{"id":678,"date":"2016-10-16T21:45:20","date_gmt":"2016-10-16T20:45:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.faulder.org.uk\/genealogy\/?p=678"},"modified":"2025-01-01T21:00:28","modified_gmt":"2025-01-01T21:00:28","slug":"678","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.faulder.org.uk\/genealogy\/?p=678","title":{"rendered":"Are We Related: Willetts of Colchester and Abingdon?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>This post is in response to comments about possible relationships between the Willetts (from Colchester &#8211; as researched elsewhere on this website) and a line of Willetts who appear to come from Abingdon, Berkshire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<p>Did a descendant of one of the Colchester Willetts move to Abingdon &#8211; or indeed, vice versa?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Page Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.faulder.org.uk\/genealogy\/?p=678\/#Source_Comment\" >Source Comment<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.faulder.org.uk\/genealogy\/?p=678\/#Relationships\" >Relationships<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.faulder.org.uk\/genealogy\/?p=678\/#Jacqueline_and_Roger\" >Jacqueline and Roger<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.faulder.org.uk\/genealogy\/?p=678\/#Jacquelines_and_Rogers_great-grandparents_relationship_to_%E2%80%9CDaylight%E2%80%9D_Willett\" >Jacqueline&#8217;s and Roger&#8217;s great-grandparent&#8217;s relationship to &#8220;Daylight&#8221; Willett<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.faulder.org.uk\/genealogy\/?p=678\/#Trying_to_fit_the_trees_together\" >Trying to fit the trees together<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.faulder.org.uk\/genealogy\/?p=678\/#Initial_Conclusions\" >Initial Conclusions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.faulder.org.uk\/genealogy\/?p=678\/#Further_research\" >Further research<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.faulder.org.uk\/genealogy\/?p=678\/#The_top_of_the_Colchester_family_tree_and_the_burial_of_Thomas_Willett_in_1808\" >The top of the Colchester family tree and the burial of Thomas Willett in 1808.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.faulder.org.uk\/genealogy\/?p=678\/#Further_Children_of_William_Willett_Senior\" >Further Children of William Willett Senior<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.faulder.org.uk\/genealogy\/?p=678\/#The_top_of_the_Abingdon_family_tree\" >The top of the Abingdon family tree<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Source_Comment\"><\/span>Source Comment<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Jacqueline Turnbull commented (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.faulder.org.uk\/genealogy\/?p=647#comment-20577\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2015\/04\/22 at 11:30 pm<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>My mother\u2019s maiden name is Willett, her father <em>Edward Willett I do believe is William Willett\u2019s nephew and William Willett the elder\u2019s grandson <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(1)<\/span>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I was always told as a child by my grandfather that his father\u2019s family were builders. My grandfather spent the first few years of his life in Hendon in a large house where his older sisters had a governess. My great grandfather John Willett suddenly disappeared when my grandfather was a small child and rumour has it that he committed suicide by throwing himself in the Thames, leaving my great grandmother and 15 children destitute as he had spent his entire fortune, hence the suicide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I have recently been reading about William Willett and his father William Willett the elder and finding it so interesting. The strangest thing is William Willett the elder, the founder of Willett builders was born in Colchester and his parents were Innkeepers there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My family are all from London, but in 1957 my grandfather Edward Willett and my grandmother Beat Willett moved from Romford, where I was born and became Landlords of a public house In Colchester where they remained \u2019til they died. I came up to live in Colchester when I was 21 and am still living there now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now here\u2019s the really odd part! Up until two days ago while researching Willett Builders I had no idea that William Willett the elder was born in Colchester and that his parents were Innkeepers, the public house in question The Queens Head no longer exists, apart from the builders it has ironically now become an estate agents and is literally up the road from where I live!<\/p>\n<cite>Jacqueline Turnbull  2015\/04\/22 at 11:30 pm<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>After further research, Jacqueline Turnbull added (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.faulder.org.uk\/genealogy\/?p=647#comment-20734\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2015\/04\/26 at 10:54 pm<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>I believe that Everard Willett born 1804 is my great great great grandfather as my grandfather <em><span style=\"color: red;\">Edward Hersant Willett<\/span> was second cousin to William Willett of Daylight saving fame <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(2)<\/span><\/em>. My great grandfather was John Thomas Willett b 1865 and his father was John Willett. I am trying to piece it altogether but finding it very confusing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I live close by to the grave of Joseph Willett In St Andrews Church Colchester, but didn\u2019t move here \u2019til 1984 not realising until a short while ago that the Willett family had roots here, I am originally from Romford and always thought that my mother\u2019s side of the Family the Willetts were from London, my grandfather was born in Hendon.