Edward Spencer WILLS (1778

Edward Spencer WILLS (1778 - 1811)

Children	Self + Spouses	Parents	Grandparents	Greatgrandparents
Sarah WILLS (1796 - 1876) Thomas WILLS (1800 - 1872) Eliza WILLS (1802 - 1858) Edward Spencer WILLS (1805 - 1830) Elizabeth Selina WILLS (1807 - 1811) Horatio Spencer Howe WILLS (1811 - 1861)	Edward Spencer WILLS (1778 - 1811) + Sarah HARDING (1776 - 1823)	Edward WILLS ( - 1814)



		Elizabeth (WILLS) (1738 - 1822)

b. 13 Aug 1778 at London, Middlesex, England

m. 13 Jul 1795 Sarah HARDING (1776 - 1823) at Islington, London, Middlesex, England

d. 14 May 1811 at Sydney, NSW, Australia aged 32

Near Relatives of Edward Spencer WILLS (1778 - 1811)
Relationship	Person	Born	Birth Place	Died	Death Place	Age
Father in Law	Thomas HARDING
Mother in Law	Sarah (HARDING)

Father	Edward WILLS			09 Jan 1814	London, Middlesex, England
Mother	Elizabeth (WILLS)	abt 1738		1822		84

Self	Edward Spencer WILLS	13 Aug 1778	London, Middlesex, England	14 May 1811	Sydney, NSW, Australia	32

Wife	Sarah HARDING	Aug 1776	London, Middlesex, England	08 Jul 1823	Sydney, NSW, Australia	46

Daughter	Sarah WILLS	23 Apr 1796	England	Dec 1876	St Giles, London, England	80
Son	Thomas WILLS	05 Aug 1800	Sydney, NSW, Australia	29 Jul 1872	Melbourne, Victoria, Australia	71
Daughter	Eliza WILLS	10 Sep 1802	Sydney, NSW, Australia	30 Sep 1858	St Leonards, North Sydney, NSW, Australia	56
Son	Edward Spencer WILLS	16 Feb 1805	Sydney, NSW, Australia	1830	London, Middlesex, England	25
Daughter	Elizabeth Selina WILLS	30 Nov 1807	Sydney, NSW, Australia	18 Jan 1811	Sydney, NSW, Australia	3
Son	Horatio Spencer Howe WILLS	05 Oct 1811	Sydney, NSW, Australia	17 Oct 1861	'Cullin-la-ringo', Springsure, Queensland, Australia	50

Son in Law	William REDFERN	1774	Canada	17 Jul 1833	Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland	59
Son in Law	James ALEXANDER	1797	Lanarkshire, Scotland	29 Jul 1877		80
Daughter in Law	Celia REIBEY	1802	Camden, NSW, Australia	28 Sep 1823	NSW, Australia	21
Daughter in Law	Marie Anne BARRY	21 Sep 1801	London, Middlesex, England	19 May 1870		68
Daughter in Law	Mary Ann MELLARD	1830	Peckham, Camberwell, London, Surrey, England
Son in Law	Henry Colden ANTILL	01 May 1779	New York, NY, USA	14 Aug 1852	'Jarvisfield', Picton, NSW, Australia	73
Daughter in Law	Elizabeth (MCGUIRE) WYRE	1817	Sydney, NSW, Australia	28 Dec 1907	Geelong, Victoria, Australia	90

