Baggs | The Baggs family of Hannington

Walter Baggs was born on the 9^th May 1854 in a cottage in Hannington, Hampshire. He was baptised in Hannington on the 4^th June that year. In 1861 he was living with his parents at Cottingtons Hill, Kingsclere.¹

In 1865 he received a great coat from a local charity.² In 1871 he was living and working as a farm servant at Freemantle Farm, Hannington, in the household of Edward Spackman, the farmer.³

On the 12^th April 1877 he gave evidence at the inquest into the death of a fellow porter at the Southampton Dock station of the London & South-Western Railway Company. Reuben Crosbie had been standing on the buffer of a wagon when his foot got entangled in the traces of some other horses; he had fallen, and the wagon had gone over both legs; Crosbie had died a week later. Baggs had been close to Crosbie when the accident happened, being in charge of the horses concerned, but had been unable to turn them away as he himself was riding. The jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death.⁴

He married, first, [G1] Alice Jane Ferry, on the 31^st October 1877, at St Luke's parish church, Southampton. He was at that time a railway porter, of St Mary's Road, Southampton. By 1879 he had removed, with his family, to 15 Lower Dover Street, Bevois Town, Southampton. In 1881 he was recorded as a railway porter, living at this address with his wife, two children, and a lodger. Their children were: Walter William (1879–1931), Alice Margaret (1881–1970), [E1] Ruth Elizabeth (1882–1949), and Frank Henry John (1888–1944); all except John were born in Southampton, John being born in Tavistock, Devon.⁵

By 1882 he had become a prison warder. By 1888 at the latest he was working as an assistant warder at Dartmoor, living in prison quarters in Princetown; one of his duties there was to witness the flogging of prisoners, whom he would have had to strap to the triangular metal frame, with the cat-o'-nine-tails. With effect from 1 June 1890, as an assistant warder, he was transferred from Dartmoor to Chatham, along with six other assistant warders. He appears in the 1891 census as an assistant prison warder, living with his family at H.M. Convict Prison, Gillingham, Kent. With effect from the 1^st September 1891 he was transferred from Chatham to Portsmouth, with four others. With effect from the 1^st March 1893, still as an assistant warder, he was transferred from Portsmouth to Portland. He was at Portland for much of the 1890s, living in prison quarters.⁶

One of these transfers—probably that from Dartmoor to Chatham—was apparently as the result of disciplinary action against him. It seems he had been let down by one of the prisoners—he had made some concessions to him, which the man abused, escaping from prison; although he was recaptured, he would not have escaped had it not been for Walter being a bit lax in the way he had dealt with him. The disciplining seems to have been of the nature of a reprimand, or a black mark on his record, which resulted in a transfer and probably ruled him out from further promotion.⁷

The 1901 census finds him as a warder at Portland Prison, living at 2, H. Quarters with his wife and three children. Some time after this he was probably transferred to Chatham prison. Not long afterwards he left the prison service, with a pension. By 1905 he was living at 68 Byron Road, Gillingham, where he remained until 1910. By 1907 he had become verger of Holy Trinity Church, Old Brompton.⁸

In 1911 he was a pensioner from the prison service, present occupation verger, St Mark's Church, Gillingham, living with wife and daughter in five rooms at 433 Canterbury Rd, Gillingham.⁹

He had moved to 433 Canterbury Street, Gillingham, the previous year, and lived there till 1915. In 1913 he was still described as a prison warder (retired), but by the end of the First World War Walter was working as a dockyard labourer; this was perhaps just for the duration of the war. After his first wife died, in 1918, he moved in with his daughter Ruth and the Beck family, at 31 Marlborough Road, Gillingham. He had the back room downstairs, between the living room and the front room.¹⁰

Around 1918–1922 he used to enjoy visiting the bandstand in the park in the centre of Gillingham, taking Sidney and the younger Becks in the pram, and sitting in the shelter below the bandstand, talking to his acquaintances while listening to the band. The 1921 census recorded him at 31 Marlborough Road, a widowed prison officer (retired), who had been employed by the Home Office, now living with his daughter Ruth and her family, in seven rooms.¹¹

A very early riser—a legacy from his prison days—he would join Reuben for an early breakfast; Reuben sometimes found him a bit of a trial at this time, being constantly around. However, they were basically good companions, and both enjoyed a game of cribbage in the winter evenings. Probably things became easier after Walter became verger at St Mark's and had another occupation, which must have been at about this time. Though he probably received a small payment for this service, he mainly just lived on his pension.¹²

