William Ratcliffe of Hampton Wick and Peter Ratcliff of Dorking
For many years I have met with a brick wall in establishing the origin William Ratcliffe of Hampton Wick, Surrey. Is he the son of Peter and Mary Ratcliff of Dorking?
William Ratclife 1774 - 1835:
The Dorking Parish Registers has the baptism of a William the son of Peter and Mary Ratcliff occurring on 01.05.1774.
My William Ratcliffe married Elizabeth Mary Marshall by Licence on 17.01.1797 at St Marys Hampton.
I have details of their children and that William was nominated as Constable in 1805 (vestry minutes unsighted) and elected Headborough of Hampton Wick from 1805 to 1812 (Hampton Court Manor Rolls unsighted). William also appears in the Hampton Wick rate books. William was buried at St Marys Hampton on 11.01.1835. William and Mary’s children were baptised at Kingston On Thames.
However, I have no firm evidence that My William, is the son of his parents Peter and Mary Ratcliff of Dorking and the bother of their other children; Jane, Peter, Henry, and another Henry.
Peter Ratcliff 1745 – Abt 1788?:
In 1760 A Peter Ratcliff of Dorking was Apprenticed to Will Risbridger, Clockmaker of Dorking 26.11.1760.
A Peter Ratcliff appears in the Rate books for Chipping Borough but after 1771 there is a 30-year gap in the Dorking rate books.
A Peter Ratcliffe is mentioned in the Courts Leet Oct 1772-73 and as a juror and as a Headman.
Peter Ratcliff and his wife Mary, (the daughter of Henry Rose of Kingston On Thames) appear as beneficiaries in the will of Henry Rose, Coal Merchant, buried 19.12.1784 Kingston On Thames.
Also mentioned in the will are Henry’s grandchildren: Jane Ratcliff, William Ratcliff and Henry Ratcliff.
I haven’t located the burial records of Peter or Mary in Dorking. Perhaps there was a move to Kingston On Thames but I haven’t been able to confirm it.
Request:
Although there seems to be connection between William of Hampton Wick and Dorking, for many years I have been searching to prove or disprove that connection. Perhaps someone can suggest how I can approach this problem and break down my brick wall. I will certainly appreciate it.
