William Ashley

c1782-1861

William was born in Wiltshire he was baptised on the 27^th January 1782 in Devizes Wiltshire and was the son of Hugh and Ann Ashley (nee Blackman) who were married at St Mary the Virgin Devizes Wiltshire on the 20^th October 1776. Hugh was born c1756 he died in 1818 in Wiltshire. Ann was born c1757 she died in 1832 in Wiltshire.

Hugh and Ann also had the following children:

John baptised 25^th December 1779

Ann born 21^st May 1784 baptised 15^th August 1784

John baptised 15^th January 1787

Mary baptised 28^th July 1788

Thomas baptised 20^th March 1791

Elizabeth baptised 24^th March 1793

William married Mary Gerrish (born c1779 in Wilton Wiltshire) on the 22^nd December 1799 (surname recorded as Ashly) in Wilton Wiltshire, they had the following children:

Thomas 1807 baptised Wilton Wiltshire

Jabez 1809 baptised Wilton Wiltshire

Mary 1816 baptised Southampton

Harriet 1818 baptised Southampton

Sophia 1820 baptised Andover Hampshire

Sarah c1827 born Newbury

William c1829 born Newbury

On the first five of his children’s baptism records William was recorded as a Weaver.

In 1841 the family were recorded living in Bartholomew Street Newbury, William was recorded as a Tea Dealer.

In 1851 Mary, William and their married daughter Sarah Clements and her family were living in Trafalgar Place Newbury. William was recorded as an Independent Minister.

William died aged 79 in 1861 he was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 2^nd February.

Mary was recorded in the 1871 census as a Dissenting Preacher’s Widow she was still living in Trafalgar Place with her daughter Sarah and her family.

Mary died aged 83 in 1862 she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 3^rd March.

Sources:as above