BIRD, William Wilberforce (1758-1836), of Little Park Street, Coventry and The Spring, Kenilworth, Warws.

b. ?2 July 1758,According to the Master’s Office, Cape Town, Bird was born 2 July 1750; this cannot be right, as this parents’ marriage articles are dated 2 Apr. 1756 (PCC 392 Taverner) and his father described him in 1772 as a minor. According to Gent. Mag. (1836), ii. 222, he was in his 78th year when he died. o.s. of Alderman John Bird, silk manufacturer, of Coventry, and Wood Street, London by Judith, da. of William Wilberforce, Baltic merchant, of Kingston-upon-Hull, Yorks., aunt of William Wilberforce. m. (1) c.1779, his cos. Elizabeth Bird (d.1780), sis. of Robert Bird of Taplow (who m. William’s sis. Lucy Wilberforce Bird), s.p.; (2) settlement 22 May 1782, Penelope, da. of Rev. Sir Charles Wheler, 7th Bt., preb. of York and vicar of Leamington, Warws., 4s. 3da. surv. suc. fa. 1772.