THE MUDDLE FAMILIES

 

THE SUSSEX MUDDLE FAMILIES THE ARDINGLY MUDDLES

 

Chart of William & Mary Muddle’s Family

 

William and Mary’s eldest child was Timothee Muddle who was baptised at St Peter’s Church in Ardingly on 7 February 1707.

 

William and Mary’s second child was William Muddle who was baptised at St Peter’s Church in Ardingly on 25 October 1710. When he was 26 years old William married 22-year-old Susannah Edwards at St Swithun’s Church in East Grinstead on 5 May 1737. Susannah was the daughter of Francis and Susan Edwards, and she had been baptised at St Swithun’s Church in East Grinstead on 22 February 1715. William and Susannah initially lived at East Grinstead where they had two children; the first was born soon after their marriage and only lived for a very short time, and the second was born in 1739.

In early 1740 it seems that it came to the notice of the parish authorities of East Grinstead that William and his family were living in their parish without having legal settlement there and without a Settlement Certificate showing legal settlement elsewhere, and that they were likely to become a charge on the parish. So they applied to Justices of the Peace, John Board and John Butler, for a Removal Order and upon examination of William Muddle found that his place of legal settlement was Crowhurst in Surrey, so the Justices issued a Removal Order on the 26 March 1740 for William, his wife Susannah and their daughter Susannah to be removed to Crowhurst.[4] It's not known how William had obtained settlement at Crowhurst as he had been born at Ardingly where his father was legally settled, but possibly he had either served an apprenticeship or been employed for at least a year at Crowhurst, either of which would have given him legal settlement there. Their removal didn't happen immediately as the parish authorities in East Grinstead first obtained a Settlement Certificate from Churchwarden John Angell and Overseer of the Poor Richard Chowder of Crowhurst, dated the 19 October 1740, and approved by Justices of the Peace, Anthony Farinden and William Clayton, which stated that the family's Place of legal Settlement was Crowhurst.[5] Three months later the Removal Order issued back on 26 March 1740 was confirmed at the Lewes Quarter Sessions held on the 15 & 16 January 1741, as the inhabitants of Crowhurst hadn't appealed against the order that William, his wife Susannah, and daughter Susannah, be removed to Crowhurst.[6]

Presumably the family was removed to Crowhurst and sometime later moved back to East Grinstead, as their daughter, who never married, died, aged 29, at East Grinstead in 1769. Eleven years later Susannah died at East Grinstead at the age of 65, and she was buried in St Swithun's Churchyard at East Grinstead on 12 February 1780. Then just over a week later William died at East Grinstead at the age of 69, and he was buried in St Swithun's Churchyard at East Grinstead on 23 February 1780.

 

William and Susannah’s eldest child was Edmund Muddle who was baptised at St Swithun’s Church in East Grinstead on 8 June 1737. Edmund died at East Grinstead soon after his baptism, and he was buried in St Swithun’s Churchyard at East Grinstead on 12 June 1737.

 

William and Susannah’s second child was Susan Muddle who was baptised at St Swithun’s Church in East Grinstead on 8 August 1739. Susan never married. She died at East Grinstead at the age of 29, and she was buried in St Swithun’s Churchyard at East Grinstead on 21 February 1769.

 

William and Mary’s third child was Mary Muddle who was baptised at St Peter’s Church in Ardingly on 31 July 1713. When she was 28 years old Mary married John Cripps at St Swithun's Church in East Grinstead on 12 January 1742. They lived at East Grinstead, where about six years after their marriage, it seems that they probably either became, or looked as if it would become, a charge on East Grinstead parish as the authorities there obtained a Settlement Certificate from Michael Harmes the Elder, William Tulley, Nicholas Burt and Samuel Beeching the Churchwardens and Overseers of the Poor of Bolney parish, dated the 15 April 1748, that was approved by Justices of the Peace Thomas Sergeson and W Poole, which stated that John Cripps and his wife Mary's Place of legal Settlement was Bolney.[7] But they seem to have remained at East Grinstead as their only known child was born there in 1750.

 

John and Mary’s only known child was John Cripps who was baptised at St Swithun’s Church in East Grinstead on 22 June 1750.

 

William and Mary’s fourth child was Edmund Muddle who was baptised at St Swithun’s Church in East Grinstead on 2 October 1717. When he was 20 years old Edmund married 13-year-old Mary Butcher at St Swithun’s Church in East Grinstead on 27 December 1737. Mary was the daughter of John and Mary Butcher, and she had been baptised at St Swithun’s Church in East Grinstead on 11 March 1724.

Edmund and Mary lived for a time at Ardingly, which is 6 miles south-west of East Grinstead, where their only child was born in 1744. They later moved the few miles to the adjacent parish of Balcombe, probably by the time their son married in 1773. It was probably Mary, rather than her daughter-in-law, who was the Dame Muddel that was recorded as having been paid 8 shillings for nursing Dame Merchant, by the Overseers of the Poor of Balcombe, in their monthly accounts dated 26 May 1784.[8] Six years later Mary died at Balcombe, at the age of 66, and was buried in St Mary's Churchyard at Balcombe on 3 February 1790. Then six years after Mary's death Edmund died at Balcombe, at the age of 78, and he was buried in St Mary's Churchyard at Balcombe on 3 January 1796. Edmund had probably been a cooper, as both his father and his son are known to have been coopers.

 

Edmund and Mary’s only child was Edmund Muddle who was born at Ardingly on 6 December 1744, and baptised at St Peter’s Church in Ardingly on 26 December 1744. Edmund was living at Balcombe when at the age of 28 he married Ann Wright at Ifield Church in Sussex on 15 April 1773. They lived at Balcombe where they had two children, both sons, born in 1774 and 1777. The second son was probably sickly as he was privately baptised and died at the age of 13.

Edmund was a cooper and had probably taken over a cooperage business at Balcombe from his father. The accounts of the Overseers of the Poor of Balcombe parish record the payment of bills from Edmund for supplying various items, including a new pail and pork tub, to the Workhouse House, and regularly doing Hooping (Coopering) for the Workhouse, between 1790 and 1811.[9]

 

 

Edmund probably retired in late 1811 or early 1812, when he was 66, and passed his business onto his son William, because from March 1812 the accounts of the Overseers of the Poor of Balcombe start to record cooper’s bills from William instead of Edmund. Edmund died at Balcombe at the age of 82 (not 85 as given on his burial record), and he was buried in St Mary’s Churchyard at Balcombe on 4 February 1827.

 

Their children were:

William 1774-1828  Edmund 1777-1791

 

Edmund and Ann’s eldest child was William Muddle who was born at Balcombe in Sussex and baptised at St Mary's Church in Balcombe on 18 January 1774. When he was 25 years old William married 23-year-old Mary Rasstrigg at St Mary's Church in Balcombe on 9 July 1799. Mary was the daughter of John and Martha Rasstrigg, and she had been baptised at St Mary's Church in Balcombe on 5 April 1776. William and Mary lived at Balcombe where they had seven children born between 1800 and 1817.

In their accounts of 30 July 1803 the Overseers of the Poor of Balcombe record that they had paid William Muddle £4 towards the Militia. This was the militia that every parish had to raise to help defend England against a possible invasion by Napoleon, but why William received this payment in relation to that is unclear, though two other men were also paid the same amount for the same reason around the same time.

William was a cooper like his father, and in late 1811 or 1812 he probably took over his father's business, because from March 1812 the accounts of the Overseers of the Poor of Balcombe start to record the payment of bills for coopering from William Muddle instead of Edmund Muddle. But it was around the time of this probable transfer of the business that William and his family seem to have first had financial difficulties, because between December 1811 and July 1813 the Overseers of the Poor record giving William two cash payments of 18 shillings and 15 shillings, and also on eight occasions giving him 6 gallons of flour, because he was in need.

William became the Parish Clerk of Balcombe, probably from at least 1816 when the Clerk's bill starts to be entered next to William's bill for coopering in the accounts of the Overseers, and definitely from 1823 when he was actually named as being Clerk in the accounts. As well as paying William for coopering at the workhouse and being Parish Clerk, on 26 October 1814 the Overseers paid him £2 14s 8d for his expenses in moving Honour Botting.[10]

William and his family seem to have fallen on hard times again around the time that their last child was born; the Balcombe Overseers accounts record that from March 1817 to January 1819 seventeen handouts of flour were made to William's family. Also for the year from March 1818 to March 1819 their son William was placed out with William Holman by the Overseers for which they paid Holman £2 15s. This may hint at the reason for Mary's early death, at the age of 43, at Balcombe, just over two years after the birth of their last child. She was buried in St Mary's Churchyard at Balcombe on 28 October 1819.

