Person:Ann Spring (2)

Ann Spring’s origins have yet to be established with certainty, although it seems reasonably likely that she was the Ann Spring baptised at Birdham in Sussex on 10th June 1714.

Her first confirmed sighting is on 23rd November 1733 when she married Thomas Roper at Chichester Cathedral. At the time of their marriage she was living in Birdham and he was living in the neighbouring parish of Donnington, both a little way south-west of Chichester. Thomas was described as a husbandman.

Ann and Thomas initially lived in Donnington after their marriage, having a son (also called Thomas) baptised there in 1734. They then moved to the neighbouring parish of Sidlesham, where they had another five children baptised between 1735 and 1743.

Ann died in 1759. She was buried at Sidlesham on 8th August 1759, described as Mrs Ann Roper of Mundham, suggesting they had moved to the neighbouring parish of North Mundham. The “Mrs” on her burial record implies the family had a slightly higher status than the ordinary labourers by that time. Thomas survived her by nine years, and remarried in 1760, at which time he was described as a yeoman.

1.   Sussex Family History Group. Sussex Baptismal Index.

   ch. 10 Jun 1714, Birdham: Anne daughter of William & Anne Spring

   This would appear to be the most likely baptism, being in the parish in which Ann was living at the time of her marriage nineteen years later.

2. ↑ Church of England. Parish Church of Sidlesham (Sussex). Parish registers of Sidlesham, 1566-1901. (Chichester: West Sussex County Council).

   Buried 1759 / Mrs Ann Roper August 8 from Mundham