As well as cribbage, Walter played dominoes and draughts with the Beck family. He had a harmonium, which, though not an expert, he used to enjoy playing, singing hymns to his own accompaniment. He had an allotment at the other end of Gillingham, on which he grew vegetables and flowers—mostly potatoes, and scarlet runners. He was quite knowledgeable about astronomy, helping his grandson Sidney to pick out the constellations. He took an active interest in current affairs. He also enjoyed talking about his past life and experiences.¹³

He was of medium build, a little bit severe-looking, with a rather square sort of face. Sidney always pictured him as grey-haired and a little bit grizzled—he hadn't shaved, or something. He had false teeth, which may have contributed to his stern appearance—certainly he was always happy around the Beck children.¹⁴

On the 7^th January 1926—described as a pensioner, of 31 Marlborough Road—Walter remarried, at St Mark's, New Brompton. The bride was Alice Jouisa Jefferys (1862–1934), a friend of his childhood, then living in Bristol. The couple moved first to lodgings in York Avenue, then to two rooms on the ground floor of a house about a quarter of a mile from 31 Marlborough Road.¹⁵

After his second wife died—on the 3^rd September 1934—Walter moved back to 225 Marlborough Road. He himself died not long afterwards—at 7pm on Friday the 1^st March 1935, at 42 Magpie Hall Lane, Chatham; his death was caused by myocardial degeneration. His funeral service was held at the chapel in the cemetery.¹⁶

1 birth certificate (gives place of birth as Kingsclere); parish register; TNA: RG 9/718 f30 p14; RG 11/1205 f45 p26; information from Sidney Beck

2 Hampshire RO PK1; Ken Smallbone (2010) Baggs: The History of a Family. The Ancestors and Descendants of the Baggs Family of Hannington, Hampshire, England. Basingstoke: The Changing Seasons

5 marriage certificate; census returns; children's birth certificates; information from Sidney Beck—John; RG 11/1205 f45 p26; RG 12/665 f121 p44

6 daughter's birth certificate; son's birth certificate; information from Sidney Beck; information from Norah Baggs; TNA: HO 160/1; interview with Sidney Beck, conducted by Benjamin Beck & Debbie Wells, transcript by BSB; RG 12/665 f121 p44

7 interview with Sidney Beck, conducted by Benjamin Beck & Debbie Wells; Ms Memoirs, Sidney Beck; letters to me from Sidney & Ruth Beck

8 information from Sidney Beck; Kelly's Directory; daughter's marriage certificate; wives' death certificates; death certificate; RG 13/1997

10 Kelly's Directory; first wife's death certificate; parish register entry for son's marriage; interview with Sidney Beck, conducted by Benjamin Beck & Debbie Wells; information from Sidney Beck

12 interview with Sidney Beck, begun Easter 1986; Ms Memoirs, Sidney Beck; interview with Sidney Beck, conducted by Benjamin Beck & Debbie Wells; information from Sidney Beck

13 interview with Sidney Beck, conducted by Benjamin Beck & Debbie Wells; interview with Sidney Beck, begun Easter 1986; Ms Memoirs, Sidney Beck

15 marriage certificate; parish register, p121; Ms Memoirs, Sidney Beck; information from Sidney Beck; interview with Sidney Beck, conducted by Benjamin Beck & Debbie Wells; GRO index; the second residence was probably at 9 Regent Road, where his second wife died [wife's death certificate]

16 indexes of the General Register Office; death certificate; Reuben A. Beck's diary/birthday book, formerly possessed by Gladys Mills; interview with Sidney Beck, begun Easter 1986

E3. HENRY BAGGS

In 1841 he was an agricultural labourer, living with his mother in the Kingsclere parish part of Hannington—apparently in Hannington village itself.²

A labourer, of Kingsclere, he married [F1] Elizabeth Rolfe on the 16^th March 1843, after banns, at the parish church in Dummere, Hampshire; he signed his name. Their children were: Henry (1844–1916), Rachel (1846–1882), John (1848–1927), Elizabeth (1851–1919), Jane (1851–1943), Hannah (1853–1863), [E2] Walter (1854–1935), and William (1858–1881); all were born in Kingsclere, and baptised in Hannington.³

On 26 December 1843 he gave evidence in an arson case at the Hampshire Winter Assizes, corroborating testimony given by his brother Charles.⁴

Though still a labourer at the date of his marriage, by the following year he was working as a woodman, and in fact he continued working as a woodman till at least 1848.⁴

In the 1851 and 1861 censuses he is described as an agricultural labourer, of Cottingtons Hill, Kingsclere (really just outside Hannington), living with his family. He remained a farm labourer throughout his life, working and residing at Freemantle Farm (more probably Freemantle Park Farm) and Cottington Hill, both in the parish of Kingsclere; for a short period around 1853 he appears to have been at Walkeridge Farm, west of Freemantle Park.⁵