The Overseers accounts continue to record the payment of bills from William for coopering at the workhouse and as Parish Clerk, together with paying him 6 shillings for fetching two hogs home in 1821, and £5 12s 9d for supplying a fat hog of 41 stone to the workhouse in 1823. Then in 1824 William's eldest daughter, Martha, gave birth to the first of the five illegitimate sons she was to have, and in October 1825 the Overseers make the first of many payments to Martha and her sons. Payments by the Overseers to William for coopering at the workhouse and as Parish Clerk continue until 1828, when, nine years after Mary's death, William died at Balcombe, at the age of 54, and was buried in St Mary's Churchyard at Balcombe on 1 September 1828.

 

Their children were:

Martha 1800-1841  Edmund 1803-1859  William 1805-1853

John 1808-1889  Mary Ann 1811-?  Henry 1814-1871  Milly 1817-1891

 

William and Mary’s eldest child was Martha Muddle who was born at Balcombe in Sussex, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Balcombe on 30 November 1800. Martha never married, but she had five illegitimate sons. The first four were born at Balcombe in 1824, 1827, 1831 and 1836, and the fifth was born at Worth in late 1840 or early 1841.

Martha and her children first appear in the accounts of the Overseers of the Poor of Balcombe Parish in October 1825 when Martha was given 1/- for being in need, and 2/6 for expenses at Cuckfield. From the following month, November 1825, the Overseers start paying out 2/6 a week for Martha’s eldest son, William, which continues without interruption until June 1835, the date at which the responsibility for the maintenance of Balcombe’s poor passed to Cuckfield Union.

Martha’s second son, James, starts to appear in the accounts in December 1827, when £2 5s 0d was paid out for Martha Muddle’s boy for 18 weeks. The Overseers then start regular payments of 2/6 a week for James, which like those for his elder brother, continue uninterrupted until June 1835.

In January 1831 the Overseers paid out £1 2s 6d in expenses for Martha being taken to Lewes; this was probably related to the birth of her third son, as the following month the Overseers pay out £2 for Martha’s ‘lying in’, and start regular payments of 2/- a week for Martha’s third son, George, which then continue uninterrupted until June 1835. An interesting point in the accounts is that in April 1830, ten months before the birth of Martha’s third son, her two elder son’s regular entries in the accounts were, this once only, first written as William and James Humphrey and the Humphrey was then crossed out and Muddle entered; and as Martha’s third son was baptised George Humphrey Muddle, this seems to suggest that Martha had probably been living with a man called Humphrey around April 1830, who fathered her third son and might well have been another pauper, as Humphrey was a name that regularly appeared in the accounts receiving handouts.

 The total amount that Balcombe Parish paid out to support Martha and her sons during the ten years from October 1825 to June 1835 when Cuckfield Union took over responsibility for them, was £130 17s 6d, which is equivalent to about £7000 in 2000.[11]

Martha’s fourth child, Isaac, was born at Balcombe, probably during the first half of 1836. No baptism has been found for Isaac to definitively prove he was Martha’s son, but as he was the only other Muddle in Hurstpierpoint Workhouse with Martha’s son George in the 1841 census, and then in the Cuckfield Union Workhouse with Martha’s son James in the 1851 census, when they were all orphans, it seems certain that he was one of Martha’s illegitimate sons.

Martha's fifth child, John, was born at Worth in December 1840 or January 1841, and it was soon after this that Martha died at Worth during the night of Sunday 21 February 1841, when she was 40 years old. Martha was buried in St Mary's Churchyard at Balcombe on Friday 26 February 1841 after an inquest held the previous day that was reported in the Monday 1 March 1841 edition of The Sussex Advertiser:

WORTH.

An inquest was held on Thursday, before F. H. Gell Esq., on the body of Martha Muddle, a woman cohabiting with a man named Fortunatus Hudson, by whom she had two children, and who, with three of Hudson's legitimate children, were living together in a wretched state. The deceased had died suddenly on Sunday night, and there being reports in the neighbourhood that she had taken something to cause death, a post mortem examination took place; but there were no appearances to induce a belief that she died from other than natural causes, brought on probably by poverty and distress, and a verdict to that effect was recorded.

Fortunatus Hudson had had been born at Hartfield in 1799; he than married Mary Jeal at Worth on 17 April 1831 and they had three children all baptised at Worth; Stephanes Henry Hudson on 26 February 1832, James Hudson on 23 March 1834 and Thomas Hudson on 1 July 1838, before Mary died in late 1840. So if Martha's last two children were fathered by Fortunatus this was before the death of his wife Mary and before fathering the last child he had with Mary. In the 1851 census Fortunatus was recorded as being a carpenter.

 

Martha’s children were:

William 1824-1855  James 1827-1907  George Humphrey 1831-?

Isaac 1835-1887  John 1842-1891

 

Martha’s eldest illegitimate child was William Muddle who was born at Balcombe in Sussex, and baptised at St Mary's Church in Balcombe on 8 August 1824. William became an orphan when his mother died in February 1841. In the census of 6 June 1841 William, at the age of about 17, was a live-in farm labourer for farmer Charles Tester at Green Trees in Balcombe.

Seven years later William was still a labourer when, at the age of 23, he enlisted in the Royal Artillery at Reigate on 18 April 1848 and was attested the following day. He was then described as 5ft 11½ins tall with a light complexion, blue eyes and light brown hair. His regimental number was 2528 and he was initially a Gunner and Driver in the 9th Battalion and then from 1 November 1848 he was a Gunner and Driver in the 12th Battalion before returning to the 9th Battalion on 1 June 1849.[12]

During July 1851 and April 1852 William was a Gunner and Driver in the 8th Company of the 9th Battalion stationed at Woolwich. During both these months he had been on guard duty and his pay was 1s 3¼d per day. Then during September 1852 William was on duty as the Company Cook for the 8th Company of the 9th Battalion now stationed at Sheerness.[13] By April 1853 William's pay had increased to 1s 4¼d per day and from 19 April 1853, having served 5 years, he started to receive in additional 6d per day Good Conduct Pay. He was still with the 8th Company of the 9th Battalion at Sheerness in March 1854.[14]

It was during April 1854 that the 8th Company moved from Sheerness to Charlemont in Ireland. William remained a Gunner and Driver with the 8th Company of the 9th Battalion at Charlemont during May and June, being on guard duty during June. Then on 13 July 1854 William was promoted to Bombardier in the 5th Company of the 9th Battalion and his pay increased to 2s 1d per day plus 6d Good Conduct Pay per day. The company was then station in Jersey but William was stationed with the Adjutant's Detachment of the 9th Battalion at Woolwich during July and August. During September 1854 William was back with his company, which was now stationed at Woolwich, and he was on guard duty.[15]

During November 1854 William was on guard duty, and the 5th Company remained station at Woolwich until at least the end of January 1855.[16] Then during February 1855 the 5th Company of the 9th Battalion sailed to the Crimea to fight in the Crimean War against the Russians. By the end of February they were camped outside Sebastopol in the Crimea where during February, March and April 1855 William was recorded as being sick. Then in May and June 1855 they were still camped outside Sebastopol but William was no longer recorded as being sick.

On 25 May, when Christopher Kettyles was promoted from Corporal to Sergeant, William was promoted to Corporal to replace him with his pay increasing to 2s 3d per day plus 6d Good Conduct Pay per day. The following month it was recorded that on 25 June 1855 William died at the camp outside Sebastopol; he was just on 31 years old, had been in the Royal Artillery for just over 7 years and had never married.[17] For his service during the Crimean War William was awarded the Crimea Medal with clasp for Sebastopol.[18]

 

Martha’s second illegitimate child was James Muddle who was born at Balcombe in Sussex, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Balcombe on 20 May 1827. James became an orphan when his mother died in February 1841. In the census of 30 March 1851 James, at the age of 24, was, together with his brother Isaac, a pauper in Cuckfield Union Workhouse, and he was described as having the occupation of farm labourer.

