William Westnot and Mary Ann Miller
It is at this point in the Westneat/Westnutt genealogy that most researchers start to come together on the lineage. William Westnot, son of John Westnet and Mary Rowning was baptized on 25 Mar 1784 at Bourn. William was a tailor by trade. He married Mary Ann Miller on 4 Apr 1811 at Kingston. It is at the baptism of their second son that we start to see the common spelling of "Westneat" take hold although there are recordings of the "Westneat" spelling reaching back into the previous century. It is unknown, but commonly believed that all "Westneats" are descendants of William and Mary Ann.
In the 1851 census, we have record of this couple at Star Yard, St. Ives, Huntingdonshire, England.
Willm WESTNEAT, head, 66, tailor journeyman, born Bourn CAM
Mary A, wife, 62, tailor's wife, born Fleet Mark, Middlesex
William died in 1861 at the age of 77 at St. Ives, Huntingdonshire. Mary Ann died there as well on 10 Dec 1873 in a workhouse at the age of 85. She is buried in the St. Ives cemetery.
William and Mary Ann are known to have had two sons. It is strongly believed that they had 4 sons and possibly a daughter. As more research is done on this lineage, the data becomes stronger and stronger that there were indeed 4 children in this marriage.
Children:
Ezra Westnot baptized 23 Feb 1812
Ephraim Westneat baptized 1 Jun 1817
It must be noted here that there is questionable linkage as to whether Peter and David are
indeed the brothers of Ezra and Ephraim. As such, we include them here as a footnote until
more conclusive evidence is obtained.