Richard Ragless married Mary Penfold in Angmering 3 Sept 1779 - confirmed in parish records. I have, up to now, believed this Mary Penfold, born 1749 in Steyning, Sussex was a daughter of Richard Penfold (Surgeon and Apothecary of Steyning - 1715-1785) and Charity Penfold (nee Marchant), married 4 Augist 1747 in Edburton, Sussex. FamilySearch.org certainly has a record of Mary Penfold christening, daughter of Richard Penfold and Charity in 1749.
Neither Richard nor Charity's will, however (proved in 1785 and 1800 respectively) makes any mention of a daughter Mary. Both list 5 children (2 sons, 3 daughters) and acknowledge a 6th (a daughter) who had predeceased them. I believe ...if I follow the FamilySearch.org information, that they did in fact have 10 children, a son died in infancy but two other daughters, apart from MAry, are unaccounted for. The wills of two of their daughters, however (Anne and Elizabeth), specifically refer to a "late sister" Mary but suggest her married name was Clement or Clements.
I realise there were a large number of Penfolds in this part of Sussex but I wonder if anyone has researched this particular branch and can shed any light on why "Mary" seems to figure in the wills of two sisters, but not in the wills of her parents ?
I am coming to the conclusion that "my" Mary Penfold (5x Great Grandmother) may not be the daughter of Richard the Surgeon and Apothecary.....