Centuries Past

Research & Notes on a Family Tree

Robert Willes

Male 1739 - 1796  (57 years)


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Generation: 1

  1. 1.  Robert Willes was born in 1739 in Southampton, Hampshire, England; was christened on 30 Sep 1739 in St Mary's Church, Southampton, Hampshire, England (son of Robert Willes and Elizabeth Hobbs); died in Dec 1796 in High Street, Southampton, Hampshire, England; was buried on 28 Dec 1796 in Holy Rood Church, Southampton, Hampshire, England.

    Other Events:

    • Alternative Name: Robert Willes
    • Alternative Name: Robert Willis
    • Residence: Between 1758 and 1771, Southampton, Hampshire, England
    • Occupation: Between 1758 and 1771; Cork Cutter
    • Court: Oct 1758, Southampton, Hampshire, England; SC9/4/530 & 531
    • Literate: 1761
    • Residence: 1761, Holy Rood Parish, Southampton, Hampshire, England
    • Admon: 13 Sep 1768
    • Apprenticeship: Dec 1771, Southampton, Hampshire, England; D/TH 56/24
    • Occupation: 1796; Cheesemonger
    • Occupation: 1796; Grocer
    • Probate: 1799

    Notes:

    Court:
    SC9/4/530  - 2nd October, 1758
    Estreat of recognizance of Thomas Page to appear at the next Quarter Sessions to prosecute John Goodridge junior and Robert Willis junior, for assaulting him. Also note that George Blundell, William Champness and Reuben Sidney were convicted by their own confession of throwing squibbs. "True Bill".

    SC9/4/531 - 6 October 1758
    Indictment of Thomas Mackrell of Southampton, blacksmith, Robert Willis the younger of Southampton, cork cutter, and John Goodridge the younger of Southampton, barber, for assaulting Thomas Page in the parish of St. Lawrence on the 5th of September, 1758.

    Admon:
    21M65/D4/1768/62
    Bond for the administration of the estate of Elizabeth Willis of Southampton
    Administration granted to Robert Willis of Southampton, cork cutter

    Apprenticeship:
    Thomas Temple (son of William, basket maker) to Robert Willis, cork cutter

    Probate:
    1799A/105
    Will of Robert Willis of Southampton, Hampshire, grocer

    Robert married Elizabeth Wiltshire on 5 Jul 1761 in All Saints Church, Minstead, Hampshire, England. Elizabeth died in 1805 in Gosport, Hampshire, England; was buried on 4 Jan 1805 in St Mary's Church, Southampton, Hampshire, England. [Group Sheet]

    Children:
    1. Elizabeth Willes was born in 1762 in Southampton, Hampshire, England; was christened in 1762 in Holy Rood Church, Southampton, Hampshire, England; and died.
    2. Robert Willes was born in 1764 in Southampton, Hampshire, England; was christened on 4 Oct 1764 in Holy Rood Church, Southampton, Hampshire, England; died on 10 Oct 1806 in Newgate Prison, Old Bailey, London, England; was buried on 17 Oct 1806 in St Andrew's Burial Ground, Holborn, Middlesex, England.
    3. Mary Willes was born about 1767 in Southampton, Hampshire, England; was christened in 1767 in Holy Rood Church, Southampton, Hampshire, England; and died.
    4. Harriot Willes was born in 1768 in Southampton, Hampshire, England; was christened in 1768 in Holy Rood Church, Southampton, Hampshire, England; and died.
    5. John Willes was born in 1769 in Southampton, Hampshire, England; was christened in 1769 in Holy Rood Church, Southampton, Hampshire, England; died in 1770 in Southampton, Hampshire, England; was buried on 26 Jul 1770 in Holy Rood Church, Southampton, Hampshire, England.
    6. William Willis was born in 1771 in Southampton, Hampshire, England; was christened in 1771 in Holy Rood Church, Southampton, Hampshire, England; died on 19 Apr 1809 in Barbados.
    7. George Willes was born in 1773 in Southampton, Hampshire, England; was christened in 1773 in Holy Rood Church, Southampton, Hampshire, England; died in 1774 in Southampton, Hampshire, England; was buried on 10 Jan 1774 in Holy Rood Church, Southampton, Hampshire, England.