On 18 January 1856 he was given a jacket, as distributed by the administrators of a parochial charity in Hannington. Then on 1 January 1862 he also received a great coat; on New Year's Day in 1870 another jacket; and on 2 January 1871 a length of flannel. He had also received a boy's jacket on 8 January 1857, presumably for one of his sons; similarly in 1863 he was given a boy's great coat; and in 1865 and 1869 his sons Walter and William were also presented with great coats.⁶

No occupation is given in the 1871 census entry—the only head of household in Hannington of which this is true—where again he appears resident in the Kingsclere part of Hannington, apparently in the village. He died on the 29^th May 1872, in Hannington, after four weeks' paralysis. His body was buried in Hannington churchyard on the 3^rd June.⁷

*** For an exhaustive treatment of the lives of Henry and Elizabeth Baggs, please see this pdf file (updated February 2023). ***

3 marriage certificate; parish register; HO 107/1684 f162 p14; TNA: RG 9/718 f30 p13; son's marriage certificate; children's birth certificates; Ken Smallbone (2010) Baggs: The History of a Family. The Ancestors and Descendants of the Baggs Family of Hannington, Hampshire, England. Basingstoke: The Changing Seasons; GRO index

6 census returns; Smallbone (2010); children's birth certificates; marriage certificate; death certificate. His son's marriage certificate and his widow's death certificate give his occupation simply as labourer and general labourer, respectively.

E4. JOHN BAGGS

At the age of 14 his uncle Richard Wyeth nominated him as the 'third life' in the Wythe copyhold, but soon afterwards his interest was surrendered.²

He married [E24] Jane Gale on the 25^th July 1805, at Bentley, Hampshire. After their marriage the couple returned to Hannington, and had eleven children. Their first child, John, was baptised in Bentley in 1806 (d. 1882); all subsequent children—[E3] Henry (1808–1872), Charles (1810–1875), Catherine (1813–1888), Emily (1815–1886), James (1818–1898), Sarah (1820 – ?), Eli (1822–1909), Ann (1825 – after 1844), Edmund (1827–1902), and Elizabeth (1831–1862)—were baptised in Hannington.³

For most of his life he worked as a labourer⁴; but late in life he became a sieve maker.⁵

He died of a fistula on the 24^th June 1838, in Kingsclere. He was buried in Hannington churchyard on the 26^th June.⁶

2 Ken Smallbone (2010) Baggs: The History of a Family. The Ancestors and Descendants of the Baggs Family of Hannington, Hampshire, England. Basingstoke: The Changing Seasons

3 Smallbone (2010); an 1827 parish register entry describes him as of Kingsclere.

4 So described in all parish register entries 1813–31, and posthumously on his son's marriage certificate, 1843.

E5. HENRY BAGGS

Henry Baggs was baptised on the 9^th February 1744/5 at St Swithun's church, Combe, Hampshire.¹

In or about 1770 Henry and his elder brother William walked into Hannington, and decided to settle there.²On the 25^th November 1773 Henry married [E22] Elizabeth Wythe, after banns, at All Saints church, Hannington. Their children, all baptised in Hannington, where they continued to reside, were: Elizabeth (1774–1774), Elizabeth (1775–1775), Sarah (1776–1844), Mary (1777–1795), [E4] John (1781–1838), Joseph (1783–1860), Robert (1785–1801), Rachael (1787–1857), Richard (1789–1844), Hester (1790 – ?), Henry (1792–1873), Thomas (1794–1794), Hannah (1795–1887), and James (1798–1808).³

After their marriage the couple were provided with a moiety of the Wythe copyhold farmhouse, a large farmhouse at the centre of the Wythe copyhold estate, in the centre of the village, less than 100 metres from the village pond.⁴

1 Ken Smallbone (2010) Baggs: The History of a Family. The Ancestors and Descendants of the Baggs Family of Hannington, Hampshire, England. Basingstoke: The Changing Seasons

3 parish register; Smallbone (2010); the latter says 1773, and gives bride's name as Wyeth. parish register entry for marriage and for baptisms of first two children reads "Baughurst" crossed out and altered to "Baggs"; GRO index

E6. HENRY BAGGS

Henry Baggs was baptised on the 25^th May 1716, at St Swithun's church, Combe, Hampshire.¹

A farm labourer, during the early years of his working life he was apt to travel from farm to farm for work. He married [E21] Sarah Challis on the 22^nd September 1741, at Sherborne St John, near Basingstoke. At the time of his marriage it is most probable that he was employed as a labourer on a farm at Sherborne, and that after Michaelmas quarter–day (that being the end of the farming year) he moved back to Combe, where the couple remained for the duration of their lives. Their children were: Thomas (1741/2 – ?), Elizabeth (1742/3–1754), [E5] Henry (1745–1807), Sarah (1747/8–1749), John (1749/50–1750), Joseph (1752–1832), William (1755–1825), Mary (1757 – after 1777), Harriet (1760 – ?), and Susannah (cal 1765 – 1845); all but Susannah were baptised at Combe.²