The 23 September 1851 edition of The Sussex Advertiser reported on the case heard on Thursday 18 September 1851 at the Adjourned Midsummer Quarter Session of East Sussex of forcible entry on the farm of Brooklands in Keymer and the expelling of William Briggs from lawful possession thereof by George Farmer and labourer James Muddle. It seems that farmer George Farmer disputed the terms of the lease by which William Briggs held Brooklands and considered that he had rights to it, and as a result occupied the farm with about ten of his labourers, of which James Muddle was the only one identified. The court found that William Farmer had no claim on Brooklands and sentenced him to six months imprisonment without hard labourer, and James Muddle for his part was sentenced to fourteen days imprisonment and was cautioned as to his future conduct.[19]

In the census of 7 April 1861 James, at the age of 34, was working as a brickmaker and lodging with the family of George and Harriett Anscombe at 4 Charles Town Cottages in Clayton. In the census of 2 April 1871 James, at the age of 44, was working as an ostler and continuing to lodge with the family of George and Harriett Anscombe, who were now living at 1 Charles Town Cottages in Clayton. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 James, at the age of 54, was working as a brickyard labourer and still lodging with George and Harriett Anscombe’s family, who were now living at Fairplace Cottage in Keymer.

In the census of 5 April 1891 James, at the age of 64, was working as a general labourer and boarding with Jasper and Ellen Blaker at 22 St Marys Terrace in Clayton. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 James, at the age of 74, was still described as being a general labourer but was now living in Cuckfield Union Workhouse, so he was probably not actually working. James never married. He died at the age of 80 (not 86 as given on his death certificate) and his death was registered in Cuckfield registration district on during the 1st quarter of 1907.

 

 

Martha’s third illegitimate child was George Humphrey Muddle who was born at Balcombe in Sussex during January or February 1831, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Balcombe on 5 June 1831. George became an orphan when his mother died in February 1841. In the census of 6 June 1841 George, at the age of 10, was in Hurstpierpoint Workhouse, with his younger brother Isaac. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 George, now aged 20, was a labourer lodging with the family of carpenter Arthur Salter at 31 Queen Street, Marylebone, London.

Just a month after the census, on 28 April 1851, George was appointed a constable in the Metropolitan Police; his warrant number was 29427. He was recommended for appointment by the Rev. H R Sarel of Balcombe and churchwarden John Webber. After serving for 2 years and 8 months George was dismissed from the Metropolitan Police on 29 December 1853.[20] In Police Orders for 29 December 1853 it was recorded that George had been serving in S Division (Hampstead), and that he was dismissed as a result of having been reported 20 times for being drunk, both on and off duty.[21]

 

Martha’s fourth illegitimate child was Isaac Muddle who was born at Balcombe in Sussex on 16 August 1835. (Isaac’s date of birth has been deduced from his army service records that state that he was underage, that is under 18 years old, up to 15 August 1853.) Isaac became an orphan when his mother died in February 1841. In the census of 6 June 1841 Isaac, at the age of 5, was in Hurstpierpoint Workhouse, with his elder brother George. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Isaac, now aged 15, was, together with his brother James, a pauper in Cuckfield Union Workhouse, and he was described as having the occupation of farm labourer. (No baptism has been found for Isaac to definitively prove he was Martha’s son, but as he was the only other Muddle in Hurstpierpoint Workhouse with Martha’s son George in the 1841 census, and then in the Cuckfield Union Workhouse with Martha’s son James in the 1851 census, when they were all orphans, it seems certain that he was one of Martha’s illegitimate sons.)

Isaac continued to work as a farm labourer until he joined the army at Brighton on 16 June 1853, when he was 17 years and 10 months old, as Private 3064 in the 43rd Regiment of Foot (also known as the 43rd Light Infantry). His army records describe him as being 5ft 9¾in tall with light brown hair, hazel eyes and a fair complexion without any marks or scars on his face or body. Within about two months of enlisting Isaac was sent to join the regiment in India were his service was fairly routine until the Indian Mutiny started in 1857 and the 43rd were involved in its suppression. Though the 43rd was not involved in a lot of fighting they were involved in a lot of marching in very high temperatures, they covered about 3000 miles over two years. See the appendix ‘The 43rd Regiment of Foot (43rd Light Infantry) during the Indian Mutiny’ for a detailed account of the regiment during this period. As the regiment was split up at times we cannot be sure where Isaac was during most of this period, but he was awarded the Indian Mutiny Medal for being with that part of the regiment under the command of Brigadier MacDuff that engaged the enemy at Girwasa on 16 December 1858.[22]

After the mutiny the regiment was stationed at Calcutta and then Madras, and Isaac was recorded as being at Fort St George in Madras in the April to June 1861 quarter of the muster book of the 1st Battalion of the 43rd Regiment of Foot. The regiment was then at Barrackpore from April to December 1862, and back to Calcutta from January to October 1863. While in Calcutta Isaac re-enlisted for a further 11 years on 18 April 1863. The regiment sailed on the Lady Jocelyn for New Zealand on 8 October 1863, stopping at Mauritius on the way, and arrived at Auckland in New Zealand on 11 December 1863. They then moved on and arrived at Queen’s Redoubt on 1 January 1864. While in New Zealand they were involved in what became known as the 2nd Maori War. During this war Isaac was involved in the skirmish at Maketu on 21 April 1864, the engagement at Ta Ranga on 21 June 1864 and four skirmishes in the Taranaki District, but he was not with the 43rd at the debacle of Gate Pa on 29 April 1864. Isaac and the rest of the 43rd left New Zealand on 8 March 1866 and arrived back in England in June 1866.[23] See the appendix ‘The 43rd Regiment of Foot (43rd Light Infantry) in New Zealand’ for an account of the regiment’s time in New Zealand.

As a result of Isaac’s service in New Zealand, as just detailed, he was listed in a document dated Fort Regent, Jersey, 31 March 1869, as one of the 43rd who were claiming the New Zealand Medal under General Order 17 of 1869.[24] Because these medals were only issued after his discharge Isaac never received his and it was recorded as being returned to the Royal Mint to be melted down.[25]

In 1867 the regiment was at Portsmouth, which is probably when Isaac met his future wife. He married in 1868 when the regiment was at Aldershot, and was with the regiment in Jersey when he was discharged as unfit for further service on 31 August 1869. The medical report on Isaac stated that he had caught a cold while in Jersey which led an infection of the nervous system resulting in paralysis of his eyelids. He couldn’t open his eyelids and had lost the sight in one eye, and the doctor was of the opinion that as long as this condition persisted Isaac would not be able to do anything to earn his livelihood. The doctor thought that the great heat that Isaac had been exposed to in India during the mutiny had weakened his system and left him predisposed to a nerve disease.

During his service Isaac’s conduct had always been very good and he had been awarded three Good Conduct Badges together with good conduct pay of 1d from 16 August 1858 rising to 2d from 16 August 1861 and to 3d from 16 August 1866, and he would have received another Good Conduct Badge and an extra 1d pay from 16 August 1869 if had not become ill and had to be discharged. Isaac’s record shows that he had never appeared in the Regimental Defaulter’s Book or been tried by Court Martial, nor had he ever been wounded. Isaac had served a total of 16 years and 16 days that counted towards his pension plus a further two months while he was underage.[26]

When he was 32 years old Isaac married 23-year-old Harriet Rowe at Catherington Register Office in Hampshire on 11 April 1868. On their marriage certificate Isaac’s father was stated to be Isaac Muddle a labourer, presumably to try and hide the fact that Isaac was illegitimate, as his brother John had similarly done at his marriage. They were both then living at Blendworth in Hampshire and Isaac was a Private in the 43rd Regiment of Foot. When his daughter Ellen married in 1910 Isaac was described as having been a Private in the Oxford Light Infantry Regiment (the 43rd Regiment of Foot had become the 1st Battalion of the Oxford Light Infantry Regiment in 1881).

In the census of 2 April 1871 Isaac and Harriet were living at 23 Warwick Street in the Portsea district of Portsmouth, and Isaac was now a Chelsea Pensioner. They had five children born at Portsmouth between 1876 and 1886. In the census of 3 April 1881 they were living at 12 Cottage Lane in the Portsea district of Portsmouth with their then two children; Isaac was a Chelsea Pensioner and Harriet was working as a laundress. They had 4-year-old Maud Downhill as a boarder (Maud was to be described as an imbecile from birth in the 1891 census, and she was the daughter of widower John Downhill who Harriet was to marry after Isaacs’ death).

