-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANN (HEATH) AND WILLIAM CHOYCE, FARMER, OF SIBSON

William Choyce married Ann Heath of Clifton, Staffordshire, 1 Jun 1742, at Polesworth, Warwickshire. This information comes from Claudine J. Hopkinson, formerly of Rugby, presently of Hinckley, Leicestershire, in a letter dated 18 Sep 1980:

One more little snippet from the Warwick Record Office - Polesworth Parish Register, 1.6.1742, WILLIAM CHOYCE of the Parish of Sibson in the County of Leicestershire and ANN HEATH of Clifton in ye County of Stafford, married by license.

The IGI includes a marriage record for William Choice who married Ann Clark or Heath, 31 May 1742, at Clifton Campbell. This could indicate that Ann had been a widow when she married William, although that is not indicated on the above marriage record. If Ann were a widow, she may have had children by her first marriage.

Another isolated item, received from Maurice Faulknall, formerly of Tamworth, Staffordshire, presently of Builth Wells, Powys, Wales, may shed a glimmer of light on the introduction of Ann to William. Mr.Faulknall said in his letter of 23 Jan 1984:

Found in passing today-Clifton Campville BT's (in Staffs. 6 miles north of here)-Buried-Mr. JAMES CHOYCE 78 yrs, 25 Aug 1820, abode Clifton (Campville.)

Polesworth is six miles west of Sibson. Clifton/Clifton Campville is six miles northwest of Sibson. According to the IGI, there was a family living at Clifton Campbell who used both the Choice and Choyce spelling for their name: Elizabeth and John Choice had three children (dates are provided in the IGI), William, James and Mary.

If Ann Heath married at Clifton Campbell, perhaps that was her home. If so, perhaps the Choi/yce family there was related to the Wellesborough Choyce family.

William Choyce was a tenant farmer. He worked the land called "Shuttle Close" located off Sheepy Bosworth Road, which was often referred to as "Wald Road." This land, in the tiny hamlet of Wellesborough, Sibson, belonged to Pendock Neale.

Ann (Heath) and William Choyce had eight children, all baptized at Sibson: John, 1743; Mary, 1744; William, 1745; Richard, 1747; Samuel, 1749 (died same year); Samuel, 1750; Elizabeth 1752; and James Choyce, 1757.

William Choyce lived at Wellesborough all of his life. He died there 20 Nov 1775 and is buried in St. Botolph's Church yard.

Joe and I visited St. Botolph's in 1977 under the guidance of Shirley and George Choyce and their children, Lynne and Andrew. Tombstones were covered with lichen and vines; stones had been broken and were lying face down in the dirt; paths were completely overgrown; and brambles were constantly tugging at our ankles and fingers. If that were not enough, the rains came and thoroughly drenched us as we copied the Memorial Inscriptions. I can still recall the comfort of the roaring fire and the hot chocolate which Shirley and George prepared for us when we returned to their home.

Today St. Botolph's churchyard is a beautiful site. It has clear paths, unobstructed gravestones, and many old trees. It is attractively landscaped and abounds with a variety of colorful flowers during the summertime. In the early 1980's, St. Botolph's received a citation for the most improved graveyard in the area.

When Joe and I visited it again in 1985,we were quite impressed with the sharp, clean, attractive appearance of the churchyard. A collection of CHOYCE gravestones are the first to greet each visitor upon entering St. Botolph's.

I have not been able to isolate a death record for Ann (Heath) Choyce. She was named as William's widow in his 1775 will, but there is no gravestone standing for her at St. Botolph's.

SARAH AND JOHN CHOYCE,SR., FARMER, OF INSLEY, HARRIS BRIDGE, AND WOOTTON WAWEN

John Choyce, son of Ann (Heath) and William Choyce, was born at Insley, Warwickshire, according to the 1817 Census forwarded by Jessie (Holness) Moretti, of Wymeswold, Leicestershire. (Jessie's Choyce families are in the chapter for ROBERT CHOYCE, HUSBANDMAN, OF CONGERSTONE.) John Choyce was baptized 15 May 1743, at Sibson.

Please consult the Addenda to this chapter for the Choyce Family Chart which I constructed from information forwarded from Dr. Reynold Harold Boyd of London, who is related to these Choyces through his wife's line. It is interesting to observe how his research and conclusions differ from my own.

John Choyce, farmed land he owned at Wootton Wawen, where he lived. He also owned a great farm at Harris Bridge, Leicestershire. John Choyce married a woman whose first name was Sarah. They had only two children that I could identify: Maria Choyce, baptized in 1783; and John Choyce, Jr., baptized in 1793. I have added the "Jr." to distinguish John from his father.

Because of the ten-year age gap between the birth of Maria and John, Jr., I always thought they may have had other children. I was glad to see that Reynold Boyd was able to identify some of them. Unfortunately, he offers no dates or places.

John, Choyce, Sr., died intestate at the age of 63. His Letter of Administration was filed by his wife, Sarah Choyce, 6 Dec 1806.