25th Generation

85. William Wilberforce died in 1777 in Wimbledon. In 1768 William's brother Robert died, and as Robert's wife Elizabeth was ill, their son William was sent to live with his uncle William and Aunt Hannah in Wimbledon, at the age of 9. Hannah and William were Methodists, and fireds of George Whitefield.It was during his time with his uncle and aunt that young William was taken to see the preacher, John Newton, at Olney. This meeting made a deep impression on young William and was remember whne they met some years later.

Hannah Thornton died in 1788.