanour, BILLINGSLEY and Mr CHILDS, the minister of Alfreton, were required to attend a meeting of the Council of State on the second Wednesday of October 1659. At the Quarter Sessions for Derbyshire for 16 July 1661, BILLINGSLEY was presented for neglecting to read the Book of Common Prayer.
BILLINGSLEY declined to subscribe to the terms of the Act of Uniformity and delivered his farewell sermon to his congregation on 23 August 1662. In a letter dated 29 September, John HACKET, the bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, wrote to Gilbert SHELDON, bishop of London, that he had presented BILLINGSLEY to the consistory court, and had ‘convicted him by sufficient witness’ that in this sermon he had said that ‘the prelatical Ministers, at least some, were put out for murder, drunkenness, whordom &c – but such as himself, for being too holy and too carefull of Religion’. After being reproved by Sheldon, Billingsley shed ‘many tears’ and gave Hacket ‘a very humble confession of his fault under his hand’.
BILLINGSLEY’s successor at Chesterfield was installed on 6 February 1663. However, BILLINGSLEY remained at Chesterfield until the passage of the Five Mile Act in 1665, after which he moved to Mansfield. Here, he became friends with the other nonconforming ministers in the area, including Robert PORTER. Both PORTER and he remained on good terms with the vicar of Mansfield, John FIRTH, who ‘counted it no Schism for them to endeavour to help his People in their way to Heaven’ (Calamy, Account, 171). In Sheldon’s survey of 1669, he was recorded as preaching in Mansfield (LPL, Tenison 639, fo. 279). Following the Declaration of Indulgence in 1672, he was licensed to preach as a
3 Produced by Family Historian Descendants by Generation 7 Mar 2015
Presbyterian at Mansfield and Nottingham.
At Mansfield, BILLINGSLEY taught academical learning to young students. Among his charges was William BILBY, who was later a minister in the Church of England before becoming a dissenter in 1693. Bilby’s surviving papers include information about the courses taught at Mansfield. Under BILLINGSLEY, BILBY studied classical authors, Hebrew, logic, metaphysics, moral philosophy, and natural philosophy, and ‘had ye benefit of mr. FRANKLIN [Frankland’s] Tables & Converse wth othrs yt were Candidates for ye ministry’. BILLINGSLEY exhorted BILBY ‘to make a Diary Containing ye most notable occurrences of my life’ and the workings of the Holy Spirit on his soul, consisting of ‘Sp[iri]t[ua]l Experiences’, ‘Books, & studys’, and ‘Usefull Sermns’. Bilby proceeded to study philosophy at Queen’s College, Cambridge.
BILLINGSLEY’s teaching is also mentioned by the nonconformist minister Oliver HEYWOOD, who was trying to find an appropriate education for ‘an hopefull youth’, namely Jonathan SONYER, the third son of Joshua SONYER of Northowram. SONYER had been expelled from Hipperholme school for coming to hear Heywood preach, and desired to train for the ministry: ‘we sent him to Halifax school, being fit I took him to Mr FRANKLAND, but he being taken off work, I sent him to Mr BILLINGSLEY at Mansfield’; when BILLINGSLEY ceased teaching, SONYER taught school with a Mr DAWSON, but ‘when god opened a door, I sent him again to Mr FRANKLAND, where he was exceeding studious and very serious, profited exceedingly came home Jan 1687/8’ (HEYWOOD, Diaries, IV, 130). This brief story demonstrates the difficulties faced by academy tutors at this time. Frankland was clearly not able to continue his teaching at all times, and when he temporarily ceased, BILLINGSLEY looked after some of his students. BILLINGSLEY’s death on 30 May 1683 therefore deprived FRANKLAND of a welcome colleague during this difficult period. He was buried at Mansfield on 1 June 1683; under his instructions, no funeral sermon was preached, but ‘a suitable Consolatory Discourse was preach’d to his Family on the Lord’s Day following’ by Matthew SYLVESTER (Calamy, Account, 171). 5
1683: Transcription of burial entry states Mr BILLINGSLEY of Mansfield formerly Minr at Chesterfield buried. 3
Mary BOURNE,1 daughter of Immanuel BOURNE ( - ), died in 1665 (approx.).1 She and John BILLINGSLEY had the following children:
+12 John BILLINGSLEY (1657-1722)
Alice died on 18 September 1690.1 She and John BILLINGSLEY had the following children:
+13 Joyce BILLINGSLEY (1668- )
5. Anne BILLINGSLY, daughter of Nicholas BILLINGSLEY and Leticia BESBACHE, was born in 1625 in Faversham, KEN. She was baptised on 29 May 1625 in Faversham.6 She died before 1631.
6. Leticia BILLINGSLIE, daughter of Nicholas BILLINGSLEY and Leticia BESBACHE, was born in 1628 in Faversham. She was baptised on 3 August 1628 in Faversham. 6
7. John BILLINGSLEY, son of Nicholas BILLINGSLEY and Leticia BESBACHE, was born in 1630 in Faversham. He died before 1640. He was baptised on 23 May 1640 in Faversham.6
8. Anne BILLINGSLEY, daughter of Nicholas BILLINGSLEY and Leticia BESBACHE, was born in 1631 in Faversham.6 She was baptised on 9 October 1631 in Faversham.6
9. Nicholas BILLINGSLEY, son of Nicholas BILLINGSLEY and Leticia BESBACHE, was born in 1633 in Faversham.1 He was baptised on 1 November 1633 in Faversham.1,6 He married Grace HAWES in 1655 (calculated). He died in 1709 in Bristol, SOM. He was buried on 28 December 1709 in Bristol (St James), SOM.1
BILLINGSLEY, Nicholas (bap. 1633, d. 1709), religious poet and Presbyterian minister, was baptized at Faversham, Kent, on 1 November 1633, the son of Nicholas Billingsley (b.c.1599) and his wife, Letitia Besbeche. The elder Nicholas, master of Faversham School, became rector of Betteshanger and vicar of Tilmanstone (both also in Kent) in 1644.
The younger Nicholas attended Eton College from about 1648 to 1654. His education appears, however, to have been
4 Produced by Family Historian Descendants by Generation 7 Mar 2015 dogged by ill health. He had hoped to go to King's College, Cambridge, but instead went to Merton College, Oxford. There, according to Anthony WOOD, ‘having had a long sickness hanging upon him, [BILLINGSLEY] was dispenced with by the venerable congregation of eight terms’ (WOOD, Ath. Oxon.: Fasti, pt 2) - a statement which would explain the short period between his matriculation on 10 March 1657 and his graduation as BA the following year. BILLINGSLEY dedicated his first published work to the Bristol physician whom he believed had saved his life.
BILLINGSLEY's first two collections of poetry were the product of these chequered years. Brachy-martyrologia, or, A breviary of all the greatest persecutions which have befallen the saints and people of God from the creation to our present times, published in May 1657 with dedications dated 11 March and 6 April 1656, told selections from FOXE's book of martyrs in rhyming couplets. The Infancy of the World, published in August 1658, was dedicated to the provost of Eton, Francis ROUS.
BILLINGSLEY seems to have been working on this fine collection, completed at Canterbury in December 1656, since the age of fifteen. The work included a ten-part poem in rhyming couplets, which celebrated the creation of the world and dramatized the fall of mankind, along with other religious poetry in a classical style imitative of Robert HERRICK yet with thematic concerns close to those of John MILTON. His poetry throughout his career reflected BILLINGSLEY's presbyterian admiration of the beauty of the world, the moral capabilities of humans, and the shape of the church.
Billingsley dedicated one part of Brachy-Martyrologia to the sheriff and to four ministers of Herefordshire; in the month the book was published he was admitted on 28 May 1657 as vicar of Weobley in the same county, a living for which he was assessed for the clerical subsidy of 1661 at £80 per annum. BILLINGSLEY married Grace HAWES (1634? - 1701), the only daughter of Richard HAWES, minister of Leintwardine in the same county from 1659.
After the Restoration, BILLINGSLEY was indicted at Hereford assizes on 1 August 1662 for seditious words; he pleaded not guilty. He was ejected from his living under the Act of Uniformity and settled with his family and his father-in-law at Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, where he kept a school. Although Calamy described him as a nonconformist, he is perhaps as well characterized at this time as a ‘dubious conformist’ (Calamy rev., 54): he subscribed to theThirty-Nine Articles in order to become master of Abergavenny School on 15 February 1664 and was ordained deacon in the Church of England three weeks later on 6 March 1664. Three years later, with the aid of the conforming presbyterian Sir Edward Harley, patron of the Herefordshire godly, he became curate of Blakeney, Gloucestershire. Blakeney was a chapelry in the parish of Awre in the Forest of Dean, a living in the gift of the Haberdashers' Company. BILLINGSLEY was also offered, but scrupled against accepting, the vicarage itself. He subscribed to take up the living on 25 February 1667. Soon after he explained his reconciliation in a poem dated 15 March 1667:
True, I was one of Levi's turn'd out Tribe, Who never durst against my conscience sin, Nor claw Church-livings with an unjust bribe, And stoutly swear I honestly came in. (BILLINGSLEY, Treasury, sig. A4v)
These lines appeared in his volume of poetry published in 1667 by the presbyterian publisher Thomas PARKHURST, the moralistic, epigrammatic Thesauro-phylakion, or, A treasury of divine raptures, consisting of serious observations, pious ejaculations, select epigrams, which he dedicated to Harley and the Haberdashers' Company as well as to the old parliamentarian officer John BIRCH and to Mary, Lady VAUGHAN and Sir Henry VAUGHAN.
BILLINGSLEY is an interesting example of the precariously conforming. He made interpolations in the prayer-book service and often wore his surplice across his shoulders in minimal compliance with the canons of the church. According to one hostile observer, he ‘would sometimes impose on his Auditors a hymn of his own making’ (Calamy rev., 54). The accusation enabled the writer to abuse Billingsley's literary talents as ‘a wretched pretender to poetry’ and to point up that such presumption was taking place in the parish (allegedly) of Sternhold and Hopkins, whose sixteenth-century metrical translations of the psalms still dominated the music of church and meeting-house. If BILLINGSLEY was indeed writing hymns for his congregation it puts him in tune with a development within nonconformity rather than with the practice of the established church. BILLINGSLEYS's father-in-law, HAWES, who continued to live with BILLINGSLEY until his death in 1668, was tolerated by the bishop to preach occasionally in Awre despite his failure to subscribe.
While William NICHOLSON was bishop of Gloucester and Mr JORDAN was vicar, BILLINGSLEY was left in peace.
5 Produced by Family Historian Descendants by Generation 7 Mar 2015
But with the vicar's death in 1668, two successive high-church vicars sought his ruin. The succeeding bishop, Robert FRAMPTON, and his chancellor, Richard PARSONS, were bitter opponents. According to Calamy the chancellor, after hearing BILLINGSLEY preach a visitation sermon in which he reproved the lives of the clergy, so far forgot himself as to pluck the preacher by the hair in the open street, saying, ‘Sirrah, you are a rogue, and I'll bind you to your good behaviour’ (Calamy, Abridgement, 2.358). After this incident, BILLINGSLEY faced suspensions and other penalties for ‘want of that conformity to which his place did not oblige him’ (ibid.). He complied so far as ‘to read more or less of the Common-Prayer, and to wear the Surplice, after the bishop had given it under his Hand that 'twas not requir'd to be worn upon the account of any suppos'd Holiness in the Garment, but only for Decency and Comliness’ (ibid., 359).
