William Needham and Annie Hill

According to Jennie Bothwell Bratney’s account, the names of Sarah Needham’s parents were William Needham and Annie Hill, and William died in Arklow, Ireland. Jennie lists only one sibling, Valentine, who ended up in Prince Edward Island.

That is ALL the “documentation” I have. All the rest is speculation.

Sarah Needham was born about 1769. Assume her mother was born, say, 20 years earlier, that gives a birthdate for Annie Hill of about 1749 - and then a possible birthdate for William of a year or two earlier (although it could be later - or even quite a bit earlier, sigh). So - speculation 1 - William and Annie were born sometime around 1740 - and probably not later than 1750 or so (Annie possibly a little latter, say 1754).

IF William Needham of London, Ontario was Sarah’s brother (and I think there is SOME sort of connection there), then it is possible that they were not born in Ireland. According to descendant George Needham, William and his wife Jane Proctor were born in England and moved to Ireland after their marriage. If William was born in England, and if he is Sarah’s (much younger) brother, then possibly she was born in England as well. Possibly the whole boiling of them moved to Ireland after that date. (William born 1778 - married 1798??) In which case, possibly William and Annie were also born in England.

I looked at the English Baptisms file on Ancestry, and found William Needhams - born before 1750 - in the following counties: Derbyshire, Kent, London, Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire. Annie Hills - born before 1754 - were found in the following counties: Cheshire, Derbyshire, Kent, Lancashire, Nottinghamshire, Somersetshire, London, Wiltshire.

Overlaps:
Derbyshire - 3 Williams, born 1731, 1734, 1746 and one Annie born 1747.
Nottinghamshire - 4 Williams born 1736, 1740, 1741, 1746 and one Annie born 1738.
Kent - 1 William born 1739, one Annie born 1744.

And that is as far as I’ve gone with that.

ON THE OTHER HAND. Perhaps William is not Sarah’s brother, perhaps Sarah (and William-the-father and Annie) were in Ireland for generations. I have not searched the Irish records for them. But there was at least ONE Needham connected to Arklow: Francis Needham was in overall command at the Battle of Arklow in 1798, in which the United Irishmen’s successful march toward Dublin was halted. However, his family was seated in Northern Ireland and quite possibly had NO connection with Arklow otherwise. (Article in Wikipedia: Francis Needham, 1st Earl of Kilmorey)

And that's as far as I have gone with that.

Back to: The Needhams
           Bates Home Page
           Lee's Genes Home Page

Forward to: Daughter Sarah
                  Son Valentine
                         Valentine's children
Possible children: Hannah Needham Armour
                          Elizabeth Acton
                          William Needham (The Needhams in London, Ontario)

questions, comments, additions, corrections?
contact me at: lee@leesgenes.com

Page last updated 27 May 2011