Grandson	William Lachlan Macquarie REDFERN	1819	Australia	1904	Westminster, London, England	85
Grandson	Joseph Foveaux REDFERN	1823		1830	Sydney, NSW, Australia	7
Granddaughter	Sarah Elizabeth ALEXANDER	1835	Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland	1905	Paddington, London, England	70
Granddaughter	Alice WILLS	06 May 1823	Camden, NSW, Australia	14 Apr 1824	NSW, Australia	0
Grandson	William Henry WILLS	01 Dec 1827		abt 1828		1
Granddaughter	Catherine Spencer WILLS	24 Nov 1831	Ci, Sydney, NSW	27 Aug 1884	Geelong, Victoria, Australia	52
Granddaughter	Amelia WILLS	1854	Kensington, London, Middlesex, England
Grandson	Arthur WILLS	18 Feb 1857	Hammersmith, Middlesex, England	14 Oct 1932	Kew, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia	75
Grandson	Harry Spencer WILLS	13 Sep 1858	Brighton, Sussex, England	1914	Melbourne, Victoria, Australia	56
Grandson	Frederick WILLS	19 Jul 1860	St John's Wood, Middlesex, London, England
Grandson	Charles Ernest WILLS	15 Nov 1861	St John's Wood, Middlesex, London, England
Granddaughter	Margaret Campbell ANTILL	27 Jun 1820	Sydney, NSW, Australia	22 Jul 1849	Camden, Oaks, Picton, Stonequarry, NSW	29
Grandson	John Macquarie ANTILL	30 May 1822	Liverpool, NSW, Australia	1900	Picton, NSW, Australia	78
Grandson	Henry Colden ANTILL	07 Apr 1826	Camden, NSW, Australia	1913	Parramatta, Sydney, NSW, Australia	87
Granddaughter	Alice Sophia ANTILL	1827	Liverpool, NSW, Australia	1920	London, Middlesex, England	93
Grandson	William Redfern ANTILL	1828	Campbelltown, NSW, Australia	1905	Picton, NSW, Australia	77
Grandson	Thomas Wills ANTILL	1829	Campbelltown, NSW, Australia	18 May 1865	Nelson, New Zealand	36
Grandson	Edward Spencer ANTILL	20 Jul 1832	Picton, NSW, Australia	1917	Parramatta, Sydney, NSW, Australia	85
Grandson	James Alexander ANTILL	1834	Cobbitty, Narellan, NSW, Australia	1920	Rockdale, Sydney, NSW, Australia	86
Granddaughter	Selina Elizabeth ANTILL	1837	Cobbitty, Narellan, NSW, Australia	1924	Chatswood, NSW, Australia	87
Grandson	Loftus Cliff ANTILL	06 Dec 1839	Stonequarry, Picton, NSW, Australia	1840	Stonequarry, Picton, NSW, Australia	1
Grandson	Thomas Wentworth WILLS	1836	Molongolo Plains, NSW, Australia	02 May 1880	Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia	44
Granddaughter	Emily Spencer WILLS	25 Dec 1842	'Lexington', Ararat, Victoria, Australia	06 Dec 1925	"Molongolo", Kew, Victoria, Australia	82
Grandson	Cedric Spencer WILLS	01 Dec 1844	'Lexington', Ararat, Victoria, Australia	23 Jan 1914	Springsure, Queensland, Australia	69
Grandson	Horace Spencer WILLS	16 Jun 1847	Lexington, Victoria, Australia	08 Oct 1928	Kew, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia	81
Grandson	Egbert Spencer WILLS	11 Nov 1849	Lexington, Victoria, Australia	11 Sep 1931	Kew, Victoria, Australia	81
Granddaughter	Elizabeth Spencer WILLS	07 Jan 1852	'Lexington', Ararat, Victoria, Australia	21 Nov 1930	Prahran, Victoria, Australia	78
Granddaughter	Eugenie (Duckey) Spencer WILLS	28 Jan 1854	Lexington, Victoria, Australia	08 Jul 1937	Kew, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia	83
Granddaughter	Minna Spencer WILLS	01 Mar 1856	"Bellevue", Geelong, Victoria, Australia	14 Feb 1943	Toorak, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia	86
Granddaughter	Hortense Sarah Spencer WILLS	16 Aug 1861	Geelong, Victoria, Australia	02 Jul 1907	Maidenhead, Berkshire, England	45

Events in Edward Spencer WILLS (1778 - 1811)'s life
Date	Age	Event	Place	Notes	Src
13 Aug 1778		Edward Spencer WILLS was born	London, Middlesex, England	Note 1	54, 55
13 Jul 1795	16	Married Sarah HARDING (aged 18)	Islington, London, Middlesex, England	Note 2	54, 55
23 Apr 1796	17	Birth of daughter Sarah WILLS	England		54, 55
13 Jan 1797	18	Highway Robery		Note 3	55
20 Mar 1797	18	Trial	Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey, England	Note 4	55
21 Mar 1797	18	Imprisoned in Hulk	Thames River	Note 5	55
08 Oct 1797	19	Other Event	Thames River	Note 6	55
18 Oct 1797	19	Other Event	'Hillsborough', Thames	Note 7	55
23 Dec 1797	19	Other Event	Thames River	'Hillsborough' got under way	55
26 Jul 1798	19	Immigration	"Hillsborough" to Sydney Heads	Note 8	55
05 Aug 1800	21	Birth of son Thomas WILLS	Sydney, NSW, Australia	died 1872 - age 72 = c1800	54, 55
10 Sep 1802	24	Birth of daughter Eliza WILLS	Sydney, NSW, Australia		52, 54, 55
16 Feb 1805	26	Birth of son Edward Spencer WILLS	Sydney, NSW, Australia	Reg No V18051453 1A/1805	54, 55
30 Nov 1807	29	Birth of daughter Elizabeth Selina WILLS	Sydney, NSW, Australia	Reg No V18071073 4/1807	52, 54, 55
04 Sep 1810	32	Free Pardon	Sydney, NSW, Australia	Note 9	55
18 Jan 1811	32	Death of daughter Elizabeth Selina WILLS (aged 3)	Sydney, NSW, Australia	Note 10	52, 54
04 Mar 1811	32	Witness	St Phillips, Church of England, Sydney, NSW	Note 11	55
14 May 1811	32	Edward Spencer WILLS died	Sydney, NSW, Australia	Note 12	52, 54, 55, 60
		Burial	Devonshire st Cemetery, Sydney	Note 13

