William Green,birth around 1766,Essex.

[warncoort]

If William is first born you need to check for baptism under mother's maiden name.

[nannyj]

I don't think he is first born unless born before 1760 as Mary was baptised in 1760.

[gracol]

Many thanks for further replies.
Joseph was baptised in Writtle,Mary in East Hanningfield,they married in East Hanningfield.
Their children were--Mary bapt 1760 East Hanningfield--William 1766--Susan bapt 1768 West Hanningfield--Samuel bapt 1776 West Hanningfield.
From Joseph Green's will in 1797 he states his surviving children as Mary,William and Susan.
Samuel was buried within a month of his baptism in West Hanningfield.So they probably were their only children,as you say " nannyj" long gaps between them.
Still inclined to think the baptism was unrecorded,or is this unlikely?

[nannyj]

Not sure what to say ... seems that they stayed local, so baptism not being recorded is possible. The long gaps in births/baptisms seem strange for those times too though. Makes me wonder if they had children elsewhere in between? If he was a laborer, he would have had to go where the work was. I didn't find many Greens around, other than an Edward and Mary Green having children at the same time.

[olleym]

Probably not a labourer if he had a will.

Mark

[nannyj]

Good thinking Mark. Now it seems even stranger not to have had his first son baptised 

[olleym]

And strange not to call the 1st son Joseph, as the 1st daughter was Mary!

Mark

[gracol]

William's father Joseph was described as a yeoman owning property and lands in West Hanningfield.
From West Hanningfield Court Books and Rentals William was also pretty prosperous, again owning property and lands,described as a butcher & farmer,also owning the "Three Compasses" pub with his butchers shop and dwelling next door (still there all as  one dwelling).
Can't explain the gaps,but would be very surprised if at times they moved away from WH.

[nannyj]

And strange not to call the 1st son Joseph, as the 1st daughter was Mary!

Mark

That bit never occurred to me