Her sons?

[jann]

I have the 1836 will of Hannah Chitty who I believe to be nee Strudwick. 

The will includes ......"unto my following children namely John Strudwick of Ripley.. William Strudwick ... " she then lists three daughters (all three nee Chitty) by their married names.


Would John and William be adopted children, children of one of her siblings?? Or is there some other circumstance which might cause her to call them her children. 

Jann

[genjen]

The most likely answer is that they were her own sons born before her marriage, so illegitimate.


 
Jen

[Marmalady]

How sure are you that her maiden name was Strudwick and that it was not her name from a previous marriage?

The most likely explanation is that the Strudwicks were from her first marriage and the Chittys from her second

It is possible they were adopted - but then why Strudwick and not Chitty? And she would probably call them her "adopted children" Nephews would be unlikely to be described as her children but as "children of my brother ..."


Added : and yes, illegitimacy is also an explanation

[genjen]

How sure are you that her maiden name was Strudwick and that it was not her name from a previous marriage?

The most likely explanation is that the Strudwicks were from her first marriage and the Chittys from her second

Yes, I agree with that as a possibility as well. I had assumed that jann was certain about Strudwick being the maiden name.

Jen

[jann]

Thanks for your suggestions.

I believe she was nee Strudwick.  But you are right she could have been "the widow Strudwick" at the time of her marriage to Richard Chitty.

Hannah died in 1836 age 87 putting her birth at @1749.  She married Richard Chitty in 1781 or around age 32 - plenty of time for her to have had an earlier marrriage.  Will check that out.

Jann

[Pirate]

G'day all
I have an Ann CHITTY who married a John Strudwick in 1791 at Chiddingfold.
Pirate