Note 1: England and Wales Criminal Registers 1791-1892 - date and place

Baptism records - September 1788 - Edward Spencer Wills son of Edward Wills watchmaker and Elizabeth

Note 2: London, England, Marriages and Banns, 1754-1921 about Edward Wills
Name: Edward Wills
Spouse Name: Sarah Harding
Record Type: Marriage
Event Date: 13 Jul 1795
Parish: Islington St Mary
Borough: Islington
Register Type: Parish Register
In the presence of - Thomas Harding and Edward Wills
(both signed their names)

Note 3: Edward Wills, James Dashper and William Woodham robbed John Martin of his watch, a half-guinea, sixpence, 18 half-pence.

Note 4: Sentenced to death.
Appealed - transportatio for the term of thier natural lives to the eastern coast of NSW

Note 5: boarded the 'Hillsborough' from the hulk 'Stanisklaus'

Note 6: 'Hillsborough' arrived in the Thames to provision and take on convicts

Note 7: Edward Wills was one of 56 convicts from the 'Stanisklaus' to board the 'Hillsborough'

Note 8: Did not set foot on land until 29 th July

Note 9: sentenced and pardoned in the name of WILLIS

Note 10: Reg No V18112601 2A/1811 and V1811154 5/1811 - infant

Note 11: Witness to the marriage of his daughter Sarah Wills and William Redfern

Note 12: Reg No V18112697 2A/1811 - Edward Wills, age 32

Sydney Gazette 18 May 1811, p2
At his house, in George-street, on Tuesday night the 14th instant, Mr. Edward Wills, after a painful illness of nearly three months duration, in his 33d year. The generosity of his disposition ,was evinced in all his actions, his integrity was undoubted; and he lived universally respected, as his death must be sincerely regretted by his most distant acquaintance; while his amiable family and those who were happy in his friendship will be devoted by the melancholy event, to a length of inconsolable affliction.

Note 13: Devonshire st cemetery was located were Central station now stands. Remains were recovered and sent to Rookwood when the cemetery closed.

The Old Burial Ground (now occupied by the Sydney Town Hall) was used between September 1792 and 1820, when it officially closed. Its replacement was the Sandhills Cemetery (Devonshire Street Cemetery), which later became the site of Central Railway Station. By the 1840s there were concerns about overcrowding and over the next twenty years a number of alternative locations were considered. In 1862 the government purchased 200 acres of land 'near Homebush on the Railway Line…' — what was to become the Rookwood Necropolis — for use as a general cemetery. The first registered burial took place at the Rookwood Necropolis in 1867 [2].

Personal Notes:

England and Wales, Criminal Registers, 1791-1892 - Record for Edwd Wills
Feb 1797 - WILLS Edwd (with James Dashper) - age 19 - 5 foot 10 and a half inches - fair complexion, brown hair, hazel eyes, b London, a printer
Robery of Michael and John Martin on the highway in Surrey - remanded for Surrey

The Times Newspaper - Wednesday 1st February 1797 - page 3, column 2
Monday evening as Mr Martin, Cowkeeper of the Wash Way near Brixton Causeway, in company with his brother, was going out to spend the evening, they were met near his house by 3 men and robbed of their watches and money. On the robbers running off, they passed near the patrole, who pursued and came up with them, when a scuffle ensured. One of the patrole was much wounded , but one of the robbers was secured. He laid his name is John Ashburn. On the prisoner was found a loaded pistol, and on the ground near him a watch, which Mr M’s brother swore to be his.
In consequence of an information, Edward Willes was apprehended on Old Street, yesterday morning charged with being an accomplice.
They were yesterday examined, but owing to the darkness of the night, Mr M nor his brother would not swear to their persons. They were however committed.
Wednesday 8th Feb 1797 page 3 column C
Edward Wills and James Dashper were charged with robbing Mr Martin, cow keeper, of the Wash Way, Kennington, as stated in this paper some days since, were re-examined and fully committed for trail.

http://www.dashper.net.nz/dashxfiles26.htm

http://tww.id.au/family-history-wills/edward-spencer-wills-celene/pafg01.htm#40
1. Edward Spencer Wills was born on 13 Aug 1778 in Middlesex,England. He was christened on 11 Sep 1778 in St Luke Old St,Finsbury,Middlesex,England. He died on 14 May 1811 in ,Sydney,New South Wales,Australia. He was buried in Botany Bay Cem,Sydney,New South Wales,Australia.

