William Sands of Mayfield

[M.Ann]

Thanks Chris,

Yes this is the right Mary Sands born in Heathfield not Dallington. The son John is baseborn before her marriage to Roberts. He then goes on to marry Ann Giles of Heathfield. Cant find any refs to the Giles family in Heathfield.
Working through Kerry's Mayfield lists, seem that there were Sands there in the 17th century so dont know where they came from.Many in the lists dont tie up.
Saying that Mary Sands is the first entry in the Heathfield PR...a story in my family goes that the vicar of All Saints uprooted his congregation and went with them 'Mayflower' style in the 1600's to the United States, a George Sands was amongst them. There is a stained glass window I am led to believe in the church dedicated to these pilgrims to the New World and George is amongst them if he was a man of the parish why are there no earlier Sands at Heathfield? I suppose there are missing registers that have not survived.
Why are entries before 1700 so scant in PR's. I regard the early findings of persons placed in our family tree by researchers dubious because there must be so many unrecorded events when there are so few early entries. People then try to find 'shoes that appear to fit' but are the wrong ones.
Its a nightmare sometimes so many stones to turn over and most of them of no interest!!
Thanks Chris for all you do. M.Ann

[M.Ann]

Simon,

I have had a look at your query and done what I can online. I dont live in Sussex so I cant do personal look ups there for you, perhaps someone who lives there can help. There is limited 'SussexOPC' evidence,' Hugh Wallis batches' info (IGI batches)but with a little detective work I have got this:-

Your William is not quite sure where he was born. The censuses give us this:

1841 at Mayfield. In Hendey household age 15yrs (rounded) with sister July (Julia ?) 10yrs. Both born in Sussex

1851 not found

1861 at Falmer. Age 32, wife Ann 28 He says he comes from Waldron, she is from Chiddingly. He is an Ag. labr.
children Caroline, Jabez, George and Jane

******IGI William Sands married Ann Pomphrey 30/3/1851 at St Clements Hastings. Ask to view the church register which may name the parents and witnesses. A kindly vicar may photograph the register and E Mail you a JPEG! or send for the marriage certificate to the registry office at Hastings.
Clearly the couple were in the Hastings area in the early 1850's


1871  The family are at Folkington, Sx. William is 40yrs, Ann 37. He is a farm bailiff.
Children George, Jane, George and Frank

1881 The family are at Beddingham Sussex. He is now a widower. He is an Ag lab
children Caroline, John William and Frank

1891 They are at Selmeston. Greenhouse farm. He is a farm foreman. Wllm. is 61yrs
He is with single dau. Caroline 47yrs and a boarder Wm Gower 20yrs.

1901 They are at Berwick Sx. William Sands 70yrs. Dau caroline 47yrs. Described as an ordinary agri. wkr.
grandson Harold F. Sands 10yrs living with them. Says he is from Framfield in Sussex.

The parentage. Where do you get his father's name as being 'Henry'. I cant find a reference to this.
He is not the son of Thomas and Hannah (nee Chewter) of Mayfield. They had a William born in 1829 but that child died an infant.
I dont really have any ideas, Ive checked the IGI. The waldron register might offer you hope but the best chance might be the marriage certificate, that looks to be the right one. Best of luck , like to hear if you can solve this

 M.Ann

[M.Ann]

Sorry Simon,
Even the marriage does not seem to fit. Ive checked some family trees on ancestry.co.uk and the family does not match. Ive drawn a blank. Maybe a birth certificate od one of the children would help. I'm not sure when they started to add the mothers name but I have a feeling these births are too early but it might be clearer who the father is. M.Ann

[M.Ann]

Simon,
This the marriage definite Anne Funnell age 20yrs, dau of John marr. William Sands 8/10/1853 at Hadlow Down Sussex 8/10/1853. (IGI). BMD Uckfield 2b 171 Dec. qtr. 1853

Dau. Caroline bap. Ringmer 6/5/1854 BMD Uckfield. Jabez Uckfield 2b 72. George 3 possibs. Jane Ann Jun qtr Lewis. Thats my lot for tonight!!!M.Ann

[M.Ann]

and finally Simon!!!

Ann Funnell bap Chiddingly 6/2/1834.  dau of John and Sarah Funnell nee Colbran. The Funnells seem traceable to 1715. Source one world tree Ancestry.co.uk
M.Ann

[graysj]

Many thanks for all your work.

I have got the marriage certificate for William and he did marry Ann Funnell. It is from the certificate that I find Henry the father. He is more elusive than William.

Regards Simon

[Chris in 1066Land]

Hi M Ann

Earlier you wrote

"why are there no earlier Sands at Heathfield? I suppose there are missing registers that have not survived."

To the best of my knowledge there are no missing registers for Heathfield, I have transcript copies dating from 1582 right up to 1753 and that was the first entry for the surname Sands that I quoted.

Got to agree with you about "People then try to find 'shoes that appear to fit' but are the wrong ones". , it happens far to much in early research where our ancestors did not have a Surname; they were John the Younger, John the Elder, John the Baker etc.

"The son John is baseborn before her marriage to Roberts. He then goes on to marry Ann Giles of Heathfield. Cant find any refs to the Giles family in Heathfield". - the first entry that I can find in Heathfield is :

1590 Married   4 Feb   Richard Freenche and Margerye Giles

There is also a baptism as follows - almost the same age as John

1732 Bapt   28 May   Ann the daughter of Robert Giles and Martha his wife

There are several more children to this couple if you want details of same

Chris in 1066

[Chris in 1066Land]

Hi again

This looks like the marraige of the parents of Anne quoted in last message

Sussex Marriage:
Heathfield, East Sussex,  Date: 29 Sep 1726:
Robert GILES & Martha LAURENCE,
both of this parish, married by Banns.

Chris in 1066
 

[sue9]

Hi M Ann

I'm the 4gr grandaughter of Richard Holmes and Grace Parson.
I also have in my tree some Sands marrying into my Mascal (Maskell) line
Have you come across Sarah Sands and Thomas Sands
Thomas Sands married Katherine Mascall 20/11/1792 in Heathfield
Sarah Sands married Thomas Mascall 7/11/1798 in Heathfield.
Katherine and Thomas Mascall were twins.
Do you have any info you can share with me.
Thanks
Sue9