Mary Fry was the fifth child of William Fry & Hannah Killick christened November 20th, 1796 at Cowden, Kent.
Mary married William Obbard on December 31st, 1826 at East Grinstead, Sussex. William was christened January 28th, 1789 at Horsted Keynes, Sussex, the son of Mary & William Obbard. William was a widower, his first wife being Martha Butcher who he married in 1814. William & Martha had at least 2 children before her death in 1822.
In 1841 William & Mary were living at Town Place, Horsted Keynes & William was a farmer. With them were children William (13), Elizabeth (10), Hannah (8), Sarah (5) & Susannah (1).
By 1851 the family had moved to East Chiltington & were living at Hurstbarns where William was a farmer of 260 acres employing 2 men. Son William was described as an agricultural labourer, & daughters Hannah, Sarah & Susan were still living at home, & another daughter Harriet (8) had arrived. There were 3 male servants living with them, all working on the farm.
Son William died in 1855, the announcement of his death stating that he had suffered a long & painful illness.
In 1861 Mary & William were living at Hewen Street Farm, Hamsey, Sussex where William was a farmer of 200 acres employing 3 men & 2 boys. Daughters Sarah (24) & Susan (21) were still at home & there were 2 young boys employed as servants living with them.
William died September 12th, 1865 & was buried September 18th at St Giles, Horsted Keynes, Sussex beside his first wife Martha who had died on April 26th, 1822. William’s will was proved by George Warnett of Horsted Keynes, farmer & George Norman of Cooksbridge, Hamsey, brewer. His effects were under £3,000.
In 1866 a notice in Sussex Advertiser of October 2nd announced all the stock, farming equipment & household furniture of Hewen St Farm was for sale.
By 1871 widowed Mary was living at 2 Pouchlands, Chailey, Sussex & described as an annuitant. With her was daughter Susan, also an annuitant.
Mary, aged 82, died at East Chiltington on January 23rd, & was buried January 30th, 1879 at St Giles, Horsted Keynes, Sussex.
The children of Mary Fry & William Obbard were:
f.5.1 William Obbard christened June 1st, 1828 at East Grinstead; died June 18th, 1855 at Hamsey, Sussex
f.5.2 Elizabeth Obbard christened September 26th, 1830 at East Grinstead
f.5.3. Hannah Obbard christened April 21st, 1833 at East Grinstead
f.5.4 Sarah Obbard christened April 10th, 1836 at Horsted Keynes
f.5.5. Susannah Obbard christened April 4th, 1841at Horsted Keynes
f.5.6 Harriett Obbard born Oct-December 1842