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William Swan married Joan Claydon on the 13th of July 1589 in her parish church at Hadstock in Essex; the banns were also read in his own parish church in Ickleton, Cambs. Robert and Richard the couple’s first two sons were born in Ickleton in 1590 and 1591 respectively. Sadly, the records show that Richard died the following year in Saffron Walden Ann, their eldest daughter was also born here the following year followed by a second daughter Mary a year later, and then Thomas, Martha and Anthony. The families sojourn in Saffron Walden was ended with the tragic death of their youngest son Anthony in 1603. The family then ‘upped sticks’ and moved to Ashdon. William and Joan and most of their offspring were destined to remain there for the rest of their lives. So started the Swan Family Connection with Ashdon which, was to continue for at least two hundred years.
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William like his father and grandfather before him was a Yeoman. He appeared to play an active part in the local community and was witness too many wills. Copies of which are held by the Essex Record Office. The Annals of Ashdon by R. Gibson record William as Church Warden from the 1st of November 1607 until Christmas 1608. While in office he presented Anne the wife of John Claydon (Gent.) for refusing to attend Church these three years past. The outcome is not known. A will for William has never been found, but we know from the will of Joan his widow that he had made bequests which she honoured. These were pious times, as witness the preamble to Joan’s will: “That is to favour first and most primarily I commend my sole into the hands of God Almighty my maker, trusting most fervently in by and through the death and bitter passion of God's son my saviour Jesus Christ to give full
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