Despite suspensions BILLINGSLEY weathered the persecution of Frampton and Parsons. He finally resigned in 1689, a date suggesting that the trigger was the failure of comprehension. FRAMPTON's more moderate successor, Edward FOWLER, was unable to persuade him to return to the Anglican fold. In 1691 the Common Fund survey noted that BILLINGSLEY was ‘quite comme off from the Church of England, with about 200 of his parish, who have Sett up a meeting for him in the parish, they have subscribed 16l. or 17l. per annum, desire Some assistance’ (Gordon, 45). He was also acting as an itinerant preacher elsewhere in Gloucestershire. The fund accordingly granted him £10 a year from 1692 to 1702, and again in 1704–5 when he was recorded as living in Bristol.
It was at St James's, Bristol, that BILLINGSLEY's wife, Grace, was buried on 16 April 1701. She is limned in ‘Carmen lugubre’, an elegy written by Nicholas on her death, which describes her piety, noting the time she spent in her ‘shut closet’ where she read prodigiously, and praising her devotion to godliness within a companionate marriage:
Look what remarks she in the day had read, She likely told us e'er we went to bed. (BILLINGSLEY, ‘Carmen lugubre’) Their son Nicholas described his mother as a devout Calvinist who ‘took more than ordinary care in our Education, and instil into us a lively sense of Divine Goodness’ (BILLINGSLEY, Rational and Christian Principles, 75).
BILLINGSLEY died at Bristol in December 1709 and was buried on 28 December at St James's. Calamy does not mention his poems in his Account, but Richard Baxter had in his possession a manuscript of BILLINGSLEY's entitled, ‘Theological reflections on God's Admirable master-piece’ (now lost), on which he wrote on the fly-leaf:
The poetry of this book I leave to the judgment and relish of the reader; the philosophical and theological matter, as far I had leisure to peruse it, is such as is agreeable to the authors that are most commonly esteemed. (DNB)
Grace and Nicholas had seven children, of whom four were alive in 1702. Both their sons became Presbyterian ministers. Richard (1660 - c.1713), became minister of Whitchurch, Hampshire, and was in turn the father of another minister, Samuel, whose ordination sermon was preached by John BOWDEN in 1725; Nicholas, minister of Ashwick in Somerset, published in the Arian controversy in the 1720s, was commended by John DUNTON in his The Dissenting Doctors.
Grace HAWES was born in 1634 (approx.).1 She died in 1701 in Bristol. She was buried on 16 April 1701 in Bristol (St James).1 She and Nicholas BILLINGSLEY had the following children:
+14 Richard BILLINGSLEY (1656?- ) +15 Nicholas BILLINGSLEY (1670?- )
10. Elizabeth BILLINGSLEY, daughter of Nicholas BILLINGSLEY and Leticia BESBACHE, was born in 1636 in Faversham. She was baptised on 18 November 1636 in Faversham.6
11. John BILLINGSLEY, son of Nicholas BILLINGSLEY and Leticia BESBACHE, was born in 1640 in Faversham. He was baptised on 6 December 1640 in Faversham.6 Fourth Generation 12. John BILLINGSLEY, son of John BILLINGSLEY and Mary BOURNE, was born in 1657 in Chesterfield, DBY. 1 He married Dorcas JORDAN on 23 August 1682 in Northowram, YKS. 3 He died in 1722 in London, MDX.4
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John BILLINGSLEY, of Chesterfield, born there 14 February 1657, subsequently of Charterhouse Square, London, buried at Bunhill Fields, London. He married 22 August 1682, Dorcas, daughter of Thomas JORDAN, of London, merchant, and by her had issue two daughters – Dorcas, born 11 April 1689 and Mary, born 14 December 1684 and three sons.7
BILLINGSLEY, John (1657- 1722), Presbyterian minister, was born at the vicarage at Chesterfield in Derbyshire, the only son of John BILLINGSLEY (1625 - 1683), vicar of Chesterfield, and his wife, Mary (d. in or before 1665), daughter of the puritan minister Immanuel BOURNE.
Educated at Nottingham by John REYNER (son of Edward REYNER, the presbyterian minister of Lincoln), BILLINGSLEY briefly attended Trinity College, Cambridge, but did not matriculate. Instead he continued his studies under his father, who kept a school in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, and his uncle, John WHITLOCK the elder.
In a remarkable instance of hereditary succession BILLINGSLEY, John Oldfield, and Samuel Coates were ordained together by their fathers at Mansfield in September 1681.
On 22 August 1682 Billingsley married Dorcas JORDAN (d. 1717) at Oliver Heywood's chapel at Coley, Northowram, Yorkshire.
After preaching for a time to his father's former flock at Chesterfield, he moved to Sheffield to assist the Presbyterian Edward PRIME. He ministered in and around Selston, Nottinghamshire, from about 1687 to 1694, when he accepted a call to succeed Samuel CHARLES as pastor to a joint congregation of Presbyterians and Independents at Kingston upon Hull. There he remained until 1706 when he was elected to replace Samuel ROSEWELL as assistant to William HARRIS at the Presbyterian meeting of Crutched Friars, London. He also preached a Sunday evening lecture to a society of young men at the Old Jewry, in which he expounded the Westminster assembly's shorter and larger catechisms.
Despite his own orthodoxy, when the Exeter Trinitarian controversy divided London dissenters at the Salters' Hall synod in 1719 BILLINGSLEY sided with the non-subscribers, who thought the imposition of religious tests of any sort violated the fundamental principle of dissent. It is not clear whether his decision was at all affected by the prominent role taken by his cousin Nicholas BILLINGSLEY, of Ashwick, Somerset, in sheltering the Arians Hubert Stogdon and James Foster.
With its uncompromising insistence that ‘strictness is not fanaticism’, BILLINGSLEY's first work, The Believer's Daily Exercise (1690), placed him squarely within the godly tradition. Dedicated to his Selston congregation, it offered a wealth of practical guidance to help serious Christians distinguish themselves from hypocrites and formalists. This included warning readers against wasting their mornings ‘between the comb and the glass’, like ‘the gaudy butterflies and gay peacocks of our days’, and advising them, quite specifically, on what and how to read (pp. 71, 9).
Personal reformation alone, however, was not sufficient, as Billingsley made clear in his two sermons preached before the societies for reformation of manners in Hull and London (1700, 1706). Christians must be reformers, first of themselves, ‘but next of others also’ (BILLINGSLEY, A Sermon Preached to the Societies for the Reformation of Manners, 1706, 20). After defending the societies from the usual charges of canting and meddling, BILLINGSLEY employed the language of patriotic whiggery in contrasting the slavishness sown in their debauched subjects by absolute monarchs with the sobriety which sustained England's freedom: ‘sobriety and the love of liberty are twins that laugh and live, mourn and die together’ (ibid., 18). Besides a number of separate sermons he also published Brief Discourse of Schism (2nd edn, 1714), and the exposition of the epistle to Jude in the continuation of Matthew HENRY's commentary. William HARRIS edited his posthumous Sermons Against Popery (1723).
BILLINGSLEY and his wife had five children, including one son, John, a dissenting minister in Dover, Kent, who dedicated a sermon to his father in 1717. John subsequently married a sister of Sir Philip YORKE, later Chancellor Hardwicke, conformed to the Church of England, and became a prebendary of Bristol. In addition to suffering all his life under a ‘crazy constitution’, BILLINGSLEY was naturally melancholy. During his last sickness, he confessed, ‘[I] pretend not to transports of affection, and rapturous joys; for...you know my temper and make’. He died, probably in London, on 2 May 1722, and was buried on 13 May in Bunhill Fields. Harris published funeral sermons for both BILLINGSLEY and his wife in his Funeral Discourses (1736).
Mr. BILLINGSLEY left behind him a son, whom he brought up for the ministry, and who was called John, after his
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father. This son was born at Chesterfield; and his first ministerial services were performed there in an evening.
He afterwards preached seven years at Selston, and ten years at Hull. From Hull he removed to London, where he became assistant to Dr. William HARRIS, who preached and published a Funeral Sermon on the occasion of his death. He was an excellent scholar, and a man of great integrity.
His preaching was solid and judicious, and his manner grave, but occasionally very animated. He lived to see five children grow up, and settle in the world, all of whom bore excellent characters.
He laboured under a weakly habit of body, which he brought into the world with him, and which harassed him greatly. His wife, Mrs. Dorcas BILLINGSLEY, died December 29th, 1717, and a Funeral Sermon was preached upon the occasion by Dr. HARRIS, from Job v. 26. " Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season."
His own death took place in the year 1722. One of his sons, whom he educated for the ministry, was settled for many years at Dover, among the Dissenters; but, marrying a sister of Sir Philip YORK, afterwards Lord Chancellor, he conformed, obtained a good living in the Church, and held a prebcndal stall in Bristol Cathedral; though he continued to keep up a friendly intercourse with the Dissenters to the end of his life. He died about the year 1770, leaving behind him two sons, the elder of whom was Clerk of the Patents, and the younger a Clergyman.4
Dorcas JORDAN, daughter of Thomas JORDAN (bap.1609) and Katherine WHITLOCK (1622-1690), died on 29 December 1717 in London.
1682: Transcription of non-conformist register states that Mr John BILLINGSLEY of Mansfield married Mrs Dorcas JORDAN of Mansfield.
Dorcas JORDAN and John BILLINGSLEY had the following children:
+16 John BILLINGSLEY (1684-1770?) +17 Mary BILLINGSLEY (1684- ) +18 Dorcas BILLINGSLEY (1689- ) +19 Thomas BILLINGSLEY (1693-1693) +20 Samuel BILLINGSLEY (1696- )
13. Joyce BILLINGSLEY,1 daughter of John BILLINGSLEY and Alice, was born in 1668 in Mansfield, NTT. 8 She was baptised on 24 September 1668 in Mansfield.8
1668: Transcription of baptism record states parents names as John BILLINGSLEY and Allice.
14. Richard BILLINGSLEY, son of Nicholas BILLINGSLEY and Grace HAWES, was born in 1656 (calculated).
Richard BILLINGSLEY had the following children:
+21 Samuel BILLINGSLEY ( - )
15. Nicholas BILLINGSLEY,1 son of Nicholas BILLINGSLEY and Grace HAWES, was born in 1670 (calculated).
Nicholas BILLINGSLEY was the younger son of a minister of the same name who was ejected by the Act of Uniformity from the living att Weobley in Herefordshire. I have not been able to ascertain any particulars concerning his education, early settlement and death. Minister at Ashwick, SOM, from 1710 to 1740. 9
Other sources suggest that this Nicholas was minister at Ashwick from 1699 to 1729. 10
Nicholas BILLINGSLEY had the following children:
+22 John BILLINGSLEY (1747-1811)
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Fifth Generation 16. John BILLINGSLEY, son of John BILLINGSLEY and Dorcas JORDAN, was born on 8 July 1684.7 He died in 1770 (approx.) in Bristol, SOM.4 He married Elizabeth YORKE.