son of Edward Wills, Gentleman of Broadcourt, Long Acre, Middlesex, b1741 ,Buried at St Paul's Convent Garden 9.1.1814 and Elizabeth (b 1739. buried at St Paul's Convent Garden 10.3.1822)
(info from Last Will and Testament of Edward Wills Esq of Middlesex researched by R.P Vivien-Graham, College of Arms, London - for Brian Wills in Oct 1952)

I.G.I. shows christenings for Edward Spencer Wills, 11 Sep 1778,at St Luke's Old Street, Finsbury, Middlesex
Sarah Harding, 11 Aug 1776
and Sarah Wills, 15 May 1796 at St Luke's Old Street, Finsbury, Middlesex
1795 married Sarah Harding (mother Elizabeth Harding?? maybe step mother - visited Sydney in 1810 - but I.G.I gives mother as Sarah)
January 1797 arrested for being a highwayman
on 29 March 1797 sentenced to Transportion
Lists of Convicts on Transports 1788-1800 Fiche No 618 p.324 50 334
Edward Willis - Native Place Surry
Sentenced Mar 1797 life 342,21
from Weymouth 28th Sept 1798

In January 1797 Edward WILLS, James DASHPER and William WOODHAM were arrested for highway robbery. The three men had used arms to rob John MARTIN of his watch, a half guinea, a sixpence and 18 half-pence. The money (£2.19.4) was found at Edward's residence.
Edward's trial took place at Kingston-on-Thames, Surrey on the 20th March 1797. The three men were found guilty and all sentenced "to be hanged by the neck until dead". They had the right of appeal, so Edward had a petition made. The document addressed to the Duke of Portland was supported by the Curate and Church Warden of St. Luke's, Edward's old employer Millar RITCHIE, the victim John MARTIN, Thomas LOCK.
At Whitehall on the 29th March, 1797, "Edward WILLIS and James DASHPER having been convicted of Highway Robbery, and having been humbly recommended as fit objects of the Royal Mercy His Majesty has now been graciously pleased to extend his Royal Mercy on condition of their being transported for the term of their natural lives to the Eastern Coast of New South Wales..."
On the 18th October, 1798 Edward and 55 other convicts were transferred from the hulk "Stanislaus" to the "Hillsborough". The convicts were to be housed in the lowest deck "where conditions were grim, because there were no port-holes to allow light and fresh air. For a bed each convict was given a two foot wide plank of wood, a blanket and a pillow. For clothing they each got two blue jackets, a pair of trousers, two pairs of stockings, two shirts, a pair of shoes and a cap. They were also allowed to take two gallons of wine for the voyage. Edward, James DASHPER and William WOODHAM set sail from Portland Rds. on the 23rd December, 1798.
The "Hillsborough" was to be nicknamed "the Death Ship" from their ill fated voyage. WOODHAM died on the way out of port.
There were six woman aboard, one of them being Edward's wife Sarah with their infant daughter.
The "Hillsborough" arrived in Sydney on the 26th July 1799. On the following day Governor HUNTER wrote to the Duke of Portland explaining that the ship embarked with 300 convicts but arrived with only 205, with six dying within a day of arrival. Later, in a letter to KING, HUNTER decribed the "Hillsborough" inmates as being "a cargo of the most miserable and wretched convicts I ever beheld". Edward became ill from the voyage but was lucky to become a ward of his wife Sarah who had "arrived free".

*********************

Historical Records of Australia
Series 1, Volume2, 1797 - 1800, p. 376- 77
Governor Hunter to the Duke of Portland {Extract}
Sydney New South Wales 27th July 1799
My Lord Duke,
The Albion, south whaler, anchor'd here on the 29th of June, and deliver'd nine hundred tuns of salt pork, and the Hillsborough , transport, arriv'd yesterday, in which had been embark'd three hundred convicts, but I am sorry to say that such had been the mortality on board that ship two hundr'd and five only were landed here, and of that number six are since dead; most of them must for a time be placed in the hospitals.

