Wille Family Tree compiled by Marion Stanton nee Wille September 2007.
Key: Purple bold writing denotes a direct ancestor.
Blue writing is used as headers for the next generation.
Bold black is for those not in direct ancestries but in the family tree and about whom we have a lot of information.
Black is for those not in direct ancestry and about whom we know little.
Information and pictures of source documents about individuals are boxed underneath their details.
The following is taken from Spencer Miller’s research published by the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, January 1936.
Key: Purple bold writing denotes a direct ancestor.
Blue writing is used as headers for the next generation.
Bold black is for those not in direct ancestries but in the family tree and about whom we have a lot of information.
Black is for those not in direct ancestry and about whom we know little.
Information and pictures of source documents about individuals are boxed underneath their details.
The following is taken from Spencer Miller’s research published by the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, January 1936.
Rev Robert Wylley Born: 1453 Thorley, Hertfordshire, England, Rector of Thorley 1474 to 1493[M1]
married
Mrs. Robert Wylley born: 1457 Thorley, Hertfordshire, England. Marriage 1473 Age: 16
Robert Wylley’s children and spouses:
John Willie Born: 1500[M2] Thorley, Hertfordshire, England Died: 1558 Thorley, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, England married
Agnes Willie born: 1500 Thorley, Hertfordshire, England Died: 1555 Thorley, Hertfordshire, England. Married 1520 Age: 20
John and Agnes’s children and spouses:
John Willie Born: 1515[M3] Thorley, Hertfordshire, England Died: 1575 Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, England married
Joan Marsead Born: 1519 Thorley, Hertfordshire, England. Died: ???? Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, England married: 1540 30 Oct Age: 25
Richard Willie Married Agnes
John and Joan’s children and spouses:
Edward born xxx married 1581 died 1615
John born 1541
Emmerit later called Agnes? Born 1543 Married John Denison who died of Plague in 1582
Mary born 1548
Bridget born 1451
George Willy Born: 1560[M4] Much Hadham Died: 10 Sep 1612 Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, England married in 1583 to
Mary Brett Born: 1560 Much Hadham
Grace
George and Mary’s children and spouses:
George Wille born: 1585 in Much Hadham
John Willy Born: 1594[M5] Much Hadham
Elizabeth Willy
John Willy’s children and spouse:
John Willy Born: 1640[M6] Died: 16.11.1729 Married
Elizabeth Hampton Died: 23.10.1729 Both of Much Hadham, Hertfordshire
John and Elizabeth’s children and spouses:
Elizabeth Willy born 1789
Ann Willy born 1693
John Wille born 1694
Andrew Willy B: 30.5.1697[M7] (Yeoman and Farmer, Overseer of the Poor): in Little Hadham D: 15.9.1766 married
Elizabeth Wheeler B: 15.9.1790 M: 17.8.1732
This barn is still standing at Weston Lodge which used to be called Lodge farm when Andrew
was the tenant farmer. It is an 17th/18th century grade 3 listed building and it may have been built by the Willey family although it might be even older than their tenancy in which case they used it.
Lodge farm as it looked in Andrew and Elizabeth’s time and then Thomas and Margaret’s day. It was Thomas who kept the farm going after Andrew died and then Margaret after Thomas died.
It burnt down in the 1840’s but we think that Margaret had left by then. From Parish council records and records of the field names taken at Inclosure it would appear that Margaret and her brother in law William later lived on two separate farms called Lordship farm and Park Farm respectively. Lodge farm was sold with vacant possession in 1858 it belonged to Lord Heysham and was sold to Robert Pryor. All of the Wille family appear to have left. There is a record of Nathan Wille living at Leatherwells next door to Lodge Farm as an agricultural labourer. Nathan was the son of William and Catherine (formerly Catherine Wilson) born 26.7.95 parents married 23.2.96.
This is the only bit of the original farm that still exists!
This tree was probably planted by our ancestors.
This is the font at which all of Andrew and Elizabeth’s children who were born in Weston were baptised and still stands in Holy Trinity Church, Weston.