<\/p>\n<cite>Jacqueline Turnbull 2015\/04\/26 at 10:54 pm<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>And Roger Noack commented (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.faulder.org.uk\/genealogy\/?p=647#comment-36889\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2016\/10\/11 at 7:39 pm<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><span style=\"color: red;\">Edward Hersant Willett<\/span> was my great uncle. He was my grandmother\u2019s (Gladys Taylor n\u00e9e Willett) youngest brother. He operated the \u201cNewmarket Tavern\u201d (now gone) in Colchester. Eddie and Beat took over the pub from Harry Taylor who was the eldest son of Gladys Taylor and the brother of my mother, Janette Noack n\u00e9e Taylor. Harry and Bette Taylor then took over the the \u201cFlying Fox\u201d (now gone) on Harwich Road. I have many fond memories of the \u201cNewmarket\u201d and the \u201cFox\u201d.<\/p>\n<cite>Roger Noack 2016\/10\/11 at 7:39 pm<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Relationships\"><\/span>Relationships<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Jacqueline_and_Roger\"><\/span>Jacqueline and Roger<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Jacqueline and Roger appear to be second cousins &#8211; their common ancestors being their <strong>G<\/strong>reat <strong>G<\/strong>randparents (2Gs &#8211; 2nd cousins) John Thomas Willett (b 1860 at Reading) and his wife Florence Eliza Hersant (b 1863 Marylebone). Thomas and Florence were married in Marylebone in 1885. They appear to have had at least 11 children (Jacqueline understands there were 15). He is described in census records as a carpenter or builder (the same line of business as the Colchester line of Willetts).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His parents were John Willett (b ~1827 Abingdon, Berkshire) and Martha Champion (b ~1824 Donnington, Berkshire). They appear to have had at least 4 children. He is also described in census records as a builder or carpenter. John also appears to have married again after Martha&#8217;s death (in 1877). His second wife was Susannah Gray; in 1878 when they married, she would have been about 40. I have not found any children in the 1881 or 1891 Census records for this couple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The above John Thomas Willett (JTW) and Florence Eliza Hersant had a son Edward Hersant Willett (EHW &#8211; b 1908 &#8211; Jacqueline&#8217;s grandfather).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Jacquelines_and_Rogers_great-grandparents_relationship_to_%E2%80%9CDaylight%E2%80%9D_Willett\"><\/span>Jacqueline&#8217;s and Roger&#8217;s great-grandparent&#8217;s relationship to &#8220;Daylight&#8221; Willett<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The suggested relationships from Jacqueline (as she reconciles what her family stories said to what is known about ancestors):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>&#8220;Edward Willett [EHW] I do believe is William Willett\u2019s nephew and William Willett the elder\u2019s grandson.&#8221;\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This would mean that JTW (father of EHW) is a son of William Willett (the elder).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;I believe that &#8230; my grandfather Edward Hersant Willett was second cousin to William Willett of Daylight saving fame&#8221;\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This would mean that JTW (father of EHW) is a first cousin to William Willett (the elder)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>The similar occupations and Christian names makes this a tempting possible relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Trying_to_fit_the_trees_together\"><\/span>Trying to fit the trees together<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Looking at the first relationship (EHW as WW the elder&#8217;s grandson) &#8211; shown in red in the diagram below, we can see John Willett (husband of Martha) would have to be the same person as William Willett, the elder. Given Jacqueline&#8217;s reporting of John Willett&#8217;s parentage in her second comment, I think this hypothesis can be rejected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.faulder.org.uk\/genealogy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Timeline-1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"828\" height=\"446\" src=\"http:\/\/www.faulder.org.uk\/genealogy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Timeline-1.png\" alt=\"Time Line of two Willett Families\" class=\"wp-image-688\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.faulder.org.uk\/genealogy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Timeline-1.png 828w, https:\/\/www.faulder.org.uk\/genealogy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Timeline-1-300x162.png 300w, https:\/\/www.faulder.org.uk\/genealogy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Timeline-1-768x414.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 828px) 100vw, 828px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Timeline of two Willett Families (of Colchester in Yellow, of Abingdon in Blue)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Looking at the second relationship, that <span style=\"color: #000000;\"> Edward Hersant Willett <\/span>was second cousin to William Willett of Daylight saving fame, means that their grandparents would have to be siblings (so they would have shared <strong>G<\/strong>reat <strong>G<\/strong>randparents). Which means that John Willett (husband of Martha) would have to be a son of Thomas Willett (husband of Sarah) &#8211; shown in green in the diagram above. However Thomas is believed to have been buried in 1808, whilst John was born in about 1827.