The family of William Ward and Ann Horden

William and Ann Ward were married 22 October 1809 in Barnstaple, Devon, England.  They had 10 children that are documented at this time.  All were born in Devon, England.  John (b. 1810 Barnstaple), Richard (b. 1813 ), Mary Ann (b.1815 d. 1818 Week), Sarah (b. 1818 Wixton), William (b. 1820 Wixton d. 1820), Elizabeth (b. 1822 Chulmleigh), Ann (b. 1825 Chulmleigh), William H. (b. 1828 Chulmleigh) and Thomas (b. 1832 Chulmleigh).  This Thomas is my great, great grandfather.  And...This John is also my great, great grandfather!  My grandmother's parents were first cousins.


In 1841 William and Ann Ward are found in in the census in England at Benley (or Binley...possible a street name), Dist. 4, Chulmleigh, Devon.  Their children Elizabeth, William and Thomas still reside in the home.  In 1846 the family still resided at Benley as was documented as the place of residence for 2 of the daughters. 


In 1851, in same area (Dist. 4d, Chulmleigh, Devon) the family is visiting the home of John and Elizabeth Green (Elizabeth is the daugther of William and Ann).  They reside at "Mill Ground" which may have been the name of the a farm, as John Green was a farmer.  Also in the household is John and Elizabeth's son William Green, and both William and Thomas Ward (William and Ann's son).  William is a blacksmith as is his father.  Thomas is a wheelwright. 

Ann HORDEN wife of William WARD

Also shown in “The Book of Common Prayer” (see last entry), under William WARD it is written:

“Ann Horden, the daughter of Benjeman and Elizth Horden was born September 19 in the year of our Lord 1788.”

Parish records show William WARD and Ann HORDEN married on 22 October 1809 in Barnstaple, Devon, England.  (transcriptions of Barnstaple parish register of baptisms, marriages, and burials 1538 A.D. to 1812 A.D.) 

William and Ann WARD appear District 4, Chumleigh, Devon, England in the census in both 1841 and 1851.  William is a blacksmith.

The First William WARD (born abt 1763, resident of Merton, Devon, England)

Our first proven WARD ancestor was one William WARD (born about 1763)  It appears that this William was residing in Merton, Devonshire, England when at least some of his children were born.  His wife was probably Elizabeth (more than one source), but another source stated her name was Ann. 

 My mother’s cousin had in her possession an original “The Book of Common Prayer” published in 1834 (copies in my possession).  In old script is written:

 “Wm Ward 1835” at the top.  The inside cover states:  "Willm the son of Wm and Elizth Ward was born February 6 and was baptized the same day in the year of our Lord 1783”. 

Transcriptions of the “Merton, Devon, England Baptisms 1687-1812” do not show a son of William and Elizabeth Ward baptized in 1783.  It does however show four other sons, and one daughter to a William and Elizabeth Ward, and none to a William and Ann Ward. 

According to "The History of Genesee County New York" William Ward Jr. had 3 brtothers;  John, Thomas and Hugh.  No information in known about them at this time. 

New Beginning

As my interest in genealogy has ebbed and flowed over the years, one thing has remained constant...I'm very disorganized!  The computer has helped in a HUGE way...and now I'm hoping that this blog will do the same.  It is my plan to create a time line for my ancestors, arranging what I already know, and putting it in a narrative form.  I'm hoping that the individuals will come more alive to me, and that their personalities might begin to show.  And if in the process, someone stumbles across my words, and can provide more information, I will be thrilled!!  Oh!  And if my order is random...please forgive me!


I am an only child...which might just explain why finding family is so important to me.  My heritage is rich in Illinois.  My ancestors were here when it was only prairie land.  They "broke prairie" and planted crops.  They were farmers.  I know that I never feel more "alive" than when I'm in the part of the state from which they came.  The sight of the endless farmland warms my heart.  Though I've never lived in that part of the state, it is the place where I truly feel "at home".  I get both energized and find peace there.  It is home.