Isaac died at the age of 51 (not 50 as given on his death certificate), his death being registered in Portsea registration district during the 1st quarter of 1887. The following year, when she was 43 years old, Harriet married 44-year-old widower John Downhill at St James Church in the parish of Milton in Portsea on 19 January 1888. Harriet was then living at 52 Brompton Road in Portsmouth, and John was a servant living at HMS Malbro (probably a navy shore-station at Portsmouth). John was the son of John and Ann Downhill; he had been born at Saxilby in Lincolnshire and his birth registered during the 4th quarter of 1843. In the 1881 census he was a Corporal in the Royal Marine Artillery at their barracks in Eastney, Hampshire.

In the census of 5 April 1891 John and Harriet were living at 65 Brompton Road in the Portsea district of Portsmouth. John was now a dockyard labourer and Harriet was continuing to work as a laundress. Living with them were John's daughter Maud Downhill, who had been an imbecile from birth, and Harriet's two youngest children, William and Ellen Muddle. Soon after the census Harriet died at the age of 45, her death being registered in Portsea registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1891.

Later that year John married 41-year-old Eliza Ann Webber in Portsea registration district during the 4th quarter of 1891. Eliza's birth had been registered in Portsea registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1850. In the census of 31 March 1901 John and Eliza were living at 65 Brompton Road with their daughter, 8-year-old Ethel Downhill. John was continuing to work as a dockyard labourer and Eliza was a laundress. In the census of 2 April 1911 John and Eliza were living at 24 Hester Road, Eastney, Portsmouth and John was now a pensioner from the Royal Marine Artillery, who were his last employers in the dockyard. The following year John died at the age of 68, his death being registered in Portsmouth registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1912. Thirty-four years later Eliza died at the age of 95, her death being registered in Sheppey registration district in Kent during the 2nd quarter of 1946.

 

Isaac and Harriet’s eldest child was Isaac Henry Muddle who was born at Portsmouth in Hampshire on 11 September 1876. In the census of 3 April 1881 Isaac, at the age of 4, was living with his parents at 12 Cottage Lane in the Portsea district of Portsmouth and he was going to school.

On 14 January 1887, when he was 10 years and 4 months old, Isaac was admitted to the Royal Military Asylum in Chelsea (later called the Duke of York's Royal Military School) where he trained as a tailor and remained until he was 14 years old and volunteered to enlist for 12 years' service in the 1st Battalion of the Oxfordshire Light Infantry (later to become the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry), his father's regiment. He was discharged from the Asylum on 11 October 1890 and on the same day he enlisted in the regiment at London as Boy 3468, when he was described as being 4ft 11¾ins tall, weighed 78lbs, had a 31ins fully expanded chest, fair complexion, blue eyes and light brown hair.

Isaac was stationed at Portsmouth from 14 October 1890 where he was in hospital with debility for 20 days, and then transferred to Gosport on 2 February 1891. In the census of 5 April 1891 Isaac, at the age of 14, was a Boy in the 1st Battalion Oxfordshire Light Infantry stationed at the New Barracks in Gosport. He was granted 1d Good Conduct pay on 11 October 1892.

Isaac was then sent to Ireland where he was stationed at Kinsale from 4 January 1893. His younger brother George enlisted in the same regiment on 13 May 1893 and joined Isaac at Kinsale on 16 May 1893; the two brothers then continued to serve together for the next 6 years. On 11 September 1894 Isaac attained the age of 18 and was promoted from Boy to Private, and at the Annual Meeting of the Regiment held at Portobello Barracks in Dublin on 20 September 1894 Private Muddle came 2nd in the high jump.

On 11 October 1896 Isaac was granted 2d Good Conduct pay. Both brothers were transferred to Dublin on 6 June 1897 then on to Curragh on 20 August 1897 and then on to Mullingar on 11 September 1898 where Isaac was appointed a Bandsman on 28 October 1898. They were both transferred back to Curragh on 11 May 1899 and then Mullingar again on 16 August 1899.

Both brothers then left Ireland and arrived at Devonport on 15 September 1899 and then Aldershot on 23 November 1899, where Isaac was appointed an unpaid Lance Corporal on 21 December 1899. The brothers are then separated with George embarking for South Africa to serve in the Boer War on 22 December 1899. Isaac returned to Ireland where he arrived at Limerick on 23 December 1899 and then Butterant on 24 January 1900.

The Boer War then resulted in Isaac also embarking for South Africa on 19 March 1900 where he was appointed a paid Lance Corporal on 2 June 1900. He was paid a Special War Gratuity for South Africa of £8 on 31 July 1902. Isaac was in South Africa for 2½ years for which he was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps for Cape Colony and Orange Free State, and the King's South Africa Medal with clasps for 1901 and 1902. (On the Queen's South Africa Medal roll Isaac's regimental number was incorrectly given as 3736 instead of 3468.)

Isaac was promoted to Corporal on 1 October 1902 and arrived back in England on 5 October 1902. He was initially stationed at Chatham where on 11 October 1902 he was granted 3d Good Conduct pay and permitted to re-engage to complete a total of 21 years army service. Isaac's brother George also arrived back in England on 5 October 1902 and was initially stationed at Chatham, so the brothers must have been serving together again on the voyage to England and then at Chatham. until on 14 March 1903 Isaac was posted to the 4th Battalion at Oxford as Corporal and the same day promoted to Sergeant and appointed Sergeant Bugler. Isaac's brother George sailed for India on 22 September 1903.

Isaac became entitled to 4 Good Conduct Badges on 11 October 1906, and he was posted as a Sergeant Bugler to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion at Oxford on 14 June 1908. Isaac saw his brother George again on 24 July 1909 when he was a witness at his brother's marriage at East Dulwich; George was then on 8 months furlough from India. On 25 February 1911 Isaac was permitted to continue in service beyond 21 years, and in the census of 2 April 1911 Isaac was a 34-year-old Sergeant Bugler in the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at Cowley Barracks, Oxfordshire.

Isaac was discharged at Cowley Barracks on 13 March 1913, having given three months' notice of his wish to do so, after serving a total of 22 years and 154 days. On discharge Isaac was awarded a Long Service and Good Conduct Medal together with a £5 gratuity, and he gave his intended place of residence as The Laurels, Cowley. His conduct and character on discharge was given as exemplary and he was described as a very capable, steady and reliable NCO who was thoroughly trustworthy in every way, and on discharge he started to receive an army pension. Isaac's description on discharge was the same as that when he enlisted as a 14-year-old boy except that he had grown considerably, now being 5ft 11ins tall with a 38ins fully expanded chest.

Less than two years after his discharge the First World War resulted in Isaac, at the age of 38 and a musician living at The Laurels in Cowley, enlisting again in Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at Oxford on 11 December 1914 as Sergeant 16791. Isaac was then described as 5ft 10¾ins tall with a 39½ins fully expanded chest.

Isaac's war service was all at the regimental depot in Cowley and when he was 39 years old Isaac married Bertha V Bayley at Iffley Parish Church near Oxford on 14 October 1915. Isaac was then living at Rochdale Cottage, Old Road, Headington Quarry, Oxford, and they were still living there when their first child was born on 26 July 1916. They had two children and the second was born in Headington registration district in 1919. On 28 April 1919 Isaac volunteered to continue serving for another year and he was discharged on 28 April 1920, having this time served 5 years and 139 days. As Isaac's war service was all in England he was not entitled to any campaign medals. His intended place of residence on discharge was Ingram Villa, Hollow Way, Cowley, and he started to receive a re-assessed army pension that took into account his additional service.[27]

Isaac died in Oxford registration on 8 August 1953, at the age of 76.[28] Ten years later Bertha died at the age of 81, her death being registered in Oxford registration district during the 4th quarter of 1963.

 

Isaac and Bertha’s eldest child was Kenneth Benjamin Muddle who was born at Rochdale Cottage, Old Road, Headington Quarry, Oxford in Oxfordshire on 26 July 1916. Kenneth never married. He died when about 64 years old, his death being registered in Oxford registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1980.

