The Wyles Family in 1800s Duddington
By Adrian Chan-Wyles PhD
Grave of George & Rhoda Wyles
For 1800s we have the visible graves of fourteen (14) people named ‘Wyles’ in the graveyard of St Mary’s Church, Duddington. This is by far the highest number available for genealogical purposes. We also have access to ample Parish Records, Wills and the Copy of Court Rolls (acquired in the form of 76 Index Cards from the Northants Record Office covering the years 1530-1936). In 1813, one Robert Hencock (or ‘Hercock’) is recorded as being married to Francis Wood (nee ‘Wyles’) sold property to Joseph Turner of Ketton (described as a ‘Victualler’ - or ‘Landlord’ of a Public House licensed to sell food and drink). In 1775, Francis Wyles had been married to ‘John Wood’ for 5 weeks and 6 days. James Wyles and Catherine Wyles (of the 1700s) had a son named ‘George Wyles’ (1749-1828) - George is our direct relative. We discovered his death-date in two ways today. Firstly, my mother – Diane Wyles – found his Will online and posted it early this morning, whilst Gee (my partner) and myself read about George’s Will on one of the Index cards in our possession. George Wyles (Yeoman) described himself as a ‘tailor’ when he joined the Duddington Militia in 1777. When he died in 1828 (aged 79), he was a very wealthy man who left money and land to his nine (9) children – two (2) Daughters and seven (7) sons. The names of his children are recorded from the eldest to the youngest as being (daughters) Frances, Susanna (and sons) John, William, James, Thomas, Francis, Robert and David. George’s son ‘Thomas Wyles’ (1787-1853) is our direct ancestor (who married ‘Elizabeth’ 1804-1863) and is described as a ‘Blacksmith’ in official documents. Their son – ‘Thomas Wyles Jnr’ (1824-1887) married ‘Mary Ann’ (nee ‘Sweeby’) 1804-1863. Their son - ‘John Thomas Wyles’ (b. 1860) married Eleanor (nee ‘Britton’) - who eventually gave birth to my great grandfather – Archibold ‘Britton’ Wyles in 1887. In the 1891 Census, this family lived in the Crown Inn, Duddington, but in the 1901 Census, they had relocated to '144 North Street', in Uppingham.
On the 19th February 1833, John Wyles of Tixover (farmer) sells land to Hugh Jackson of Wisbech, and recalls the 1828 Will of George Wyles. Presumably, this was a ‘proof of ownership’ issue. On the 18th of October, 1838, a ‘George Wyles’ is laid to rest under a flagstone in St Mary’s Church situated in-front of the Vestry door. The inscription reads: ‘Sacred to the Memory of George, Son of John & Ann Wyles died the 18th of October 1838 in the 38 year of his age.’ This is the son of ‘John Wyles’ (mentioned above) and ‘Ann Wyles’ who are buried in the old Wyles Tomb situated under the modern Vestry floor (with their names recorded on the base of the exterior of the Vestry wall). This Wyles family of John, Ann and George lived over the medieval bridge in Tixover, and represent another branch of the Wyles family in the Duddington area. The final Index Card for the 1800s simply records ‘W. Wyles – Kings Cliff (1836-1839)'. The visible graves of the Wyles family in the 1800s (circa 2008 in St Mary’s graveyard) include:
James Wyles died 21st June 1809 in the 74th year of his age.
Thomas Wyles died 30 Nov. 1853 Aged 66 years. Elizabeth Wyles relict of the above died 7 Nov. 1863 Aged 59 years.
In Loving Remembrance of Rhoda, beloved wife of George Wyles, born April 25th 1831, died April 3rd 1900.
Her children arise up and call her blessed. Her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Also of George Wyles, born March 8th 1831, died May 3rd 1908.
So he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
And of Mary Eliza their daughter who died June 26th 1863, aged 8 years and 8 months.
Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not for such is the kingdom of heaven.
In Affectionate Remembrance of Chappell Wyles Who Departed this Life February 12th 1899 Aged 56 years.
Therefore be ye also ready for in such an hour as ye think not the son of man cometh.
In memory of John Wyles died January 18 1857.
Ann wife of John Wyles died September 24 1832
Thomas Wiles (1824-1887) and his wife Mary Ann.