He was buried in Combe churchyard on the 7^th April 1784. The parish register records him as a pauper, but at this date this was a common description, as it was soon after the introduction of a tax on burials, from which paupers were exempt.³

1 Ken Smallbone (2010) Baggs: The History of a Family. The Ancestors and Descendants of the Baggs Family of Hannington, Hampshire, England. Basingstoke: The Changing Seasons

2 parish register; "England Marriages, 1538–1973," database, FamilySearch: 10 December 2014, Henry Baggs and Sarah Callis, 22 Sep 1741, citing Sherborne St John, Hampshire, reference index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City, FHL microfilm 0973049 IT 8; Smallbone (2010)

E7. ROBERT BAGGS

By 1712 he had crossed the Berkshire-Hampshire border and settled, a labourer, in Combe, Hampshire. He married, first, [E20] Elizabeth ____. Their children were: Robert (1712–1714), Thomas (1714 – ?), [E6] Henry (1716–1784), Elizabeth (1719–1734), Robert (1720–1720), and William (1722–1782)—all were baptised at Combe. After Elizabeth's death he married Francis Holloway, on the 3^rd August 1735, at St Mary's, Speen, Berkshire. His children with his second wife were: Mary (1737 – after 1761), Sarah (1738/9–1738/9), Sarah (1741–1751), Robert (1744 – ?), Amy (1747–1748), Richard (1749/50 – ?), and John (1754 – after 1774); all were baptised at Combe.²

1-4 Ken Smallbone (2010) Baggs: The History of a Family. The Ancestors and Descendants of the Baggs Family of Hannington, Hampshire, England. Basingstoke: The Changing Seasons

E8. ROBERT BAGGS

Robert Baggs was baptised on the 16^th November 1662, at Stanford-in-the-Vale, Berkshire.¹

In his teens he hired out his services as a day-labourer in farms in and around Stanford-in-the-Vale and Hinton Waldrist. He remained in the northern Berkshire area six or seven years.²

He married [E19] Joane ____ some time before 1685. In or about 1691 he finally broke free of the district and moved to the far south of the county. He had probably put himself up for hire at the Wantage Michaelmas Fair. He settled in Hungerford, where the family remained for a number of years. He was still living in the Hungerford area in 1702. The couple's children were: Aaron (1685 – possibly 1725), Robert (1689–1689)—both baptised in Hinton Waldrist; possibly Thomas (1690–1758); and [E7] Robert (1692 – before 1775)—baptised in Hungerford.³

He seems to have led a quiet and uneventful life. He died before 1724, probably somewhere in southern Berkshire.⁴

Robert Baggs was the second child, and second son, of [E9] Henry and [E18] Joice Baggs (Henry's sixth child and fourth son).⁵

1-5 Ken Smallbone (2010) Baggs: The History of a Family. The Ancestors and Descendants of the Baggs Family of Hannington, Hampshire, England. Basingstoke: The Changing Seasons

E9. HENRY BAGGS

Henry Baggs—also known as Harry—was baptised on the 18^th June 1599, at Hinton Waldrist parish church, Berkshire.¹

He first married Mary Woodlye, on the 16^th September 1623, at Hinton Waldrist church. Soon after this marriage, the couple moved away from Hinton, but where to is not known. No children of this marriage are known.²

He married, secondly, Margery Wilkins, on the 4^th November 1644, at Stanford-in-the-Vale, Berkshire. Their children were: Henry (c. 1646 – ?), Jane (1648/9 – ?), Joan (1652 – ?), and Thomas (1655 – after 1698)—the three dated baptisms being at Stanford.⁴

It is most likely that he fought in the royal army in the Civil War, as a member of the North Berkshire Militia. The first recorded baptism of one of his children was in 1649, after the war had ended. He was an Anglican, and regular to the church services at Stanford.⁵

He married as his third wife [E18] Joice ____. Their children were: Richard (1660/1 – ?), [E8] Robert (1662 – between 1692 & 1724), Mary (1662/3 – ?), Edward (1666–1668), John (1666/7–1740), and Ann (1671 – ?)—all baptised at Stanford-in-the-Vale.⁶

