THOMAS BOURNE was born circa 1746.
He was baptised, as son of THOMAS BOURNE (no mother's name given), on Boxing Day,
26th December 1746 in Brightling, Sussex (source : BVRI 2nd edition). He was a farmer
who kept cattle in Brightling, Sussex
(source : will transcription, courtesy of Mandy Willard, available online at
http://www.mandywillard.co.uk/surnames/bourne/will_thomas_1801.htm ).
He married ANNE GIBSON by banns
on 21st April 1766 in Ashburnham, Sussex (source : ESRO PAR 233/1/1/2, page 7).
Thomas signed his name but Anne made her X mark (source : Mandy Willard). The banns were published on 3rd, 10th
and 17th April 1766 in Brightling, Sussex (and
the word "married" is written in the margin of the register) (source : Mandy Willard). At the time of the wedding,
Thomas was Thomas Bourne Junr. of Brightling
and Anne was of Ashburnham (source : Mandy Willard). The witnesses were JAMES HIL??? and MARY SLATTER (source :
Mandy Wilard).
Ann(e) Gibson was baptised on 10th September 1747 in Hooe, Sussex and she was the daughter of Thomas Gibson
(1710 - ?) and Ann (source : IGI, Batch No.: K148471 Dates: 1609 - 1882 Source Call No.: 1067360
Type: Film Printout Call No.: NONE Type: Sheet: 00 ).
Thomas was not mentioned in his father's 1788 will -
perhaps his father thought he was settled enough and didn't need any extra money ? (source : will,
http://www.mandywillard.co.uk/surnames/bourne/will_thomas_1789.htm).
Thomas suffered from ill health at the end of his life, and described himself, in his will, as
"being sick and weak in body but sound mind memory and understanding praised be god"
(source : will transcription, courtesy of Mandy Willard). He comes across as a very upright, religious man,
clearly still very much in love with his wife, who is named as "my beloved wife Ann Bourne " (source : will).
He clearly knew his life was drawing to a close - his will was dated 4th August 1801, just days before his death.
Once he had written his will to ensure that his estate was in order and his loved-ones' futures secured,
Thomas died and was buried on 18th August 1801 in Brightling, Sussex (source : David Packham).
Anne died less than three weeks later - maybe she gave up the will to live after losing her beloved husband - and
was buried on 6th September 1801 in Brightling, Sussex (source : David Packham).
Thomas' will was proved on 5th November 1801 (source : will). By this time, Anne had already passed away, so she
would never know that her husband had bequeathed her "One Annuity or clear yearly sum of fifty pounds per
annum of lawful money of Great Britain for and during the Term of her natural life free from all
Taxes and Charges whatsoever to be paid and payable by four equal quarterly payments in the year out
of all and singular my
personal estate hereinafter bequeathed the first payment to begin and be made
in three months next after my decease " (source : will).
Thomas had no favourites amongst his children, and split everything he possessed
- "all my ready money securities for Money Household Goods Stock Cattle
Husbandry Cattle Goods Chattels and all and singular other my Estate " - four ways,
"equally to be divided between them share and share alike " (source : will). He appointed
"son Henry Bourne and William Grigson of Brightling aforesaid Yeoman" as joint Executors of
his last testament (source : will). The witnesses when he wrote the will were
Thos Peters and Jas Martin (source : will). Thomas' estate was said to
"not amount in value unto two Thousand pounds" (source : will).
The Children of THOMAS BOURNE and ANNE GIBSON:
MARY BOURNE was born circa 1768 and was
baptised, to parents THOMAS and ANN BOURNE, on 13th November 1768 in Hellingly, Sussex
(source : Hellingly Baptisms, transcript 1753-1812). She died, still an infant, in 1769 and was buried on 6th
October 1769 in Hellingly, Sussex (source : David Packham).
THOMAS BOURNE
was born circa 1769 and was baptised, to parents THOMAS and ANN BOURNE,
on 15th October 1769 in Hellingly, Sussex
(source : Hellingly Baptisms, transcript 1753-1812).
JOHN BOURNE
was born circa 1770 and was baptised, to parents THOMAS and ANN BOURNE,
on 7th October 1770 in Hellingly,
Sussex (source : Hellingly Baptisms, transcript 1753-1812).
HENRY BOURNE
was born circa 1771 and was baptised, to parents THOMAS and ANN BOURNE,
on 19th October 1771 in Hellingly, Sussex
(source : Hellingly Baptisms, transcript 1753-1812).
SARAH BOURNE was born circa 1776 and was
baptised, to parents THOMAS and ANN BOURNE, on 3rd February 1776 in Hellingly, Sussex (source : Hellingly Baptisms, transcript 1753-1812).
She was probably the SARAH BOURNE witness to her
brother John's marriage on 26th April 1796 in Udimore, Sussex (source : Mandy Willard).
She married the Reverend GEORGE ROLLO on 22nd May 1798 in Brightling, Sussex
(source : IGI, Batch No.:M147961 Dates:1560 - 1880 Source Call No.:1067120 Type:Film Printout Call No.: NONE
Type: Sheet: 00 ).
He was the curate at Brightling (source : David Packham). At the time of the wedding, they were both of Brightling, Sussex,
they both signed their names and the witnesses were ELIZABETH JARDEN and STEPHEN WILMSHURST
(who both signed) (source : Mandy Willard).
They had one known child : GEORGE ROLLO , who was baptised on
7th July 1800 in Dallington, Sussex (source :
IGI, Batch No.:C041191 Dates: 1598 - 1810 Source Call No.:0504412 Type:Film Printout Call No.:0933238 Type:
Film Sheet: 00 ).
The following year brought less happy events - within a few weeks, Sarah lost both her parents and inherited
her share of her father's estate, which amounted to about £500 (source : Thomas Bourne's will).