John BILLINGSLEY, born 8 July 1684; Rector of Newington, Oxfordshire, and of Purley, Berks; a prebendary of Bristol, died in 1751, and was buried at Newington. By Elizabeth, daughter of Philip YORKE, of Dover, Kent (father of first Earl of Hardwicke), he had issue a son and daughter. 7
Elizabeth YORKE and John BILLINGSLEY had the following children:
+23 Philip BILLINGSLEY ( - ) +24 Mary BILLINGSLEY ( - )
17. Mary BILLINGSLEY, daughter of John BILLINGSLEY and Dorcas JORDAN, was born on 14 December 1684.7
18. Dorcas BILLINGSLEY, daughter of John BILLINGSLEY and Dorcas JORDAN, was born on 11 April 1689. 7
19. Thomas BILLINGSLEY, son of John BILLINGSLEY and Dorcas JORDAN, was born on 7 September 1693.7 He died on 22 September 1693.7
Thomas BILLINGSLEY, born 7 September 1693, died 22 September same year. 7
20. Samuel BILLINGSLEY, son of John BILLINGSLEY and Dorcas JORDAN, was born on 4 June 1696.7 He was baptised on 17 June 1696 in Hull, YKS.7 He married Esther RUSSELL on 21 December 1723 in Dovver (St Mary), KEN.11
Samuel BILLINGSLEY, in the liberty of the Rolls, in the parish of St Dunstan’s in the West, born 4 June 1696, baptised 17 same month, at Hull, married at St Mary’s, Dover, Esther, daughter of Michael RUSSELL, of Dover, gent, and had issue two sons, John and Samuel, and a daughter, Esther, born at Dover. 7
The Liberty of the Rolls was a liberty, and civil parish from 1866, in the metropolitan area of London, England.
It consisted of the part of the ancient parish of St Dunstan in the West that was in the Ossulstone hundred of Middlesex, the rest was within the City of London. It became a separate civil parish in 1866.
Named perhaps for the ancient Rolls House upon Chancery Lane where the rolls of the Court of Chancery of England were kept, or perhaps, like other parishes, its more recent chapel. The site of the house and chapel was later associated with the Public Record Office, and currently occupied by a library of King's College London.
It was grouped into the Strand District in 1855 when it came within the area of responsibility of the Metropolitan Board of Works.
In 1889 the parish became part of the County of London and in 1900 it became part of the Metropolitan Borough of Westminster. It was abolished as a civil parish in 1922. 6
1723: Transcription of parish register marriage record states bride's name as Hester RUSSELL.
Esther RUSSELL7 and Samuel BILLINGSLEY had the following children:
+25 John BILLINGSLEY ( -1774) +26 Samuel BILLINGSLEY ( - ) +27 Esther BILLINGSLEY ( - )
21. Samuel BILLINGSLEY,1 son of Richard BILLINGSLEY, was born in Ashwick, SOM.9
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In 1748, the congregation at Bradford chose Mr Samuel BILLINGSLEY, probably a member of the excellent family at Ashwick, Somersetshire; ten years afterwards he removed to Peckham. There is now an interval of some years, with regard to which I cannot write with certainty. Mr James FOOT, who came from Chard, was here in 1763 and it is probable that he was the immediate successor of Mr BILLINGSLEY. 9
He [Dr MILNER] was succeeded in August, 1758, by the Rev. Samuel BILLINGSLEY, son of Richard BILLINGSLEY, pastor at Whitchurch, Hants, and grandson of Nicholas BILLINGSLEY, who had been ejected by the Act of Uniformity from Weobly, Herefordshire. He was ordained at Marlborough in 1725 ; removed thence to Ashwick, Somerset, where he continued eighteen years ; thence to Bradford-on-Avon, where he ministered for ten years. At Peckham he was greatly beloved for his wisdom, zeal and kindness of heart. In 1770 he retired to Bath, where he ended his days. 12
22. John BILLINGSLEY,13 son of Nicholas BILLINGSLEY, was born in 1747. He married Mary WELLS on 14 July 1779 in Kingsbridge, DEV. 11 He died on 26 September 1811 in Ashwick. 10
The parish of Ashwick, some 4 miles from Shepton Mallet, 6 miles from Wells and 14 miles from Bath, lies at the eastern end of the Mendip Hills and comprises the village of Oakhill, the hamlets of Ashwick, Neighbourne and Benter, that part of Nettlebridge south of the stream, and parts of Gurney Slade.
John The Parish has as its eastern boundary the Roman Fosse Way and to the west, is crossed by another BILLINGSLEY, Roman Road running from Charterhouse to Old Sarum (Salisbury). Also to the west is the Maesbury Portrait hill fort, a major Iron Age settlement.
The Nettlebridge Valley contains two Rock Shelters in Cockles Wood with the earliest evidence of human occupation and artefacts dating from 2500BC
Historically the earliest document found is a charter of 1061 when land was granted by Edward the Confessor to Abbot Wulfwood of Bath Priory who then granted it to St Peter’s Monastery at Bath. The earliest deed relating to coal is a lease of 1605 relating to Cockrells Wood.
Ashwick was part of the Kilmersdon hundred (an area so called from their containing one hundred families or by being able to supply one hundred able bodied men whenever they were required for the service of their monarch in time of war) and its church, St James', was a chapel of ease under Kilmserdon. The site of the original church is still represented by the tower, which appears to date from the 15th century although the present Ashwick church was almost completely rebuilt in 1825, when it became independent.
The Pound at Ashwick is also mentioned in the history of Kilmersdon and predates 1632. All Saints Church in Oakhill village was built in 1861 and consecrated in 1862.
Coombe House, at the eastern end of Oakhill High Street, is mentioned in documents dating from 1366 and appears to be the oldest property in the Parish, although it is not known if any of the original building remains.
Oakhill Brewery was founded in 1767 by Jordan and Perkins and grew in fame because of its natural spring water which was used to produce Oakhill Stout. A disastrous fire in 1925 though saw its demise. At one time Oakhill Brewery had its own narrow gauge railway taking beer from the brewery to Binegar Station on the Somerset and Dorset Railway.
There were two collieries in the area, Old Moorwood, which closed in 1860 and Moorwood, which closed in 1932 due to faults and water. It had a rope incline and a narrow gauge railway to take tubs of coal to the Somerset and Dorset railway sidings at Moorwood.
Ashwick Grove, now in ruins, was the home of John BILLINGSLEY, one of the original owners of Oakhill Brewery. BILLINGSLEY also wrote a book on agriculture in Somerset which gives a picture of life in his time. The book was published in 1797. Oakhill Brewery
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Oakhill Brewery was founded circa 1761 by Messers JORDAN and PERKINS. During its life it passed through the hands of several proprietors, firstly JORDAN and PERKINS, then in the late 18th century JORDAN and BILLINGSLEY. For most of the 19th century the JILLARD and SPENCER families were the owners, and in the early 20th century, the Hobhouse family came into the business. The most famous owner was John BILLINGSLEY, a local man and entrepreneur, known for many major engineering projects in Somerset; he was a practical and forward thinking man and under his planning, the brewery developed over the years in areas not normally associated with simply brewing.
The brewery developed a range of services and buildings for its own use: gasometers for lighting both the brewery and the local streets, stables for the dray horses, offices, a sewer system for both the brewery and local housing, a light railway to take the beer to the main line station at Binegar, a water system which carried water from the brewery to many dwellings in the area, with one supply heading out towards Nettlebridge. The brewery itself took its water supply in its own water pipes from springs on the hill to the south. The brewery proprietors had gracious mansions in landscaped gardens, the managers were provided with villas, and the terraces of humbler houses were built for the workers.
The brewery proprietors were concerned for the happiness and welfare of their workforce. They gave land for the construction of chapels. They sometimes distributed free coal in harsh weather and provided food and entertainment on occasions of public celebration, such as the ending of the Napoleonic War, when feasting and fireworks ‘accompanied by a good band’ were the order of the day.
In its heyday it was a major producer, most famous for Oakhill Invalid Stout. In 1904, due to its large volumes of production (between 2,000 and 2,500 barrels per week), the brewery constructed its own railway to take barrels of Oakhill Invalid Stout to the Somerset & Dorset Railway in nearby Binegar. The railway had a 2'6" gauge and operated two 0-4-0T locomotives, the 'Mendip' and the 'Oakhill', which were painted in an olive green livery. Traces of the railway can still be seen in the surrounding area.
Until the railway's construction, the brewery had used a Wallis & Stevens traction engine to deliver their barrels to the station.
In 1924, just months after a major refitment and renovation, the main brewery building caught fire and was largely destroyed. After the fire the business belonged for a period to the Bristol brewery of Georges and then to Courages but brewing itself stopped in 1938, although the malt sheds remained in use. The malt sheds were situated a little way up the High Street, where the stone wall of the old malt- house abuts the street. This building is thought to date from about 1890. Adjacent to that building, but further away from the street are the partial remains of an earlier malthouse, probably that recorded as newly built by the Shepton Mallet Journal in November 1864. In 1866 the same newspaper reported that ‘A workman’s supper was provided for employees of Jillard and Spencer. About 50 sat down in the malthouses next to the brewery for supper, songs sung, finishing at 10pm’
To the side of the malthouse is Coronation Terrace which belonged to the brewery and was probably built to house the maltsters and their families: these properties had wooden stairways between their backyards and the malt-houses.
In 1981 brewing recommenced in the original brewery building when the Beacon Brewery took over the premises to brew Fosseway Bitter and later Fosseway Forty. However it was short lived as the brewery closed in 1983 when owner Gerry WATTS died, but not before he had managed to produce Fosseway Stout, a tribute beer to the former Oakhill Brewery.
In 1984, the brewery plant and premises were bought by local businessman Reg Keevil. Under the name New Oakhill Brewery, he brewed beers in the original location until 1997, when he moved the plant to the original malt sheds in order to expand. The brewery produced a total of 31 different beers through the company's 13 year history, and acquired a small chain of tied houses in the village. The brewery finally closed in 2004 when the owner retired.
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The original malt sheds are the only buildings remaining today; the original brewery site being demolished and a gated development of new houses being erected in 2005/6. The malthouse itself is a listed building but has been the subject of planning application to convert the building into residential units. In 2010 amended plans were put forward, with the site being named as ‘Oakhill Brewery’ rather than the malthouse.14
The Morning Chronicle (26 December 1820)
BATH AND WEST OF ENGLAND SOCIETY FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF AGRICULTURE, ARTS, MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE.
I am induced to bring to the Court a Wick Pippin Cider forward, from the peculiar flavour it has invariably possessed, from the excellence of the apple for the table (some of which I also present) and the generally healthy condition, freegrowth, and productiveness of the tree. I may claim attention to this apple as recommended by the late Mr BILLINGSLEY, I believe, in his survey of the county. It is of Somersetshire origin, and appears to be the most worthy successor to the old golden pippin...15
John BILLINGSLEY was an agricultural pioneer in 18th century Somerset, England.
The writer of the 1794 Survey of Somerset, BILLINGSLEY was a leading agriculturalist who was one of the founders of the Bath and West Society, known today as the Royal Bath and West of England Society. He lived all his life at Ashwick Grove.
He was born in 1747, the grandson of Nicholas BILLINGSLEY, a Presbyterian dissenter who was minister at Ashwick from 1699 to 1729. Little is known about his early life but by 1782 he was listed as Brewer along with James JORDAN of the Oakhill in the neighbouring village of Oakhill, and may have been involved in the wool trade before that.
General View of the Agriculture of the County of Somerset
The 18th century was largely one of peace in Somerset, but the Industrial Revolution in the Midlands and Northern England spelled the end for most of Somerset's cottage industries. Farming continued to flourish however, with BILLINGSLEY farming about, and the Bath and West of England Society for the Encouragement of Agriculture, Arts, Manufactures and Commerce was founded in 1777 to improve farming methods.