 

Isaac and Bertha’s second child was Cynthia J Muddle whose birth was registered in Headington registration district in Oxfordshire during the 2nd quarter of 1919. When she was about 21 years old Cynthia married 26-year-old Edward P Boodell in Oxford registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1940. Edward's birth had been registered in Islington registration district in London during the 1st quarter of 1914. Edward and Cynthia had three children the first born in Oxford registration district in Oxfordshire in 1944, the second in Ploughley registration district in Buckinghamshire in 1949, and the third back in Oxford registration district in Oxfordshire in 1953.

 

Isaac and Harriet’s second child was James George Muddle, known as George, who was born at Landport in Portsmouth, Hampshire on 13 May 1879. In the census of 3 April 1881 George, at the age of 1, was living with his parents at 12 Cottage Lane in the Portsea district of Portsmouth. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 George, now aged 11, was a pupil at the Royal Military Asylum, Kings Road, Chelsea (later called the Duke of York's Royal Military School), which was a school for the maintenance and education of soldier's sons; George's father having died in 1887.

On 21 June 1889, when he was 10 years and 1 month old, James was admitted to the Royal Military Asylum in Chelsea where he trained as a tailor and remained until he was 14 years old and volunteered to enlist for 12 years' service in the 1st Battalion of the Oxfordshire Light Infantry (later to become the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry), his father's regiment. He was discharged from the Asylum on 13 May 1893 and on the same day he enlisted in the regiment at London as Boy 4446, when he was then described as being 4ft 10¼ins tall, weighed 73lbs, had a 29ins fully expanded chest, dark complexion, brown eyes, black hair and scars on his forehead and left arm.

George was immediately sent to Ireland where he joined his elder brother Isaac at Kinsale on 16 May 1893; the two brothers then continued to serve together for the next 6 years. On 3 April 1896 George was granted 1d Good Conduct pay, and then on 13 May 1897 he attained the age of 18 and was promoted from Boy to Private. Both brothers were transferred to Dublin on 6 June 1897, then on to Curragh on 20 August 1897, and then on to Mullingar on 11 September 1898. At Mullingar George was appointed a bandsman in the 1st Battalion on 16 October 1898. Both brothers were transferred back to Curragh on 11 May 1899 were George was granted 2d Good Conduct pay on 13 May 1899, and the two brothers were then transferred to Mullingar again on 16 August 1899.

Both brothers then left Ireland and arrived at Devonport on 15 September 1899 and then Aldershot on 23 November 1899. The brothers were then parted with George embarking on 22 December 1899 for South Africa to serve in the Boer War, and Isaac returning to Ireland. Isaac was sent to South Africa on 19 March 1900 but didn't serve there with his brother.

George returned to England on 1 June 1900 and was at the regimental depot until embarking for South Africa again on 22 September 1900; no reason is given for this temporary return to England but possibly George had been wounded or was ill. Back in South Africa George was Court Marshalled on 11 November 1901 for leaving his post while on active service before being regularity relieved; he went to prison for 172 days and lost his Good Conduct pay. George was released from prison on 1 May 1902 and was paid a Special War Gratuity for South Africa of £6 15s on 31 July 1902. For his service in South Africa George was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps for Paardeberg, Dreifontein and the Relief of Kimberly, and the King's South Africa Medal with clasps for 1901 and 1902.

George arrived back in England on 5 October 1902 and was stationed at Chatham where he was appointed an unpaid Lance Corporal on 24 January 1903 and then a paid Lance Corporal on 10 February 1903. Isaac's brother Isaac also arrived back in England on 5 October 1902 and was initially stationed at Chatham, so the brothers must have been serving together again on the voyage to England and then at Chatham until on 14 March 1903 Isaac was posted to the 4th Battalion at Oxford.

George's 2d Good Conduct pay was restored on 1 May 1903 and then on 22 September 1903 he was promoted to Corporal and the same day embarked for India on SS Plassy. George was at Umballa in the Delhi Division of the Punjab, India from 25 October 1903 and then at Subathu in the Punjab from 21 March 1904. He returned to Umballa on 18 October 1904 and was then at Lucknow from 7 February 1905. On 5 June 1905 George re-engaged to complete a total of 21 years army service. He was appointed an unpaid Lance Sergeant on 13 November 1906 and a paid Lance Sergeant on 29 November 1906. Then he was promoted to Sergeant on 7 November 1907 and appointed Band Sergeant the same day.

 

 

After 5 years in India George was granted a furlough back in England where he arrived on 24 February 1909. While in England George, at the age of 30, married 26-year-old Edith Elizabeth Murphy at St John the Evangelist Church, East Dulwich, London, on 24 July 1909. George was then an Army Musician living at Warnford Villa in Guildford, and Edith was living at 33 Upland Road in East Dulwich. Edith was the daughter of Thomas and Emma Murphy; she had been born in Camberwell, London and her birth registered during the 2nd quarter of 1883. One of the witnesses at George's marriage was his brother Isaac, so they were together at least once more while both still serving in the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, though now in different battalions. The end of George's furlough resulted in George and Edith embarking for Burma on 7 October 1909.

George and Edith had three children; the first was born at Thayetmyo in Burma on 4 May 1910 when George was Band Sergeant No 4446 in the 1st Battalion of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. They left Burma for India on 25 September 1910 and in the census of 2 April 1911 George, Edith and their young son were with the 1st Battalion of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at Wellington, Nilgiris, India. Then on 15 January 1912 George was transferred to the Indian Unattached List for employment as a Band Instructor at the Lawrence Asylum (later called the Lawrence Memorial School) at Lovedale near Ootacamund, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, Southern India. George and Edith's other two children were born at Lovedale on 27 January 1912 and 5 November 1915 when George was Sergeant No 4446 on the Indian Unattached List and a Band Instructor at the Lawrence Asylum. Being on the India Unattached List meant that George was serving away from his regiment on secondment to the India Army, his regiment being part of the British Army in India. Many NCOs and officers on the unattached list later joined the India Army, but George didn't.

On 31 May 1915 George was granted permission to serve beyond 21 years and on until the end of the First World War. But George didn't serve until the end of the war, he was discharged at Bangalore, India on 12 May 1916, having given three months' notice of his wish to do so; he was then 37-years-old and still Sergeant 4446 in the 1st Battalion of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (Indian Unattached List). He had served a total of exactly 23 years, and on discharge he started to receive an army pension of 21d per day. He gave his intended residence after discharge as the Lawrence Memorial School at Lovedale. George's description on discharge was the same as when he enlisted as a 14-year-old boy except that he had grown considerably, now being 5ft 5ins tall with a 37ins fully expanded chest. For his service overseas during the First World War George was awarded the British War Medal in 1920.[29]

Ten months after his discharge from the army George and his family were still living at the Lawrence Memorial School at Lovedale because when their younger son died on 31 March 1917, at the age of 5, he was buried in the Lawrence Memorial Royal Military School Cemetery and George was then described as a Band Instructor at the school. George and the rest of his family remained in India for the next 10 years, until George and Edith and their two surviving children sailed 3rd class on the SS Orama of the Orient Line from Colombo in Ceylon and arrived at Southampton on 9 June 1927. On the passenger list George was described as an army pensioner and their address in England was to be 113 Stoke Common Road, Bishopstoke, Hampshire.[30]

Ward’s Commercial & General Croydon Directory of 1934 lists a J G Muddle as living at 149 Whitehorse Lane in South Norwood, and George was described as being retired army pensioner and still living at 149 Whitehorse Lane when his son married in 1936 and his daughter married in 1938. George died at the age of 61, his death being registered in Gosport registration district in Hampshire during the 3rd quarter of 1940.

Edith had been living at Chineside in Shanklin on the Isle of Wight when she sailed on the Winchester Castle of the Union Castle Line from Southampton on 17 February 1948 bound for Cape Town, South Africa.[31] After nearly two years in South Africa Edith sailed tourist class on the Winchester Castle of the Union Castle Line from Durban and arrived at Southampton on 30 December 1949. On the passenger list Edith gave her intended address in England as 8 Hurst Road, Bexley, Kent.[32] After 2½ years back in England Edith had been living at Broadview, Seaview Road, Hayling Island, when she sailed tourist class on the Winchester Castle of the Union Castle Line from Southampton on 26 June 1952 bound for Durban, South Africa.[33] Then after nearly 2½ years in South Africa Edith sailed tourist class on the Winchester Castle of the Union Castle Line from Durban and arrived at Southampton on 26 November 1954. On the passenger list Edith gave her intended address in England as Broadview, Seaview Road, Hayling Island, Hampshire.[34]

Nineteen years after George's death Edith died at the age of 76, her death being registered in Portsmouth registration district during the 4th quarter of 1959.

