CHILDHOOD
William was the oldest surviving son of Solomon and Frances Clinch and christened in Otterden on May 1, 1664.
MARRIAGE
He married Elizabeth Dancy in Doddington on April 30 1695.
"There has always been a problem in identifying which Elizabeth Clinch was buried 21 Apr 1716 with some assuming it was the Elizabeth Clinch (now Winch) chr. 28 Dec 1712 or Elizabeth Dancy who was William Clinch's wife. Burials are missing for the years; however, we do have the following:
- "Elizabeth Clinch was buried Apr: 21st 1716."
- "February 2d 1736 Elizabeth Winch was Buried."
- "1744. Dec: 31st William Clinch."
- "Nomr. 15th 1744 Buried Wm. Clinch."
Considering the spelling and that Elizabeth Clinch no longer had children after 1708, the 1716 burial appears to be hers. The recorder did make an error in regards to the 1744 entries of the two William Clinches with one certainly William Winch; however, which is which is undetermined." - Chris & Julie Petersen's Genealogy
DEAN'S BOTTOM
They lived in Dean's Bottom, a part of Bredgar parish close to the border of Stockbury, but are more closely associated with the church of Bicknor, a mile to the South.
William Clinch was buried in Bicknor's parish church on Dec 31 1744 .
Website wills.canterbury-cathedral.org accessed 4 Jan 2015 indexes a will for William Clinch of Bredgar made 1742 and probated 1744. Register ref. PRC/17/92/92b (Original PRC/16/551 C/1). Will is filed with the Archdeaconry of Canterbury (pp. 45-48 of 304 for 1744) and available online at Family
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9R56-X41?mode=g&i=46&owc=collection%2F1949814%2Fwaypoints&wc=M682-SNL%3A250713701%2C250719201%2C251470701%3Fcc%3D1949814&cc=1949814 which I accessed 4 Jan 2016. My extract of the will:
William Clinch of Breadgar, County Kent (Title on will notes "1744 William Clinch the Elder late of Bredgar his will.")
Bequeaths to "my Daughter ffrances now wife of John ffrankes of Hucking in the Said County Labourer eight pounds of good and lawfull money..."
Bequeaths to "my Son William Clynch All that my messuage ... [of] four acres ... in the Said parish of Breadgar called Deans Bottom..." with the property passing to his wife "Ann Clinch" in the case of his son's death as long as she remains a widow; if she dies or marries the property to pass to the child or children of William and Ann.
Son William Clinch to be executor.
Signed by mark. Witnessed by John York, Batcheller, and John Lossingham(?)
Note on cover: "January the 14th 1744[/5] Wm. Clinch the executor" attests that the estate will not exceed 20 pounds.
My comments:
1. From marriage records and christening records, we know that Ann Clinch married John Franks in 1722 at Stockbury and had at least three children all christened at Stockbury from 1722 to 1730. A 1700 christening record has been found for "Anna Clinch," but nothing for any Frances. Apparently the daughter Frances of the will is the same person as Ann the daughter.
2. The will confirms that William Senior's wife and son James had predeceased him.
In William Clinch's will, proved in 1744, he mentions two children. His daughter Ann married a labourer named John Hawkes and moved to Hucking. She was left £8. His son William Clinch the younger received the farm and a special clause in the will ensured that his wife, Ann Knight, would receive the woodland if her husband preceded her.
CHILDREN
Anna Clinch (c Nov 24 1700 Bicknor) married John Hawkes, a labourer and moved to Hucking. She was left £8
William Clinch Our Ancestor (3 Jan 1703 Bicknor - 9 Feb 1769, Stockbury)
James Clinch (c Mar 4 1707 Bicknor - died before 1744)
(I omitted the christenings of Elizabeth, Anna, Mary, & Susanna Winch, which are often cited as the offspring of William & Elizabeth Clinch.)