Despite this, 20 years later John BILLINGSLEY conducted a survey, for the Board of Agriculture, of the county's agriculture in 1795 and found that agricultural methods could still be improved. He provided estimates, based on his local knowledge, of the land use of the one million acres (4,000 km2) in the county. He suggested that 584,500 were enclosed meadow and pasture land, 260,000 were enclosed arable and convertible land with smaller areas for other purposes. were considered uncultivated wastes.
It advocated ways of modernising farming practices, particularly through mechanisation, which including instructions for hedge building and crop rotation (also how to treat sick animals with hay tea and improve cucumber production with horse dung!). It also includes a chapter on political economy related to the narrow margin of British food supplies, in view of the outbreak of war with France in 1793, and mentions developments on the Somerset coalfield.
In 1798 he wrote about the water-meadows of the Brendon and Quantock Hills describing them as the best in the country.
Other activities
BILLINGSLEY was also actively involved in Turnpike Trusts, and canal building, including the Kennet and Avon Canal, Somerset Coal Canal and the Dorset and Somerset Canal. One eulogy by Sir Benjamin Hobhouse, President of the Bath and West Society, exaggerates considerably referring to him as having 'drained Sedgemoor and enclosed Mendip'!
Soon after his death the Bath and West Society commissioned Samuel Woodforde (the nephew of James Woodforde) to copy in oils a crayon portrait of BILLINGSLEY. Another portrait by Joseph Hutchison now hangs in the Victoria Art
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Gallery in Bath.16
John BILLINGSLEY was a man of knowledge, wealth and status who pioneered progress, improvement and innovation in agriculture, industry and transport in the18th & 19th centuries; born into a wealthy family, he was the grandson of Nicholas BILLINGSLEY, a Presbyterian dissenter who was minister at Ashwick from 1699 to 1729. He was described as a leading member of the Presbyterian church although at some stage he was reconciled with the Church of England.
He was an important promoter and shareholder of the Somersetshire Coal Canal, the Kennet & Avon Canal and the Dorset & Somerset Canal. He also promoted the proposed Bristol & Western Canal project for linking Bristol with Taunton and was actively involved in the turnpiking of roads.
His shareholding in the Dorset & Somerset Canal amounted to £3,500, but the value of his shareholdings in the S.C.C. and the K&A Canal is not known.
BILLINGSLEY had many business interests in addition to canals, including coal mines, Oakhill Brewery and its public houses and farming of 4,000 acres. Possibly he had involvement in the cloth trade and a logwood mill (making dyes for the cloth industry). One of his activities was controversial. The enclosure of Mendip in order to improve farming productivity was hated by the ordinary people who were dispossessed of land by the enclosures. By contrast, his activities in the draining of Sedgemoor were beneficial without controversy.
He was a renowned agricultural expert and founder member of the Bath & West Society, now known as the Royal Bath & West of England Society, based near Shepton Mallet, Somerset. The silver cups which he won in the Society's competitions are still in the possession of his descendants, some of whom live and work in the Bath area.
BILLINGSLEY is best known as the author of "General View of the Agriculture of the County of Somerset with Observations on the Means of its Improvements" 1795. In his book and activities he advocated the modernisation of farming practices. He promoted mechanisation, ploughing with oxen, hedge and wall building, crop rotation, treatment of sick animals with medicine and the improvement of cucumber production with horse dung. His major innovation was the introduction and adoption of the double-furrow plough. The competition to demonstrate its effectiveness was held at Barrack Farm, Bath.
The chapter on political economy shows how forward thinking he was. It relates to the narrow margin of British food supplies in view of the outbreak of war with France. Today the concept is known as "Food Security".
For SCCS members the illustration of Robert Weldon's Hydrostatick Caisson Lock, which appears in BILLINGSLEY's book, is of great interest. The accompanying description is signed by Robert WELDON himself.
Ashwick together with the hamlet of Oakhill was a non-conformist stronghold long before John Wesley came there first of all in 1746. There was a flourishing Presbyterian community here throughout the 18th century led by the BILLINGSLEYs, a well known dissenting family who settled at Ashwick about 1689. The most famous member of this family was John BILLINGSLEY, 1747-1811, a noted agriculturist.
The Ashwick congregation, which at one time numbered about 200, moved on from Presbyterianism to Unitarianism and began to decline in the early 19th century, chiefly due to the rise in Methodism and to the fact that Ashwick, formerly a chapel of Kilmersdon, became an Anglican parish in its own right in 1826, when the parish church was re-built.
The first mention of Oakhill in John WESLEY's journal was in February 1746:
"Monday 10th. I preached at Paulton; on Thursday noon at Shepton Mallet, and at Oakhill in the evening. The next morning I walked (it being scarce possible to ride, because of the frost) to Coleford."
His next mention of Oakhill was on Wednesday, 6th August 1746:
"I preached at Oakhill. How is this? I have not known so many persons earnestly mourning after God of any society of this size in England, and so unblameable in their behaviour; yet not one person has found a sense of the pardoning love of God from the first preaching here to this day! When I mentioned this to the society, there was a such a mourning as one
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would believe should pierce the clouds. My voice was quickly drowned. We continued crying to God with many loud and bitter cries, till I was constrained to break away between four and five, and take horse for Shepton."
Then again on February 12th, 1748:
"After preaching at Oakhill about noon, I rode to Shepton Mallet and found them all under a strange consternation. A mob, they said, was hired, prepared, and made sufficiently drunk, in order to do all manner of mischief..."
Later that day the mob surrounded the house where WESLEY was lodging, throwing stones at the door and in at the windows. Then follow two of the many touches of humour, to our ears anyway, to be found in Wesley's Journal. In the general mêlée one of the leaders of the mob had become shut in the house with Wesley and his companions and was struck on the forehead by a large stone:
".....and the blood spouted out like a stream. He cried out, ‘O sir, are we to die tonight? What must I do? What must I do?’ I said ‘Pray to God. He is able to deliver you from all danger.’ He took my advice, and began praying in such a manner as he had scarce done ever since he was born."
Shortly after this the mob broke down the front door, but as they did, WESLEY and his friends calmly walked out of the back. Then he writes:
"They filled the house at once, and proposed setting it on fire; but one of them, happening to remember that his own house was next, with much ado persuaded them them not to do it. Hearing one of them cry out, ‘They are gone over the grounds,’ I thought the advice was good; so we went over the grounds to the farther end of the town, where Abraham JENKINS waited, and undertook to guide us to Oakhill. I was riding on in Shepton Lane, it being now quite dark, when he cried out, ‘Come down; come down from the bank.’ I did as I was bid; but the bank being high, and the side very near perpendicular, I came down all at once, my horse and I tumbling one over another, but we both rose unhurt. In less than an hour we came to Oakhill, and the next morning to Bristol."
On Monday, 27th March 1749:
"I rode to Shepton, where all is quiet now; in the evening I preached at Coleford; Tuesday the 28th at Oakhill, where was also great peace, and a people loving one another."
The last mention of Oakhill in WESLEY's Journal was on Monday, 3rd September 1753. He writes:
"I began visiting the little societies in Somersetshire and Wiltshire. This evening I preached at Shepton Mallet, and found much life among the poor, plain people. It was not so in Oakhill the next day, where many once alive have been drawn back to perdition. But at Coleford, in the evening, I found many living souls, though joined with some who did not adorn the gospel.". Sixth Generation 23. Philip BILLINGSLEY, son of John BILLINGSLEY and Elizabeth YORKE, married Lucy Mary DOTTIN.
Philip BILLINGSLEY, Rector of Newington and of Swincombe, co. Oxford, died 1774, buried at Newington. He married Lucy Mary, daughter of Abel DOTTIN, of English, co. Oxford. 7
Lucy Mary DOTTIN was born in 1728 (calculated). She died in 1803 in Brewington, OXF.
Lucy-Mary m to the Rev Philip BILLINGSLEY, rector of Newington in Oxfordshire, son of John BILLINGSLEY esq, of Dover, by Elizabeth, daughter of Philip YORKE, esq, and sister of the first Earl of Hardwicke. 17
1803: The Christian Observer: Volume 2 (01 January)
Same day at Beacon Hill, Mrs BILLINGSLEY, relict of the Rev Philip BILLINGSLEY, rector of Brewington, Oxfordshire.18
14 Produced by Family Historian Descendants by Generation 7 Mar 2015
1803: The Orthodox Churchman's Magazine; or, A Treasury of Divine and Useful Knowledge
Same day, at Beacon-Hill, aged 75, Mrs Mary Lucy BILLINGSLEY, relict of relict of the Rev Philip BILLINGSLEY, rector of Brewington, Oxfordshire.18
24. Mary BILLINGSLEY, daughter of John BILLINGSLEY and Elizabeth YORKE, married Thomas FOTHERGILL.
Mary BILLINGSLEY married Thomas FOTHERGILL, Provost of Queen’s College, Oxford, and Vice-Chancellor from 1772 to 1776.7
25. John BILLINGSLEY, son of Samuel BILLINGSLEY and Esther RUSSELL, was born in Dover, KEN.7 He married Sarah HUGHES in January 1765.19 He died in May 1774.19,20 He was buried on 2 June 1774 in London (St Dunstan in the West), MDX.11
John BILLINGSLEY, the eldest son, of the liberty of the Rolls, married, at St Dunstan’s in the West, Sarah, daughter of John HUGHES, of Cheltenham, and had issue a daughter, Sarah, married to Robert TAYNTON, of Bromley and two sons.7
Sarah HUGHES7 married Richard CRITCHETT on 4 June 1776 in London (St Dunstan in the West). 11 She died in 1823.19
1776: Transcription of marriage record names the bride as Sarah BILLINGSLEY (widow) of Holborn (St Andrew).
CRITCHETT v TAYNTON
22 May 1830
John HUGHES, of Cheltenham, esq, by his will dated the 23rd November 1766, after devising an estate to his son-in-law, John BILLINGSLEY and his heirs, devised all the rest, residue and personal, of what nature or kind soever, unto trustees therein named, their heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns, in trust to pay and apply the rents, interest, dividends, and proceeds thereof, unto his daughter Sarah BILLINGSLEY, for her natural life, for her sole and separate use and benefit, and so as the same should not be subject to the debts of her said husband: and, after her decease, gave and bequeathed all his personal estate, of what nature or kind soever, unto his next of kin, who, as such, would be entitled thereunto, under the Statute of Distribution. And he also gav and devised, from and after the decease of his said daughter, all the rest, residue, and remainder of his real estates, of what nature or kind soever, unto her second, third, fourth, and every younger child or children, share and share alike, as tenants in common; but in case his said daughter should die leaving no issue behind her, or if his said daughter’s second, third, fourth, and every other child did not attain his, her, or their respective age or ages of twenty-one years, and were not married before such age, with the consent of his son and daughter, and the survivor of them, he gave and devised his estate in Leckampton, then in the possession of Mr ROSE, and fifty acres of land, was the same more or less, adjoining part of the said estate, which he bought of Thomas WHITE, unto his sister Eizabeth GREGORY, and her heirs for ever; and remainder of his real estate, of what nature or kind soever, into the parish of Chetenham aforesaid, unto his sister Mary MARSHAM, and her heirs for ever; and that no misconstruction might be put upon the word ‘consent’ his will and meaning was, that his son and daughter, or the survivor of them, should be subscribing witnesses or witness at the wedding of such child or children that should so marry before his, her, or their respective age or ages of twenty-one years, otherwise such child or children should not have or receive any benefit from his will.