Here again my Lord, I am compell'd, much against my inclination, to recur to my former representations of the want of cloathing and blankets. These people have been put on board this ship with a miserable matrass, and one blanket, and the cloaths only in which they embark'd, not a supply of any kind to land them here in, and those worne on board the ship are not fit to be taken on shore; yet, ragged as they are, I cannot suffer even those things which are liable to carry infection to be destroy'd, because I have nothing to supply in lieu, the whole colony being naked. I will direct every means to be us'd for preventing the goal fever (which I understand to be the principal malady) from being introduc'd into our hospitals. Permit me, my Lord, to solicit most earnestly that your Grace may issue such directions on the subject of cloathing for the people in this colony as may serve to furnish us with an early supply.
***********************

conditionally pardoned by Governor King 4th June 1803

******

The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser 19 June 1803
N O T I C E.
WHEREAS His Excellency was pleased to Grant Free Pardons and Conditional Emancipations to the Following Persons on His Majesty's late Birth -Day, some of whom have not yet received them ; Notice is hereby given, that such as are Included in the following List may have their respective Deeds, on Application at the Secretary's Office.
D. D. MANN, Clerk
(in the list are to be found - )
Free pardon - William Redfearn
Conditional Emancipations - George Howe and Edward Wills

***************
The "Sydney Gazette" reported on the 2nd of October 1803 that Edward was fined £5 for purchasing seven ounces of stolen silver.

Sydney Gazette - 8 Jan 1804 - TO BE SOLD
By Private Contract,
And Immediate possession had,
NEAT. Eligible, and Commodious DWELLING-HOUSE, substantially and handsomely built, well shingled and glazed throughout, good Kitchen detached, and lately called or know by the sign of the GREEN GATE, undeniably situate near the Hospital wharf ; the Property and in the immediate Occupation of EDWARD WILLS, Of whom Particulars may be known.

On the 7th of October 1804, James BROWN and F.MOREY were sentenced to 100 lashes and three years hard labour for the robbery of copper coin and merchandise from the shop of E.WILLS.

Sydney Gazette - 28 Oct 1804 - STRAYED, About a Fortnight since from a Run near the Brickfields, Two Goats and four Kids, the property of Edward Wills. Any person giving information whereby they may be recovered, shall receive a Reward of TEN Shillings.

Sydney Gazette 11 Nov 1804 - LOST, Near the Hospital Wharf last Monday, A Promissory Note of Thos. Jamison, Esq.the amount £3 18 Whoever may have found the same is re- quested to return it to Edward Wills, when a Reward of Ten shillings will be paid. It is not negociable, as payment is stopped.

On the 19th of January 1805 a woman servant of E.WILLS was gaoled for stealing sundry merchandise from his house. Edward's house was in George Street (later Essex Street), Sydney.

The "Sydney Gazette" in April 1805 contained an advertisement listing sugars, teas, soaps, linen, muslin, shoes, dungarees, ribbons, etc. for sale at the house of Edward WILLS.

Sydney Gazette 9 June 1805 - STOLEN, On Tuesday evening last From the Kitchen of EDWARD WILLS, near the Hospital Wharf,
A New Canvas Sail for a small Boat, with sundry articles of wearing apparel and other property.
Any person rendering information that may lead to detection will receive a Reward of Two Guineas.

On the 15th September 1805 the "Gazette" mentioned RABY and WILLS as being involved in the seal-skin business.
On the 24 Nov 1805 Edward advertised for a "careful stockman".

1805 Muster Wills, Edward S A4508 E.C. came "Hillsborough" self dealer
Sarah B0036 and C1363
leg children 2 male and 2 female

Sydney Gazette - 23 Feb 1806 - A Bench of Magistrates assembled yesterday, before whom several prisoners were charged as follows :
John Fitzwilliam for an attempt to steal privately out of the house of Edward Wills 50lbs. of tobacco, with which he was detected, sentenced 300 lashes, and to remain in the gaol gang to which his crimes have confined him.

Sydney Gazette - 18 May 1806 - N O T I C E. ALL persons throughout the Colony having in their possession Promissory Notes of Hand drawn and payable by me, (those on a printed form excepted), are requested to present them for payment immediately to me at Sydney ; as none that are not drawn upon a printed form will be recognised or paid after Monday the 26th of this present instant, May 1806 ; of which all persons are requested to take Notice.
And I do hereby at the same time CAUTION Traders and Others against receiving in payment or otherwise, any Bill or Bills, drawn or purporting to be drawn by me, unless upon a printed form as aforesaid, from and after the publication of this Notice.
Edward Wills.

Sydney Gazette 15 June 1806 - THE Notes of Hand and other Papers hereunder mentioned having been stolen with other property from the house of Edward Wills, all persons are hereby cautioned against the receipt of such ; or should either have been to received information thereof is requested to be made immediately, as payment was stopped on the morning after the robbery had been effected. — A Note of Hand drawn by James Wright in favour of John Tull—for 10£

WILLS also went into shipping. In 1806 the 66 ton "Mary and Sally" was built by Thomas REIBIE and Edward WILLS
In the same year these two partners are recorded as owning a sloop named "Raven". He also owned the 22.5 ton sloop "Eliza"

Sydney Gazette 19 June 1808 - ALL persons are hereby positively Cautioned against trespassing, with stock or otherwise, on the farms of Edward Wills (formerly belonging to Mr. William Cummings, at Prospect; as any person offending herein will be prosecuted with every severity of the Law.