In Memory of James Wyles who died July 24, 1844 Aged 80 years. Also Sarah Wife of the Above who died June 23, 1866 Aged 87 years. Also of Caroline Daughter of William and Sarah Phillips who died February 18, 1861 Aged 5 years
In the Church of St Mary’s there used to be on display a very old and faded piece of paper which recorded the following names and functions:
Beadle or Sexton:
W. Wyles (1884)
J. Wyles (1886) - Sexton
Although there are thirteen (13) visible graves containing deceased Wyles people in the graveyard of St Mary's Church pertaining to the 1800s, the Burial Records for St Mary's (1809-1899) contain the names of thirty (30) Wyles people (with around five [5] others mentioned in passing but not properly included) who were buried during this time period:
Duddington Burial Records 1809-1899 (30 Entries) – St Mary’s Church
Duddington Burial Records 1809-1899 (30 Entries) – St Mary’s Church
1) James Wyles, Duddington, 23.6.1809 - age (not recorded)
2) Sarah Wyles, Duddington, 14.12.1812 - aged 68
3) John Wyles, Duddington, 21.7.1816 - Aged 10
4) Rebecca Wyles (G9), Duddington, 29.1.1825 - aged 66
5) George Wyles (G), Duddington, 8.5.1828 - 79
6) Ann Wyles (Vestry Wall ‘D’ – Wife of John ‘12’), Tixover Lodge, 27.9.1831 - aged 55
7) William Wyles (F6), Duddington, 13.3.1836 - aged 8 months
8) George Wyles (F), Tixover, 17.10.1838 - aged 33
9) James Wyles (F) Husband of Sarah 16), Duddington, 26.7.1844 - aged 68
10) Fanny Wyles, (F8), Duddington, 20.5.1849 - aged 2
11) Thomas Wyles (F) Husband of Elizabeth (14), Father of Robert, Duddington, 3.12.1853 - aged 66
12) Richard Wyles, (Aged 1 month), Buried 26.1.1857 - No. 326
13) John Wyles (Vestry Wall ‘D’ – Husband of Ann ‘6’), Tixover, 22.11.1857 - aged 79
14) May Eliza Wyles (F11) Daughter of Rhoda (died 1900), Duddington, 27.6.1863 - aged 9
15) Elizabeth Wyles (F) Wife of Thomas (11), Mother of Robert (17), Duddington, 9.11.1863 - aged 59
16) Sarah Wyles (F) Wife of James (9), Duddington, 26.6.1866 - aged 87
17) Sarah Wyles (G8) Wife of Robert (19), Duddington, 2.12.1874 - aged 86
18) Robert Wyles (F14) Son of Thomas (11) & Elizabeth ‘14’ (Blacksmiths), Duddington, 13.1.1875 - aged 50
19) Infant Child of Thomas Wyles (H1), Duddington, 17.4.1875 - aged 1 hour
20) Robert Wyles (B18) Husband of Sarah ‘16’ (Drowned), Duddington, 18.4.1877 - aged 87
21) Mary Wyles (E5), Duddington, 15.7.1877 - aged – 64
22) Rachel Wyles (B19) granddaughter of Robert (19), Duddington, 16.1.1879 - aged 25
23) Frances Annie Wyles (F18) Illegitimate child of Fanny Wyles later Mrs Hibbins, Duddington, 29.1 1879 – aged 10 months
24) Thomas Wyles (F31) Son of Thomas (11), brother of William (7), Duddington, 30.12.1887 - aged 64
25) William Wyles (F33) Son of Thomas (11) & Elizabeth (14), Duddington, 23.7.1889 - aged 52
26) William Wyles (B21) Son of Sarah (16) & Robert (19), father of Rachel (21), Duddington, 17.4.1890 - aged 77
27) John Thomas Wyles (F31) Grandson of Thomas (23) Duddington, 23.12.1890 - age 9 days
28) Sarah Wyles (F35) Sister of Thomas (23) & William (24), Duddington, 24.5. 1893 – aged 53
29) Christopher Wyles (H41), Duddington, 9.4.1896 - aged 6 months
30) Sarah Wyles (B20) Mother of Rachel (21) & widow of William (25), Duddington, 10.1.1899 - aged 77
31) Chappel Wyles (F38) Brother of Thomas (11), William (24) & Sarah (27), Collyweston, 15.2. 1899 – aged 56
©opyright: Adrian Chan-Wyles (ShiDaDao) 2019.
On the 19th February 1833, John Wyles of Tixover (farmer) sells land to Hugh Jackson of Wisbech, and recalls the 1828 Will of George Wyles. Presumably, this was a ‘proof of ownership’ issue. On the 18th of October, 1838, a ‘George Wyles’ is laid to rest under a flagstone in St Mary’s Church situated in-front of the Vestry door. The inscription reads: ‘Sacred to the Memory of George, Son of John & Ann Wyles died the 18th of October 1838 in the 38 year of his age.’ This is the son of ‘John Wyles’ (mentioned above) and ‘Ann Wyles’ who are buried in the old Wyles Tomb situated under the modern Vestry floor (with their names recorded on the base of the exterior of the Vestry wall). This Wyles family of John, Ann and George lived over the medieval bridge in Tixover, and represent another branch of the Wyles family in the Duddington area. The final Index Card for the 1800s simply records ‘W. Wyles – Kings Cliff (1836-1839)'. The visible graves of the Wyles family in the 1800s (circa 2008 in St Mary’s graveyard) include:
James Wyles died 21st June 1809 in the 74th year of his age.
Thomas Wyles died 30 Nov. 1853 Aged 66 years. Elizabeth Wyles relict of the above died 7 Nov. 1863 Aged 59 years.
In Loving Remembrance of Rhoda, beloved wife of George Wyles, born April 25th 1831, died April 3rd 1900.