The prayer of the bill was, that the rights and interests of the plaintiffs, and the several other parties claiming to be entitled to the residue of the real estates of the testator, might be declared by the Court.
The testator’s daughter Sarah had intermarried with John BILLINGSLEY in January 1765; and John BILLINGSLEY died in the month of May 1774, leaving his said wife him surviving, and having had issue by her five children.
Sarah, after the death of her late husband, intermarried with the defendant Richard CRITCHETT, by whom she had issue ten children.
15 Produced by Family Historian Descendants by Generation 7 Mar 2015
Sarah died in 1823.
Several of the children died under the twenty-one years and without being married.
Mr PEMBERTON and Mr JEMMETT appeared for the plaintiffs.
Mr BICKERSTETH and Mr LYNCH were for the defendants.
It was contended – first, that the children of the second marriage did not take any share – and that the testator referred only to the children of his daughter’s then subsisting marriage.
A second question was, whether children, who died under twenty-one years, without having been married with the required consent, took any share of the fund; and that depended on the question, whether the interests vested in the children as they came in esse.
The Master of the Rolls - The first question is, whether the children of the second marriage share with the children of the first - I am of the opinion that they do share. The testator did not contemplate a second marriage of his daughter; but her purpose was to make a provision for his younger children generally; and the limitation over is in case she should die leaving no issue. If therefore, she had left issue by a second marriage, the gift over would not have taken effect.
The second question is, when did the interest rest in the children. The first words, by which he gives, after the decease of his said daughter, all the rest, residue and remainder of his real estates, of what nature or kind soever, unto her second, third, fourth, and every younger child or children, share and share alike, as tenants in common, would give the children a vested interest at the death of the testator. Are there any subsequent expressions in the will, which manifest that such was not the intention of the testator? In the subsequent part of the will, he states his will and meaning was, that his son and daughter, or the survivor of them, should be subscribing witnesses or witness at the wedding of such child or children that should so marry before his, her, or their respective age or ages of twenty-one years, otherwise such child or children should not have or receive any benefit from his will. Therefore a child, who married under twenty-one years without consent, was to take no benefit under the will: it necessarily follows, that nothing was to vest in such a child; for, if anything had vested, the child would have been entitled to maintenance out of the share belonging to it. Nothing, therefore, vested in any of the children, except those who attained twenty-one, or married with consent.
The fund is not given over, unless all the children die under twenty-one years, or marry without consent. They did not all die under twenty-one years, or marry without consent. Therefore nothing passes by the gift over.
24 May 1830
Two questions were made in the cause: first, whether the children of the second marriage were entitled equally under the will with the children of the first marriage; secondly, whether the children, who died under twenty-one, and unmarried, took vested interests.
Mr JEMMETT, for the Plaintiffs.
Mr BICKERSTETH, Mr HAYTER, Mr PURVIS, and Mr LYNCH for different defendants.
On the first point it was argued, on behalf of the children of the second marriage, that the words ‘her second, third, fourth and every other child or children,’ included all her children, whether by her first or by any subsequent husband; and BARRINGTON v TRISTRAM was cited.
On the other hand, it was said that the question was simply as to the intention of the testator; and it was manifest from the language of the will that he had not any children in contemplation, except children of his daughter by her then husband, Mr BILLINGSLEY. The children included within the devise must be the same with those, upon the death of whom under twenty-one, and unmarried, the limitations over were to take effect. Now they were children, who, if they married under twenty-one, were to marry with the consent of ‘my son and daughter, or the survivor of them;’ and the testator further requires ‘my said son and daughter, or the survivor of them, to be subscribing witnesses or witness to the wedding.’ In these phrases the word ‘son’ necessarily refers to Mr BILLINGSLEY; and the devise must, therefore, be confined to the
16 Produced by Family Historian Descendants by Generation 7 Mar 2015
children of the daughter by Mr BILLINGSLEY.
On the second point it was argued, on the one side, that the devise of the residue of the testator’s real estates, after his daughter’s death, to her second and other younger children, gave them vested interests; that there was no gift over, except in the event of all these children dying under the age of twenty-one and unmarried; that that event had not happened, for some of them had attained twenty-one; and, therefore, that the interest which vested in them was never devested. SKEY v BARNES. The clauses, which related to the marriage of the younger children under twenty-one, and to their death under twenty-one without having been married with the required consent, were, at the utmost, equivalent only to direction, that the shares should not be transferred to the children respectively, until they attained twenty-one or married with the consent of both parents or the survivor duly given; and it is settled that, where there is an antecedent gift, a direction not to pay or transfer the property to the legatee or devisee till he attains a particular age, or till a particular event happens, will not postpone the vesting. LEAKE v ROBINSON.
On the contrary, it was contended, it was contended, on behalf of the surviving children, that it was apparent on the whole context of the will, that a child was not to participate in the devise, till marriage under twenty-one without due consent was impossible, in other words, till the child had either married with consent or attained twenty-one; and this intention could not be effected, unless the vesting of shares was postponed.
The Master of the Rolls
As to the first point, the testator certainly had not in his contemplation a second marriage of his daughter; but still his plain purpose being to provide for all the children of his daughter, and the limitation over being ‘in case his daughter should die leaving no issue behind her,’ I am of opinion that the gift in the will must be construed to extend to children of the second marriage.
With respect to the second point, the children would plainly take an immediate vested interest by the expression of the gift to them as tenants in common, if a different intention did not appear from the subsequent parts of the will. The testator proceeds to make a gift over, in case all the children should die under twenty-one, and not married under that age with the consent of his son and daughter; and he afterwards adds ‘my will and meaning is, that my said son and daughter, or the survivor of them, shall be subscribing witnesses or witness at the wedding of such child or children that shall so marry before his, her, or their respective age or ages of twenty-one years, otherwise such child or children shall not receive any benefit from the will.’ It necessarily follows, that such child would not take a previous vested interest, because from such interest because, from such interest, the child would be entitled to maintenance, and would take a benefit under the will. And if a consent is necessary to give a vested interest to a child marrying under twenty-one, it is clear that the testator did not intend that the children should take a vested interest by the first gift to them as tenants in common; and the attaining twenty-one must be as necessary to give them a vested interest, as the marriage with consent under age. I am of opinion, therefore, that the younger children, who attained twenty-one, take the real estates equally between them as tenants in common.19,20
Sarah HUGHES and John BILLINGSLEY had the following children:
+28 John BILLINGSLEY ( - ) +29 Samuel BILLINGSLEY (1772-1863) +30 Sarah BILLINGSLEY ( - )
26. Samuel BILLINGSLEY, son of Samuel BILLINGSLEY and Esther RUSSELL, was born in Dover.7
27. Esther BILLINGSLEY,7 daughter of Samuel BILLINGSLEY and Esther RUSSELL, was born in Dover.7 Seventh Generation 28. John BILLINGSLEY, son of John BILLINGSLEY and Sarah HUGHES, married Frances COX on 18 October 1792 in London (St Marylebone), MDX.21
John BILLINGSLEY, of H.E.I.C.S, married Fanny, daughter of Richard COX, by whom he had two daughters, Fanny, married to Rev James WALKER, Rector of Raddington, co. Somerset, and has issue; and Sarah, married to John
17 Produced by Family Historian Descendants by Generation 7 Mar 2015
LOOKER, of Oxford, and has issue: and a son, John Richard Frederick BILLINGSLEY, Rector of Wormington, co. Gloucester, who - by Elizabeth, daughter of Rev John POLSON - Rector of St Mary Major, Exeter, and a Prebendary of the Cathedral - has issue.
Frances COX and John BILLINGSLEY had the following children:
+31 John BILLINGSLEY (1793- ) +32 Samuel BILLINGSLEY (1795- ) +33 Sarah BILLINGSLEY (1798- ) +34 Fanny BILLINGSLEY (1799- ) +35 Sarah BILLINGSLEY (1803- ) +36 John Richard Frederick BILLINGSLEY (1805-1878)
29. Samuel BILLINGSLEY, son of John BILLINGSLEY and Sarah HUGHES, was born on 1 April 1772 in Chancery Lane, London, MDX.7,11 He was baptised on 23 April 1772 in London (St Dunstan in the West), MDX. 11 He married Elizabeth VINY in 1793 in Southwark, MDX. He appeared in the census on 6 June 1841 in Bishop Hull, Taunton, SOM. HO107/959 (Folio 11) page 15. Samuel appeared in the census on 30 March 1851 in Stonehouse (St Matthew), GLS. HO107/1964 (Folio 94) page 24. Samuel appeared in the census on 7 April 1861 in Stonehouse, GLS. RG9/1771 (Folio 64) page 19. Samuel died on 12 July 1863 in Cain's Cross, GLS.7,22 He died on 12 July 1863 in Stroud, GLS.22
1772: Transcription of parish register baptism record states parents' names as John BILLINGSLEY and Sarah.
1841: Ind (Bishop Hull, Taunton, SOM, aged 65). Not born in county.
1851: Widowed annuitant (Cains Cross, Stonehouse, GLS, aged 79).
1861: Widowed retired inspector (Cains Cross Steet, Stonehouse, GLS, aged 89).
1863: GRO deaths index Sep quarter (Stroud, volume 6a, page 209).
1863: The will (30 July) of Samuel BILLINGSLEY late of Cains Cross near Stroud in the County of Gloucester deceased who died 12 July 1863 at Cains Cross aforesaid was proved at Gloucester by the oaths of John BILLINGSLEY of Stroud aforesaid Esq a Commander in the Royal Navy the son and Sarah Elizabeth BILLINGSLEY of Cains Cross aforesaid Spinster and Mary BILLINGSLEY of Cains Cross aforesaid Spinster the daughters the Executors. Effects under £3,000.
Samuel BILLINGSLEY, of Cliff House, Dovercourt, during the French wars Inspector of Aliens, born 1 Apr 1772, in Chancery Lane, London. He married, in 1793, Elizabeth, daughter of John VINEY. He died 12 July 1863, at Cain’s Cross, Gloucestershire, and was buried there. He had issue two sons - Samuel BILLINGSLEY married to Margaret, daughter of J LOGAN of Harwich, has issue one daughter, Agnes, wife of Oliver John WILLIAMS - and John BILLINGSLEY, Captain R.N., married to Charlotte, daughter of R HICKS; also two daughters, Elizabeth and Mary. 7
Elizabeth VINY appeared in the census on 6 June 1841 in Bishop Hull. HO107/959 (Folio 11) page 15. Elizabeth died "1841-1851". She and Samuel BILLINGSLEY had the following children:
+37 Sarah Eliza BILLINGSLEY (1795-1871) +38 Samuel BILLINGSLEY (1796- ) +39 Elizabett BILLINGSLEY (1796- ) +40 John BILLINGSLEY (1796-1886) +41 Mary BILLINGSLEY (1799-1884)
30. Sarah BILLINGSLEY, daughter of John BILLINGSLEY and Sarah HUGHES, married Robert TAYNTON . Eighth Generation 31. John BILLINGSLEY, son of John BILLINGSLEY and Frances COX, was born in 1793 in Eynsham, OXF. He was baptised on 16 June 1793 in Eynsham.21
18 Produced by Family Historian Descendants by Generation 7 Mar 2015
32. Samuel BILLINGSLEY, son of John BILLINGSLEY and Frances COX, was born in 1795 in Eynsham. He was baptised on 10 May 1795 in Eynsham.21
33. Sarah BILLINGSLEY, daughter of John BILLINGSLEY and Frances COX, was born in 1798 in Eynsham. She was baptised in 1798 in Eynsham.21
34. Fanny BILLINGSLEY, daughter of John BILLINGSLEY and Frances COX, was born in 1799 in Eynsham. She was baptised on 18 August 1799 in Eynsham. She married James WALKER .
