William Fooks

#183, (circa 1760-September 1844)
ChartsBarbara Nicholson - ancestors
Last Edited15 Oct 2022
WikiTree ID:https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Fooks-533.
     NOTE: The information on this page is my research to date and is subject to change as I become better informed. I very much welcome any corrections or additional info you might have - my email address is at the bottom of this page. Whilst historical facts are not copyright, my writing about these facts are. If you wish to use any text from this site on Ancestry or on any other website, please ask me first - Tim Hill.
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William Fooks was likely born circa 1760.1 William was serving with the Devon Militia at the time of his marriage.2,3

He likely married Ann Williams MacKenzie, daughter of James MacKenzie and Elizabeth Williams, in a church of England cermony at All Saints on Saturday, 27 May 1780 at the village of Wyke Regis near the town of Weymouth, Dorset.. Ann was two months pregnant when she married, and William and Ann were both under 21.2,4

William and Ann Williams MacKenzie became the parents of James MacKenzie Fooks on Thursday, 7 December 1780 at Melcombe Regis, Weymouth, Dorset.5,4

Militia units were quite common:
"From 1757, with the fear of a French invasion looming, county militia regiments were established across England, not unlike British postwar National Service. Each parish was required to provide a number of able-bodied men, aged between eighteen and fifty (reduced to forty-five in 1762) for military training. They served in Britain or Ireland but not overseas. Presumably William was posted to Weymouth and stationed at Wyke Regis, where there was a garrison. When exactly William enrolled in the Devon militia is unknown, but he must have been discharged by 1783."1



William's child James received his baptism at All Saints on Sunday, 7 January 1781 at Wyke Regis, Weymouth, Dorset.6,7

William's child William received his baptism on Tuesday, 8 July 1783 at Melcombe Regis, Weymouth, Dorset.8,9,10

William's child John received his baptism on Saturday, 27 October 1787 at Melcombe Regis, Weymouth, Dorset.3

A William Fooks leased some land in Melcombe Regis, Weymouth, Dorset, in 1788 from Thomas Johns.11

William's child Elizabeth received her baptism on Sunday, 31 January 1790 at Melcombe Regis, Weymouth, Dorset.3

A William Fooks leased some land in Melcombe Regis, Weymouth, Dorset, in 1791 from William Oakley, an arrangement which lasted until 1793.12,13

William's child Stephen may have received his baptism on Monday, 10 June 1793 at Melcombe Regis, Weymouth, Dorset.14,3

William's child Ann may have received her baptism on Sunday, 14 June 1795.3

In 1800 William occupied two pieces of land owned by Stephen Illes, an arrangement that lasted until 1801.15 William also occupied land owned by Lieutenant Mackey, assessed for land tax of £ 0-4-0, an arrangement that lasted until 1801.16

William, as the father of the groom, along with Ann may have attended the wedding of James and Jane Berjew by licence in a Church of England ceremony by Reverend Edward Matthew West at St. Mary's on Tuesday, 2 March 1802 at the village of Bradford Abbas near the town of Sherbourne, Dorset. James was 21 and his wife Jane was 23. Others who may have attended include Catherine Wiltshire as mother of the bride and Samuel Berjew as father of the bride. James and Jane went on to have nine known children together.17,18,19,20,21,22

In 1812 William occupied land owned by Stephen Illes. This arrangement seemingly lasted until 1813.23,24

In 1813, William owned land in Melcombe Regis, Weymouth, Dorset, that he occupied that was assessed for tax of £ 0-9-0.25

On 22 October 1824 his son James died at the age of 43.26

In 1828 (and until 1830) William owned and occupied a lodging house in Melcombe Regis, Weymouth, Dorset, which was assessed for land tax, However, other contemporary records suggest that the lodging house was owned by Stephen Illes.27,28,29,30 He was a yeoman in 1830.4

In 1830, and 1831 Stephen Ayles was leasing a 'lodging house' to William Fooks.31,32

His wife Ann died 23 October 1832 at the approximate age of 73, leaving him a widower.

He was recorded as head of household in the 1841 census at Crescent Street (?), Melcombe Regis, Weymouth, Dorset. The 1841 census only recorded adult ages rounded down to the nearest 5 years; his approximate age was recorded as 80.33 His occupation was recorded as being someone of independent means in the census.33

He made a will on 4 June 1842. William named his daughter Mary as a beneficiary, as well as two bankers, presumably as he owed money to them. It isn't clear why none of his other children were made beneficiaries.. (an unknown value.)34 William lived in September 1844 at Melcombe Regis, Weymouth, Dorset.35

William died in September 1844.35,1 He was buried on 21 September 1844 at Wyke Regis, Weymouth, Dorset.35,1