In the Name of God Amen I Henry Baggs of Stanford in the vale in the County of Berks husbandman, being weak in body but of good and perfect mind and memory for which thanks be given unto God doe make and ordaine this my last will and testament in manner following Imprimis I bequeath my Soule into the hands of God my Saviour and redeemer and my body to be buried in cristian buriall according to the discretion of my Executor hereafter named: Item I give unto my Sonn Henry Baggs twelve pence I give unto my Sonns Thomas Robert and John Baggs to every one of them twelve pence apeece Item I give unto my daughters Jane, Mary and Ann Baggs to each of them twelve pence apeece to be payd unto them within one whole yeare after my decese by my Executor if lawfully demanded and lastly I doe heareby make and ordaine my sonn Rich Baggs sole Executor of this my last will and testament and I doe heareby give and devise unto him my sd executor Richard Baggs and his heires and Assignes forever my house and backside wherein I now live in Stanford in the vale aforesd together with three Acres of Eareable land liing in the comon fields belonging to the sd town that is to say one acre liing in the east field in a furlong called redwell and one acre more liing nex to Farringdon gate. But if my Sonn Rich die with out ishshu and before he inJoy the s^d house and lands then my will is that the same be and remaine to my daughter Ann Baggs and her heirs forever in witness whereof to this my last will and testament I have set my hand and seale this fower twentieth day of March in the seventh year of the Raigne of our soveraigne Lord King James the Second &c and in the yeare of our Lord God on thousand six hundred eighty and seven — — — — — — — —

Signed sealed published and declared to be the last will and testament of the sd Henry Baggs in the presences of

Will^m Yate^s

thomas — at Thom^s Pryer

John Hopkins sen^r John Gunter

Willm Cox Rich^d Joyce

John Church

the mark of

For several years past he had given up his life work to his son, when he lived in retirement in the house.⁸

His body was buried on the 27^th April 1689 at Stanford-in-the-Vale, a "widdower an aged man".⁹ His will was proved by his son Richard on the 7^th May 1689, at the Archdeaconry Court in Oxford. An inventory of his effects, taken three days earlier by Will^m Yate^s and Tho: Davies, in which he was described as a yeoman, showed him possessed of "wearing Apparrell (10s), Pewter and Brass (13s 4d), Wooden vessell (5/-), Three Coffers (2/6), A Bedsteed with that as belongeth to it (2/6), Six prongs and two shovells (4/-), dunge (2/8), two Chayers and other lumber (2/-)".¹⁰

1–2 Ken Smallbone (2010) Baggs: The History of a Family. The Ancestors and Descendants of the Baggs Family of Hannington, Hampshire, England. Basingstoke: The Changing Seasons

E10. RICHARD BAGGS

Richard Baggs was baptised on the 24^th May 1562, at Hinton Waldrist, Berkshire.¹

He married [E17] Margaret ____ before 1594. Their children were: Cicely (1594 – after 1636), Richard (1596–1665), [E9] Henry/Harry (1599–1689), Robert (1602 – after 1636), Margaret (1605–1700), and Maria (1607 – after 1636).²

He worked on his own land as a yeoman farmer, at Duxford, in Hinton Waldrist parish. By the time of his death the farm had become a fairly profitable concern.³

1–5 Ken Smallbone (2010) Baggs: The History of a Family. The Ancestors and Descendants of the Baggs Family of Hannington, Hampshire, England. Basingstoke: The Changing Seasons

E11. RICHARD BAGGS

Born in the late 1530s, Richard Baggs married [E16] Marian Taylour on the 10^th February 1559/60 at Hinton Waldrist parish church, Berkshire. Their children were: [E10] Richard (1562–1631), Robert (1566–1580), Dorothy (1568 – after 1599), Henry (1570 – ?), Cicilie (1572 – after 1599), and Elizabeth (1575 – after 1590); all were baptised at Hinton Waldrist. The family lived at Duxford.¹

In the name of God Amen the thirtenth Daye of November Anⁿo D^m 1599 I Richard Bagges of Duxford within the p^arishe of Hynton Wallriste and Countie of Berkes husbandman being sicke in bodie, but whole in minde of good and p^erfect memory (thankes be unto god) Doe make and ordaine this my last Will and Testament in man^ner and fore following First I bequeath my Soule unto the allmightie god my maker and redeemer, and my bodie to be buried in the Churchyarde of Longworth. Itm I give and bequeath to the Catheadrall Church of New Saru^m iid Itm I give and bequeathe unto Richard Bagges my Sonne one Boate and one maultmill; Itm I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Dorothie Allawaye xii^d All the Rest of my goodes Cattells and chattells as well moveable as unmoveable whatsoev^er not given now before bequeathed my Deughs beinge [..lie] payed and my funerall expenses Discharged I give and bequeathe unto Marian Bagges my weadded Wyfe and Harrye Bagges my sonne to be equallie and portionablie Divided betwene them bothe Whome I nomiⁿat constitute and appoint to be Jointlie the executors of this my last Will and Testament