This is a picture of Andrew’s original will. You can enlarge it by clicking on it and dragging at the corner. However, here is a typed transcript:
In the name of God Amen. I Andrew Wille – of Weston in the county of Hertford. Farmer being (Thank God) of sound perfect and disposing mind memory and understanding Do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say. First I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth the wife of Samuel Swaine the sum of Forty pound of lawfull money, of Great Britain To be paid her by my executors here in after named out of the stock and personal estate I shall die possessed of By two severally equal payments in mannor following (that is to say) the sum of twenty pounds (part of the said sum of Forty pounds) within one year next after my Decease And the remaining sum of twenty pounds at the expiration of four years next after my Decease. Also I give and Bequeath unto my daughter Ann the wife of William Swaine, the sum of twenty pounds of like lawfull money To be paid her by my executors out of my stock and personal estate within two years next after my Decease. Also I give and bequeath unto my daughter Sarah Wille the sum of Forty pounds of like lawfull money To be paid her by my executors out of my said stock and personal estate at two several equal payments in mannor following (that is to say) the sum of twenty pounds (part of the said forty pounds) within three year next after my Decease And the remaining sum of twenty pounds at the expiration of five years hence after my decease And my mind and will is and I do hearby order and appoint that my loving wife Elizabeth Wille shall continue and be with my executors during the term of her natural life And that my said executors shall maintain and support with and find and provide for my said loving wife Elizabeth Wille out of my said stock and personal estate all mannor of necessities and Requisites for and during the term of her natural life. But in case she shall not like to continue and live my said executors but shall separate herself and go from them Then in that case I give and bequeath to my said loving wife Elizabeth Wille the sum of forty pounds of lawfull money of Great Britain to be paid her by my executors out of my said stock and personal estate within one year next after such separation as aforesaid. And as to all and (singular?) My Household goods Household stuff and utensils of Household and Husbandry farming stock Crop and Crops of Corn of Corn grain and Hay goods chattalls stock cattle ready money (security?) and XXXX for money debts to me owing and all other my personal estate of what nature kinds or quality soever or whatsoever (after all my just debts the above said legacies my funeral expenses and the Charges of proving this my will be first throughout be paid and discharged I give and bequeath the same equally to and amongst my four sons namely Thomas Wille, James Wille, John Wille and William Wille their executors administrators and xxsigns on condition nonetheless that they my said four sons shall agree to continue and live together in the farm and premises wherein I now dwell and occupy until such time as the above said legacies are all paid and discharged. But in case any or either of my said sons shall separate himself and go fro thence before the time above said Then in that case I give and bequeath unto such sons so separating himself the sum of one hundred pounds of lawfull money of Great Britain to be paid him out of my said stock and personal estate within one year next after such his separation in full discharge of all rights and title which he can or may demand by virtue of this my will. And Lastly I do hereby nominate constitute will and appoint my two sons namely Thomas Wille and James Wille executors of this last will and testament Desiring I may be decently buried at the discretion of my said executors This hereby revoking and making void all former other wills and wills by me at any time or times hereto fore and made or declared I do declare this to be my last will in witness whereof I the said Andrew Wille the testator (haveto/hereto?) this my last will and testament set my hand and seal this third day of July in the year of our Lord Once Thousand Seven Hundred and sixty five.
Andrew Wille
This is Andrew’s grave located not far from the door of Holy Trinity Church in Weston. He was buried in 1766.
Rebecca Willy born 1700
Andrew and Elizabeth’s children and spouses:
John Wille B: 1733 D: 1736
Elizabeth Wille B: 23.5.1735 M: D: 8.3.1808
Jane Wille B: 30.3.1739 D: before 1765
Thomas Wille, tenant of Lodge farm, overseer, surveyor, disabled. B: 12.4.1737 D: 7.9.1805 married
Margaret Gundrill B: 16.2.1754 D: 11.4.1846 M: 27.7.1778. Their children were: Thomas B: 26.12.1779 D: 20.9.1841 William B: 2.2.1782 Married Margaret – their son, Thomas, b: 1812 became a publican) Betsy B: 25.5.1783 (Married George Wallis 25.12.1801) Ann B: 12.2.1786 John B: 18.2.1789 Sarah B: 25.12.1793 Margaret B: 30.8.1795
This is the grave of Andrew’s son Thomas (our ancestor’s brother) who died in 1805.
