Thanks for the reply.
The only birth i can find for a Stephen Stevens around 1771 is the one born July 26th 1772 St Georges,Gravesend,son of Thomas,no mother shown.The William Stephens who could be related to me,born 1762 west Firle,had a brother Thomas,but he was born in 1763,so it cant be him.
The problem is,Stephens could just be a red herring anyway.What im pretty certain about is my direct ancestor Sophia Akehurst was born in West Firle in 1787,the illigitimate daughter of Frances.Im assuming from the census after the marriage that Frances was born 1767 Beddingham,to Joseph Akehurst and Frances unknown.
Sophia married Edward Carey in West Firle in 1804.Sadly,no online info that would give a clue to her father on there,but she did use surname Akehurst.I wonder if she would have done that,if William Stephens was her father?
If anyone has any further thoughts,or could suggest additional resources to confirm any of this,id be most grateful.
Nel.