Research Report for Bobbett Family of Beccles, Suffolk, England

7 November 2010

Unfortunately, the middle panel of all pages of the will were damaged and illegible. I was, however, able to find some bits and pieces of information from the will that have established another generation back from William Bobbett born about 1694 of Beccles and married to Susannah Budd. [An * indicates an approximated date for the corresponding event]

Father:

Mother:

Children:

William Bobbett born about 1694
married 8 June 1718, Ellough, Suffolk, England to Susannah Budd
Burial - 19 October 1760, Beccles, Suffolk, England

Peter Bobbett born about 1698
married about 1723 to Ann Swallows
Burial - 6 March 1735, Beccles, Suffolk, England
⁽³⁾ Daughters were mentioned, but the names were unreadable

It is likely there could be more sons as well; but it is too difficult to substantiate at this time due to the poor quality of the record.

Witnesses: Grace Sharpe, John Perry, and E Shiem [there could likely be a family relationship to William Bobbit]

I have written to the Norfolk County Council to see if a better quality copy of this will can be obtained. If so, it will be ordered.

The Norfolk Record Office online catalogue has a Settlement bond which involves a John Bobbitt, cordwainer, of Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. I am entertaining the theory that in the absence of a presence of Bobbett surnames in the nearby surrounding areas of Beccles, it is possible that William Bobbett could have originated in the Great Yarmouth, Norfolk area. It would be quite easy for the family to travel from Great Yarmouth on the River Waveney to the Ringsfield - Beccles area.

Diocese, Norwich, England; item 2, years 1707-1708; FHL microfilm #1,545,221. [Ringsfield parish is adjacent to Beccles on its southwest corner]

²⁾ Will of William Bobbit, yeoman of Ringsfield, Suffolk.

³⁾ Burials as found on the Beccles CD