Ann Wille B: M: D: 15.1.1826
James Wille (Yeoman, overseer, surveyor) B: 18/3/1742[M8] D: 22.3.1825 (in Weston) first marriage to
Alice Bennett (of Ware). B: 1735? M: 23.5.1768 D: 15.8.87
James Wille had a second marriage to Susanna Swain (of Weston) B: 1.2.1742 M: 29.12.1787 D: 8.6.1832? Their children were: Suzannah, B: 7.3.1790 and John, B: 19.2.1793 however, Susanna previously had several illegitimate children at least one if not all of whom could well be James’ children as a result of a long running affair. They married very soon after Alice died and the last child (born that year before Alice died) was named James. These children were: William B: 5.1.1776, Edwin, B: 6.6.1779 D: 10.6.1779, Edwin B: 22.3.1780, Thomas B: 11.6.1783, James B: 11.2.1787
Sarah Wille married Edward Bennett M: 30.9.1769
John Wille B: 1745? (Miller in 1765) d: 1789
William Willey B: after 1739 D: 8.11.1799
James and Alice’s children and spouses:
Sarah Wille B: 26.6.1769 Marries John Merritt 25.5.1790 D: 9.9.1849
James Wille (Carpenter) B: 7.3.1772[M9] D: 10.9.1843 in Chipping Barnet married
Ann Allen (from Clothall) B: 1769 M: 28.7.1794 D: 10.8.1851
Originally James and Ann moved to Northaw although the three eldest children were registered as being born in North Mimms. Then sometime before 1811 they moved to Chipping Barnet.
Mention of James Willey’s abode in the enclosure records in the early 1815 A Shoefayre shop now stands on the site in Chipping Barnet High Street. It would appear that James and Ann were always tenants. There is no record of James being indentured even though he was a carpenter.
In 1941 they were living in Bell Lane which no longer exists but we believe to be very close to the pub in Arkley on the edge of Barnet Common Called the Gate which in those days was called The Bell.
This is the almshouse Ann was living in relying on poor relief until she died in 1851. It seems she was sharing it with her widowed daughter who had four children aged 1 to 11. The census register is below.
James and Ann’s children and spouses:
Elizabeth (N Mimms) B: 6.5.1798
William (N Mimms) B: 13.9.1801
Mary Ann (N Mimms) B: 10.10.1805
George Wille B: 17.7.1808 D: 28.4.1811
Sarah Wille B: 30.6.1811
William Wille (Paper strainer) B: 17.3.1817[M10] M: 29.12.1845 D: after 1901 married
Belinda Coles (dress maker from Stewkley) B: 1823 D: 1892
In 1851 William and Belinda were living at 24 Hoxton Square (although that year Belinda is recorded in the Stewkley census as she was visiting her parents). They shared this home with various members of the Coles family and others. William was a paper stainer and Belinda was a dressmaker. Paper Staining referred to the making of wallpaper which was craftsman’s work in the mid 1800’s carried out in small, family run businesses.
1851 census
1851 census – North end or last part of, Stewkley, Bucks.
In 1861 they were living in Church Street, Tower Hamlets with their three children Thomas age 3, William Alfred age 6 (my great granddad) and Mary age 8. William was 43 years old and still a Paper Stainer. There were a number of other people living in the house.
Church Street, Tower Hamlets.
1861 census.
People living with William and Belinda and their children in 1861.
This is 353 Cambridge Heath Road as it is now. It used to be called Cambridge Road in Bethnal Green. William and Belinda were living here in 1871 with daughter Mary age 18 who was a Milliner, son William age 16 (my great grandfather) who was also a milliner and son Thomas age 13 who was an errand boy. This is one of the few addresses they do not seem to have shared with friends and/or extended family members.
1871 census
In 1881 their son Thomas (age 25) was the only one still at home and they are still living at 353 Cambridge Road. They seem to be sharing with another family name of “Lister” whose first names look German. The most intriguing entry on this census return is Florence Credo age 8 entered as granddaughter (one presumes of William and Belinda). Who is the father? Thomas? What happened to her mother? Is she Thomas’s illegitimate daughter? Did her mother die or leave? Is there any connection with the Lister family who share the house? The latter is unlikely as they are listed as a separate family.
1881 censusIn 1891 William and Belinda were staying at 108 Lyndhurst Grove as visitors of their daughter Mary. He is listed as being in Insurance Agent. Quite a change of profession and late in life. Could he still have been working at the age of 73?
In 1901 William (now a widow age 83) was living with his son William Alfred (my great grandfather), William Alfred’s wife Jessie and their children: Edith age 26, Alice age 24, May age 18, Elsie age 11, William (my grandfather) age 7 and a lodger called Ernest Hollings who eventually married Alice. Alice was known as “great aunt Annie” and I was at her 100th birthday party in 1977. She lived to be 103.