His will was probated on 28 April 1849.34

Timeline

DateEventPlace
Family
1760Birth-Likely1
1780Military2,3
Quotation type 31
1788Note memo only CR CRMelcombe Regis, Weymouth, Dorset11
1791Note memo only CR CRMelcombe Regis, Weymouth, Dorset12,13
1800Note memo only CR CR15
1800Note memo only16
1812Note memo only CR CRMelcombe Regis, Weymouth, Dorset23,24
1813Note memo only CR CRMelcombe Regis, Weymouth, Dorset25
1828Note memo only CR CRMelcombe Regis, Weymouth, Dorset27,28,29,30
1830Occupation4
1830Note memo only CR CRMelcombe Regis, Weymouth, Dorset31,32
1841Census (Eng) 1841Crescent Street (?), Melcombe Regis, Weymouth, Dorset33
1841Occupation33
1842Will-new34
1844ResidenceMelcombe Regis, Weymouth, Dorset35
1844Death35,1
1844Burial at All Saints in the village of Wyke Regis near the town of Weymouth, Dorset35,1
1849Probate-new34

Family

Ann Williams MacKenzie (c 1759-Oct 1832)
Children

Citations

  1. [S1394] The Roberts Family (https://sites.google.com/view/therobertsfamily/home) 09. William Fooks (1759?-1844) https://sites.google.com/view/therobertsfamily/…
  2. [S561] Dorset Online Parish Clerks (http://www.opcdorset.org/) Parish of Wyke Regis - MARRIAGES 1701 - 1782 - Volumes II, III & IV.
  3. [S274] Grahame R. Fooks, The Fooks Family Records p.1.
  4. [S1394] The Roberts Family (https://sites.google.com/view/therobertsfamily/home) Ann Williams Mackenzie (1759-1832) https://sites.google.com/view/therobertsfamily/…
  5. [S806] Jane Fookes,"Extract from Jane Fookes' bible," Bible extract, vital dates , n.d.. Currently held by unknown repository, unknown repository address (for date).
  6. [S561] Dorset Online Parish Clerks (http://www.opcdorset.org/) Wyke Regis - BAPTISMS 1731 to 1790 - Church of England- Church Records- Church of England Parish Church of Wyke Regis - Bishop's Transcripts 1731-1880. BFA Film 1239262.
  7. [S463] Family Search (A service provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) (https://familysearch.org) indexing project (batch) number: C02139-4 system origin: England-EASy source film number: 1239262.
  8. [S463] Family Search (A service provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) (https://familysearch.org) "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J3PK-WS6 : 20 September 2020), William Witham Fooks, 1783.
  9. [S1394] The Roberts Family (https://sites.google.com/view/therobertsfamily/home) William Williams Fooks (1783-1845) https://sites.google.com/view/therobertsfamily/…
  10. [S274] Grahame R. Fooks, The Fooks Family Records p.1 (This source has the baptism a day earlier.).
  11. [S1392] Dorset, England, Land Tax Returns, 1780-1832 (www.ancestry.com) Tenant: Willm Fooks; Proprietor: Thos Johns; Year: 1788; Residence: Melcombe Regis; Year range:1780-1811
    Call Number: Ode (L) 58/1-30.
  12. [S1392] Dorset, England, Land Tax Returns, 1780-1832 (www.ancestry.com) Tenant: Willm Fooks; Proprietor: William Oakley; Year: 1791; Residence: Melcombe Regis; Year range:1780-1811; Call Number: Ode (L) 58/1-30.
  13. [S1392] Dorset, England, Land Tax Returns, 1780-1832 (www.ancestry.com) Tenant: Willm Fooks; Proprietor: William Oakley; Year: 1793; Residence: Melcombe Regis; Year range:1780-1811; Call Number: Ode (L) 58/1-30.
  14. [S1210] Dorset, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812 (www.ancestry.com) Name: John Fooks; [Stephen John Eyles Fooks] Event Type: Baptism; Baptism Date: 10 Jun 1793; Baptism Place: Melcombe Regis, Dorset, England; Father: William Fooks; Mother: Anne Fooks.
  15. [S1392] Dorset, England, Land Tax Returns, 1780-1832 (www.ancestry.com) Tenant: William Fooks; Proprietor: Stephen Illes; Year: 1801; Residence: Melcombe Regis; Year range: 1780-1811; Call Number: Ode (L) 58/1-30.
  16. [S1392] Dorset, England, Land Tax Returns, 1780-1832 (www.ancestry.com) Tenant: William Fooks; Proprietor: Lieutenant Mackey; Year: 1801; Residence: Melcombe Regis; Year range: 1780-1811; Call Number: Ode (L) 58/1-30.
