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William Answorth and Margaret Bennett © William was the son of Stephen and Ann (nee Browning) and he was baptized on the 1st April, 17721, in Ringwood, Hampshire, England. Nothing more of William is known until, on the 14th September, 1800 in the Parish Church Milford2, William married Margaret Bennett. Originally believed to be a Saxon settlement, Milford is located in the southern most reaches of Hampshire, 20km south-east of Ringwood3. The name simply means ‘mill ford’ and the Domesday Book of 10864 show there were two separate estates at that time. One was held by Aelfric Small, and the other, some unpopulated land, held by Wulfgar,with a total annual value to the Lord of £1.2s for both estates. Later three separate manors were evolved from these two estates and were eventually known by the names of Milford Montagu, Milford Barnes, and Milford Baddesley. A century ago the parish of Milford was still entirely inland, being separated from the sea by a narrow strip of coast-line, which was an extension eastwards of Hordle parish and terminated in the curious shingle promontory on the extremity of which Hurst Castle stands. In about 1800, the sea began to encroach upon this coast-line, and the process having continued has resulted in almost the whole of the south of the parish becoming exposed to the sea. Up until the early 17th century the traditional occupation of the villagers was agriculture and salt manufacture. Life was generally harsh and living condition often little more than basic shanties. Many villagers and their families were tied to the local land-owner, and worked long hours for little gain. There is no evidence to suggest that William and Margaret were employed by a local landowner, but it is certain they were little more than general labourers, who had to work hard for their existence3. A search of the parish records indicate William and Margaret had six children1: Henry 1801; Ann 1803; Charlotte 1806; William 1809, he married Rebecca Rickman 1839; John 1811; and Sarah 1814. All the children were baptised in St John the Evangelist, the Milford parish church. William and Margaret, both aged 65, are listed on the 1841 Census6 in Keyhaven, Lymore Common, Milford, with them was Ann Answorth, aged 35, possibly their daughter, and Mary Answorth, aged 15, presumably a granddaughter. Information on the Census indicates both William and Mary were born in Hampshire. William’s occupation is given as Agricultural Labourer, but maybe he was a fisherman, or possibly he collected kelp as fertiliser for a farm he worked on? Keyhaven is a small fishing village which lies in the district of the New Forest3. It is in the civil parish of Milford on Sea, about 1½km south-west of Milford, and it lies at one end of the shingle bank which leads to Hurst Castle. A port as early as 1206, there seem to have been two manorial estates here, one held by Bath Abbey, and the other by the Bishop of Salisbury. The name Keyhaven means ‘Harbour where cows are shipped’, for many years cattle and sheep were transported from the Isle of Wight to graze on the water meadows of the Avon around Christchurch. Like the rest of the West Solent area, Keyhaven was originally a fishing village, but also had a considerable salt industry developed soon after the Conquest. The salt industry had all but disappeared by 1400 but was revived in the 17th century with the introduction of new techniques. Fishing has also declined over the years and today Keyhaven’s main draw is tourism, attracting visitors through its outstanding natural beauty, from the views over the Solent to the abundance of open farm land. William died at Lymore, Milford, on the 17th November, 18475, the cause of death is recorded as 'Not Known, Not Certified', and the Informant was Ann Answorth, possibly his daughter, who was present at his death. William's occupation is given as Labourer, aged 75years. He was buried on the 21st November, 1847, in the Milford Parish Churchyard. Just two short months later, on the 19th January, 18485, Margaret died, also at Lymore, she was aged 74years. Cause of death is recorded as Old Age, the Informant was a Susan Freeman, present at her death. Ten days later, on the 29th January, 1848, Margaret was buried in the Milford Parish Churchyard. It is not known if William and Margaret were buried in the same grave, or if there are, or were, markers or headstones on either of their graves.
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