John Wille B: 3.12.1820
William and Belinda’s children and spouses:
William Alfred Wille (Milliner at 16 Clerk later on then book-keeper) B: 22.11.1855[M11] ? (Hoxton Square) M: 1873 D: February 1944 married
Jessie B: 1855, Brigg, Lincoln. M: 1873, Bethnal Green. D:1926
Second marriage to Lucy Margaret Sidnall (Auntie Katie) headmistress M: 1929
William was my father’s grandfather and he remembers him. He used to call him gramp. William always appears to have worked in white collar professions except for a short period in his teens as a Milliner.
This picture of him was taken in about 1938. These are possible daughters of William Alfred.
William Alfred with daughters. Might be Jessie on the right Picture taken in the early 1900’s.
William’s second wife was Lucy Sidnall (the woman on the left in the right hand picture below). She co wrote a book for children (which I still have a copy of) with Ann Gibbon whose ancestor wrote “The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire”.
The whole of this book is available on line at: http://picasaweb.google.com/marionstanton1/20061231OldPhotoS
Mary C Wille Milliner at 18 B: 1852
Thomas A Wille (Paper Strainer then rent collector) b: 1858 married Kate who was born in 1855. They had three children: Kate M Wille born 1884 in Bethnal Green M: spring 1905, Richard Wille born 1885 Essex, Herbert Wille born 1892 Lambeth.
William and Jessie’s children and spouses:
Edith
Alice B.A. (Great Auntie Annie) married Earnest Hollings
Great Auntie Annie at her 100th birthday party 1977 with my dad (her nephew) on the right and my grandma (her sister in law) on the left.
May
Elsie
William Leslie Wille (Insurance Agent) B: 12.10.1893[M12] East Dulwich D: 14/15 NOV 1944 (Killed by a flying bomb in Rayleigh, Essex) married
Rose Amelia Ward B: 6TH NOVEMBER 1900 D: 1996
My grandparents William and Rose. The bombing of their house in the second world war killed both my grandfather and aunty Ivy who was eighteen at the time. She and her sister (my auntie Sheila) were sharing a bed and were trapped by a pile of bricks. They lost consciousness holding hands and singing hymns together. Ivy died and Sheila lived. Grandma was saved by a glass cabinet that fell on her and stopped her from being crushed. She lost an eye and was able to brush glass out of her hair for the rest of her life. I still have books with damage marks from the bombing raid. My father had married my mother and left home.
William Leslie Wille in about 1938
The Sweet shop in about 1926. The proprietor is great grandfather (William Alfred Wille) who put the money up for the shop but it was run by granddad (William Leslie Wille).
William Alfred Edgar Wille OBE, B: 22.5.1923[M13] in Southend on Sea M: 1942? Married
Phyllis Tarplee B: 24.5.1921 in Birmingham
Edgar Wille (my dad) is the little boy at the front of the car with the straw hat on. On a day trip to Great Wakering 1926.
Edgar in about 1938 aged about 17.
Dad with Ruth and David (my older brother and sister) in about 1947
In the 1970’s when working for Computer Power in Cannock.
Dad in his study at 11 Chaseley Avenue in the 1970’s .
Dad working out in Turkey in the 1970’s.
Mum (Phyllis Tarplee) when she was about 14 in 1934ish.
Mum when she was about 18 in 1938ish. She met dad a couple of years later. She was at the first ever women’s tribunal in Manchester as a conscientious objector. Dad was a conscientious objector too and the war office had a really hard time keeping him out of prison. They didn’t want to put someone who was objecting on religious grounds away but dad kept refusing jobs because the work (sometimes only tentatively) supported the war effort. In the end he got his own job on a building site and the war office decided it was appropriate.
Mum and Dad wedding day 1943
[M1]Christopher Columbus returns from his first trip to the America’s.
Monarchs: Edward IV, Edward V, Richard III.
Battle of Bosworth makes Henry VII king and starts the Tudor age in Aug 22nd 1485.
[M2]Henry VIII comes to the throne in 1509.
[M3]Henry VIII has been on the throne for six years.
Ann Boleyn married Henry in 1536.
[M4]Queen Elizabeth I has been on the throne for 2 years. Protestantism was established as the national religion of Scotland.
[M5] Shakespeare acts before Queen Elizabeth at her Palace. He wrote Macbeth in 1606.
[M6]Charles I was doing all he could to maintain the supremacy of the monarchy but he was having trouble doing so because he needed money from parliament for war with Scotland.