Generation: 2

  1. 2.  Robert Willes was born in 1702 in Rowde, Wiltshire, England; was christened on 21 May 1702 in St Matthew's Church (formerly St Mary's), Rowde, Wiltshire, England (son of Robert Willes and Catherine Smart); died in Feb 1761 in Southampton, Hampshire, England; was buried on 27 Feb 1761 in Holy Rood Church, Southampton, Hampshire, England.

    Other Events:

    • Alternative Name: Robert Willis
    • Alternative Name: Robert Willis
    • Residence: Between 1725 and 1729, Southampton, Hampshire, England
    • Occupation: 1729; Cork Cutter
    • Court: 14 Jul 1729, Southampton, Hampshire, England; SC/4/150

    Notes:

    Court:
    Information of Daniel Davis of Southampton, victualler, accusing Charles Likely and Robert Hasting of forceably breaking open a stable door in which six saddles and bridles had been locked up to compel payment of a debt owing to Davis by Robert Willis of Southampton, cork cutter.

    Robert married Elizabeth Hobbs on 10 Aug 1725 in St Thomas' Church, Winchester, Hampshire, England. Elizabeth died in Feb 1768 in Southampton, Hampshire, England; was buried on 28 Feb 1768 in Holy Rood Church, Southampton, Hampshire, England. [Group Sheet]


  2. 3.  Elizabeth Hobbs died in Feb 1768 in Southampton, Hampshire, England; was buried on 28 Feb 1768 in Holy Rood Church, Southampton, Hampshire, England.

    Other Events:

    • Alternative Name: Elizabeth Nobbs
    • Residence: 1725, Southampton, Hampshire, England
    • Probate: 1768; Administration of Elizabeth Willis of Holy Rood, Southampton, Hampshire, widow
    • Probate: 13 Sep 1768; Bond for the administration of the estate of Elizabeth Willis of Southampton

    Notes:

    Probate:
    1768AD/82

    Probate:
    21M65/D4/1768/62
    Administration granted to Robert Willis of Southampton, cork cutter

    Children:
    1. Elizabeth Willis Hobbs was born in 1724 in Southampton, Hampshire, England; was christened on 26 Jul 1724 in All Saints Church, Southampton, Hampshire, England; and died.
    2. Mary Willis was born in 1734 in Southampton, Hampshire, England; was christened on 11 Jun 1734 in St Mary's Church, Southampton, Hampshire, England; and died.
    3. 1. Robert Willes was born in 1739 in Southampton, Hampshire, England; was christened on 30 Sep 1739 in St Mary's Church, Southampton, Hampshire, England; died in Dec 1796 in High Street, Southampton, Hampshire, England; was buried on 28 Dec 1796 in Holy Rood Church, Southampton, Hampshire, England.


Generation: 3

  1. 4.  Robert Willes was born in 1678 in Wiltshire, England; was christened on 1 Mar 1677/78 in St John the Baptist's Church, Devizes, Wiltshire, England (son of Robert Willis and Elizabeth Shipman); died in Mar 1725 in Southampton, Hampshire, England; was buried on 9 Mar 1724/25 in St Mary's Church, Southampton, Hampshire, England.

    Other Events:

    • Alternative Name: Robert Willis
    • Beneficiary: 16 Apr 1694; in his grandmother's Will
    • Occupation: 1722; Master Cork Cutter
    • Residence: 1725, Southampton, Hampshire, England
    • Probate: 17 May 1725, Hampshire, England; 1725P/44

    Notes:

    Beneficiary:
    P1/W/419 Will of Mary Willis, widow, of Devizes, Wiltshire 1694

    Probate:
    Will of Robert Willis of Southampton, Hampshire, corkcutter, 1725 ref: 1725P/44