He died on about the 15^th November 1599, and was buried at Hinton Waldrist on the 17^th. His will was proved in the archdeacon's court on the 31^st December. The inventory, taken ten days previously, shows him possessed of: "in the halle a borde frame and forme" (5s); "in the chambers two beds and two bedsteads" (26s 8d); "brass and povater" (13s 4d); "in the kichine one malltmylle and a bolle [?]" (14s); "two trows" (6s 8d); "tubes barreles" (12s); "anders and spites" (5s); "[a few words obscured by a crease] beast" (£6); "two cowes" (14s); "piges or wshies [?]" (20s); "vii shaip" (30s); "his apparle" (20s); "whate and peanes [?]" (30s)"; giving a total value of £15 16s 8d (£1593 at 2005 values). He seems to have been of the poorer class of yeoman compared with his father.

1 "England Marriages, 1538–1973," database, FamilySearch: 10 February 2018, Ricd Baggs and Marian Taylour, 10 Feb 1560, citing Hinton Waldrist, Berkshire, reference index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City, FHL microfilm 88,272; Ken Smallbone (2010) Baggs: The History of a Family. The Ancestors and Descendants of the Baggs Family of Hannington, Hampshire, England. Basingstoke: The Changing Seasons

E12. PETER BAGGS

On the 10^th June 1543 he made his will. At this time he was living in Longworth, Berkshire. He left to Mawde "ii kene and iii tewlmonthlyngs", and to his three children "iiii kene"; John and George Baggs, his brothers, were to have oversight of the four cows on their behalf; he left George a calf, as he did Elizabeth Baggs; he left his father and mother five shillings, and his son Richard a maser; the residue was left to his wife.²

He died at the end of July 1543, at Longworth. His will was proved in the Berkshire Archdeaconry court in August that year. The inventory of his effects had been appraised on the 5^th August. Peter was said to have lived at Duxford, Berkshire. His worldly wealth consisted of a horse (5s 8d), 2 kyne (16s), 3 yerlings (12s), 2 Schepe (2s), a bacon hogge and 2 pyggs (3s 4d), 2 brasse potts and a postnet (5s), a brasse pan (3s 4d), a cawdern (20d), a ketyll and a bason (12d), 7 pewter platters (3s 6d), 2 potteniers and a Sawcer (10d), bords formis stoles trestells and barrells (5s), a cupburd (2s 4d), a chaffinge disshe (8d), a frysed cote (3s), the pulse off 3½ acres (12s), one akers barley (20d), a stacke of whete cotaynynge a quarter (8s), 4 kyne (40s), and a maser (6s 8d); total value: £6 14s 10d (£2073 at 2005 values).³

The cottage in which he and his family lived would have been the usual yeoman's home, built on a timber frame and with walls of mud and wattle. It was probably a two-storeyed affair with a single room on both floors and a central hearth. Rooms were added by erecting temporary walls which were nailed to the ceiling timbers. When the family matured and the offspring moved away then these temporary dividers were removed. The farm itself comprised little more than five acres of land, probably scattered round the parish in strips. The livestock was few in quantity yet typical of the 16^th century farm. The farm was obviously situated at Duxford, which would suggest that that tithing was on the eastern edge of the parish of Hinton Waldrist, alongside Longworth.⁴

1 Ken Smallbone (2010) Baggs: The History of a Family. The Ancestors and Descendants of the Baggs Family of Hannington, Hampshire, England. Basingstoke: The Changing Seasons

E13. ____ BAGGS

____ Baggs married [E14] ____ ____. Their children were probably [E12] Peter (? –1543), George (? – 1596), John (? – after 1543), and Elizabeth (? – after 1543).¹

1–5 Ken Smallbone (2010) Baggs: The History of a Family. The Ancestors and Descendants of the Baggs Family of Hannington, Hampshire, England. Basingstoke: The Changing Seasons

E14. ____ BAGGS born ____

____ ____ married [E13] ____ Baggs. Their children were probably [E12] Peter (? –1543), George (? – 1596), John (? – after 1543), and Elizabeth (? – after 1543).¹

1–5 Ken Smallbone (2010) Baggs: The History of a Family. The Ancestors and Descendants of the Baggs Family of Hannington, Hampshire, England. Basingstoke: The Changing Seasons

E15. MAWDE BAGGS born ____

Mawde ____ was born in 1513, at Longworth, Berkshire. She married [E12] Peter Baggs. Their children were: Henry (? – after 1564), [E11] Richard (1530s – 1599), and Robert (? – 1586).¹

She may have died or remarried before 1559. However a Maude Baggs was buried at St Margaret's, Hinton Waldrist, Berkshire, in 1576.²

1 Col Heading gedcom; Ken Smallbone (2010) Baggs: The History of a Family. The Ancestors and Descendants of the Baggs Family of Hannington, Hampshire, England. Basingstoke: The Changing Seasons

E16. MARIAN BAGGS born TAYLOUR

Marian Taylour married [E11] Richard Baggs on the 10^th February 1559/60, at Hinton Waldrist church, Berkshire. Their children were: [E10] Richard (1562–1631), Robert (1566–1580), Dorothy (1568 – after 1599), Henry (1570 – ?), Cicilie (1572 – after 1599), and Elizabeth (1575 – after 1590); all were baptised at Hinton Waldrist. The family lived at Duxford.¹

On the 13^th November 1599 she was a witness of her husband's will.