[M7]William of Orange was on the throne.
[M8]George II was on the throne. Walpole left government.
[M9] George III on the throne. America proclaimed independence in 1776.
[M10]George IV became king in 1820.
[M11]Queen Victoria had been on the throne for 17 years. The Great Exhibition was in 1851. The Crimean war began in 1854.
[M12]Queen Victoria still on the throne (for another 8 years to come).
[M13]George V was on the throne.
married
Mrs. Robert Wylley born: 1457 Thorley, Hertfordshire, England. Marriage 1473 Age: 16
Robert Wylley’s children and spouses:
John Willie Born: 1500[M2] Thorley, Hertfordshire, England Died: 1558 Thorley, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, England married
Agnes Willie born: 1500 Thorley, Hertfordshire, England Died: 1555 Thorley, Hertfordshire, England. Married 1520 Age: 20
John and Agnes’s children and spouses:
John Willie Born: 1515[M3] Thorley, Hertfordshire, England Died: 1575 Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, England married
Joan Marsead Born: 1519 Thorley, Hertfordshire, England. Died: ???? Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, England married: 1540 30 Oct Age: 25
Richard Willie Married Agnes
John and Joan’s children and spouses:
Edward born xxx married 1581 died 1615
John born 1541
Emmerit later called Agnes? Born 1543 Married John Denison who died of Plague in 1582
Mary born 1548
Bridget born 1451
George Willy Born: 1560[M4] Much Hadham Died: 10 Sep 1612 Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, England married in 1583 to
Mary Brett Born: 1560 Much Hadham
Grace
George and Mary’s children and spouses:
George Wille born: 1585 in Much Hadham
John Willy Born: 1594[M5] Much Hadham
Elizabeth Willy
John Willy’s children and spouse:
John Willy Born: 1640[M6] Died: 16.11.1729 Married
Elizabeth Hampton Died: 23.10.1729 Both of Much Hadham, Hertfordshire
John and Elizabeth’s children and spouses:
Elizabeth Willy born 1789
Ann Willy born 1693
John Wille born 1694
Andrew Willy B: 30.5.1697[M7] (Yeoman and Farmer, Overseer of the Poor): in Little Hadham D: 15.9.1766 married
Elizabeth Wheeler B: 15.9.1790 M: 17.8.1732
This barn is still standing at Weston Lodge which used to be called Lodge farm when Andrew
was the tenant farmer. It is an 17th/18th century grade 3 listed building and it may have been built by the Willey family although it might be even older than their tenancy in which case they used it.Lodge farm as it looked in Andrew and Elizabeth’s time and then Thomas and Margaret’s day. It was Thomas who kept the farm going after Andrew died and then Margaret after Thomas died.
It burnt down in the 1840’s but we think that Margaret had left by then. From Parish council records and records of the field names taken at Inclosure it would appear that Margaret and her brother in law William later lived on two separate farms called Lordship farm and Park Farm respectively. Lodge farm was sold with vacant possession in 1858 it belonged to Lord Heysham and was sold to Robert Pryor. All of the Wille family appear to have left. There is a record of Nathan Wille living at Leatherwells next door to Lodge Farm as an agricultural labourer. Nathan was the son of William and Catherine (formerly Catherine Wilson) born 26.7.95 parents married 23.2.96.
This is the only bit of the original farm that still exists!
This tree was probably planted by our ancestors.
This is the font at which all of Andrew and Elizabeth’s children who were born in Weston were baptised and still stands in Holy Trinity Church, Weston.