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Initial_Conclusions\"><\/span>Initial Conclusions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This would seem to imply:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The two families are not related, or<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There is some other &#8211; probably more distant &#8211; relationship between the two lines, or<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The relationship is spousal &#8211; in the Colchester Willett family tree there are a number of cousin marriages where a Willett marries a Willett. I do not know the surnames of the Maria who married Everard Willett or the Sarah who married Thomas Willett, or<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There is a mistake in the Colchester genealogy above, such as:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The 1808 burial record is for a different Thomas Willett.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>William Willett the elder had more than four children, but they did not all live with him, or<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There is a mistake in the Abingdon genealogy above, such as:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>John Thomas Willett&#8217;s parents are not John Willett and Martha Champion.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Further_research\"><\/span>Further research<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Trying to resolve the issues above:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_top_of_the_Colchester_family_tree_and_the_burial_of_Thomas_Willett_in_1808\"><\/span>The top of the Colchester family tree and the burial of Thomas Willett in 1808.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In my post <a href=\"http:\/\/www.faulder.org.uk\/genealogy\/?p=701\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"bookmark noopener\">The Willetts of Colchester, Essex (and Daylight Saving) 2 of 2<\/a> I have detailed what I know of Thomas, his wife Sarah and his children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The grave for the Thomas Willett buried in 1808 may confirm that he was the husband of Sarah &#8211; particularly if she is buried (3 Jan 1847) in the same grave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In that post, I identify a few people who are not yet fully accounted for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Thomas Willett b~1791 <em>possible<\/em> son of Thomas and Sarah\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>He was buried 1836 at Greenstead aged 45. It is possible that he was married and had children.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I have not found a conclusive baptism record for him<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Examination of his grave may show if other family members are buried with him. This might tell us if he had a family.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sarah Willett b 1794 daughter of Thomas and Sarah\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Baptised 26 May 1811, Greenstead aged about 17<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I have not yet found a marriage or death record for her.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Why her baptism was delayed until the same day as her youngest brother John is not clear.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>William Willett b~1801 son of Thomas and Sarah\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Baptised 4 Jan 1801, Greenstead<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>No further conclusive records have been found for him.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>John Willett b 1806 son of Thomas and Sarah\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Baptised 26 May 1811, Greenstead<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Buried 21 Feb 1835, Greenstead aged 29<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is possible that he was married and had children.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Examination of his grave may show if other family members are buried with him. This might tell us if he had a family.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Are any of the above related to the Abingdon family?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Further_Children_of_William_Willett_Senior\"><\/span>Further Children of William Willett Senior<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Census records between 1861 and 1911 do not suggest any other children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Census records make it unlikely, but not impossible, that William Willett (the elder) had more than four children \u2013 the fact that they moved around the country a lot does mean that it is possible to miss a birth record. But no word of any further children has come down to anyone in the three lines that had descendants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_top_of_the_Abingdon_family_tree\"><\/span>The top of the Abingdon family tree<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>John Thomas Willett&#8217;s birth certificate would help confirm his parents. However, Family Search offers this Christening Record, which would seem to confirm his parents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Name &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; John Thomas Willett<br \/>Gender &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Male<br \/>Christening Date &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 03 Nov 1860<br \/>Christening Place &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; St