Hello Christine My first thought was Pheby but if you take away the first letter the rest is `hely`. Is there any help in the baptism registers? Marjorie Ward Derbyshire, UK Sources for Disley; Lyme Handley; Taxal & Whaley www.disley.net Sources for Hollingworths www.hollingworths.net Sources for NWDby incl Chapel; Charlesworth; Chinley; Fernilee; Glossop; Hayfield; Hope Valley; Mellor & New Mills http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~dusk John Ward Paintings: www.johnward-art.com

Hi Marjorie and Ruth, Many thanks for your replies. I thought of Phoebe written as Pheby or some such myself on coming back to it some time later. The fact that two of you also think that gives it a lot of credibility. Unfortunately I cannot find a baptism or any other reference to her. However, there are two other children mentioned in the will, Sarah and Betty, who I also cannot find although I am still searching. But I am beginning to wonder if Josiah was not of the sound mind and memory he claimed to be. A child called Betty/Elizabeth would be likely as that was the name of his wife. But I have quite a bit more work to do before giving up on them. Thanks again Christine -----Original Message----- From: Marjorie Ward Sent: Monday, September 15, 2014 11:27 AM To: Christine Benson ; Julie Cc: CHESHIRE mailing list Subject: Re: [CHS] Josiah WHITTAKER Will 1821 Hello Christine My first thought was Pheby but if you take away the first letter the rest is `hely`. Is there any help in the baptism registers?

Yes, I couldn't find a Sarah - didn't look for Betty. Maybe he did take in other members of his extended family. I noticed that in one year he was Churchwarden of Gawsworth and he signed the register in a beautiful copperplate hand. Sorry I didn't note the year. And yes, a bit more work - sorry again. Ruth -----Original Message----- However, there are two other children mentioned in the will, Sarah and Betty, who I also cannot find although I am still searching. But I am beginning to wonder if Josiah was not of the sound mind and memory he claimed to be. A child called Betty/Elizabeth would be likely as that was the name of his wife. But I have quite a bit more work to do before giving up on them. Thanks again Christine