    In the name of God Amen I Robert Willis of the Towne and County of South'ton Corkcutter being weake and infirme in body but of sound and disposeing mind and memory (thanks be therefore given to Almighty God) but calling to mind the uncertainty of this transitory Life Do for the setting and disposeing of all such worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to blesse me make and publish and declare this my last Will and Testament in writeing in manner and forme following that is to say

    Imprimis my Will is that all my just Debts and funeral Expenses be first justly and truly paid by my Executor hereinafter named

    Item I give and bequeath unto my Wife Hannah the Sume of Ten Pounds of lawfull money of Great Britain to be paid to her or her assigns by my Executor hereinafter named within twelve months next after my decease

    Item I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Elizabeth Willis the Sume of fifty pounds of lawfull money of Great Britain to be paid to her or her assignes within twelve months next after my Decease by my Executor hereinafter named

    Item I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Hannah Willis the Sume of Twenty Pounds of like lawfull money to be paid to her or her assignes when she shall attaine to her full age of one and twenty yeares And my Will and meaning is and I doe hereby declare the same to be that my said Executor shall and doe at his owne Costs and Charges without any Deduc'on or allowance to be made or paid to him out of the said Legacy of Twenty pounds hereby given to my said Daughter Hannah or otherwise by my said daughter Hannah broadly? maintaine Cloath provide for and educate my said Daughter Hannah untill she shall attaine to her said age of one and twenty yeares or be marryed And also shall and doe dureing the said time learne and instruct her the said Hannah my Daughter in the Art Trade or Mystry of a Corkcutter in the best way method and manner that he can

    Item all the rest residue and remainder of my Estate both real and personall Goods Chattels Debts Creditts and Effects whatsoever not herein and hereby already disposed of I Give and bequeath unto my Son Robert Willis whom I doe hereby name make and ordaine full sole Executor of this my Last Will and Testament hereby revokeing and disannulling all former Wills by me at any time now before made

    In Witness whereof I the said Testator have to this my Last Will and Testament set my hand and Seale this seven and twentyeth day of February in the eleventh year of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Lord George by his grace of God of great Britain France and Ireland King Defender of the faith of Anno Dm 1724. Robt Willes

    Signed sealed examined published and declared by the said
    Testator as his last Will and Testament In the presence of us
    and in his presence attested by us
    Henry Whistead
    T Cole
    Sam Scott

    17 May 1725
    Supra nominal Rob Willis
    Filius jurat? invatus fecit
    Coram me
    R Bridsoake

    Robert married Catherine Smart on 28 Jul 1701 in St Matthew's Church (formerly St Mary's), Rowde, Wiltshire, England. Catherine (daughter of Reverend William Smart, B.A. and Alice Ives) was born in Nov 1678 in Sherrington, Wiltshire, England; was christened on 30 Nov 1678 in St Cosmas and St Damian's Church, Sherrington, Wiltshire, England; died in Aug 1716 in Southampton, Hampshire, England; was buried on 26 Aug 1716 in St Mary's Church, Southampton, Hampshire, England. [Group Sheet]


  2. 5.  Catherine Smart was born in Nov 1678 in Sherrington, Wiltshire, England; was christened on 30 Nov 1678 in St Cosmas and St Damian's Church, Sherrington, Wiltshire, England (daughter of Reverend William Smart, B.A. and Alice Ives); died in Aug 1716 in Southampton, Hampshire, England; was buried on 26 Aug 1716 in St Mary's Church, Southampton, Hampshire, England.
    Children:
    1. Willes died in 1707 in Devizes, Wiltshire, England; was buried on 4 Sep 1707 in St John the Baptist's Church, Devizes, Wiltshire, England.
    2. 2. Robert Willes was born in 1702 in Rowde, Wiltshire, England; was christened on 21 May 1702 in St Matthew's Church (formerly St Mary's), Rowde, Wiltshire, England; died in Feb 1761 in Southampton, Hampshire, England; was buried on 27 Feb 1761 in Holy Rood Church, Southampton, Hampshire, England.
    3. William Willes was born on 24 Sep 1703 in Rowde, Wiltshire, England; was christened on 26 Sep 1703 in St Matthew's Church (formerly St Mary's), Rowde, Wiltshire, England; died in Feb 1704/05 in Devizes, Wiltshire, England; was buried on 13 Feb 1704/05 in St John the Baptist's Church, Devizes, Wiltshire, England.
    4. Elizabeth Willes was born in 1707 in Devizes, Wiltshire, England; was christened on 31 Jul 1707 in St John the Baptist's Church, Devizes, Wiltshire, England; and died.
    5. Catherine Willes was born in 1710 in Devizes, Wiltshire, England; was christened on 8 Sep 1710 in St John the Baptist's Church, Devizes, Wiltshire, England; died before 1725.