Mary, Reading, Berkshire, England<br \/>Father&#8217;s Name &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; John Willett<br \/>Mother&#8217;s Name &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Martha<\/p>\n<cite>Family Search Christening of John Thomas Willett at Reading<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>John and Martha are in Reading for the 1861 Census (with one son and one daughter). In 1871, they are in Hendon. A headstone or memorial for John and Martha are found in Hendon on the Find A Grave Website. The person who added the record (LB) records the following summary:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Birth: 1827 Abingdon, Vale of White Horse District, Oxfordshire, England<br \/>Death: 6 Dec 1899 (aged 71\u201372) Hendon, London Borough of Barnet, Greater London, England<br \/>Burial: St Mary Churchyard Hendon, London Borough of Barnet, Greater London, England<br \/>Memorial: ID 259810312<br \/><br \/><strong>Notes<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Father<\/strong>: John Willett, Shoemaker<br \/><strong>Occupation<\/strong>: builder<br \/><strong>Married<\/strong>:<br \/>1. Martha Champion on 17 Jan 1857 at St Mary, Hendon, London, dec 1877.<br \/>2. Susannah Gray on 23 Dec 1878 at St Marylebone Parish Church.<br \/><strong>Children<\/strong>:<br \/>Ellen Willett (1857\u20131946)<br \/>John Thomas Willett (1861\u2013)<br \/>Frank Percival Willett (1863\u2013)<br \/><strong>Spouse<\/strong><br \/>Martha <em>Champion<\/em> Willett 1825\u20131877<\/p>\n<cite>Record on Find A Grave for John Willett Memorial ID 259810312<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The reference to John&#8217;s father being another John and a shoemaker, which comes from John and Martha&#8217;s marriage record (attached to the Find a Grave record), suggests that John&#8217;s father <strong>is not<\/strong> Everard Willett.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>1857 Marriage solemnized at the Parish Church in the Parish of Hendon in the County of Middlesex<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-regular\"><table><thead><tr><th>No 163 <\/th><th>Name<\/th><th>Age<\/th><th>Condition<\/th><th>Rank or Profession<\/th><th>Residence<\/th><th>Father<\/th><th>Father&#8217;s rank or profession<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>January 17th 1857<\/td><td>John Willett<\/td><td>Full age<\/td><td>Bachelor<\/td><td>Carpenter<\/td><td>St Mary Reading<\/td><td>John Willett<\/td><td>Shoe maker<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><\/td><td>Martha Champion<\/td><td>Full age<\/td><td>Spinster<\/td><td><\/td><td>Hendon<\/td><td>John Champion<\/td><td>Baker<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Married in the Parish Church of Hendon according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Established Church after Banns by me ? curate<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-regular\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">This Marriage was soleminized between us<\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Witnesses<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Jn Willett <\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Joseph House<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Martha Champion<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Ellen Champion<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<cite>John Willett and Martha Champion&#8217;s marriage record<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>This would seem to refute the idea that this family was descended from Everard Willett b 1804 in  Colchester, Essex. Any link to the Essex Willets will require a larger exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An initial step would be a reconciliation of all &#8220;Abingdon Willetts&#8221;.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This post is in response to comments about possible relationships between the Willetts (from Colchester &#8211; as researched elsewhere on this website) and a line of Willetts who appear to come from Abingdon, Berkshire.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_editorskit_title_hidden":false,"_editorskit_reading_time":0,"_editorskit_is_block_options_detached":false,"_editorskit_block_options_position":"{}","footnotes":""},"categories":[255,12,117,50],"tags":[260,257],"class_list":["post-678","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-are-we-related","category-england","category-awaiting-further-work","category-willett","tag-berkshire","tag-kent"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.faulder.org.uk\/genealogy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/678","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.faulder.org.uk\/genealogy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.faulder.org.uk\/genealogy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.faulder.org.uk\/genealogy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.faulder.org.uk\/genealogy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=678"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"https:\/\/www.faulder.org.uk\/genealogy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/678\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2719,"href":"https:\/\/www.faulder.org.uk\/genealogy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/678\/revisions\/2719"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.faulder.org.uk\/genealogy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=678"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.faulder.org.uk\/genealogy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=678"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.faulder.org.uk\/genealogy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=678"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}