william gower abt 1765 Surrey

[Romilly]

I have an Elizabeth Gower Marrying into my Pattenden Family in East Grinstead on the 30th October1774. The Gower's and Pattendens all seem to have been in and around East Grinstead, Sussex. (Don't know if there's any link though).

Romilly.

[damikinch]

Hi Karen.
A bit late but..

From the Will of Elvy Dean Ridley,a son of Henry and Alice Ridley.This Will is dated July 18,1838 and proved on Sept.9,1843.

Extracts.

"my two sisters Mary Gower of Crowhurst Surrey and …"
"10 children of my said sister Mary Gower"

He then lists the 10 children as,
William Gower of Lingfield
John Gower of Crowhurst
Edward Gower of Croydon
Stephen Gower of Beckenham
Thomas Gower of the same place
Elvy Gower of Brixton
Maria ?Henning? of Poplar
Diana ?Berree? of Barnes Surrey
James Gower at present in ?France?
Amos Gower

It was possible that the first known child,Mary Gower had died when Elvy wrote his Will.There was a burial for a Mary Goward at Crowhurst on April 27,1837.

But there was an extra child named as William.As the names are in date order(apart from Elvy and Maria,who are reversed),William takes precedence over all which suggests he was the firstborn,although I do not know where or when.

I hope this may add to your research.
Dave.

[karenbrown669]

Thanks for all that Dave. never too late!
I actually have the will of Elvy Dean Ridley but had not looked at  it properly.  I wonder what James was doing in France ?  More research