This is a picture of Andrew’s original will. You can enlarge it by clicking on it and dragging at the corner. However, here is a typed transcript:
In the name of God Amen. I Andrew Wille – of Weston in the county of Hertford. Farmer being (Thank God) of sound perfect and disposing mind memory and understanding Do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say. First I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth the wife of Samuel Swaine the sum of Forty pound of lawfull money, of Great Britain To be paid her by my executors here in after named out of the stock and personal estate I shall die possessed of By two severally equal payments in mannor following (that is to say) the sum of twenty pounds (part of the said sum of Forty pounds) within one year next after my Decease And the remaining sum of twenty pounds at the expiration of four years next after my Decease. Also I give and Bequeath unto my daughter Ann the wife of William Swaine, the sum of twenty pounds of like lawfull money To be paid her by my executors out of my stock and personal estate within two years next after my Decease. Also I give and bequeath unto my daughter Sarah Wille the sum of Forty pounds of like lawfull money To be paid her by my executors out of my said stock and personal estate at two several equal payments in mannor following (that is to say) the sum of twenty pounds (part of the said forty pounds) within three year next after my Decease And the remaining sum of twenty pounds at the expiration of five years hence after my decease And my mind and will is and I do hearby order and appoint that my loving wife Elizabeth Wille shall continue and be with my executors during the term of her natural life And that my said executors shall maintain and support with and find and provide for my said loving wife Elizabeth Wille out of my said stock and personal estate all mannor of necessities and Requisites for and during the term of her natural life. But in case she shall not like to continue and live my said executors but shall separate herself and go from them Then in that case I give and bequeath to my said loving wife Elizabeth Wille the sum of forty pounds of lawfull money of Great Britain to be paid her by my executors out of my said stock and personal estate within one year next after such separation as aforesaid. And as to all and (singular?) My Household goods Household stuff and utensils of Household and Husbandry farming stock Crop and Crops of Corn of Corn grain and Hay goods chattalls stock cattle ready money (security?) and XXXX for money debts to me owing and all other my personal estate of what nature kinds or quality soever or whatsoever (after all my just debts the above said legacies my funeral expenses and the Charges of proving this my will be first throughout be paid and discharged I give and bequeath the same equally to and amongst my four sons namely Thomas Wille, James Wille, John Wille and William Wille their executors administrators and xxsigns on condition nonetheless that they my said four sons shall agree to continue and live together in the farm and premises wherein I now dwell and occupy until such time as the above said legacies are all paid and discharged. But in case any or either of my said sons shall separate himself and go fro thence before the time above said Then in that case I give and bequeath unto such sons so separating himself the sum of one hundred pounds of lawfull money of Great Britain to be paid him out of my said stock and personal estate within one year next after such his separation in full discharge of all rights and title which he can or may demand by virtue of this my will. And Lastly I do hereby nominate constitute will and appoint my two sons namely Thomas Wille and James Wille executors of this last will and testament Desiring I may be decently buried at the discretion of my said executors This hereby revoking and making void all former other wills and wills by me at any time or times hereto fore and made or declared I do declare this to be my last will in witness whereof I the said Andrew Wille the testator (haveto/hereto?) this my last will and testament set my hand and seal this third day of July in the year of our Lord Once Thousand Seven Hundred and sixty five.
Andrew Wille
This is Andrew’s grave located not far from the door of Holy Trinity Church in Weston. He was buried in 1766.
Rebecca Willy born 1700
Andrew and Elizabeth’s children and spouses:
John Wille B: 1733 D: 1736
Elizabeth Wille B: 23.5.1735 M: D: 8.3.1808
Jane Wille B: 30.3.1739 D: before 1765
Thomas Wille, tenant of Lodge farm, overseer, surveyor, disabled. B: 12.4.1737 D: 7.9.1805 married
Margaret Gundrill B: 16.2.1754 D: 11.4.1846 M: 27.7.1778. Their children were: Thomas B: 26.12.1779 D: 20.9.1841 William B: 2.2.1782 Married Margaret – their son, Thomas, b: 1812 became a publican) Betsy B: 25.5.1783 (Married George Wallis 25.12.1801) Ann B: 12.2.1786 John B: 18.2.1789 Sarah B: 25.12.1793 Margaret B: 30.8.1795
This is the grave of Andrew’s son Thomas (our ancestor’s brother) who died in 1805.
Ann Wille B: M: D: 15.1.1826
James Wille (Yeoman, overseer, surveyor) B: 18/3/1742[M8] D: 22.3.1825 (in Weston) first marriage to
Alice Bennett (of Ware). B: 1735? M: 23.5.1768 D: 15.8.87
James Wille had a second marriage to Susanna Swain (of Weston) B: 1.2.1742 M: 29.12.1787 D: 8.6.1832? Their children were: Suzannah, B: 7.3.1790 and John, B: 19.2.1793 however, Susanna previously had several illegitimate children at least one if not all of whom could well be James’ children as a result of a long running affair. They married very soon after Alice died and the last child (born that year before Alice died) was named James. These children were: William B: 5.1.1776, Edwin, B: 6.6.1779 D: 10.6.1779, Edwin B: 22.3.1780, Thomas B: 11.6.1783, James B: 11.2.1787
Sarah Wille married Edward Bennett M: 30.9.1769
John Wille B: 1745? (Miller in 1765) d: 1789
William Willey B: after 1739 D: 8.11.1799
James and Alice’s children and spouses:
Sarah Wille B: 26.6.1769 Marries John Merritt 25.5.1790 D: 9.9.1849
James Wille (Carpenter) B: 7.3.1772[M9] D: 10.9.1843 in Chipping Barnet married
Ann Allen (from Clothall) B: 1769 M: 28.7.1794 D: 10.8.1851
Originally James and Ann moved to Northaw although the three eldest children were registered as being born in North Mimms. Then sometime before 1811 they moved to Chipping Barnet.