35. Sarah BILLINGSLEY, daughter of John BILLINGSLEY and Frances COX, was born in 1803 in Eynsham. She was baptised on 26 June 1803 in Eynsham. She married John LOOKER.
John LOOKER7 and Sarah BILLINGSLEY had the following children:
+42 John Billingsley LOOKER (1823?-1903)
36. John Richard Frederick BILLINGSLEY,23 son of John BILLINGSLEY and Frances COX, was born in 1805 in Eynsham.24 He was baptised on 26 December 1805 in Eynsham.21 He married Elizabeth POLSON Q4 1838 in Exeter, DEV. 23 GRO marriage index (Exeter, volume 10.page 136). John appeared in the census on 30 March 1851 in Wormington, GLS. HO107/1971 (Folio 230) page 1. John died Q4 1878 in Wormington. 23,25
Jackson's Oxford Journal (16 May 1829)
On Thursday, the following Degrees were conferred:
BACHELORS OF ARTS
John Richard F BILLINGSLEY, Lincoln.
Jackson's Oxford Journal (14 Jul 1842)
At an ordination held by the Lord Bishop of Gloucester, in the Cathedral Church of Gloucester, on Sunday last, the following persons were ordained:
PRIESTS
John Rich. Fred. BILLINGSLEY, MA, Lincoln college, Oxford.
1878: GRO deaths index Dec quarter (Winchcombe, volume 6a, page 285). Indexed as John Richard F.
Elizabeth POLSON23,25 was born in 1819. She died on 10 April 1849 in Wormington. 18,22,23,25
1849: GRO deaths index Jun quarter (Winchcombe, volume 11, page 422). Age at death not indexed before 1866.
Jackson's Oxford Journal (21 Apr 1849)
April 10, at Wormington Rectory, Gloucestershire, Elizabeth, wife of the Rev J R F BILLINGSLEY, aged 30.
1875: Administration of the effects of Elizabeth BILLINGSLEY (wife of the Reverend John Richard Frederick BILLINGSLEY, clerk) late of Wormington in the County of Gloucestershire, who died 10 April 1849 at Wormington, was granted at Gloucester 22 April to the said Reverend John Richard Frederick BILLINGSLEY of Wormington. Effects under £300.
Elizabeth POLSON and John Richard Frederick BILLINGSLEY had the following children:
+43 Fanny BILLINGSLEY (1842- )
19 Produced by Family Historian Descendants by Generation 7 Mar 2015
+44 Charlotte Georgiana BILLINGSLEY (1844-1858) +45 Mary E BILLINGSLEY (1845- ) +46 Sophia BILLINGSLEY (1847-1848) +47 Lydia M BILLINGSLEY (1847- ) +48 Agnes Bessie BILLINGSLEY (1849-1849)
37. Sarah Eliza BILLINGSLEY, daughter of Samuel BILLINGSLEY and Elizabeth VINY, was born in 1795 in Croydon, SRY. 24 She appeared in the census on 30 March 1851 in Stonehouse (St Matthew), GLS. HO107/1964 (Folio 94) page 24. Sarah appeared in the census on 7 April 1861 in Stonehouse, GLS. RG9/1771 (Folio 64) page 19. Sarah appeared in the census on 2 April 1871 in Ipswich (St Clement), SFK. RG10/1753 (Folio 25) page 6. Sarah died on 16 April 1871 in Ipswich, SFK.22
1841: East side Church Street, Harwich, ESS, aged 50. Born in county.
1851: Daughter - annuitant (Cains Cross, Stonehouse, GLS, aged 55). Listed as Sarah Eliza.
1861: Unmarried daughter - fund holder (Cains Cross Steet, Stonehouse, GLS, aged 65). Listed as Sarah E.
1871: Head of household (33 Lower Brook, Ipswich, SFK, aged 75). Listed as Sarah E.
1871: GRO deaths index Sep quarter (Ipswich, volume 4a, page 407). Age at death stated as 76. Indexed as Sarah Elizabeth.
1871: The will (01 June) of Sarah Elizabeth BILLINGSLEY late of Ipswich in the County of Suffolk Spinster who died 16 April 1871 at Ipswich was proved at Ipswich by Mary BILLINGSLEY of Ipswich Spinster John BILLINGSLEY of 12 Albert Road St John's Wood in the County of Middlesex Esquire Commander in the Royal Navy the brother and Henry GRIFFIN Deane of Colchester in the County of Essex Gentleman the Executors. Effects under £10,000.
38. Samuel BILLINGSLEY, son of Samuel BILLINGSLEY and Elizabeth VINY, was born in 1796 in Not ESS.26 He appeared in the census on 6 June 1841 in Harwich (St Nicholas), ESS. HO107/344 (Folio 43) page 5. Samuel married Margaret LOGAN.
1835; The Newcastle Courant (14 March)
SATURDAY, MARCH 7
Mr Justice PARKE took the only remaining town cause at the County Court this morning.
TINN v BILLINGSLEY AND ANOTHER
This action was brought to recover compensation for damage done the plaintiff's sloop, the Amity, of between 60 and 70 tons, by that of the defendants, the Jemima, burthen 41 tons, when lying at anchor in the harbour of Harwich, on 28th October last.
The defendants' vessel got under weigh, intending to remove to more secure anchorage, the wind then blowing freshly about eleven in the forenoon of the above day. At that time the Amity was lying at single anchor, with only the mate on board, who, having gone below for a short time, heard, when there, a loud halloing. He immediately ran on deck, and found that the Jemima, which had being (sic) lying at anchor about a quarter of a mile to windward of the Amity, was coming down right upon her, with the wind upon her beam, and with mainsail, jib, and fore sail all set.
The tide was dead, but the wind blew strong from the south, and when he first saw her, on coming on deck, she was only about her own length and a half from the Amity. He called to the people on board the Jemima, a man and a boy, but got no answer; and the Jemima directly afterwards struck the Amity on the larboard quarter with such force as to make him think she must go down, staving in two planks, the covering board, and two stanchions, shivering the cross beam, and opening the seams on the opposite side of the ship.
20 Produced by Family Historian Descendants by Generation 7 Mar 2015
The defendants were applied to, to make the necessary repairs, which they assented to at first, but ultimately refused. Captain TINN had the damage surveyed at Harwich, and after repairing it temporarily, proceeded to Sunderland, where, being a ship carpenter, he bought stuff, and made the necessary repairs himself. He afterwards applied to the defendants for 10l which he was then willing to take as complete satisfaction; but this was also refused, and the present action was brought to try the issue, and to obtain such further damages as the jury might think fit for loss of the use of the Amity during her repairs, and for permanent injury suffered by the shock, so as to disqualify her from taking such long voyages as formerly.
It was maintained for the defence, that the collision was accidental; that when those on board the Jemima saw they were bearing down on the Amity they shouted to that vessel to put a fender out, and tried to put their own vessel into stays, but a squall of wind caught them, and then they lowered their peak, put up their helm, and attempted to pass under the Amity's stern; that a person should always be on deck in a vessel riding at single anchor; that if a fender had been placed alongside, or more cable been put out, no injury would have been done to the Amity; that the surveyor at Harwich had offered to complete the repairs for 8l: and that, if so repaired, the sloop would have been more seaworthy than ever.
Mr CRESSWELL in reply, contended that the [unreadable text] has been carelessly managed; that her captain should have been on board; that the accident would not have occurred, if she had dropped anchor on perceiving she was taking a course direct for the Amity; and that there was no necessity for a man being always on deck, to avoid being run down. If the Amity had put out more head cable, by which it was said the accident would have been avoided, he showed that the consequences would have been worse, for then the Jemima would have taken her a-midship: and, as to the fender, could anything be more absurd that to think of a man holding a piece of cork over a ship's side, to ward off the blow of a vessel coming down upon him with all her sails set, and running right before a strong wind? Nothing could be more preposterous, and he was sure the jury would mark their sense of such an obvious attempt to defeat the ends of justice. The learned judge having summed up the evidence, and noticed the points of the case, the jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff, damages 15l.
1836; Jackson's Oxford Journal (02 January)
HARWICH - The election of Councillors for this borough has terminated in the complete triumph of the Conservatives, notwithstanding all the unfounded accusations which have been industriously circulated against them by the Whig- Radicals. The following gentlemen have been elected: Messrs William RANFIELD, Philip HAST, George DEANE, P W FRESHFIELD, F HANSORD, F STEVENS, Lewis COTTINGHAM, John PATTRICK, F HALES, Samuel BILLINGSLEY, W J BULL and Thomas GEORGE. The first 10 gentlemen are Conservatives and with the exception of Mr BILLINGSLEY were members of the old Corporation. The result of this election clearly shows the confidence which is reposed in the members of the old body; indeed, they must be as desirous to promote the best interests of all classes in the town as any other individuals, however noisy in their professions.
1838: The Ipswich Journal (17 February)
CASE OF SALVAGE
The following case between Messrs W LEWIS, E LEWIS, T WILD and J ROBINSON, salvage men, and Alexander ADAMS, captain of the Mary, schooner, bound from Dunkirk to Yarmouth, came on before G DEAN, Esq. Mayor and Messrs GRAHAM and SANSUM, Magistrates of Harwich, on the 7th inst. Mr CHAPMAN appeared for the salvage men, and Mr BILLINGSLEY on the part of Capt. ADAMS.
Mr CHAPMAN opened the case by stating that it was a claim made by Lewis and Co, for services rendered to the above schooner on the 28th of January. The evidence went to show that they were first on board, excepting a Torbay man, who had the charge, but had brought her as far into the harbour as he could; that they asked the Captain if he wanted any assistance? He replied in the affirmative, and gave charge of the vessel to them - that she had 3½ feet of water in her hold, and were till 10pm before she sucked; commenced pumping at 4 pm; continued jogging pumps until 7am: had 8 hands engaged at the pumps - Mr BILLINGSLEY argued that, from statements he should make, it would appear these men were not hired, and that only WILD was employed to take the mate on shore, who was nearly dead with the frost.
MR MIALL (Mr BILLINGSLEY's clerk) stated he boarded the schooner, and found LEWIS and Co on board: that the Captain finding he was agent for LLOYD's gave the charge of the vessel to his boat's crew, eight hands; agreeing to give
21 Produced by Family Historian Descendants by Generation 7 Mar 2015
them 3£ to bring her into safety, which they did. The Torbay man had engaged to bring her further in, but called off. The Captain said he did not agree with, not give the vessel in charge to any, but Mr B's boat's crew.
Other evidence appeared on behalf of the Captain to the same effect. The court being cleared, after a few minute's deliberation, they decided in favour of the salvage men, 8£, and the expences (sic) of the Court. The case was withdrawn from the Admiralty Court (after the warrant had been obtained) by mutual consent. The salvage men anticipated 40£ for their job.