She herself died soon afterwards, as an administration order was made on the estate of "Mariane Baggs de Hinton Walridg" on the 14^th December 1600, in Berkshire. On the 21^st January 1600/1 an inventory was taken, finding her possessed of wearing apparel valued at forty shillings, but apparently nothing else.²

E17. MARGARET BAGGS born ____

Margaret ____ married [E10] Richard Baggs. Their children were: Cicely (1594 – after 1636), Richard (1596–1665), [E9] Henry/Harry (1599–1689), Robert (1602 – after 1636), Margaret (1605–1700), and Mary (1607 – after 1636).¹

In the name of God Amen The last day of march A^no D^m 1634 Margrette Bagges of Duxford In the Countye of Berks widdow being of good and p^erfecte memorye God be praysed threfore Doe make constitute ordeyne and appoynte this p^resent my last will and testament for the conveying the Desposing of those my goodes w^hich god hath lent me After my Debtes payde and funerall Charges Discharged in manner and forme following First and principally I give and bequeath my soule into the hanes of almightye god and to Jesus Christe my onely redeemer by whose death and passion my hope to be saved And I will that my body be buried in Decent buriall at the descretion of my executors heare after named And for the desposinig of that portion of goodes w^ch god hath allotted me in this world Imprimis I give and bequeath undo my Daughter Margrette agges Tenne pounds _^ ^{of good and lawfull money of England} to be payed her within one yeare next after my death and buriall of my bodye And tenne pounds more within sixe monthes after Ite^m I give and beque ath more unto my sayde daughter Margrett my Little table boarde and two joynde stooles to be deliv^ered to her at the praysing of my goodes and making of my Inventorie Item I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Mary Robins Seventeen poundes to payd when she Hathe estated to some meanes worth Fortye shillings the yeare for the [illegible word] of her life to be p^d p^arte of such sume [illegible word] and not before And yf my said Daughter mary shall (reverte?) ~~before~~ this lyfe befor yt be so payed Then I will that yt be payed unto her oldest child then living And in the meane tyme this sayed Seaventeene poundes to remayne in the handes of my executor or some other honest manes handes payeing out after one yeare ended after my death and buriall of my bodye the interest for the sume after (eight?) in the hundred either for the use of my sayde daughter Mary or her ~~Eldest~~ oldest childe Item I give and bequeath unto my said daughtears Margrett and Mary all my bedding and lining eaqually to be devided betwene them — — — — Item I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Sysly Sheares ii^s Item I give and bequeath unto my sonne Harry Bagges ii^s Item I give and bequeath unto my sonne Robert Bagges two shillinges All the rest of my goodes moveable and unmoveable Dues debtes charges and demandes I give and bequeath unto my naturall sonne Richard Bagges whome I make my sole and onely executor of this my Last will and testament he paying and dyscharging my debtes and funerall charges Item I make and [illegible word] of this my last will and testament Henry Church and John Church my [three or four illegible words]

She died at the end of December 1635, being buried on the 30^th, presumably at Hinton Waldrist. Her will was proved on the 1^st January 1635/6, in the Archdeacon's court.

An inventory of her goods was taken on the 8^th January, and exhibited at the next court on the 21^st. She died possessed of:

She was in debt to three men (John Burte, Georg Dyer, and Henry Langham), to the tune of £6. The expenses of her burial had come to £3.³

Given that inflation had only risen by 20% since the death of her father-in-law Richard Baggs in 1596, whereas Margaret's estate was worth nearly three times that of his, it seems that the Baggses had prospered in the previous 40 years.⁴

1–4 Ken Smallbone (2010) Baggs: The History of a Family. The Ancestors and Descendants of the Baggs Family of Hannington, Hampshire, England. Basingstoke: The Changing Seasons

3–4 Ken Smallbone (2010); will, probate, and inventory, Berkshire RO D/A1/44/070, MF 464

E18. JOICE BAGGS born ____

Joice ____ married [E9] Henry Baggs after 1660. Their children were: Richard (1660/1 – ?), [E8] Robert (1662 – between 1692 & 1724), Mary (1662/3 – ?), Edward (1666–1668), John (1666/7–1740), and Ann (1671 – ?)—all baptised at Stanford-in-the-Vale.¹

