William or Dan?

[MattD30]

Oh dear I seem to have caused a bit of debate here haven't I lol!

The real puzzle for me is working out if my William West was the one born in 1627 (the son of William/Dan/Henry!) or the one born in 1622 (the son of James).

There is a Will for a James West dated 1633 so if that is the father of the William who was born in 1622 it might help establish if he was still alive then or if he had died.

Of course the two Williams might even be cousins.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to work out which William is likely to be the one I should focus on?

Matt

[pinefamily]

While I know none of the names are that unusual, did your William name a son Henry, Daniel, or James?
The other avenues to explore are wills (as you have done) and land or legal documents. Look at all West wills in the area, as sometimes wider family members get mentioned.
I managed to identify the property one of my ancestors held by looking at the documents granting him the lease.
And there's nothing wrong with healthy debate, especially if it helps sort out your William's.

[MattD30]

While I know none of the names are that unusual, did your William name a son Henry, Daniel, or James?
The other avenues to explore are wills (as you have done) and land or legal documents. Look at all West wills in the area, as sometimes wider family members get mentioned.
I managed to identify the property one of my ancestors held by looking at the documents granting him the lease.
And there's nothing wrong with healthy debate, especially if it helps sort out your William's.

Hello

Definitely nothing wrong with a good old fashioned and healthy debate lol! I think it is one way in which we can get puzzles like this sorted, after all a fresh pair of eyes and a new perspective always help really.

In answer to you question, no William did not have a son named, Henry, Daniel, or James. In fact as far as I know, he had no sons. So far I only have four daughters for him:

Susan West - christened 14 December 1651 in Pulborough

Mary West - christened 6 March 1655/56 in Pulborough

Joan West - christened 7 October 1660 in Pulborough

Elizabeth West - christened 24 April 1664 in Pulborough

Mary West is my ancestor and married George Clement in Fittleworth in 1689.

Of course there may have been sons born in between these daughters and it's possible they died, but so far I haven't found them.

In terms of the Wills, I have managed to get a breif look at the 15575 Will of John West of Pulborough. This can be seen at:

https://www.familysearch.org/search/film/004428039?i=574&cat=567239

Go to image 575 to see it.

In it John mentions the following people:

"Harrye Mylls my godsonne" - it might be Henry but look like Harrye

"James West my brother"

"John West the younger" - relationship not given sadly

"John West the Elder" - again I can't see a relationship given, but he is possibly the father [or brother] or the previous John West.

"Joan West my sister"

"Catheryn West my sister"

"Clement West my sister" [I think?]

"James West my brothers sonne"

"Clement West my brothers daughter" [again I think it is Clement but I am not certain]

"Agnes West my brothers daughter"

These appear to be the only relations named. He names Thomas Mylls [or Mylles] as his sole Executor but it's not clear if there is a relationship.

The William West who was christened in 1622 was the son of John West and it looks like this John was christened in Pulborough in 1587 and was the son of James West. It's possible that this James was the brother mentioned in John's will, especially as John himself had a son named James christened in 1624.

There is also a 1566 will for a William West of Pulborough and a 1633 will for James West but I haven't been able to view these yet.

There are a couple of wills for Wests in Billingshurst but they are earlier [1520s and 1550s].

Anyhow I'll stop there and look forward to your thoughts.

Best Wishes

Matt

[pinefamily]

Without looking at the wills yet, I would suggest drawing up fas mily trees on a piece of paper, a separate one for each will you look at, as well as the family you suspect is yours. I have always found this helpful, so I don't have to keep referring back to the wills.

[pinefamily]

Quite often, but not always of course, a godson or goddaughter was a relative. It doesn't help there is no mention of relationship.
Have you looked for a West/Mills marriage? Or a baptism for Harry/Henry?

[MattD30]

Without looking at the wills yet, I would suggest drawing up fas mily trees on a piece of paper, a separate one for each will you look at, as well as the family you suspect is yours. I have always found this helpful, so I don't have to keep referring back to the wills.

Hi again

That was a fast reply, you've caught me just before I head off to bed lol!

That's exactly what I plan to do, especially now I have a few more names to look at. As you say this usually helps sort things out and work out relationships.

Matt

[MattD30]

Quite often, but not always of course, a godson or goddaughter was a relative. It doesn't help there is no mention of relationship.
Have you looked for a West/Mills marriage? Or a baptism for Harry/Henry?

That's a good point. No I haven't checked for a West/Mills marriage yet but it is on my list (as are the other children named in John West's Will).

There is a marriage in Stopham in 1561 for Margerie West to Thomas Milles and this might be connected. Perhaps Thomas and Margerie are the parents of Henry/Harry.

There is a marriage of a Henry West to Mary Older in Pulborough ib 1624 and a marriage of a William West to Susan Dale in Ticehurst in 1658 however that's 40 miles away so I don't think that is my William. However there is a marriage in Fernhurst in 1658 for a William West and Cattherne Lotten which might be my William as that is only 11 miles away.

As far as Henry/Harry Mills goes I have only found this one so far:

Harry Mills - 1562 Horsham - son of William.

Anyhow I'll end there. Hopefully when I get to look at those other Wills they will give more details too.

Best Wishes
Matt

[pinefamily]

I'm not familiar with Sussex, however I wouldn't rule out 40 miles as too far, especially if your ancestors were landowners. One of mine travelled a similar distance from Temple Guiting in Gloucestershire to marry in Worcestershire in 1597.
There is another thought: are there any militia lists for Sussex? This same ancestor of mine was on one for Gloucestershire in 1605.

[jonwarrn]

Hi Matt
Will of James West of Pulborough, 1633
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-D1M7-HLZ?i=131&cat=567239