I keep seeing this error all over the internet, just because it's repeated and copied everywhere doesn't make it correct, I've posted the argument a few times on sites.
Here are the facts, some new ones. So it would be good if our ancestry was finally corrected.
From William Smith of West Chiltington's Will of 1635, mostly in his words
At the beginning he states he is the second son of William Smyth buried on 5th May 1571
He states this at the bottom of the Will
William Smith buried Saturday 5th of May 1571 was married to Joanne the eldest daughter of John Searle of Bockinge leaving issue
Thomas Smith
William Smith the testator
Johanne Smith who married Thomas Oliver, son of William Oliver of Tottington in Lyminster
who had issue
Johane,
Alice,
William,
Richard,
Thomas
Edward
William Smith stated in his Will that Alice was the wife of Hugh Penfold and named their childen, he makes Alice his executor and gives a lot of money to Hugh, some to build a school in West Chiltington, and property to their children. William Smith named a lot of relatives in his Will, even his father, the Penfolds Smiths and Olivers were just a few.
Research shows
Johane was baptised in Lyminster in 1589 and buried there the same day, all the other children were baptised in Clapham
Thomas' parents William and Alice had moved to Clapham where his wife Alice died in 1593/94
Their son Thomas did not die in 1596 as he had moved and was bringing up a family in Clapham.
Not only does William Smith's Will prove it all, the Depositions also provide evidence as do the corroborating Parish Registers for Clapham.
Burial Clapham, Sussex
OLIVER Als 28 May 1594 Clapham Wife William Oliver BT Par 50/2/2
William OLIVER. Occupation : Yeoman
Residence : Clapham (3). Age : 60 Birthplace : Lyminster
Date of Deposition : 1593.03.00 WSRO Reference : 7/46v
William
s of Thos of Weke
M 18/6/1570 Lyminster
Alice Hobjohn
d of ... dd 1570