In June 1808 WILLS donated £30 to send John MacARTHUR to London to give evidence on behalf of Major JOHNSTON.

Sydney Gazette 25 Sept 1808 - To be sold by Private Contract, the sloop Eliza, carval built, measures twenty two tones and a half, is well sheathed, and has lately undergone a thorough repair ; her sails and rigging are in good condition two anchors and a cable, and may be sent to sea immediately, -- Six months credit will be given on approved security. -- apply to Edward Wills.

Sydney Gazette 22 Jan 1809 - ALL persons are hereby Cautioned against purchasing, or otherwise interfering in the property of a Horse, known by the name of Captain, and late belonging to Samuel Phelps, but now in possession of James Hardwick, whose Receipt I hold for the purchase of the same. (signed) Edward Wills.

Sydney Gazette 5 Feb 1809 - Now on Sale, at the House of EDWARD WILLS, the following Articles at reduced Prices;
viz.
Sugar 1s. d. per lb. gunpowder tea 18s. per ditto; good green ditto 11s. per do, tobacco 5s. per lb; soap 3s. per do, candles 3s. 6d. per lb ; English plates, dishes from 3s. to 7s. each ; cups and saucers 2s. 6d. each, men's English shoes, bound, 12s. per pair; English boots 1£ 12s. per pair, frying pans, 10s. each; ladies' coloured shoes, children's ditto, black ditto, English fish-hooks and lines ; shoe and scrubbing brushes, blacking, seis- sars, pocket knives, razors in cases, shaving boxes, bobbing Is. 6d. per piece; tapes 2s. 6d. per piece and upwards, thread 1£ 10s. per lb. or 3d. per skane; ladies tortoise shell and silver combs, finger rings, watch keys, and glasses ; ladies and gentlemen's gloves assorted ; ??arse???a for waist-coating 12s. per yard, fine calico 6s. per ditto, superfine calimancoes and stuffs for petticoats from 4s. 6d. to 5s. per yard ; fancy shawls from 7s. and upwards, white handkerchiefs 2s. 6d. each, black stockings from 4s. to 5s. per pair, white cotton do from 6s. to 10s. per do ; gentlemen's beaver hats 2£ 15s. each, children's do 1£ 8s. per ditto, wo- men's straw bonnets 1£ 10s. per do ; ribbands from 6d. to 2s. 6d. per yard, ivory combs from 2s. to 4s. each, rack combs 1s. per do; silk 9d. per skane, pins 1s. 6d. per paper, thimbles 3d. each, gun and pistol flints 2s. per dozen ; looking glas- ses from 5s. and upwards, black lead pencils 1s. 6d. each, sprigg'd and plain muslins, fancy silks for bonnets ; blue cloth trowsers 1£ 5s. each, blue dungaree do 7s. per do, bluejackets 1£ 10s. per do, checque shirts 16s. per do, nankeen trowsers 12s. per do, cotton shirts, japanned tea-boards and waiters, pepper 2s. 6d. per lb ; paper 4s. per quire, plumbs 2s. 6d. per lb. children's leather caps 5s. each, palempores 12s. each, guernsey frocks, sail needles, nankeens, short and long pieces ; bundle handkerchiefs 2s. 6d. each, silk ditto from 5s. to 8s. per do ; tin ware of different kinds, and various other Articles too tedious to mention.

Sydney Gazette - 26 Feb 1809 -
Yesterday a Bench of Magistrates assembled; by whom the following Persons were approved to hold Wine and Spirit Licenses for the ensuing Year :
SYDNEY. Simeon Lord, Edward Wills, Thomas Reibey

Sydney Gazette 12 March 1809 - Same time will be Sold, a large Boat adapted to the Hawkesbury- Trade ; which may be viewed prior to the Sale, by applying to Edward Wills.

