2. Edward Spencer Wills (Edward ) was born in 1782 in England. He died on 4 May 1814 in Sydney.
Edward Wills was the supposedly natural son of Earl Spencer - nothing has been found to prove or disprove this theory. However, he was first to bear name of Spencer Wills. Convicted of felony 20 March 1797 with James Dashpor and William Woodham, for which they were sentenced to death and "excluded from benefit of clergy", but "his Majesty having been graciously pleased to extend his Royal Mercy to them, upon conditions of them being transported" (taken from "Convict Indentures", Mitchell Library, Sydney).
Edward had been lucky to survive the voyage, but was to remain ill until his death in 1814. He was fortunate to enter the employment of his free settler wife who owned a store in Sydney.
He married Sarah Harding in England and was given"conditional emancipation" ("Sydney Gazette" 19 June 1803) died aged 32 years on 4 May 1814 of a painful illness (TB?)
Edward married Sarah Harding in England. Sarah was born in 1780 in England. She died on 8 Jul 1823 in Sydney.
They had the following children:
+ 3 F i Sarah Wills + 4 M ii Thomas Wills + 5 F iii Eliza Wills 6 M iv Edward Spencer Wills was born on 16 Feb 1805. He died in 1828.
Studied law at Cambridge and was admitted to the inner temple as a barrister. He was found with his wrists cut and left a note which read "people understand when all is known and revealed". No one is any the wiser - even now! Poor fellow! (we have a feeling that as an ex-convict's son, he was ostracized and perhaps a lass was involved!)7 F v Elizabeth Selina Wills was born on 30 Nov 1807. She died on 18 Jan 1811. + 8 M vi Horatio Spencer Howe Wills