James and Mary Skilton

James Skilton was born in Betchworth, Surrey in 1651, the son of Richard Skilton (1622-1693).

St Michaels Betchworth

James was baptised on 14 November 1651 at St Michael’s, Betchworth in Surrey, one of 6 children.

The village of Betchworth is 7 miles from Effingham.

Betchworth is a village in the Mole Valley district of Surrey, England. The village centre is on the north bank of the River Mole almost 3 miles (4.8 km) east of Dorking and 3 miles (4.8 km) west of Reigate. London is 19.5 miles (31.4 km) north of the village.

James married Mary around 1677, but I’ve been unable to find the marriage in Betchworth, despite searching the registers. They had seven children –

  1. Mary b 1678 Betchworth
  2. James b 1679 Betchworth
  3. Elizabeth b 1682 & d 1686 Effingham
  4. Richard b 1686, d 1760 Effingham
  5. Jane b 1688 & d 1690 Effingham
  6. James b 1691 & d 1746 Efingham, marr Ann Martyr 1723. 3 children.
  7. Edward b 1695 Effingham, d 1760 Abinger, marr Mary Walder. 4 children.

St Lawrence Effingham Surrey

It appears James farmed in the Betchworth area over the years of birth for his first two children, and then between 1679 and 1682 moved about 7 miles east to Effingham, where the remaining five were baptised.

Mary Skilton died in August 1715 at Effingham aged 59, and was buried at St Lawrence, Effingham on 30 August 1715.

James Skilton died in November 1727 at Effingham, Surrey aged 76 years and was buried in Effingham on 3 November 1727.