 

George and Edith’s eldest child was George William Muddle who was born at Thayetmyo in Burma (now Myanmar) on 4 May 1910 and baptised at St John the Baptist Church in Thayetmyo on 4 June 1910.[35] George left Burma for India with his parents on 25 September 1910 and in the census of 2 April 1911 George and his parents were with the 1st Battalion of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at Wellington, Nilgris, India. Then from early 1912 George lived with his parents at the Lawrence Asylum (later called the Lawrence Memorial School), at Lovedale near Ootacamund, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, Southern India. Then in 1927 he left India with his parents and sister for England, and on the 1927 passenger list he was described as a 17-year-old student.

When he was 26 years old George married 26-year-old Gladys Kent at Croydon Register Office in Surrey on 1 August 1936. George was then a musical director and secretary living with his parents at 149 Whitehorse Lane in South Norwood, and Gladys was living at 398 London Road in Croydon. Gladys was the daughter of Harry Kent and had been born on 6 April 1910. George and Gladys had two children born in Portsmouth registration district in Hampshire in 1938 and 1940. Gladys died at the age of 83, her death being registered in North-West Surrey registration district during January 1994.

 

George and Edith’s second child was Lawrence James Muddle, known as Jimmy, who was born at Lovedale near Ootacamund, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, Southern India on 27 January 1912 and baptised at Lovedale on 18 February 1912.[36] Jimmy died at Lovedale on 31 March 1917, at the age of 5, from syncope (insufficient blood supply to the brain that can be caused by excessive heat).[37] He was buried in the Lawrence Memorial Royal Military School Cemetery at Lovedale the same day, where his grave is marked by a memorial inscribed: In Loving Memory of Lawrence James (Jimmy), the dearly loved and loving son of George & Edith Muddle, who passed away 31 March 1917, aged 5 years 2 months.[38]

 

George and Edith’s third child was Gladys Edith Muddle who was born at Lovedale near Ootacamund, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, Southern India on 5 November 1915 and baptised at Lovedale on 5 December 1915.[39] Gladys' birth was registered twice, by her father at Ahmednagar on 5 December 1915 and then by Captain C J Parr at Ootacamund on 27 June 1916. Then in 1927 she left India with her parents and brother for England, and on the 1927 passenger list she was described as an 11-year-old schoolgirl.

When she was 22 years old Gladys married 36-year-old Edward Robert Whitehouse at Holy Innocents Church in South Norwood, Surrey on 3 September 1938. They were both then living at Gladys' home, 149 Whitehorse Lane in South Norwood, and Edward was an engineer and Gladys a secretary. They had one child, a daughter born in Dartford registration district in Kent in 1946.

 

Isaac and Harriet’s third child was Harriet Muddle who was born at Portsmouth in Hampshire, and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1882. In the census of 5 April 1891 Harriet, at the age of 8, was a scholar at The Soldiers' Daughters' Home at Rosslyn Hill, Hampstead, London, which was a school and home for orphan daughters of private soldiers. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Harriet, now aged 18, was a live-in laundress at The Soldiers' Daughters' Home at Rosslyn Hill.

 

 

When she was 26 years old Harriet married 32-year-old Harvey Ring at St Peter's Church, Norbiton, Surrey, on 9 August 1908. Harriet was then living at 177 Elm Road, Kingston, Surrey, and Harvey was a platelayer on the railway and living at 31 Franklin Road in Norbiton. Harvey was the son of George and Harriet Ring and he had been born at Norbiton in Surrey in about 1876.

Harvey and Harriet had one child, a son, born at Norbiton in 1910, and in the census of 2 April 1911 they were living at 38 Franklin Road in Norbiton with their young son and Harvey was still a platelayer on the railway. When her brother Isaac enlisted in late 1914 he gave his next of kin as his sister Mrs H Ring of 111 Stoke Common, Bishopstoke, Eastleigh, Hampshire.

Harvey died at the age of 90, his death being registered in Andover registration district in Hampshire during the 2nd quarter of 1966. The following year Harriet died at the age of 84, her death being registered in Andover registration district during the 1st quarter of 1967.

 

Harvey and Harriet's only child was Jack Ring who was born at Norbiton in Surrey on 1 May 1910. In the census of 2 April 1911 Jack, at the age of 11 months, was living with his parents at 38 Franklin Road in Norbiton. Jack died at the age of 71, his death being registered in Southampton registration district in Hampshire during the 2nd quarter of 1981.

 

Isaac and Harriet’s fourth child was William Muddle who was born in the Portsea area of Portsmouth in Hampshire, and whose birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1884. In the census of 5 April 1891 William, at the age of 6, was living with his mother and stepfather, John Downhill, at 65 Brompton Road in the Portsea area of Portsmouth.

On 23 February 1894, when he was 9 years and 7 months old, William was admitted to the Royal Military Asylum in Chelsea (later called the Duke of York's Royal Military School) where he remained until he was 16 years old and volunteered to enlist for service in the Lancashire Fusiliers. He was discharged from the Asylum on 7 July 1900 and immediately enlisted in the Lancashire Fusiliers.[40]

In the census of 31 March 1901 William, at the age of 16, was an infantry soldier at Chatham Barracks in Kent. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 William, at the age of 26, was a Sergeant Drummer in the Lancashire Fusiliers at the Assaye Barrack in South Tidworth near Andover, Hampshire.

During the First World War William was with the British Expeditionary Force in France from 22 August 1914, where he was Sergeant No. 7864 of the 2nd Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers when he was killed in action on 2 November 1914, at the age of 30. William was buried in plot 8, row A, grave 7, of the Strand Military Cemetery, Comines-Warneton, Hainaut, Belgium. For his war service William was awarded three campaign medals, the Victory Medal, the British War Medal and the 1914 Star with clasp.[41]

 

 

Isaac and Harriet’s fifth child was Ellen Muddle who was born at Portsmouth in Hampshire on 1 August 1886. In the census of 5 April 1891 Ellen, at the age of 4, was living with her mother and stepfather, John Downhill, at 65 Brompton Road in the Portsea area of Portsmouth. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Ellen, now aged 14, was living with the family of her cousin, Frederick Goldring, at 22 Asylum Road in Portsmouth.

On 24 November 1907 when she was 21 years old Ellen had an illegitimate son born at 2 College Street in the Portsea district of Portsmouth. Then when she registered this birth on 4 January 1908 Ellen was in the Nursing Ward of the Parish of Portsmouth Workhouse and she gave her occupation as housekeeper.

When she was 23 years old Ellen married widower Frank Wilson, who gave his age as 41 though it was more likely about 45, at Portsmouth Register Office on 14 June 1910 They were both then living at 20 Hawke Street in the Portsea district of Portsmouth, and Frank was working as a Carrier's Carman.. Frank was the son of merchant marine seaman George Carter Wilson and he had been born at Newport in Monmouthshire, Wales in about 1864. In the 1891 census he was a 26-year-old bachelor working as a conductor and living with his uncle and aunt, John & Mary Ann Airs, at 38 Falcon Terrace in Battersea, London. Then in the 1901 census he was a 36-year-old widower and gunner in the army at Golden Hill Fort, Freshwater, Isle of Wight.

Frank was probably the father of Ellen's illegitimate son and Ellen had probably been his live-in housekeeper when he fathered this child. They had another son born in Portsmouth registration district in 1910, and in the census of 2 April 1911 they were living at 20 Hawke Street in the Portsea district of Portsmouth with two of Frank's sons from his previous marriage and their own two sons, and Frank was working as a Railway Carrier's Carman. They had two more sons born in Portsmouth registration district in 1914 and 1919, the first of whom died soon after birth.

Frank died at the age of 60, his death being registered in Portsmouth registration district in Hampshire during the 2nd quarter of 1925. Ellen was still living at 20 Hawke Street in Portsea when her son Frank migrated to Canada in 1929, but it's thought that later she had to go and live with a cousin for whom she worked as a maid. Forty-two years after her husband's death Ellen died at the age of 80, her death being registered in Gosport registration district in Hampshire during the 1st quarter of 1967.