1839: The Ipswich Journal (16 November)
HARWICH
At the annual meeting of the Town Council, on Saturday last, Samuel BILLINGSLEY, jun., Esq, was elected Mayor; Mr F B PHILBRICK, of Colchester, Town Clerk; and Mr DICKERSON, Treasurer; and all the inferior officers of the Council were also appointed. The radical proceedings of the Council have given general disgust to the inhabitants save a few interested and gaping individuals. Every officer appointed by the Conservatives has been displaced by those illiberal men; neither respectability; ability, nor age & long and faithful services were considered; and even two individuals (the gaoler and the keeper of the house of correction) who have each been in office respectively nearly a quarter of a century, and who have spent their best days in the service of the Corporation (being between 60 and 70 years of age, and too old now to labour for maintenance) have shared the same fate to the disgrace of the Radical majority of the Council. The proceedings of this day may have sealed their fate in a future election. They may rejoice in their party victory, but that rejoicing will be of short duration; they now stand upon a rotten foundation, and will be buried in ruins, and nothing of it will remain, save the mischief it has accomplished.
1841: Merchant (East side Church Street, Harwich, ESS, aged 45). Not born in county.
Margaret LOGAN7 and Samuel BILLINGSLEY had the following children:
+49 Agnes Maria BILLINGSLEY ( - )
39. Elizabett BILLINGSLEY, daughter of Samuel BILLINGSLEY and Elizabeth VINY, was born in 1796 in Not SOM.26 She appeared in the census on 6 June 1841 in Bishop Hull, Taunton, SOM. HO107/959 (Folio 11) page 15.
1841: Bishop Hull, Taunton, SOM, aged 45. Not born in county.
40. John BILLINGSLEY, son of Samuel BILLINGSLEY and Elizabeth VINY, was born in 1796 in Croydon.27,28,29 He married Charlotte HICKS Q2 1839 in Poole, DOR.30 GRO marriage index Jun quarter (Poole, volume 8, page 133). John appeared in the census on 30 March 1851 in Alverstoke (St Matthew), HAM. HO107/1660 (Folio 274) page 37. John appeared in the census on 7 April 1861 in Stroud, GLS. RG9/1774 (Folio 62) page 28. John appeared in the census on 2 April 1871 in Ipswich. RG10/1753 (Folio 25) page 6. John appeared in the census on 3 April 1881 in Ipswich. 29 RG11/1873 (Folio 27) page 7. John died on 26 January 1886 in Brighton, SSX.22
1820: Caledonian Mercury (10 July)
THE NAVY
The following Midshipmen and Masters' Mates to the rank of Lieutenants:-
John BILLINGSLEY and C PARKER, and to the Iphigenia frigate, all on the Jamaica station.
1833: Plymouth and Cornish Advertiser (19 December)
Lieut John BILLINGSLEY, to the Excellent.
1836: Hampshire Telegraph (27 June)
22 Produced by Family Historian Descendants by Generation 7 Mar 2015
A Court of Inquiry, composed of Commander LAYTON and Lieutenants SIMS and BILLINGSLEY, was held on the 17th inst., to investigate the conduct of W W HARVEY, steward of the Adder revenue cutter, stationed in Newport River, at the instance of Commander Deane, Inspecting Commander of the Isle of Wight, for leaving the deck of the Adder, on the 24th ult, whereby a deserter from the Primrose, under the custody of the watch, effected his escape, by jumping into one of the cutters' boats alongside. There were two men on the same watch with the steward, who forgetting the prisoner, went below soon after the steward did so.
Mr DAY appeared for the accused, and forcibly represented that his client had innocently violated his duty, by his desire to perform that of steward, the only object he had in going below. Certificates as to the excellent character borne by the steward previous to his joining the Adder were handed in, and the Captain and the Mate of this cutter spoke in the highest terms of his conduct. In their opinion he was the last man who would designedly connive at or facilitate by his absence or otherwise the escape of any prisoner.
1851: Married lieut Royal Navy and coast guard service (33 Cold Harbour, Alvestoke, HAM, aged 56).
1861: Commander Royal Navy (Castle Street, Stroud, GLS, aged 65).
1871: Widowed Commander RN - brother of Sarah E BILLINGSLEY (33 Lower Brook, Ipswich, SFK, aged 75).
1881: Widowed Commander RN (33 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, SFK, aged 85).
1886: GRO deaths index Mar quarter (Steyning, volume 2b, page 214). Age at death stated as 89.
1886: The will of John BILLINGSLEY (20 February) formerly of Ipswich in the County of Suffolk but late of Brighton in the County of Sussex a Commander in the Royal Navy who died who died 26 January 1886 at 56 Tisbury Road Brighton was was proved at the Principal Registry by Edmund Logan Willyams WILLIAMS of 26 St Martin's Lane Cannon Street in the City of London Solicitor and Oliver John WILLIAMS of Harwich in the County of Essex Gentlemen the great nephews two of the Executors. Personal effects £9,356 4s 3d.
Charlotte HICKS7 was born in 1800 in Ringwood, HAM.24,28 She appeared in the census on 30 March 1851 in Alverstoke (St Matthew). HO107/1660 (Folio 274) page 37. Charlotte appeared in the census on 7 April 1861 in Stroud. RG9/1774 (Folio 62) page 28. Charlotte died Q2 1866 in Axbridge, SOM. 23
1851: Wife (33 Cold Harbour, Alvestoke, HAM, aged 50).
1861: Wife (Castle Street, Stroud, GLS, aged 61).
1866: GRO deaths index Jun quarter (Axbridge, volume 5c, page 437).
Charlotte HICKS and John BILLINGSLEY had the following children:
+50 Charlotte Elizabeth BILLINGSLEY (1840- ) +51 Mary BILLINGSLEY ( - )
41. Mary BILLINGSLEY, daughter of Samuel BILLINGSLEY and Elizabeth VINY, was born in 1799 in Camberwell, SRY. 24,29 She appeared in the census on 6 June 1841 in Bishop Hull. HO107/959 (Folio 11) page 15. Mary appeared in the census on 30 March 1851 in Stonehouse (St Matthew). HO107/1964 (Folio 94) page 24. Mary appeared in the census on 7 April 1861 in Stonehouse. RG9/1771 (Folio 64) page 19. Mary appeared in the census on 2 April 1871 in Ipswich. RG10/1753 (Folio 25) page 6. Mary appeared in the census on 3 April 1881 in Ipswich. 29 RG11/1873 (Folio 27) page 7. Mary died on 15 December 1884 in Ipswich.22
1841: Bishop Hull, Taunton, SOM, aged 40. Not born in county. 1851: Unmarried daughter - fund holder (Cains Cross, Stonehouse, GLS, aged 52) 1861: Unmarried daughter - fund holder (Cains Cross Steet, Stonehouse, GLS, aged 62) 1871: Unmarried sister of Sarah E BILLINGSLEY (33 Lower Brook, Ipswich, SFK, aged 72) 1881: Unmarried gentlewoman (33 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, SFK, aged 82)
23 Produced by Family Historian Descendants by Generation 7 Mar 2015
1884: GRO deaths index Dec quarter (Ipswich, volume 4a, page 472). Age at death stated as 85.
1884: The will with two codicils (30 December) of Mary BILLINGSLEY late of 33 Lower Brook Street Ipswich in the County of Suffolk Spinster who died 15 December 1884 at 33 Lower Brook Street was proved at the Principal Registry by Edmund Logan Willyams WILLIAMS of 26 St Martin's Lane Cannon Street in the City of London Solicitor the great nephew one of the Executors. Personal estate £7,075 6s 1d. Ninth Generation 42. John Billingsley LOOKER, son of John LOOKER and Sarah BILLINGSLEY, was born in 1823 (calculated). He married Elizabeth Ellen CAMERON Q3 1851 in Clifton, GLS.23 GRO marriage index Sep quarter (Clifton, volume 11, page 347). John appeared in the census on 7 April 1861 in Banbury, OXF. 28 RG9/918 (Folio 53) page 28. John appeared in the census on 2 April 1871 in Banbury. 27 RG10/1464 (Folio 23) page 1. John died on 7 March 1903 in Kensington, London, MDX.22,23
1851: Handwritten GRO marriage index records the groom's name as John Billingsby LOOKER.
1861: Married solicitor (Horse Fair, Banbury, OXF, aged 37). Listed as John B LOOKER. Two house servants named as Ann HOGG (unmarried, aged 30, born Tingewick, BKM) and Sarah RYMAN (unmarried, aged 22, born Enslone, OXF) in same household.
1871: Married solicitor (31 Horse Fair, Banbury, OXF, aged 47).
1903: GRO deaths index Mar quarter (Kensington, volume 1a, page 115). Age at death stated as 80. Indexed as John Billingsley LOOKER.
1903: John Billingsley LOOKER of 20 St Luke’s Road, Bayswater, Middlesex, died 07 March. Probate London 20 April to Edith Fanny LOOKER (spinster) and John Denison JORDAN (solicitor). Effect £5,069 5s 5d. Resworn August 1903 £4,651 14s 1d.
Elizabeth Ellen CAMERON6 was born in 1829 in St Pancras, London, MDX.27 She appeared in the census on 7 April 1861 in Banbury.28 RG9/918 (Folio 53) page 28. Elizabeth appeared in the census on 2 April 1871 in Banbury. 27 RG10/1464 (Folio 23) page 1.
1861: Solicitor's wife (Horse Fair, Banbury, OXF, aged 32). Listed as Ellen.
1871: Wife (31 Horse Fair, Banbury, OXF, aged 46). Listed as Ellen.
Elizabeth Ellen CAMERON and John Billingsley LOOKER had the following children:
+52 Ellen Mary LOOKER (1852- ) +53 Edith Fanny LOOKER (1854- ) +54 Horace B LOOKER (1856- ) +55 Ada LOOKER (1857- ) +56 Amy Gertrude LOOKER (1859- ) +57 Frank LOOKER (1862- ) +58 Emily Beatrice LOOKER (1867- )
43. Fanny BILLINGSLEY, daughter of John Richard Frederick BILLINGSLEY and Elizabeth POLSON, was born in 1842 in GLS.25
1842: Local birth index states mother's maiden name as POOLSON.
44. Charlotte Georgiana BILLINGSLEY,23,25 daughter of John Richard Frederick BILLINGSLEY and Elizabeth POLSON, was born in 1844 in Wormington, GLS. 24,25 She appeared in the census on 30 March 1851 in Wormington. HO107/1971 (Folio 230) page 1. Charlotte died on 25 June 1858 in Wormington. 18,25
24 Produced by Family Historian Descendants by Generation 7 Mar 2015
1844: Local births index records child's name as Charlotte G and mother's maiden name a POLSON.
1851: Scholar at home (Rectory House, Wormington, GLS, aged 6).
1858: GRO deaths index Sep quarter (Winchcombe, volume 6a, page 213). Local BMD index states age at death as 14 and name as Charlotte Georg.
Jackson's Oxford Journal (03 Jul 1858)
June 25, at Wormington Rectory, Gloucestershire, aged 14 years, Charlotte Georgiana, second daughter of the Rev J R S BILLINGSLEY.
45. Mary E BILLINGSLEY, daughter of John Richard Frederick BILLINGSLEY and Elizabeth POLSON, was born in 1845 in Wormington. 24,25 She appeared in the census on 30 March 1851 in Wormington. HO107/1971 (Folio 230) page 1.
1845: Local births index records child's name as Mary E and mother's maiden name a POLSON.
1851: Scholar at home (Rectory House, Wormington, GLS, aged 5).
46. Sophia BILLINGSLEY, daughter of John Richard Frederick BILLINGSLEY and Elizabeth POLSON, was born on 23 October 1847 in Wormington. 18,25 She died in January 1848 in Wormington. 25
1847: GRO births index Dec quarter (Winchcombe, volume 11, page 456). Local births index states mother's maiden name as POLSON.
