William MEPHAM 1756 Burwash and William MEPHAM 1792 Rotherfield

[ellenmaggie]

I am researching a family tree for a friend, which has taken me all over the country, exciting enough in itself, but I have now found a possible link between my friend's tree and my family tree that my mum is working on.    The link is the name MEPHAM - William Mepham to be exact.

My friend's William Mepham was born in 1756 in Burwash, the son of Richard Mepham and Ann Gyles.  He was baptised at St Bartholomew's Church, Burwash on 9th May 1756.   He married Sarah Hyland in 1797 and they had three children I know of.   Maria, Rhoda and William.

Our family William Mepham was born in 1792 in Rotherfield.   We have a mother for him, Ann Meopham (born 1767) but no father. 

As Burwash and Rotherfield are only 10 miles apart, I feel sure that there must be a family link there somewhere and would love to be able to say to my friend we have a common ancestor way back when!

Does anyone have any other information on our two William Mephams?

Thank you

Ellen

[ColC]

Richard & Ann baptisms Burwash : St Bartholomew : Parish Register - freereg

Richard MEPHAM 22 Jun 1745
Ann MEPHAM 24 Jul 1747
John MEPHAM 24 Aug 1748
Thomas MEPHAM 25 Jun 1750
Martha & Mary (Twins) 2 May 1752
William MEPHAM 9 May 1756
Elizabeth MEPHAM 8 Jul 1759
James MEPHAM 30 Nov 1762

Mother Ann MAPHAM Base born. Poor  - Baptisms Rotherfield: St Denys
Elizabeth MEPHAM 9 May 1790
William MAPHAM 5 Feb 1792

Two Ann MEPHAM Baptised Rotherfield : St Denys : Parish Register

10 May 1767 (Thomas & Sarah) & 14 May 1769 (Benjamin & Ann)

Sarah RICHARDSON to Thomas MEPHAM   Marriage   01 Jun 1762   Both otp   Rotherfield : St Denys : Parish Register

Anne BACHELOR to Benjamin MEPHAM   Marriage   18 Apr 1759   Sussex   Burwash : St Bartholomew : Parish Register. Witnesses Stephen BATCHELOR & Wm MEPHAM

It looks like Benjamin & Richard may have been related but I have run out of time, information above may help others?

Colin

[ellenmaggie]

Hi Colin,

Thank you so much.  That gives me something more to work on.

Ellen

[ellenmaggie]

And I have now discovered FreeReg - I am very new to this!

Ellen

[ColC]

I have managed to add a few bits, sadly may not help much. Back to the drawing board I fear.

Anne BACHELOR to Benjamin MEPHAM   Marriage   18 Apr 1759   Sussex   Burwash : St Bartholomew : Parish Register. Witnesses Stephen BATCHELOR & Wm MEPHAM

Stephen BATCHELOR & Lucy Baptism Burwash : St Bartholomew : Parish Register

Ann 19 Jan 1735 & Stephen15 Feb 1733

Ann MAPHAM   Burial   19 Jun 1810   Sussex   Rotherfield : St Denys : Parish Register
Wife of Benjamin.

Benjamin MEPHAM   Burial   11 Jan 1820   Sussex   Rotherfield : St Denys :
Age 91 (1729)

Parents Richard & Mary
Benjamin MEPHAM   Baptism 15 Oct 1721   Burial 16 Mar 1735   Mayfield : St Dunstan :

Benjamine MEOPHAM   Baptism   21 Dec 1735   Mayfield : St Dunstan : Father Richard

Parents for both Richard & Mary
Richard MEPHAM   Baptism   08 Dec 1717   Burwash : St Bartholomew : Parish Register
Richard MEPHAM   Baptism   02 Nov 1718   Mayfield : St Dunstan : Parish Register

However
Richard MEPHAM   Burial   22 Feb 1719/20   Sussex   Mayfield : St Dunstan :

So it looks like Richard 1717 married Ann below.

Ann GYLES to Richard MEPHAM   Marriage   27 Mar 1744   Sussex   Burwash : St Bartholomew : Parish Register

The only other records for Richards’s family suggest he was the only son, unless other records did not survive?

Colin

[ColC]

Mother Ann MAPHAM Base born. Poor  - Baptisms Rotherfield: St Denys
Elizabeth MEPHAM 9 May 1790, William MAPHAM 5 Feb 1792

Two Ann MEPHAM Baptised Rotherfield : St Denys : Parish Register

Ann baptised 14 May 1769 (Benjamin & Ann)
Ann Burial 13 Oct 1790 daughter of Benjamin but no age.  Noted as Poor.

Ann baptised 10 May 1767 (Thomas & Sarah)

Whilst Thomas & Sarah might be the parent’s of the above Ann there is a very likely marriage for her in Rotherfield 1795. However it does look likely that Thomas & Benjamin were related but I cannot find a link to William 1746 whose father was Richard, also I cannot see an Ann born to any of Richards children, however he did have a daughter (Ann MEPHAM baptised 24 Jul 1747 Burwash). There are about 6 possible marriages for this Ann but none seem suitable, most are distant from Burwash, the nearest Heathfield was discounted because of the witness names.

So was this the mother of William 1792?

Colin

[ellenmaggie]

Thank you Colin, I will take a look. 

Have you ever visited The Keep in Brighton to look at the records?   I am wondering whether I might plan a trip down there, but unsure of how much preparation I would need to do to maximise the benefit of visiting?

Ellen

[ColC]

Sorry I have not visited Brighton for many years.


Colin