Generation: 4

  1. 8.  Robert Willis was born on 20 Dec 1649 in Devizes, Wiltshire, England; was christened in 1653 in St John the Baptist's Church, Devizes, Wiltshire, England (son of John Willis and Mary Meriwether); died in Dec 1685 in Devizes, Wiltshire, England; was buried on 2 Jan 1685/86 in St John the Baptist's Church, Devizes, Wiltshire, England.

    Other Events:

    • Residence: Between 1678 and 1686, Devizes, Wiltshire, England
    • Probate: 1686
    • Occupation: 1686; Serge Clothier

    Notes:

    Probate:
    P1/W/366 Administration bond, commission, inventory of Robert Willis a Serge clothier of Devizes, Wiltshire 1686

    Robert married Elizabeth Shipman on 3 Dec 1674 in St Michael & All Angels Church, Hilperton, Wiltshire, England. Elizabeth (daughter of Reverend Roger Shipman and Elizabeth) was born in 1652 in Hilmarton, Wiltshire, England; was christened on 4 Nov 1652 in St Laurence's Church, Hilmarton, Wiltshire, England; died after 7 Nov 1691. [Group Sheet]


  2. 9.  Elizabeth Shipman was born in 1652 in Hilmarton, Wiltshire, England; was christened on 4 Nov 1652 in St Laurence's Church, Hilmarton, Wiltshire, England (daughter of Reverend Roger Shipman and Elizabeth); died after 7 Nov 1691.

    Other Events:

    • Residence: 1678, Devizes, Wiltshire, England

    Children:
    1. John Willis was born in 1675 in Devizes, Wiltshire, England; was christened on 3 Jan 1675/76 in St John the Baptist's Church, Devizes, Wiltshire, England; died after 1689.
    2. 4. Robert Willes was born in 1678 in Wiltshire, England; was christened on 1 Mar 1677/78 in St John the Baptist's Church, Devizes, Wiltshire, England; died in Mar 1725 in Southampton, Hampshire, England; was buried on 9 Mar 1724/25 in St Mary's Church, Southampton, Hampshire, England.
    3. Elisabeth Willis was born in 1680 in Devizes, Wiltshire, England; was christened on 3 Jan 1680/81 in St John the Baptist's Church, Devizes, Wiltshire, England; died after 1689.
    4. Mary Willis was born in 1683 in Devizes, Wiltshire, England; was christened on 12 Mar 1682/83 in St John the Baptist's Church, Devizes, Wiltshire, England; died after 1689.

  3. 10.  Reverend William Smart, B.A. was born on 12 Mar 1650/51 in Chiseldon, Wiltshire, England; was christened on 1 Apr 1651 in Holy Cross Church, Chiseldon, Wiltshire, England (son of Robert Smart and Katherine); died on 2 May 1703 in Rowde, Wiltshire, England; was buried on 4 May 1703 in St Matthew's Church (formerly St Mary's), Rowde, Wiltshire, England.