She was buried on the 17^th January 1674/5, in St Denys's churchyard, Stanford-in-the-Vale, Berkshire.²

1 Ken Smallbone (2010) Baggs: The History of a Family. The Ancestors and Descendants of the Baggs Family of Hannington, Hampshire, England. Basingstoke: The Changing Seasons

E19. JOANE BAGGS born _____

Joane ____ married [E8] Robert Baggs before 5 Dec 1685. The couple's children were: Aaron (1685 – possibly 1725), Robert (1689–1689)—both baptised in Hinton Waldrist; possibly Thomas (1690–1758); and [E7] Robert (1692 – before 1775)—baptised in Hungerford. The family remained in the northern Berkshire area about six or seven years. In or about 1691 they finally broke free of the district and moved to the south of the county, settling in Hungerford, where the family remained a number of years.¹

As their sons grew to maturity, she and Robert led quiet and eventless lives. With Robert's death (before 1724), she moved in with the family of their son Aaron, who had returned to Hinton Waldrist by 1721—Joane may have moved there with them, or joined them there after Robert's death. She lived her last years at Hinton, and was buried in the churchyard there on the 8^th May 1724.²

1 Ken Smallbone (2010) Baggs: The History of a Family. The Ancestors and Descendants of the Baggs Family of Hannington, Hampshire, England. Basingstoke: The Changing Seasons

E20. ELIZABETH BAGGS born ____

Elizabeth ____ married [E7] Robert Baggs before 15 November 1712. Their children were: Robert (1712–1714), Thomas (1714 – ?), [E6] Henry (1716–1784), Elizabeth (1719–1734), Robert (1720–1720), and William (1722–1782)—all were baptised at Combe.¹

She was buried (in woollen) on the 7^th February 1734/5, in St Swithin's churchyard, Combe, Hampshire.²

1 Ken Smallbone (2010) Baggs: The History of a Family. The Ancestors and Descendants of the Baggs Family of Hannington, Hampshire, England. Basingstoke: The Changing Seasons

E21. SARAH BAGGS born CALLIS

Sarah Callis married [E6] Henry Baggs on the 22^nd September 1741 at Sherborne St John, near Basingstoke. She was described as of Burghclere.¹

After the marriage, they returned to Combe, where they remained for the duration of their lives. Their children were: Thomas (1741/2 – ?), Elizabeth (1742/3–1754), [E5] Henry (1745–1807), Sarah (1747/8–1749), John (1749/50–1750), Joseph (1752–1832), William (1755–1825), Mary (1757 – after 1777), Harriet (1760 – ?), and Susannah (cal 1765 – 1845); all but Susannah were baptised at Combe.²

She was buried on the 22^nd September 1797, in St Swithin's churchyard, Combe.³

1 parish register; "England Marriages, 1538–1973," database, FamilySearch: 10 December 2014, Henry Baggs and Sarah Callis, 22 Sep 1741, citing Sherborne St John, Hampshire, reference index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City, FHL microfilm 0973049 IT 8; Ken Smallbone (2010) Baggs: The History of a Family. The Ancestors and Descendants of the Baggs Family of Hannington, Hampshire, England. Basingstoke: The Changing Seasons. She was not baptised at Burghclere. FamilySearch has the baptism of Sarah, daughter of William and Mary Challice, at Welford, Berkshire, on the 16^th August 1724 (favoured by Smallbone); and the marriage of Willam Challes and Mary Hearth at Wickham on the 7^th April 1711.

Suggestions for further research

Ken Smallbone's book probably takes us as far as it's possible to go with the Baggs line. I would think the most fruitful line of enquiry from now on will be to establish and explore the C(h)allis line. Some Ancestry trees give a birth year and parentage for [E21] Sarah, but no sources are given, so these can't be trusted.

The Baggs family of Hannington

E2. WALTER BAGGS

E3. HENRY BAGGS

E4. JOHN BAGGS

E5. HENRY BAGGS

E6. HENRY BAGGS

E7. ROBERT BAGGS

E8. ROBERT BAGGS

E9. HENRY BAGGS

E10. RICHARD BAGGS

E11. RICHARD BAGGS

E12. PETER BAGGS

E13. ____ BAGGS

E14. BAGGS born

E15. MAWDE BAGGS born ____

E16. MARIAN BAGGS born TAYLOUR

E17. MARGARET BAGGS born ____

E18. JOICE BAGGS born ____

E19. JOANE BAGGS born _____

E20. ELIZABETH BAGGS born ____

E21. SARAH BAGGS born CALLIS

Suggestions for further research