Daily News (01 November 1847)
BILLINGSLEY - Oct 23, at Wormington Rectory, Gloucestershire, the wife of the Rev J R F BILLINGSLEY, of a daughter.
1848: GRO deaths index Mar quarter (Winchcombe, volume 11, page 475). Local BMD index states age at death as 3 months.
47. Lydia M BILLINGSLEY, daughter of John Richard Frederick BILLINGSLEY and Elizabeth POLSON, was born in 1847 in Wormington. 24 She appeared in the census on 30 March 1851 in Wormington. HO107/1971 (Folio 230) page 1.
1847: Birth registration not found in national or local indexes.
1851: Scholar at home (Rectory House, Wormington, GLS, aged 4).
48. Agnes Bessie BILLINGSLEY,25 daughter of John Richard Frederick BILLINGSLEY and Elizabeth POLSON, was born in 1849.25 She died in June 1849 in Wormington. 23,25
1849: Local births index states child's name as Agnes B and mother's maiden name as POLSON.
1849: GRO deaths index Jun quarter (Winchcombe, volume 11, page 422). Local BMD index states age at death as six weeks.25
49. Agnes Maria BILLINGSLEY, daughter of Samuel BILLINGSLEY and Margaret LOGAN, married Oliver John WILLIAMS on 20 June 1850 in Harwich, ESS.7,18
1850: The Morning Chronicle (22 June)
On the 20th inst., at Harwich, Oliver John, second son of the Rev. James WILLIAMS, M. A., of Ratcliff, London, to Agnes Maria, only child of Samuel BILLINGSLEY, jun., Esq., Harwich, Essex.
25 Produced by Family Historian Descendants by Generation 7 Mar 2015
50. Charlotte Elizabeth BILLINGSLEY, daughter of John BILLINGSLEY and Charlotte HICKS, was born in 1840 in Studland, DOR.7,24,28 She appeared in the census on 30 March 1851 in Alverstoke (St Matthew), HAM. HO107/1660 (Folio 274) page 3. Charlotte appeared in the census on 7 April 1861 in Stroud, GLS. RG9/1774 (Folio 62) page 28. Charlotte married Alexander Robert TANNER in September 1870 in Hampstead, volume 1a, page 1093.23
1851: Daughter (33 Cold Harbour, Alvestoke, HAM, aged 10). Listed as Charlotte C.
1861: Unmarried daughter (Castle Street, Stroud, GLS, aged 20).
1870: Hampshire Telegraph (17 September)
TANNER - BILLINGSLEY - On the 13th inst., at the Church of St Mary, Kilburn, by the Rev James TANNER, vicar of St Matthew's, Gosport, father of the bridegroom, assisted by the Rev R H PARR, vicar of St Martin's, Scarborough, Alexander Robert TANNER, Esq., solicitor, to Charlotte Elizabeth, Only child of Commander John BILLINGSLEY, Royal Navy.
51. Mary BILLINGSLEY7 was the daughter of John BILLINGSLEY and Charlotte HICKS. Tenth Generation 52. Ellen Mary LOOKER, daughter of John Billingsley LOOKER and Elizabeth Ellen CAMERON, was born Q4 1852 in Banbury, OXF. 23,28 She appeared in the census on 7 April 1861 in Banbury. 28 RG9/918 (Folio 53) page 28. Ellen appeared in the census on 2 April 1871 in Banbury. 27 RG10/1464 (Folio 23) page 1. Ellen married Thomas Packer Walter BUTT on 21 May 1891 in London (St Stephen, Westbourne Park), MDX. 18,23 GRO marriage index Jun quarter (Paddington, volume 1a, page 118.
1852: GRO births index Dec quarter (Banbury, volume 3a, page 588). Indexed as Ellen Mary.
1861: Scholar (Horse Fair, Banbury, OXF, aged 8). Listed as Ellen M.
1871: Scholar (31 Horse Fair, Banbury, OXF, aged 18). Listed as Ellen.
1891: Gloucester Citizen (25 May)
MARRIAGES
BUTT-LOOKER
May 21, at St Stephen’s, Westbourne Park, London, by the Rev Thomas B Harvey BROOKS, assisted by the Rev Will H CREATON, the Rev Walter William Arthur BUTT, vicar of Minety, Wiltshire, eldest son of Thomas Packer Walter BUTT, of Arle Court near Cheltenahm, to Ellen Mary, eldest daughter of John Billingsley LOOKER, of No 20, St Luke’s Road, Bayswater, London.
53. Edith Fanny LOOKER, daughter of John Billingsley LOOKER and Elizabeth Ellen CAMERON, was born in 1854 in Banbury.28 She appeared in the census on 7 April 1861 in Banbury. 28 RG9/918 (Folio 53) page 28. Edith appeared in the census on 2 April 1871 in Banbury. 27 RG10/1464 (Folio 23) page 1.
1854: GRO births index Jun quarter (Banbury, volume 3a, page 643). Indexed as Edith Fanny.
1861: Scholar (Horse Fair, Banbury, OXF, aged 6). Listed as Edith F.
1871: Scholar (31 Horse Fair, Banbury, OXF, aged 16). Listed as Edith F.
54. Horace B LOOKER, son of John Billingsley LOOKER and Elizabeth Ellen CAMERON, was born in 1856 in Banbury.28 He appeared in the census on 7 April 1861 in Banbury. 28 RG9/918 (Folio 53) page 28. Horace appeared in the census on 2 April 1871 in Northam, DEV. 27 RG10/2202 (Folio 31) page 8. Horace married Eliza Caroline
26 Produced by Family Historian Descendants by Generation 7 Mar 2015
PHILLIPS on 31 January 1888 in Selhurst (Holy Trinity), SRY. 18,23 GRO marriage index Mar quarter (Croydon, volume 2a, page 257).
1856: Birth registration not found.
1861: Scholar (Horse Fair, Banbury, OXF, aged 5). Listed as Horace B.
1871: Scholar (College, Northam, DEV, age 15).
1888: Oxford Journal (04 February)
MARRIAGES
Jan 31, at Holy Trinity Church, Selhurst, Horace Billingsley LOOKER, of No 3, Westbury Park Road, Paddington W, eldest son of John Billingsley LOOKER, of No 32 Leamington Road Villas, Westbourne Park W, solicitor, to Eliza Caroline PHILLIPS (Dido), youngest daughter of the late Dr Samuel PHILLIPS, of Sydenham.
55. Ada LOOKER, daughter of John Billingsley LOOKER and Elizabeth Ellen CAMERON, was born Q3 1857 in Banbury.23,28 She appeared in the census on 7 April 1861 in Banbury. 28 RG9/918 (Folio 53) page 28. Ada appeared in the census on 2 April 1871 in Banbury. 27 RG10/1464 (Folio 23) page 1.
1857: GRO births index Sep quarter (Banbury, volume 3a, page 600).
1861: Ada (Horse Fair, Banbury, OXF, aged 3).
1871: Scholar (31 Horse Fair, Banbury, OXF, aged 13).
56. Amy Gertrude LOOKER, daughter of John Billingsley LOOKER and Elizabeth Ellen CAMERON, was born Q4 1859 in Banbury.28
1859: GRO births index Dec quarter (Banbury, volume 3a, page 626). Indexed as Amy Geertrude.
1861: Daughter (Horse Fair, Banbury, OXF, aged 1). Listed Amy G.
57. Frank LOOKER, son of John Billingsley LOOKER and Elizabeth Ellen CAMERON, was born Q3 1862 in Banbury. 27 He appeared in the census on 2 April 1871 in Banbury. 27 RG10/1464 (Folio 23) page 1.
1862: GRO births index Sep quarter (Banbury, volume 3a, page 618). Indexed as Frank.
1871: Scholar (31 Horse Fair, Banbury, OXF, aged 8). Listed as Frank.
58. Emily Beatrice LOOKER, daughter of John Billingsley LOOKER and Elizabeth Ellen CAMERON, was born Q3 1867 in Banbury.27 She appeared in the census on 2 April 1871 in Banbury. 27 RG10/1464 (Folio 23) page 1.
1867: GRO births index Sep quarter (Banbury, volume 3a, page 695). Indexed as Emily Beatrice.
1871: Daughter (31 Horse Fair, Banbury, OXF, aged 3). Listed as Emily B. Sources 1. "Oxford Dictionary of National Biography" (Viewed via local library membership). 2. "Images of England" (http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/details/default.aspx?id=266401). 3. "Nonconformist register Northowram, YKS" (http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/YKS/northowram/index.html). 4. Rev George HALL, "The history of Chesterfield; with particulars of the hamlet contiguous to the town, and descriptive accounts of Chatsworth, Hardwick, and Bolsover Castle [with additions]" (https://archive.org/stream/historyofchester00halliala/historyofchester00halliala_djvu.txt).
27 Produced by Family Historian Descendants by Generation 7 Mar 2015
5. Mark BURDEN, "A Biograaphical Dictionary of Tutors at the Dissenters' Private Acadamies 1660-1729" (http://www.english.qmul.ac.uk/drwilliams/pubs/Mark/bd.pdf). 6. "FamilySearch Historical Records" (https://familysearch.org/). 7. "Miscellanea Genealogica Et Heraldica: Volume 1" (Hamilton, Adams and Company (01 January 1868)). 8. "England select births and christenings 1538-1975" (ancestry.co.uk). 9. Jerom MURCH (1835), "A history of the Presbyterian and General Baptist Churches in the West of England: with memoirs of some of their Pastors" (https://archive.org/stream/historyofpresbyt00murc#page/n3/mode/2up). 10. "Biography of John BILLINGSLEY" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Billingsley_(agriculturist)?oldid=0). 11. "Findmypast Parish Records Collection" (findmypast.co.uk/). 12. "Congregationalism in Surrey" (http://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/edward-e-cleal/the-story-of-congregationalism- in-surrey-ael/page-2-the-story-of-congregationalism-in-surrey-ael.shtml). 13. "Ashwick, SOM" (http://www.ashwickparish.org/). 14. "Ashwick Village" (http://www.ashwickparish.org/). 15. "Ashwick Methodist Church" (http://www.oakhillmc.org/oakhillmc.org/About_Us.html). 16. "John BILLINGSLEY agriculturist" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Billingsley_(agriculturist)). 17. John BURKE, "A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Landed Gentry; Or, Commoners of Great Britain and Ireland Etc." (Henry COLBURN 01 Jan 1837). 18. "Newspaper Report". 19. "The Law Journal: Volume 8 - 01 January 1830". 20. "Reports of cases argued and determined in the High court of chancery: during the time of Lord Chancellor Lyndhurst, Volume 1 - 01 January 1832" (Saunders and Benning). 21. "International Genealogical Index" (http://www.familysearch.org/). 22. "National Probate Index" (ancestry.co.uk). 23. "FreeBMD" (http://www.freebmd.org.uk/). 24. "1851 Census Image" (ancestry.co.uk or findmypast.co.uk). 25. "Gloucestershire BMD Indexes" (http://ww3.gloucestershire.gov.uk/bmd/SimpleSearch.aspx). 26. "1841 Census Image" (ancestry.co.uk or findmypast.co.uk). 27. "1871 Census Image" (ancestry.co.uk or findmypast.co.uk). 28. "1861 Census Image" (ancestry.co.uk or findmypast.co.uk). 29. "1881 Census Image" (ancestry.co.uk or findmypast.co.uk). 30. "GRO Marriage Index" (http://www.findmypast.co.uk/).
28 Produced by Family Historian