Peter Hunnisett

Richard & Mary Winchester of Horne & Bletchingley

Richard Winchester, a son of Richard and Sarah, was probably born in Horne around 1723.

Richard’s first marriage has not been found but he and his first wife, Mary, had one child baptised:

However Mary died and was buried, aged 24, in Horne on 21^st October 1747.

Mary Bishop, daughter of Thomas and Mary, was baptised in Horne on 31^st December 1727.

Richard married Mary Bishop in Horne on 28^th March 1749 and they had the following children baptised:

Richard had been a yeoman farmer living at Brownshill in Bletchingley, but was buried in Horne on 6^th December 1801. Mary was also buried in Horne on 16^th December 1803.

Richard’s will, made in 1792, made bequests to his wife, Mary, and his children; Richard, Mary, Jane, Kezia, Elizabeth, Katherine, Susanna and Joanna. Half of Jane’s share was to go to her son Thomas. Richard’s deceased daughter Sarah’s share was to go to her three children; Richard, Sarah and James Miles.

Of Richard’s children:

• Richard married Ann Rose of Godstone in Bletchingley on 18^th Jun 1771 and they had at least 6 children baptised:

  John

  5 Dec 1771

  Godstone

  Richard

  16 May 1773

  Godstone

  William

  21 Feb 1775

  Godstone

  Sally

  17 Apr 1781

  Godstone

  Ann

  23 Apr 1783

  Godstone

  Jane

  9 May 1784

  Godstone

  A Richard Winchester was buried in Godstone on 29^th April 1789, but as this was 3 years before he was mentioned in his father’s will, it was probably a different Richard. However, another burial has not been found. Ann died in 1812.

• Jane had an illegitimate son, Thomas, in 1776.

• Kezia married Benjamin Wicks/Weeks in Bletchingley on 5^th May 1773 and they had eleven children baptised:

  Benjamin

  25 Jul 1773

  Bletchingley

  William

  22 Jun 1777

  Bletchingley

  John

  16 May 1779

  Horne

  Stephen

  2 Sep 1781

  Bletchingley

  Richard

  16 Nov 1786

  Horley

  Kesiah

  25 Jan 1789

  Horley

  Joshua

  2 Oct 1791

  Horley - buried 2 Apr 1792

  Susannah

  26 Feb 1794

  Horley

  Sarah

  12 Jun 1796

  Horley

  Edward

  Feb 1798

  Horley

  Catherine

  25 Oct 1800

  Horley

• Winifred must have died before 1792 as she was not left anything in her father’s will.

• Sarah’s married name was Miles and she is known to have had three children:

  Richard Miles

  Sarah Miles

  James Miles

  The children were mentioned in Richard Winchester’s will, dated 7^th Jan 1792, by which time Sarah had died. However, no other records of this family have yet been traced.