The four younger sons of John and Elizabeth Wills of Higher Hisley

This photograph shows four of eight sons born of John and Elizabeth Wills. They lived at Higher Hisley. As far back as the 17th century it had become customary for the Wills family to name their first three sons George, John and Thomas, with the eldest son always taking his father's name. During one period in the middle of the 18th century there were no less than five George Wills, four John Wills and five Thomas Wills, all closely related and living in Lustleigh! This must have proved very confusing for the inhabitants of this small Dartmoor village.