    Other Events:

    • Education: 31 Mar 1669; Magdalen Hall, Oxford University
    • Education: 1672; St John's College, Oxford University
    • Ordained: 25 May 1673, the Chapel in the Manor Hall, West Lavington, Wiltshire, England; Deacon, preparing for priesthood
    • Occupation: Between 1675 and 1684; Curate of Sherrington, Wiltshire, England
    • Ordained: Between 18 Sep 1675 and 20 Sep 1675, Salisbury Cathedral, Salisbury, Wiltshire, England; Priest
    • Occupation: Between 28 Aug 1684 and 24 Apr 1688; Perpetual Vicar of Steeple Ashton, Wiltshire, England
    • Occupation: Between 24 Jun 1689 and 2 May 1703; Vicar of Rowde, Wiltshire, England

    Notes:

    Ordained:
    This is likely to be the Dauntsey Chapel in the South transept of All Saints Church, West Lavington, which was named after the Dauntsey family of West Lavington Manor House.

    Occupation:
    This included the chapel at Semington, Wiltshire, the Lay Patron being John Martyn, Gentleman. A Curate called William Crouch was appointed for the chapel at Semington on 22 September 1684. Less than four years later, on 24th April 1688, William resigned the position at Steeple Ashton, the position being filled by Bartholomew Martin who was possibly a relation of the Lay Patron John Martin, so perhaps William had no choice in his resignation.

    Occupation:
    The Lay Patron being Henry Baynton, Armiger, of Bremhill, Wiltshire, who was Member of Parliament for Calne.

    William married Alice Ives on 7 Feb 1677/78 in St Mary the Virgin's Church, Harefield, Middlesex, England. Alice died in Apr 1695 in Rowde, Wiltshire, England; was buried on 30 Apr 1695 in St Matthew's Church (formerly St Mary's), Rowde, Wiltshire, England. [Group Sheet]


  4. 11.  Alice Ives died in Apr 1695 in Rowde, Wiltshire, England; was buried on 30 Apr 1695 in St Matthew's Church (formerly St Mary's), Rowde, Wiltshire, England.
    Children:
    1. 5. Catherine Smart was born in Nov 1678 in Sherrington, Wiltshire, England; was christened on 30 Nov 1678 in St Cosmas and St Damian's Church, Sherrington, Wiltshire, England; died in Aug 1716 in Southampton, Hampshire, England; was buried on 26 Aug 1716 in St Mary's Church, Southampton, Hampshire, England.
    2. William Smart was born in 1680 in Sherrington, Wiltshire, England; was christened on 12 Mar 1679/80 in St Cosmas and St Damian's Church, Sherrington, Wiltshire, England; died in 1680 in Sherrington, Wiltshire, England; was buried on 13 Mar 1679/80 in St Cosmas and St Damian's Church, Sherrington, Wiltshire, England.
    3. Charles Smart was born in 1681 in Sherrington, Wiltshire, England; was christened on 30 Aug 1681 in St Cosmas and St Damian's Church, Sherrington, Wiltshire, England; and died.
    4. William Smart was born in 1682 in Sherrington, Wiltshire, England; was christened on 10 Jul 1682 in St Cosmas and St Damian's Church, Sherrington, Wiltshire, England; died in 1690 in Rowde, Wiltshire, England; was buried on 5 Feb 1689/90 in St Matthew's Church (formerly St Mary's), Rowde, Wiltshire, England.
    5. Robert Smart was born in 1684 in Sherrington, Wiltshire, England; was christened on 21 Mar 1683/84 in St Cosmas and St Damian's Church, Sherrington, Wiltshire, England; and died.
    6. John Smart was born in 1685 in Steeple Ashton, Wiltshire, England; was christened on 18 May 1685 in St Mary the Virgin's Church, Steeple Ashton, Wiltshire, England; died in 1687 in Wiltshire, England; was buried on 7 Mar 1686/87 in Wiltshire, England.
    7. Thomas Smart was born in 1686 in Steeple Ashton, Wiltshire, England; was christened on 9 Jun 1686 in St Mary the Virgin's Church, Steeple Ashton, Wiltshire, England; and died.
    8. Alice Smart was christened on 9 Jun 1686 in St Mary the Virgin's Church, Steeple Ashton, Wiltshire, England; and died.
    9. Martha Smart was born in 1689 in Rowde, Wiltshire, England; was christened on 1 Oct 1689 in St Matthew's Church (formerly St Mary's), Rowde, Wiltshire, England; and died.