 

Frank and Ellen’s eldest child was Harry Jesse Wilson who was born at 2 College Street in the Portsea district of Portsmouth on 24 November 1907. Harry’s birth was registered as Harry Jesse Wilson Muddle the illegitimate son of Ellen Muddle. In the census of 2 April 1911 Harry, at the age of 3, was living with his parents at 20 Hawke Street, Portsea, Hampshire.

 

Frank and Ellen’s second child was Frank Herbert Wilson who was born in Portsmouth registration district in Hampshire on 10 August 1910. In the census of 2 April 1911 Frank, at the age of 7 months, was living with his parents at 20 Hawke Street, Portsea, Hampshire.

Frank's father died in 1925 and Frank was still living with his widowed mother at 20 Hawke Street in Portsea when he emigrated from England to Canada, sailing 3rd class from Southampton on 10 August 1929, his 19th birthday, on the Calgaric of the White Star Line bound for Quebec. On the passenger list Frank's occupation was listed as farming.[42]

During the Second World War Frank enlisted in the Canadian Army serving in the Highland Light Infantry of Canada and the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada. When he was 29 years old Frank married Eva Atchison at Stratford, Ontario on 1 July 1940, and they had nine children, two girls and seven boys. Frank died from a stroke on 23 June 1989, at the age of 78.

 

 

Frank and Ellen’s third child was John W Wilson whose birth was registered in Portsmouth registration district in Hampshire during the 2nd quarter of 1914. John died soon after birth, his death being registered in Portsmouth registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1914.

 

Frank and Ellen’s fourth child was Douglas D Wilson whose birth was registered in Portsmouth registration district in Hampshire during the 1st quarter of 1919.

 

Martha’s fifth illegitimate child was John Muddle who was born at Worth in Sussex, probably in December 1840 or January 1841, a month or so before his mother’s death in February 1841, which made him an orphan. He was baptised at St Mary’s Church in Balcombe on 20 March 1842, when he was just over a year old. In the census of 6 June 1841 John, at the age of 5 months, was living with the family of widow Mary Jeffrey at Balcombe Lane in Balcombe. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 John, now aged 10, was living with the family of farm labourer Thomas Jeffrey in Balcombe Lane in Balcombe; he was described as being a nurse child (i.e. a foster child) and he was going to school. In the census of 7 April 1861 John, at the age of 20, was still living with the family of Thomas Jeffrey, but now at Box Cottage in Balcombe, and John was now working as a farm labourer.

When he was 21 years old John married 22-year-old Mary Ann Berry at St Nicholas’ Church in Worth on 29 August 1863. On their marriage certificate John’s father was stated to be John Muddle a labourer, presumably to try and hide the fact that John was illegitimate, as his brother Isaac was to similarly do at his marriage. Mary was the daughter of Edmund and Mary Berry, and she had been baptised at St Peter and St Paul Church in Ashington, Sussex on 14 February 1841. See the section headed ‘John & Mary Ann Muddle’s Family’ for the rest of their lives and details of their family.

 

William and Mary’s second child was Edmund Muddle who was born at Balcombe in Sussex, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Balcombe on 5 June 1803. Edmund became a cooper like his father and grandfather, and when his father died in 1828 Edmund probably took over his coopering business at Balcombe, for it was from 1829 that the accounts of the Overseers of the Poor of Balcombe start to record Cooper’s bills from Edmund Muddle instead of William Muddle. The accounts continue to record bills from Edmund Muddle until March 1833, then in August 1833 there was a Cooper’s bill from Webber & Muddle, which seems to indicate that Edmund had probably now gone into partnership.[43] The accounts go on to June 1835, but there were no more bills from Edmund, so it’s probable that it was at this time that he moved away from Balcombe.

In the census of 6 June 1841 Edmund was a cooper living with the family of his brother William, who was a publican, at Capel in Surrey. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Edmund, still unmarried at the age of 47, was a master cooper lodging at the Crown Inn, Capel, Surrey, where the publican was James Weeden. Edmund's brother William and his family had by then moved away from Capel; William now being a publican at Heston in Middlesex, so was Edmund still living at the same public house in Capel, which was not named in the 1841 census; James Weeden having replaced Edmund's brother William as publican there?

Edmund never married. He died at the age of 56 (not 57 as given on his burial record), his death being registered in Dorking registration district in Surrey during the 3rd quarter of 1859. He was buried in St John the Baptist’s Churchyard at Capel.

 

William and Mary’s third child was William Muddle who was born at Balcombe in Sussex, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Balcombe on 3 November 1805. When he was 12 years old William's parents were in financial difficulties and receiving handouts from Balcombe's Overseers of the Poor, so in March 1818 the Overseers placed William out for a year with William Holman, possibly to learn a trade, for which they paid Holman £2 15s.[44]

When he was about 25 years old William married 21-year-old Emily Ninham at All Souls Church, Langham Place, Marylebone, Middlesex, on 9 October 1830. Emily was the daughter of William and Sarah Ninham, and she had been baptised at St Mary’s Church in Reigate, Surrey on 15 March 1809.

William and Emily had three children born in 1832, 1835 and 1837 while they were living at Capel in Surrey where William was a publican. The first of these children was born at Capel but the other two were born at Reigate, probably because Emily had gone home to her parents or other relatives for the births. In the census of 6 June 1841 William and Emily were living in Capel with their three children and William was a publican. Living with them was William's brother Edmund and his sister Milly, and they had five working class men as lodgers. The name of the public house where they were living was not recorded in the census but it was probably the Crown Inn as that was where William's brother Edmund was lodging in the 1851 census after they had moved away from Capel.

In the census of 30 March 1851 they were living at the Queen Victoria, Bath Road, Heston, Middlesex, with their two youngest children; William was a publican and they had a live-in ostler, Charles Grant, and a lodger, Henry Walker. In the Post Office Directory of the Six Home Counties for 1851 William Muddle was listed as the publican at the Queen Victoria, Bath Road, Hounslow in the parish of Heston. William died at Bath Road on 18 April 1853 at the age of 47 (not 46 as given on his death certificate and burial record) from liver affection and pulmonary disease, and he was buried in the Churchyard of St Paul in Hounslow Heath on 23 April 1853. William's date of death was 18 April 1853 on his death certificate, but his wife gave the date as 17 April 1853 at the probate of his will.

William’s will, dated 3 September 1849 and proved by the Consistory Court of the Bishop of London on 15 June 1853, left all his estate, which consisted mostly of the stock etc. of his business and was valued at under £200, to his wife Emily, who was sole executrix of the will. When the will was proved Emily was still living at the Queen Victoria Public House, Bath Road, Hounslow.[45] The 19 June 1853 issue of The Era reported that at Brentford Petty Sessions held on 11 June 1853 the transfer of the license for the Queen Victoria in the parish of Heston from the late William Muddle to his executrix Emily Muddle was approved. In the Post Office Directory of the Six Home Counties for 1855 Emily was listed as Mrs Emily Muddle, publican at the Queen Victoria, Bath Road, Hounslow.

In the census of 7 April 1861 Emily, at the age of 52, was living at the Duke’s Head Inn in Manor Road at Wallington near Beddington in Surrey, where she was working as an assistant to innkeeper John Richardson, who was the husband of her younger sister Harriet. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Emily was still living at the Duke’s Head Inn as assistant to John Richardson. In the census of 3 April 1881 Emily, at the age of 72, was continuing to live at the Duke’s Head Inn where the publican was now her widowed sister Harriet Richardson. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Emily was still living with her sister at the Duke’s Head Inn. Four years later Emily died at the age of 86, her death being registered in Richmond registration district in Surrey during the 4th quarter of 1895.