Mention of James Willey’s abode in the enclosure records in the early 1815 A Shoefayre shop now stands on the site in Chipping Barnet High Street. It would appear that James and Ann were always tenants. There is no record of James being indentured even though he was a carpenter.
In 1941 they were living in Bell Lane which no longer exists but we believe to be very close to the pub in Arkley on the edge of Barnet Common Called the Gate which in those days was called The Bell.
This is the almshouse Ann was living in relying on poor relief until she died in 1851. It seems she was sharing it with her widowed daughter who had four children aged 1 to 11. The census register is below.
James and Ann’s children and spouses:
Elizabeth (N Mimms) B: 6.5.1798
William (N Mimms) B: 13.9.1801
Mary Ann (N Mimms) B: 10.10.1805
George Wille B: 17.7.1808 D: 28.4.1811
Sarah Wille B: 30.6.1811
William Wille (Paper strainer) B: 17.3.1817[M10] M: 29.12.1845 D: after 1901 married
Belinda Coles (dress maker from Stewkley) B: 1823 D: 1892
In 1851 William and Belinda were living at 24 Hoxton Square (although that year Belinda is recorded in the Stewkley census as she was visiting her parents). They shared this home with various members of the Coles family and others. William was a paper stainer and Belinda was a dressmaker. Paper Staining referred to the making of wallpaper which was craftsman’s work in the mid 1800’s carried out in small, family run businesses.
1851 census
1851 census – North end or last part of, Stewkley, Bucks.
In 1861 they were living in Church Street, Tower Hamlets with their three children Thomas age 3, William Alfred age 6 (my great granddad) and Mary age 8. William was 43 years old and still a Paper Stainer. There were a number of other people living in the house.
Church Street, Tower Hamlets.
1861 census.
People living with William and Belinda and their children in 1861.
This is 353 Cambridge Heath Road as it is now. It used to be called Cambridge Road in Bethnal Green. William and Belinda were living here in 1871 with daughter Mary age 18 who was a Milliner, son William age 16 (my great grandfather) who was also a milliner and son Thomas age 13 who was an errand boy. This is one of the few addresses they do not seem to have shared with friends and/or extended family members.
1871 census
In 1881 their son Thomas (age 25) was the only one still at home and they are still living at 353 Cambridge Road. They seem to be sharing with another family name of “Lister” whose first names look German. The most intriguing entry on this census return is Florence Credo age 8 entered as granddaughter (one presumes of William and Belinda). Who is the father? Thomas? What happened to her mother? Is she Thomas’s illegitimate daughter? Did her mother die or leave? Is there any connection with the Lister family who share the house? The latter is unlikely as they are listed as a separate family.
1881 censusIn 1891 William and Belinda were staying at 108 Lyndhurst Grove as visitors of their daughter Mary. He is listed as being in Insurance Agent. Quite a change of profession and late in life. Could he still have been working at the age of 73?
In 1901 William (now a widow age 83) was living with his son William Alfred (my great grandfather), William Alfred’s wife Jessie and their children: Edith age 26, Alice age 24, May age 18, Elsie age 11, William (my grandfather) age 7 and a lodger called Ernest Hollings who eventually married Alice. Alice was known as “great aunt Annie” and I was at her 100th birthday party in 1977. She lived to be 103.
John Wille B: 3.12.1820
William and Belinda’s children and spouses:
William Alfred Wille (Milliner at 16 Clerk later on then book-keeper) B: 22.11.1855[M11] ? (Hoxton Square) M: 1873 D: February 1944 married
Jessie B: 1855, Brigg, Lincoln. M: 1873, Bethnal Green. D:1926
Second marriage to Lucy Margaret Sidnall (Auntie Katie) headmistress M: 1929
William was my father’s grandfather and he remembers him. He used to call him gramp. William always appears to have worked in white collar professions except for a short period in his teens as a Milliner.
