William Luxford

William Luxford [the Elder] of Eastbourne: William Luxford was privately baptised, perhaps in Hellingly, on 05 June 1765. William married Frances [Fanny] HABGOOD , by banns in the parish of Eastbourne on 02 November 1790. Fanny was the daughter of Samuel Habgood, a husbandman [farmer] who lived in the area around Hellingly. William and Fanny probably also lived in Hellingly and may have assisted with or taken over the Habgood farm during Samuel's infirmity, which culminated in his death in 1806. Their son, William was allegedly born in Hellingly . William and Fanny had at least seven children, all of whose baptisms are recorded in the parish register of St. Mary's Church, Eastbourne. These were: Mary [Maria] Luxford, baptised 17 July 1791; Naomi Luxford, baptised 30 November 1794; William Luxford, born 03 February 1797, baptised 02 May 1797; Jane Habgood Luxford, baptised 28 September 1800; George Luxford, baptised 13 March 1803; Edward Luxford, baptised 17 June 1805; and Harriett Luxford, baptised 16 October 1808. Richard HABGOOD m Dorothy (?)

Samuel HABGOOD m Elizabeth BUSBRIDGE [11 April 1762].

Hannah HABGOOD, born 1763, m (?) MARSHALL, unknown issue.

Dinah HABGOOD, born 1765, m Dennis COPPARD, had issue.

Frances [Fanny] HABGOOD, born 1768, m William LUXFORD, had issue.

Mary HABGOOD, born 1774, m (?) CLARK, unknown issue.

William volunteered for duty in the Sussex Militia. A William LUSHFORD, butcher of Eastbourne, is recorded in the Sussex Militia Lists of 1803 as a Class 4 militiaman. Despite the difference in spelling, this is almost certainly our William Luxford. William and Fanny were early converts to Methodism, Fanny allegedly being converted by the non-conformist preacher, Charles Wesley himself, during his evangelising tours of England. Their children would have been baptised and brought up as Methodists but according to the laws then prevailing, would still have had to have their baptisms recorded in the Anglican Church parish register. Methodists and other non-conformist churches preferred the use of Biblical names rather than the 'popish' saint's names then popular. This is probably the reason for the choice of Naomi for their daughter's name. Later generations continued the trend, choosing Biblical names such as Jabez. Maria Luxford married Joseph STORMLEY by banns on 12 April 1815. A witness to the marriage was Maria's future brother-in-law, Charles HUNT. Fanny died, aged 54 years, and her burial was recorded in the parish records of St. Mary's Church, Eastbourne, as occurring on 03 February 1823. According to notes recorded in the flyleaves of Jahn's Biblical Archaeology, William Luxford, pensioner, died in New York, USA, about the year 1850. He apparently followed his daughter, Harriett, to New York some time after the remainder of the family emigrated. According to notes in Jahn's Biblical Archaeology, Harriett Luxford died in New York USA, on 30 January 1873. In the flyleaves, she is referred to as "Harriett Luxford, who married a TOWNES". George and Edward Luxford also probably immigrated to the USA.

The Luxford saga : a 500-year family odyssey, England to New Zealand / compiled by Michael Raymus Butler. Author: Butler, Michael Raymus. Publisher: New Plymouth, N.Z. : M. Butler, 2009. ISBN: 9780473143572 (pbk.) :   9780473143572 (pbk.)   0473143577 (pbk.) Description: vi, 354 p. : ill., ports., geneal tables ; 30 cm. Subject: Luxford family.   New Zealand --Genealogy.   Great Britain --Genealogy.