In April 1809 a burglar gained entry into WILLS's shop via the chimney and made off with goods to the value of £100. Natives found the items, in less than an hour, hidden in rocks.
Sydney Gazette 30 April 1809 - On Wednesday night, or early on Thursday morning, the shop of Mr. Edward Wills was entered, and robbed of cloths, silk handkerchiefs, and .other goods to the amount estimated nearly at £100; and from general appearances no doubt could be entertained of the entry being made by one of the parties getting down the chimney. About the time of day-break a man was seen go across the Rocks towards Cockle Bay, with two bundles ; but was suffered to pass without molestation. From this circumstance, however, an idea suggested itself that the stolen property might then be in concealment about the rocks and cavities in that quarter; which led to a second suggestion, that the natives might be usefully employed in exploring this track. Several accidentally passing at the very juncture, they were dispatched by Mr. Wills on the search, though without any very flattering expectation that could countenance the hope of its success, he promise of reward induced the natives to engage in the search; and in less than an hour they returned in triumph., with several pieces of silk handkerchiefs, demanding the fulfilment of the promises that had been made to them; but as this was but a trifling part of the property stolen, they consented with some reluctance to resume the search, in which Mr. Wills then joined them. After examining a number of crannies in the rocks, they came at length to a cavity of sufficient depth to contain a man; and as it was amply strewed with feathers, there was reason to conjecture that it had become the residence of some delinquent who had absconded from public labour ; and at a small distance they discovered another aperture, on examining which, almost the whole of the articles sought for were brought to view.

Sydney Gazette 15 Oct 1909 - To be Sold, a House in the best part of Chapel Row. For Particulars apply to E. Wills, near the Wharf.

Sydney Gazette 26 May 1810 - ALL Person indebted to me are hereby requested to take Notice, that I have confided to Mr. George Howe the charge of receiving all my Outstanding Debts, some of which have been for many years due but not sued for, as a friendly accommodation has ever been my greatest wish. With much reluctance, I have now to add, however, that I have instructed the said Mr. George Howe to resort to legal measures for the recovery of the Sums due to me, to which necessity has at length impelled me. - EDWARD WILLS.
In consequence of the above Advertisement I very respectfully request, that all Persons who stand indebted to Mr. Edward Wills will take an early opportunity of liquidating their Accounts, as no alternative remains but that of applying for legal Processes against those who disregard this Solicitation. G. HOWE.

On the 4th September 1810 Edward was pardonned, under his alias WILLIS, by Major-General Lachlan MacQUARIE, Governor of New South Wales.

WILLS was the victum of another burglary on 13th October 1810 where someone entered his unfinished premises and cut the duck covering off a new sofa.

Sydney Gazette 10 Niv 1810 - GEORGE-STREET WAREHOUSE. EDWARD WILLS begs leave to return his sincere Thanks to the Public, for the distinguished favor with which his long established Retail Warehouse has been for many years honoured and further begs leave to acquaint Ladies and Gentlemen, and the Public at large, that he has OPENED his NEW and COMMODIOUS WAREHOUSE in George-Street; whereas the following ARTICLES are now on SALE at very reduced Prices, viz.
Green Tea £35 per chest or 16s per lb. Hyson tea £40 per chest or 20s. per lb. rice 4d. per lb. by the bag, or 6d. per lb. pepper 1s. 6d. per lb. by the bag, or 2s. 6d. per lb retail; bacon per side 1s. 6d per lb. small hams 9s. 6d. per ditto; spices of softs, salt and saltpetre, sugar-candy 1s 6d per lb. sugar by the bag 10d per lb, retail 1s. per do, long and short sets of china, consisting of cups and saucers, basons, tea-pots, milk jugs, sugar basons, plates, dishes, tureens ; wash-hand basons and bottles, mugs of sizes; nankeens 15s. per piece, check 16s per piece, striped gurrah 16s. per ditto, English prints 3s, 6d. per yard and upwards; calico 52s per piece or 2s. 9d. per yard retail; calico shifts and shirts 8s. each, striped cotton shirts 12s. each, copper plate bed furniture 3s 6d. per yard, black cambrick bombazeens and nankeens, black and coloured ribbands; Men, women, and children's shoes of all kinds and sizes, striped and sprigged muslin, India dimities 20s. per piece, petticoat stuffs 3s. per yard by the piece and upwards, coloured cambricks and persians, ladies' straw bonnets, gentlemen's hats, black and white silk, japanned trays, tea caddies, and waiters, black twilled silk and satins, lutestrings for ladies' dresses, blue cloth and marseillas, waistcoats ready made table cloths and diaper blue jackets and trowsers, children's black and coloured leather caps, bed ticking and palempores, black and coloured silks, handkerchiefs, thread and cotton, lace stockings coloured and white, gilt and plated buttons, clasp knives and scissars, seives by the set, tin ware of sorts, looking glasses gilt and plain, ivory and other combs, fish-hooks and lines, pins by the lb. or oz. tobacco, soap and starch, paper, silks of colours, tapes, threads, bobbings, needles, girls' bonnets, frying pans, brass cocks, palem- pores, frying pans, and numerous other articles.

