Notes:

Rye, Sussex, England

Benjamin married Ann Balkcombe on 4 Jun 1790 in Ewhurst, Sussex, England. Ann was born WFT est 1750-1774; died WFT est 1795-1863. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Benjamin Boots was born in 1791; was christened on 14 Aug 1791; died WFT est 1792-1881.

Notes:

Various publications provide accounts of Rye, Sussex County, England.

Encyclopaedia Britannica (London: William Benton, Publisher, 1958), Page 779:

"Rye is a picturesque market town, built up a hill by the Rother river, with cobbled streets and timber-framed and Georgian houses. Ypres tower (12th century), which stands on the cliff, was its only defense until Edward III walled the town, but Landgate (1329), one of the three original entrance gates, is all that remains of the 14th century fortifications. The Norman to Perpendicular church of St. Mary has a notable quarter-boy 16th-century clock and in the churchyard is a Georgian reservoir....

"As part of the manor of Rameslie, Rye was granted by Edward the Confessor to the monks of Fecamp by whom it was retained until resumed by Henry III in 1247. The town became a full member of the Cinque Ports c. 1350 when, with Winchelsea, the other "ancient town," it was added to the confederation. It was then a flourishing port but declined in the late 14th century, partly recovered its prosperity with the decay of Winchelsea in the 15th and 16th centuries and then sank again when the sedimentation and consequent receding of the sea, which had been going on slowly since the 14th century, made the use of the harbour impracticable. By the mid-20th century the Rother's mouth was 2 mi. from the town. Rye was twice burned down by the French in 1377 and 1448. The town was incorporated in 1289."

Frommer's England (New York: Prentice Hall Press, 1988), page 228:

"Rye flourished as a smuggling center, its denizens sneaking in contraband from the marshes to stash away in little nooks (even John Wesley's firm chastisements couldn't stop an entrenched tradition). But the sea receded from Rye, leaving it perched....out of water 2 miles from the Channel. Its narrow, cobblestone streets twist and turn like a labyrinth, with buildings jumbled along them whose sagging roofs and crooked chimneys indicate the town's medieval origins. The old town's entrance is Land Gate, where a single lane of traffic passes between massive, 40-foot-high stone towers. This is long been considered a special place, having attracted any number of famous persons, including Charles Lamb (who considered the smugglers "honest thieves") and Henry James, who once lived in the Lamb House."

These accounts certainly paint Rye in a very quaint, perhaps even romantic light, and should not be taken as an indication that our ancestors were smugglers. We know that Ambrose Boots was a carpenter, and that he probably came from a family of carpenters, although what they were in earlier generations is anybody's guess. Some of the baptismal records list the occupation of the father (James Boots occupation is not so listed), and "Carpenter" and "Labourer" appear frequently. The Baptismal record for his son Samuel lists Ambrose's occupation as Carpenter and Joiner.

Bodiam, Sussex County, England

James married Mary Ranger on 25 Dec 1753 in Northiam, Sussex County, England. Mary (daughter of James Ranger and Elizabeth ?) was born WFT est 1716-1742; died WFT est 1775-1831. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The Will of James Ranger, carpenter of Northiam, is dated 4 May 1770. In it is mentioned his wife Elizabeth Ranger; his two sons Thomas Ranger and Jasper Ranger; his daughter Elizabeth, wife of William Lemon; his daughter Mary, wife of James Boots; his son Josiah Ranger; his son James Ranger; his grandson Thomas Ranger, son of William and Martha Ranger; his grandson Joseph Boots; his son George Ranger; and his son Christopher Ranger.

Notes:

Burwash, Sussex County, England

James married Anne Collins on 26 Dec 1721 in Bodiam, Sussex County, England. Anne (daughter of William Collins and Susanna Smarsall) was born in 1693 in Bodiam, Sussex, England; was christened on 4 Nov 1693; died WFT est 1738-1788. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Bodiam, Sussex, England

Notes:

The Will Index to the Archdeaconry Court of Lewes, Sussex, England, contains a reference to the Will of James Ranger. Considering the fact that less than ten percent of the population of eighteenth century England left Wills, finding one with relevant information is particularly exciting.

The Will of James Ranger, carpenter of Northiam, is dated 4 May 1770. In it is mentioned his wife Elizabeth Ranger; his two sons Thomas Ranger and Jasper Ranger; his daughter Elizabeth, wife of William Lemon; his daughter Mary, wife of James Boots; his son Josiah Ranger; his son James Ranger; his grandson Thomas Ranger, son of William and Martha Ranger; his grandson Joseph Boots; his son George Ranger; and his son Christopher Ranger.

The grandson Joseph Boots, is no doubt one and the same as Josia Boots, who was baptized at Northiam in 1758.

The Parish Registers reveal that James Ranger was buried 13 January 1772 at Northiam.

There are few records of Baptisms for members of the Ranger family. The reason for this would seem to be because they were Anabaptists. Parish Registers for Northiam reveal the marriage 31 May 1692 of Thomas Ranger and Susanna Moor. They also contain the following entry: "4 October 1695: a Daughter of Thomas & Susanna Ranger, Anabaptists, was born." It is possible that James Ranger may have been a son of Thomas and Susanna Ranger, but if they were Anabaptists it is unlikely that any baptismal proof will be found.

James married Elizabeth ? WFT est 1701-1751. Elizabeth was born WFT est 1682-1719; died WFT est 1716-1803. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

James Boots was baptized 13 June 1645, in the Parish of Burwash, Sussex County, England.
He may have been married three times.
There are records of James Boots and wife, Maria , as well as of James Boots and wife, Martha , and lastly, of James Boots and wife, Susanna .

The lapse of time between James Boots' baptism in 1645 and the baptism of James Boots, son of James and Susanna in 1699 may perhaps be explained by the multiple marriages - Susanna being his third wife.

It is also possible that there is a missing generation between Janes (1645) and James (1699).

Burwash, Sussex County, England

James married ??? Susanna WFT est 1663-1706. ??? was born WFT est 1643-1679; died WFT est 1701-1765. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Burwash, Sussex, England

William married Susanna Smarsall on 1 Jul 1690 in Bodiam, Sussex County, England. Susanna (daughter of William Smerswell and Ann Baker) was born in 1660 in Bodiam, Sussex County, England; was christened on 1 Feb 1661; died WFT est 1696-1755. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Bodiam, Sussex, England