  17. [S574] England Select Marriages, 1530-1973 Ancestry.com, (www.ancestry.com) Name: James Mackense Fooks; Gender: Male; Marriage Date: 2 Mar 1802; Marriage Place: Bradford Abbas, Dorset, England; Spouse: Jane Berjew; FHL Film Number: 1279482.
  18. [S463] Family Search (A service provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) (https://familysearch.org) Indexing project (batch) number: M15812-1, system origin: England-VR, source film number: 1279482.
  19. [S806] Jane Fookes,"Extract from Jane Fookes' bible," Bible extract, vital dates , n.d.. Currently held by unknown repository, unknown repository address (for date and place).
  20. [S561] Dorset Online Parish Clerks (http://www.opcdorset.org/) Bradford Abbas including Clifton Maybank: MARRIAGES & BANNS 1801 - 1812 + MARRIAGES 1813-1830 (https://www.opcdorset.org/BradfordAbbas/…).
  21. [S256] Grahame R. Fooks, The Fooks Family, 1780-1980 p.2 (for vicar's name).
  22. [S1403] Eric Garrett Bradford Abbas: the History of a Dorset Village p.71 (for details of Rev. E. M. West).
  23. [S1392] Dorset, England, Land Tax Returns, 1780-1832 (www.ancestry.com) Tenant: William Fooks Senior; Proprietor: Stephen Ayles; Year: 1813; Residence: Weymouth and Melcombe Regis; Year range: 1812-1832; Call Number: Qde (L) 58/ 31-49.
  24. [S1392] Dorset, England, Land Tax Returns, 1780-1832 (www.ancestry.com) Tenant: William Fooks Senior; Proprietor: Stephen Ayles; Year: 1812; Residence: Weymouth and Melcombe Regis; Year range: 1812-1832; Call Number: Qde (L) 58/ 31-49.
  25. [S1392] Dorset, England, Land Tax Returns, 1780-1832 (www.ancestry.com) Tenant: William Fooks; Proprietor: William Fooks Senior; Year: 1813; Residence: Weymouth and Melcombe Regis; Year range: 1812-1832; Call Number: Qde (L) 58/ 31-49.
  26. [S274] Grahame R. Fooks, The Fooks Family Records p.4.
  27. [S1392] Dorset, England, Land Tax Returns, 1780-1832 (www.ancestry.com) Tenant: Willm Fooks Senior; Proprietor: Willm Fooks Senior; Year: 1828; Residence: Melcombe Regis; Year range: 1812-1832; Call Number: Qde (L) 58/ 31-49.
  28. [S1392] Dorset, England, Land Tax Returns, 1780-1832 (www.ancestry.com) Tenant: Willm Fooks Senior; Proprietor: Willm Fooks Senior; Year: 1829; Residence: Melcombe Regis; Year range: 1812-1832; Call Number: Qde (L) 58/ 31-49.
  29. [S1392] Dorset, England, Land Tax Returns, 1780-1832 (www.ancestry.com) Tenant: Wm Fooks; Proprietor: Stephn Ayles; Year     1829; Residence: Weymouth and Melcombe Regis; Year range: 1812-1832; Call Number: Qde (L) 58/ 31-49.
  30. [S1392] Dorset, England, Land Tax Returns, 1780-1832 (www.ancestry.com) Tenant: Wm Fooks Senior; Proprietor: Wm Fooks Senior; Year: 1830; Residence: Weymouth and Melcombe Regis; Year range: 1812-1832; Call Number: Qde (L) 58/ 31-49.
  31. [S1392] Dorset, England, Land Tax Returns, 1780-1832 (www.ancestry.com) Tenant: William Fooks; Proprietor: Stephen Ayles; Year: 1831; Residence: Melcombe Regis; Year range: 1812-1832; Call Number: Qde (L) 58/ 31-49.
  32. [S1392] Dorset, England, Land Tax Returns, 1780-1832 (www.ancestry.com) Tenant: Wm Fooks; Proprietor: Stephn Ayles; Year     1830; Residence: Weymouth and Melcombe Regis; Year range: 1812-1832; Call Number: Qde (L) 58/ 31-49.
  33. [S397] National Census for England, 1841 (online image) Civil Parish: Melcombe Regis; Hundred: Weymouth and Melcombe Regis; County/Island: Dorset; Country: England; Registration District: Weymouth; Sub-registration District: Weymouth; Piece: 295; Book: 17; Folio: 43; Page Number: 36.
  34. [S1394] The Roberts Family (https://sites.google.com/view/therobertsfamily/home) Mary Fooks (1801-55) https://sites.google.com/view/therobertsfamily/…
  35. [S1171] Dorset, England, Church of England Deaths and Burials, 1813-2010 (www.ancestry.com) Name: William Fooks; Death Age: 88; Birth Year: abt 1756; Burial Date: 21 Sep 1844; Burial Place: Wyke Regis, Dorset, England.
  36. [S561] Dorset Online Parish Clerks (http://www.opcdorset.org/) Wyke Regis - Burials in the Parish of Wyke Regis in the County of Dorset and the Diocese of Bristol - May 1752 to 1812 http://www.opcdorset.org/WykeRegisFiles/…