William Wills married Sarah (surname unknown) around 1816.    The first three children were all baptised in Doddiscombsleigh so William and Sarah may have lived there for a short time before moving back to Bridford.

William farmed at Furzeland where, in 1851, he had 81 acres.  Sarah died in 1858.

How the land came to be lost is unknown but his grandson - Philip Henry - believed that one of his ancestors was a notorious gambler - so William may have been responsible for the subsequent decline in the family fortunes.

Mary Ann

Never married, died in 1891.  Lived with her sister Eliza at Furzeland her whole life.

Betsy

Married Joseph Browning and the couple were at Corbin in 1851.

Maria

Married John Chown from Kenton in 1843.  In 1851 they were living in Grafton Street in Bristol where John was a wheelwright.  They were still at this address in 1896.

Eliza

Died 8th January 1904 at Furzeland where she had spent her whole life.

Joseph

Next in the direct line of descent, he and his wife have their own page

Click to continue

William

Never married, died at age 27.

Miriam

Died aged 6 in 1838.

Emma

Had an illegitimate daughter Sophia in 1857 who only lived for two weeks.  Did not marry and died in 1880

Richard

Died aged 11 in 1848

Helen