William Broughton was born circa 1643 in Wilstead, Bedfordshire, England. On October 23, 1667, he married Sarah Hill. The wedding ceremony took place in Wilshampstead. Sarah had been christened Mary Hill on August 2, 1643 in Woburn, Bedfordshire, England.

The Broughtons lived in Wilstead all their lives. It is there where they had a daughter who was christened Sarah Broughton on August 24, 1670. If there were other children, they are not known at this time.

William's daughter Sarah would grow up in Wilstead and marry there at the age of 19 to the son of Thomas and Judith (Capon) Layman. John Layman and Sarah Broughton exchanged vows on December 9, 1689. Together John and Sarah would have 14 children before Sarah would pass away only a few months prior to her 36th birthday. She was buried March 23, 1706 in Wilshampstead.

Neither William Broughton nor his wife, Sarah, would live to see the turn of the century. William Broughton was buried 26 Jun 1682 in Wilstead. A widowed Sarah Broughton would live for more than another decade. She was buried on December 16, 1693 in Wilstead.

---

Research information was submitted by Carole Todd of Utah, descendant of William Broughton.