Sydney Gazette - 5 Jan 1811 - TO be Sold by Private Contract an excellent Farm at Prospect, of about 140 Acres of rich Land, a part clear, and equally adapted to Stock or tillage, formally known by the name of Cummings, but now known as the property of Edward Wills -
Upon it is a weather boarded and shingled Dwelling-house that may be rendered very commodious at a trifling expence - Its contiguity to an extensive Commmon gives superity to its situation, while the natural fertility of its soil has received considerable addition from the herding of an exensive stock for several years past, the Proprietor having disposed of which is his only inducement to part with a Farm which is inferior to none in its Vicinity. Particulars to be known of the Proprietor, at his warehouse in George street.

Sydney Gazette 9 Feb 1811 - Edward Wills, George -street Sydney, having received reiterated assurances from Persons indebted to him at Hawkesbury, of their willingness to liquidate their debts, and ability to do so as soon as a market may offer for their Wheat, and having before depended on a similar assurances from time, to time, until the calamity of flood terminated the hope eventually, in disappointment, now feels himself called upon to request, that those who are ingenious in their assurances, and really delay their payments from the want of an immediate market, will satisfy the demands against them in Wheat, delivered at his Warehouse in clean storeable condition, at the price paid by the Commissary for Wheat supplied to the public Stores, the Advertise having at a Very considerable expence provided buildings for its reception. Those who have now the means of dicharging their said Accounts in the mode above re- quested, but still remain indifferent therto, may unexceptionably expect to be proceeded against befor the next Civil Court, the trouble and expence attending which it is hoped this notice will induce them to avoid.

Sydney Gazette 16 March 1811 - By Order of His Excellency the Governor, JOHN THOMAS CAMPBELL, Secretary.
Names of Persons at Sydney who have received Spirit Licenses in February, 1811.
Names. Place of Residence.
Mary Raby - Macquarie place
Edward Wills - George street

Sydney Gazette - 6 April 1811 - Strayed from Dobraude, about three weeks since, a Bay Mare, young in foal, with a small star in the forehead, known by the name of Betsey, formerly the property of Mr. Baker (Storekeeper at, Hawkesbury), but now of Edward Wills:— Any Person returning her to whom, will receive a Guinea Reward. .

Died 14 May 1811 aged 33 2697 Vol 2
Obituary by George Howe in Sydney Gazette May 1st,
"Died, at his home in George Street on Tuesday night, the 11th inst, Mr Edward Wills, after a painful illness of nearly three months duration in his 33rd year. The generosity of his disposition was evinced in all his actions - his integrity was undoubted and he lived universally respected, and his death must be sincerely regretted by his most distant acquaintance; while his amiable family and those who were happy in his friendship will be devoted by the melancholy event to the length of inconsciable affliction.'

Mutch Index gives burial date as May 16, 1811 St Phillip's Sydney

When Edward WILLS died after three months of painful illness his assets were valued at more than £15,000.
Edward Wills's Headstone was destroyed in removal from Old Botany Bay Cemetry but says
Also George Howe a native of St Kitts (who was Sarah Wills 's second husband)

Sydney Gazette 1 June 1811 - NOTICE.
Letters of Administration having been granted to Mrs. Sarah Wills, Wife of the late Mr. Edward Wills, deceased, of all his Goods, Chatels, and Effects, she requests that all those who have Claims or Demands upon the said Estate, will present the same forthwith for Payment; and all those who are indebted to the said Estate, are requested in like manner to pay their respective Debts within One Month from the Date Hereof, to avoid Legal Proceedings for the recovery of the same.
Sarah Wills.

Source References:

52. Type: Australia Birth Marriage Death Index 1787 - 1985 Record

- Reference = (Death)

54. Type: Web Page, Abbr: Ancestry Family Trees, Title: Ancestry Family Trees, Auth: Ancestry.com

- Reference = (Marriage)

- Reference = (Death)

- Reference = (Birth)

- Reference = (Name, Notes)

55. Type: Book, Abbr: Edward Wills Family and Descendants, Title: Ancestor Treasure Hunt; The Edward Wills Family and Descendants in Australia 1797 - 1976, Auth: R.V. Pockley, Publ: Wentworth Books - Sydney, Date: 1976

- Reference = (Other Event)

- Reference = (Death)

- Reference = (Other Event)

- Reference = (Immigration)

- Reference = (Other Event)

- Reference = (Marriage)

- Reference = (Birth)

- Reference = (Other Event)

60. Type: Newspaper, Title: Trove, http://trove.nla.gov.au

- Reference = (Death)

- Notes: Sydney Gazette 18 May 1811, p2
At his house, in George-street, on Tuesday night the 14th instant, Mr. Edward Wills, after a painful illness of nearly three months duration, in his 33d year. The generosity of his disposition ,was evinced in all his actions, —his integrity was undoubted; and he lived universally respected, as his death must be sincerely regretted by his most distant acquaintance; while his amiable family and those who were happy in his friendship will be devoted by the melancholy event, to a length of inconsolable affliction.

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