Death Cert Mentions Possible Illegitimate Son

[DianaCanada]

Yesterday I received a PDF of the death certificate of James Carley, the son of Benjamin Carley/Carly and Martha Trash.  He was b. in 1803 in Dallington, Sussex and died 10 May 1880 in Brightling, Sussex.  What surprised me was the informant - William Wheatley, son, present at death, resident of Brightling.
James was married twice and had a number of children, but William does appear to be illegitimate, due to his surname.  I am looking into the possibilities, but one is living in Brightling in 1881, registered Sep 1858 in Ticehurst district, 1881 indicates he was born in Ticehurst.  No mother's maiden name included on index.
I am looking into this William's background. 
It occurred to me that this might be the only way a descendant of William's would know who his father is, and would not be able to figure it out unless they purchased the certificate purely by chance.

[CaroleW]

In 1861 he could be the 1yr old boarder with Henry & Philadephia Harp but birthplace is Brighton.  There seems to be 2 William Wheatley’s born in similar years - one Ticehurst & one Brighton.

1861 ref piece 578 folio 79 page 12

The Brighton William was a police constable & was William Alma Wheatley.

[CaroleW]

The one b Ticehurst married Mary Ann Pont/Carley in 1877

[CaroleW]

William b Ticehurst - father was Henry Diplock according to a tree on Ancestry.  Mary Ann was considerably older than William - probably previously married

Mary Ann was b 1844 Brightling - could William have been James Carley’s son in law?

[DianaCanada]

Yes, I think you are right.  I had not gotten that far in my research.  Thank you!

[CaroleW]

1846 marriage for James Carley to Sarah Pont so Mary Ann was born as Pont but James was her stepfather

[DianaCanada]

Yes, that is stated on the 1851, and another daughter, Sophia, as his, but "illegitimate".  James was previously married to Caroline Simes who died in 1841 and had several children with her.