Her children arise up and call her blessed. Her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Also of George Wyles, born March 8th 1831, died May 3rd 1908.
So he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
And of Mary Eliza their daughter who died June 26th 1863, aged 8 years and 8 months.
Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not for such is the kingdom of heaven.
In Affectionate Remembrance of Chappell Wyles Who Departed this Life February 12th 1899 Aged 56 years.
Therefore be ye also ready for in such an hour as ye think not the son of man cometh.
In memory of John Wyles died January 18 1857.
Ann wife of John Wyles died September 24 1832
Thomas Wiles (1824-1887) and his wife Mary Ann.
In Memory of James Wyles who died July 24, 1844 Aged 80 years. Also Sarah Wife of the Above who died June 23, 1866 Aged 87 years. Also of Caroline Daughter of William and Sarah Phillips who died February 18, 1861 Aged 5 years
In the Church of St Mary’s there used to be on display a very old and faded piece of paper which recorded the following names and functions:
Beadle or Sexton:
W. Wyles (1884)
J. Wyles (1886) - Sexton
Although there are thirteen (13) visible graves containing deceased Wyles people in the graveyard of St Mary's Church pertaining to the 1800s, the Burial Records for St Mary's (1809-1899) contain the names of thirty (30) Wyles people (with around five [5] others mentioned in passing but not properly included) who were buried during this time period:
Duddington Burial Records 1809-1899 (30 Entries) – St Mary’s Church
Duddington Burial Records 1809-1899 (30 Entries) – St Mary’s Church
1) James Wyles, Duddington, 23.6.1809 - age (not recorded)
2) Sarah Wyles, Duddington, 14.12.1812 - aged 68
3) John Wyles, Duddington, 21.7.1816 - Aged 10
4) Rebecca Wyles (G9), Duddington, 29.1.1825 - aged 66
5) George Wyles (G), Duddington, 8.5.1828 - 79
6) Ann Wyles (Vestry Wall ‘D’ – Wife of John ‘12’), Tixover Lodge, 27.9.1831 - aged 55
7) William Wyles (F6), Duddington, 13.3.1836 - aged 8 months
8) George Wyles (F), Tixover, 17.10.1838 - aged 33
9) James Wyles (F) Husband of Sarah 16), Duddington, 26.7.1844 - aged 68
10) Fanny Wyles, (F8), Duddington, 20.5.1849 - aged 2
11) Thomas Wyles (F) Husband of Elizabeth (14), Father of Robert, Duddington, 3.12.1853 - aged 66
12) Richard Wyles, (Aged 1 month), Buried 26.1.1857 - No. 326
13) John Wyles (Vestry Wall ‘D’ – Husband of Ann ‘6’), Tixover, 22.11.1857 - aged 79
14) May Eliza Wyles (F11) Daughter of Rhoda (died 1900), Duddington, 27.6.1863 - aged 9
15) Elizabeth Wyles (F) Wife of Thomas (11), Mother of Robert (17), Duddington, 9.11.1863 - aged 59
16) Sarah Wyles (F) Wife of James (9), Duddington, 26.6.1866 - aged 87
17) Sarah Wyles (G8) Wife of Robert (19), Duddington, 2.12.1874 - aged 86
18) Robert Wyles (F14) Son of Thomas (11) & Elizabeth ‘14’ (Blacksmiths), Duddington, 13.1.1875 - aged 50
19) Infant Child of Thomas Wyles (H1), Duddington, 17.4.1875 - aged 1 hour
20) Robert Wyles (B18) Husband of Sarah ‘16’ (Drowned), Duddington, 18.4.1877 - aged 87
21) Mary Wyles (E5), Duddington, 15.7.1877 - aged – 64
22) Rachel Wyles (B19) granddaughter of Robert (19), Duddington, 16.1.1879 - aged 25
23) Frances Annie Wyles (F18) Illegitimate child of Fanny Wyles later Mrs Hibbins, Duddington, 29.1 1879 – aged 10 months
24) Thomas Wyles (F31) Son of Thomas (11), brother of William (7), Duddington, 30.12.1887 - aged 64
25) William Wyles (F33) Son of Thomas (11) & Elizabeth (14), Duddington, 23.7.1889 - aged 52
26) William Wyles (B21) Son of Sarah (16) & Robert (19), father of Rachel (21), Duddington, 17.4.1890 - aged 77
27) John Thomas Wyles (F31) Grandson of Thomas (23) Duddington, 23.12.1890 - age 9 days
28) Sarah Wyles (F35) Sister of Thomas (23) & William (24), Duddington, 24.5. 1893 – aged 53
29) Christopher Wyles (H41), Duddington, 9.4.1896 - aged 6 months
30) Sarah Wyles (B20) Mother of Rachel (21) & widow of William (25), Duddington, 10.1.1899 - aged 77
31) Chappel Wyles (F38) Brother of Thomas (11), William (24) & Sarah (27), Collyweston, 15.2. 1899 – aged 56
©opyright: Adrian Chan-Wyles (ShiDaDao) 2019.