Munson Mills (c1755-1821)

Munson Mills was born in approximately 1755, most likely in the Beaumont District of Essex. His birth year has been estimated from burial record and place of birth has been estimated from a settlement certificate used later in his life. Despite an extensive search of Essex parish records, a baptism certificate for Munson has not been located.

It is not proven at this stage, but it likely that Munson's parents were James and Sarah Mills (nee Munson), who married in Ardleigh, Essex in November 1754. This puts the date right for Munson's birth, and also explains his unusual first name, after his mother's maiden name. No other 'Mills/Munson' marriage has been located at this time, and Ardleigh is close to Dedham, where Munson would raise his own family.

It is also not known if Munson had any siblings at this time.

Marriage
The first official record we have of Munson is his marriage to Jane Wilby on the 23rd July 1783 at Kirby-le Soken, Essex. She was the daughter of John and Sarah Wilby of Barling, Essex. Banns for the marriage had been read on 29th June, 6th July and 13th July. Witnesses to the marriage were W. Burges and John South. Munson signed the marriage record with his name, which meant that he was able to write.

Kirby-le Soken is in the Beaumont area of Essex, some distance from Ardleigh where Munson's parents were from. Parish records indicate the presence of a Daniel Mills in the Kirby-le Soken area around the time of Munson's birth and marriage - he could be a relation to Munson's father James - more research is required.

Munson and Jane had their first child, Jane in the Beaumont area in 1784.

Dedham
Around the year 1785, not long after the birth of their first child, Munson and Jane decided to move from the Beaumont area of Essex to Dedham, a town that is not far from Ardleigh, where Munson's parents were from. In order to move from Beaumont to Dedham however, the couple required a 'Settlement Certificate' that stated they originated from the parish of Beaumont. This meant that despite living in Dedham, if anything happened to the couple (e.g. poverty), it was the parish of Beaumont that would be responsible for them.

Munson and Jane carried such a certificate when they moved from Beaumont to Dedham. They would raise the remainder of their family in the Dedham area.

The certificate also indicates that Munson may have been born in the Beaumont area.

Death
Munson died in Dedham and was buried on 16th November 1821 in Langham, Essex (a town that is not far from Dedham). His wife Jane would outlive him by 6 years.

Children

 * colspan="3" bgcolor="#FFfce0" style="color: #000000;" |Children of Munson and Jane Mills
 * colspan="3" bgcolor="#FFfce0" style="color: #000000;" |Children of Munson and Jane Mills