This picture of him was taken in about 1938. These are possible daughters of William Alfred.
William Alfred with daughters. Might be Jessie on the right Picture taken in the early 1900’s.
William’s second wife was Lucy Sidnall (the woman on the left in the right hand picture below). She co wrote a book for children (which I still have a copy of) with Ann Gibbon whose ancestor wrote “The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire”.
The whole of this book is available on line at: http://picasaweb.google.com/marionstanton1/20061231OldPhotoS
Mary C Wille Milliner at 18 B: 1852
Thomas A Wille (Paper Strainer then rent collector) b: 1858 married Kate who was born in 1855. They had three children: Kate M Wille born 1884 in Bethnal Green M: spring 1905, Richard Wille born 1885 Essex, Herbert Wille born 1892 Lambeth.
William and Jessie’s children and spouses:
Edith
Alice B.A. (Great Auntie Annie) married Earnest Hollings
Great Auntie Annie at her 100th birthday party 1977 with my dad (her nephew) on the right and my grandma (her sister in law) on the left.
May
Elsie
William Leslie Wille (Insurance Agent) B: 12.10.1893[M12] East Dulwich D: 14/15 NOV 1944 (Killed by a flying bomb in Rayleigh, Essex) married
Rose Amelia Ward B: 6TH NOVEMBER 1900 D: 1996
My grandparents William and Rose. The bombing of their house in the second world war killed both my grandfather and aunty Ivy who was eighteen at the time. She and her sister (my auntie Sheila) were sharing a bed and were trapped by a pile of bricks. They lost consciousness holding hands and singing hymns together. Ivy died and Sheila lived. Grandma was saved by a glass cabinet that fell on her and stopped her from being crushed. She lost an eye and was able to brush glass out of her hair for the rest of her life. I still have books with damage marks from the bombing raid. My father had married my mother and left home.
William Leslie Wille in about 1938
The Sweet shop in about 1926. The proprietor is great grandfather (William Alfred Wille) who put the money up for the shop but it was run by granddad (William Leslie Wille).
William Alfred Edgar Wille OBE, B: 22.5.1923[M13] in Southend on Sea M: 1942? Married
Phyllis Tarplee B: 24.5.1921 in Birmingham
Edgar Wille (my dad) is the little boy at the front of the car with the straw hat on. On a day trip to Great Wakering 1926.
Edgar in about 1938 aged about 17.
Dad with Ruth and David (my older brother and sister) in about 1947
In the 1970’s when working for Computer Power in Cannock.
Dad in his study at 11 Chaseley Avenue in the 1970’s .
Dad working out in Turkey in the 1970’s.
Mum (Phyllis Tarplee) when she was about 14 in 1934ish.
Mum when she was about 18 in 1938ish. She met dad a couple of years later. She was at the first ever women’s tribunal in Manchester as a conscientious objector. Dad was a conscientious objector too and the war office had a really hard time keeping him out of prison. They didn’t want to put someone who was objecting on religious grounds away but dad kept refusing jobs because the work (sometimes only tentatively) supported the war effort. In the end he got his own job on a building site and the war office decided it was appropriate.
Mum and Dad wedding day 1943
[M1]Christopher Columbus returns from his first trip to the America’s.
Monarchs: Edward IV, Edward V, Richard III.
Battle of Bosworth makes Henry VII king and starts the Tudor age in Aug 22nd 1485.
[M2]Henry VIII comes to the throne in 1509.
[M3]Henry VIII has been on the throne for six years.
Ann Boleyn married Henry in 1536.
[M4]Queen Elizabeth I has been on the throne for 2 years. Protestantism was established as the national religion of Scotland.
[M5] Shakespeare acts before Queen Elizabeth at her Palace. He wrote Macbeth in 1606.
[M6]Charles I was doing all he could to maintain the supremacy of the monarchy but he was having trouble doing so because he needed money from parliament for war with Scotland.
[M7]William of Orange was on the throne.
[M8]George II was on the throne. Walpole left government.
[M9] George III on the throne. America proclaimed independence in 1776.
[M10]George IV became king in 1820.
[M11]Queen Victoria had been on the throne for 17 years. The Great Exhibition was in 1851. The Crimean war began in 1854.
[M12]Queen Victoria still on the throne (for another 8 years to come).
[M13]George V was on the throne.
