Here we go again for about three years now I’ve hardly done any research because no matter what or where I searched I got zilch ... So, I’m gonna try and go back to square one to try and find if I can George Hilliers parents place of birth. They lived in Overton, West Stowell, Wiltshire. But I can’t go further back because there doesn’t seem to be any concrete evidence of Where they were born - I think I looked at an entry previous But can’t remember if it was George’s birth (1791) or baptism or his parents marriage cert and all it said was ‘of this parish’. I think it possibly was this entry - that’s all well and good but doesn’t help me in the slightest The thing is there are quite a few William and Mary Hilliers and if I choose the one which says of this parish I might be barking up the wrong tree and start following the wrong couple. How can I find out if they were born in Wiltshire or the next county? I just don’t know where to look anymore and I really would like to go back on this family further. I was hoping some of the wonderful friends on here could help me or point me in the right direction please
Have you looked at Somerset Parish records? There were several Hilliers in the area hubby's paternal side is from. I remember seeing the name as my paternal grandmother is a Hillier, but she was born in Gravesend, but has family going back to London..we believe.
The entry for George's baptism says that William was a carpenter. Do any of the marriages mention his occupation?
Not sure. Only just started to pick it up again so I’ll have to check the marriages There are 2 entries for George Hillier - one for Dec 1791 and another for Aug 1791. I think the Aug 1791 May be my George as the entry states son of William and Mary of West Stowell which is where they lived. The other George Dec 1791 is the one with William as Carpenter.
Hi Wendy, I've looked for a suitable marriage for a William Hillier and Mary, and apart from the Calne family (William the carpenter), the most likely look to be at Bromham (14 Sept 1784, Mary Gee), Steeple Ashton (19 June 1785 Mary Stokes of Edington) and Bishops Canning (12 September 1785 Mary Neate). All "otp" apart from Mary Stokes. All seemed to have produced families, but George is the only one baptised in Wilton (the parish for West Stowell), so there are no clues there. Bishops Canning is the closest to Wilcot, Steve
Thanks so much for looking for me Steve and for your time I really appreciate it. I remember seeing these Mary’s when I searched a few years ago but because of where they were from i disregarded them. Maybe I need to sit down and take my time and go into each one of these Mary’s marriages, family’s etc one by one to rule them out. Oh god the thought of all that then probably hitting brick walls again - I’ve booked a couple days off work next week so I’ll put some time aside to get stuck in. Thks Steve x
I’ve searched loads of marriages for William Hillier & Mary ( there’s loads of them ) but, the only one which I can find near to where they lived is a Mary Cooper- the banns say Wilcot, which is the area where they lived. Wilcot, Overton, Stowell are all close around this area. Could I have found the right couple ??? Can anyone suggest anything else I could check or do you think I’ve hit the jackpot
1793 and it says Parish of Upavon. I’m beginning to doubt myself now though because when I looked again it’s says parishes within and Wilcot was there. I just saw Wilcot and thought ‘that’s it’ I can’t find any other couple though that near to where they lived so maybe it could be them. On some entries like George’s birth (their son) 1791 it states Overton, other entries like Sarah his sister it says Wilcot so these areas are all around near to one another ( no wonder I’m confused mind you it doesn’t take much) I know this marriage is after George their son was born but at that time they didn’t always marry before they had children. What do you think Steve? Would you say it’s a possibility or a definite No? If I’m barking up the wrong tree again I think I’ll just have to forget all about trying to find anything on these two and put a line under it
A lot depends on the attitude of the incumbent. It's possible that the vicar at Wilton didn't know they were not married when he baptised George (perhaps they had recently moved into the parish). They could then have married in another parish to avoid problems. I think it would be uncommon for a vicar to baptise a child without comment if he knew the parents were unmarried.
I've looked at the marriage and it says both parties were otp, not mentioning Wilcot. By the way, it gives William's occupation as "collar maker" - does that tie in with anything?
I know that’s what I mentioned earlier - I read it wrong But when you click on the bit which says view this parish (Upavon) Wilcot is in it. Collar maker - His son George was a shoemaker but George’s son Thomas my gg grandad was a tailor. I spent about 2 hrs last night in bed trawling through Mary Coopers didn’t get anywhere though. I think the information at that time was limited and I find it really hard to find anything. Thanks for your help Steve x
Sorry Wendy, but I'm not sure what you mean by "when you click on the bit.." - Wilcot is certainly a different parish to Upavon although they are only a few miles apart.
Probably not an uncommon occurrence. Edited to add: Hit the wrong button d**n it! One of my lot fell into that category, William Fewell and Margaret Twinn baptised their daughter Elizabeth 24 Apr 1768 at Felsted Holy Cross, according to the rector she was the daughter of William Fewell and his wife Margaret. William Fewell married Margaret Twinn 3 May 1768 at Felsted Holy Cross.
I guess as he knew they were getting married by the banns being issued, he gave them the benefit of the doubt! Or perhaps warned them to get married by licence or he would alter the register
Yes, something like that, myself, I like to think that he was a kindly soul and as they were going to marry shortly he decided call Margaret William's wife to spare them as much embarrassment as possible. Their second child child was born and buried in 1770 at Great Waltham, all the following children were baptised at Great Waltham, where perhaps 'no-one else new their secret'.
