HENRY BOURNE was born circa 1748.
He was baptised, as son of THOMAS BOURNE (no mother's name given),
on 19th June 1748 in Brightling, Sussex (source : BVRI 2nd edition).
He married SARAH WILLARD on 12th February
1773 in Hellingly, Sussex (source : David Packham and Mandy Willard). The banns were published on 24th January,
31st January and 7th February 1773 in Hellingly, Sussex (source : Mandy Willard).
Henry was a bachelor and Sarah a spinster, they were both of Hellingly, Sussex, and
signed their names and the witnesses were John Savage and Henry Blunden (source : Mandy Willard).
Henry was a yeoman farmer (source : David Packham). He owned twenty acres, including
"Customary or Copyhold Messuage or Tenement and the Barn, Outbuildings, Close, Garden, Orchard,
several pieces or parcels of Land and Premises ...
at or near Broad Oak at the Dicker in the parish of Chiddingly" and "that Warehouse or Building and piece or
parcel of Land lying on the Dicker Common in the
parish of Chiddingly aforesaid adjoining to the before mentioned premises on the East [ ]
containing by estimation One Rood ", both of which were purchased from Edward Boniface (source : Thomas'
1825 will). Some of the agricultural equipment and produce that he left to his nephew JOHN WESTON included "Sown Grain ...
Hay Straw Litter Dung Soil and Manure" and " Waggons Wains Carts Ploughs Harrows Implements of Husbandry and
Husbandry and Winnowing Tackling" (source : 1825 will). They often travalled in a pony carriage, since Henry left his wife Sarah
"the Carriage wherein she usually rides and my Pony and Pony Harness" in his will (source : 1825 will).
Henry was the sole executor of his father's will in 1788, for which he was to receive five pounds "for his troubles",
and at which time he was of Boship in Hellingly, Sussex, with servant SARAH BOURNE (source : will,
http://www.mandywillard.co.uk/surnames/bourne/will_thomas_1789.htm ).
Henry died in 1825 and was buried
on 16th June 1825 in Hellingly, Sussex (source : David Packham).
Sarah was still alive at this time (source : David Packham).
Henry left a will dated 9th April 1825, which was proved on
1st August 1825, where he was described as a Yeoman of Boreship in Hellingly, Sussex,
and in which he left �6,000 (source : Mandy Willard).
The witnesses to his will were Edward Chapman, John Sinnock and Samuel Sinnock (source : Mandy Willard).
The expression " lastly I hereby revoke all former Wills by me made" suggests that Henry had formerly made at least
one other will (source : 1825 will).
The family were obviously thriving, since in 1788 Henry's father left �1,000 , in 1801 his elder brother
Thomas left �2,000 and in 1825, Henry left $6,000 (source : Mandy Willard). Henry nominated two nephews
as joint executors of
his will, namely JOHN WESTON (the main beneficiary - who received �300, plus most of his possessions)
and HENRY BOURNE, son of his late brother
Thomas (source : Mandy Willard). Under the terms of the will, his wife Sarah was well provided for, many nieces and
nephews were left legacies and he mentions a SARAH BAKER, wife of MICHAEL BAKER, a labourer of Hellingly, Sussex,
but he does not mention if she is related to him in any way (source : Mandy Willard). Henry stipulated that as soon
as possible after his death, the remainder of his personal possessions and estate were to be sold "either
by Public Auction or Private Contract and either together or in Lots or parcels", so that the money could be placed on
"Government or real Security or Securities " (source : 1825 will). The interest generated was to be paid to his widow, Sarah,
until her death (source : 1825 will).