 

William and Emily’s eldest child was William Ninham Muddle who was born at Capel in Surrey, and baptised at St John the Baptist’s Church in Capel on 11 April 1832. In the census of 6 June 1841 William, at the age of 9, was living with his parents at Capel. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 William, now aged 19, was a live-in shopman to clothier and hatter Robert Milton in the High Street, Hounslow, Middlesex. When he was 25 years old William married Louisa Humphrys at St Leonard’s the Parish Church of Heston in Middlesex on 13 December 1857. They are not thought to have had any children, and probably ended up separating as no death has been found for Louisa. In the census of 7 April 1861 William, at the age of 29, was working as a bricklayer’s labourer and lodging with the family of bricklayer James Meads at Lampton in Heston, and he then clamed to be unmarried. Though thirteen years after his first marriage, when he was 38, William claimed he was a widower when he, probably bigamously, married 35-year-old widow Ann Barnsdale, whose maiden name was Hewitt, at St Saviour’s Church, Croydon, Surrey, on 6 November 1870. They were both then living at Pawsons Road in Croydon, and William was a labourer, as he had been at the time of his first marriage. Ann was the daughter of John and Catherine Hewitt; she had been born at Hull in Yorkshire on 1 April 1835 and baptised at Hull Chapel in Jarrett Street on 24 May 1835.

In the census of 2 April 1871 William and Ann were living at 60 Pawsons Road in Croydon with three of Ann’s children from her first marriage, and William was working as a bricklayer’s labourer. William and Ann had one child born at Croydon in 1874, and they were living at 3 Crossland Road in Croydon when this child died in November 1877, at the age of 3. It’s thought that they separated soon after this because in the census of 3 April 1881 William was an agricultural labourer and a pauper, and again claiming to be a widower, in Croydon Workhouse & Infirmary in Queens Road, and Ann, calling herself Annie Sharp, was living with William Sharp at 80 Arpley Road, Penge, Surrey as his wife and had three of her children with her. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 William was again a pauper in Croydon Workhouse, now described as being a retired footman and still claiming to be a widower; Ann was now living with William Sharp at 51 Sidney Road in Croydon, he now stated that he was single and Ann, calling herself Annie Noble, was now claiming to be a widow and William’s housekeeper, and to be working as a midwife.

William died when he was about 63 (not 70 as given on his death certificate – his age had also been recorded as several years too great in both the 1881 and 1891 census); he probably died in Croydon Workhouse as he was buried in a communal pauper’s grave in Croydon Queens Road Cemetery on 1 January 1895. In the census of 31 March 1901 Ann, now calling herself Annie Barnsdale, was continuing to live with William Sharp at 51 Sidney Street. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 Ann, still calling herself Annie Barnsdale, had William Sharp, who was now described as her brother, living with her at 50 Russell Road in Croydon. Later that year Ann died at the age of 76 (not 85 as given on her death certificate), her death being registered in Croydon registration district during the 4th quarter of 1911.

 

William and Ann’s only child was Samuel Noble Muddle whose birth was registered in Croydon registration district in Surrey during the 3rd quarter of 1874. Samuel died at 3 Crossland Road in Croydon Road in Croydon on 24 November 1877, at the age of 3, from rubeola (measles) and acute bronchitis.

 

William and Emily’s second child was Henry Muddle who was born at Reigate in Surrey, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Reigate on 8 March 1835. In the census of 6 June 1841 Henry, at the age of 6, was living with his parents at Capel in Surrey. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Henry, now aged 16, was living with his parents at the Victoria Inn, Bath Road, Heston, Middlesex, and he was a carpenter’s apprentice. When he was 21 years old Henry married 18-year-old Clara Freeborough at St John’s Church, Waterloo, Surrey on 17 April 1856. They were both then living in Upper Stamford Street, Waterloo, and Henry now described himself as a builder. Clara was the daughter of William and Elizabeth Freebrough; she had been born on 8 June 1837 and baptised at All Souls Church in Marylebone on 26 November 1837. See the section headed ‘Henry & Clara Muddle’s Family’ for the rest of their lives and details of their family.

 

William and Emily’s third child was Emily Clara Muddle who was born at Reigate in Surrey, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Reigate on 26 May 1837. In the census of 6 June 1841 Emily, at the age of 4, was living with her parents at Capel in Surrey. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Emily, now aged 14, was living with her parents at the Victoria Inn, Bath Road, Heston, Middlesex. The 1856 edition of the Post Office London Directory listed Miss Emily Muddle as a confectioner at 9 Charles Street, Hatton Garden, London. When she was about 20 years old Emily married John George Sacker at St John’s Church, Waterloo, Surrey, on 1 April 1857 by licence. John was the son of gunsmith John Sacker and when he married he was a labourer living in Twickenham and Emily was then living in Waterloo Road.

 

William and Mary’s fourth child was John Muddle who was born at Balcombe in Sussex, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Balcombe on 8 May 1808. In the census of 6 June 1841 John, at the age of 33, was a live-in male servant to innkeeper Thomas White at Newington in Surrey. When he was 36 years old John married 22-year-old Rebekah Dorling at the Parish Church of St Nicholas in Thames Ditton, Surrey on 9 November 1844, by a licence issued by the Faculty Office in London on 8 November 1844. They were both then living in Thames Ditton and John was a victualler. Rebekah was the daughter of carpenter Daniel Dorling and his wife Elizabeth, and she was born at Shoreditch in about 1822.

John and Rebekah had three children, all sons. Their first two children were born at Thames Ditton in Surrey in 1845 and 1847. At the baptisms of both these children John was described as being a licensed victualler; this was probably at The Marquis of Granby, Portsmouth Road, Thames Ditton, as there was a desk or chest given to his eldest son that had an inscription that read ‘John George Muddle. His desk give to him by his Mother, Rebekah 1848 Marquis of Grandby. Ditton March, Surrey’ this was in the possession of John's great-granddaughter Doris Maule but was in a poor state of repair and during a house move she disposed of it. It is thought that it was John who was referred to in the 23 July 1848 edition of The Era when it reported on a cricket match between Peckham Rye (Albion) and Thames Ditton (United) in which Muddle scored one run not out for the Thames Ditton team.

John and Rebekah then moved across the River Thames, and in the census of 30 March 1851 they were living at Windmill Lane, Hampton, Middlesex, with their two sons, and John was described as being ‘late publican’. They moved back across the Thames and their third child was born at Thames Ditton in May 1852. Rebekah died at Thames Ditton, at the age of 29, just under a month after the birth of her third child, and she was buried in the Churchyard of St Nicholas in Thames Ditton on 15 June 1852. This third child was baptised in early 1855 while John was living at Thames Ditton and working as a labourer.

Seven years after Rebekah’s death John, at the age of 51, married widow Eliza Twyford, whose maiden name was Jowett, at St John’s Church, Waterloo, London, on 20 November 1859. They were both then living at Upper Stanford Street and John was a gentleman’s servant. They didn’t have any children, Eliza being about 45 when they married. In the census of 7 April 1861 they were living at 5 Brights Buildings, Wansworth, Surrey with John’s three sons and three of Eliza’s children from her first marriage, and John was a domestic servant. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 they were continuing to live at 5 Brights Buildings, now with one of John’s sons and two of Eliza’s children from her first marriage, and John was now a farm labourer. John was described as being a papermaker when his eldest son married in 1878. In the census of 3 April 1881 just John and Eliza were still living at 5 Brights Buildings, and John was now working as a general labourer.

Eliza died at Wandsworth, at the age of 70 (not 76 as given on her death certificate), and she was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints in Wandsworth on 31 December 1884. Five years later John died at the age of 81 (not 82 as given on his death certificate), his death being registered in Wandsworth registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1889.

 

There children were:

John George 1845-1929  Robert ‘Frederick’ James 1847-1928

Charles Thomas 1852-1931

 

John and Rebekah’s eldest child was John George Muddle who was born at Thames Ditton in Surrey on 28 September 1845, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Nicholas in Thames Ditton on 27 October 1845. In the census of 30 March 1851 John, at the age of 5, was living with his parents at Windmill Lane, Hampton, Middlesex. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 John, now aged 15, was working as a paper layer in a paper mill and living with his father and stepmother at 5 Brights Buildings, Wandsworth, Surrey.

When he was 19 years old John enlisted as Private 1102 in the 90th Regiment of Foot at Kingston in Surrey on 9 January 1865 for 10 years. On enlisting he received a bounty of £1 and his height was recorded as 5ft 6¼ins. He joined the regiment at their depot in Colchester on 12 January; was with Service Companies at Fleetwood in Lancashire in July, and then at Chatham in Kent in August. At the beginning of September he sailed from Chatham and arrived at Karachi in India (now Pakistan) on 28 December 1865. From there he proceeded inland to join the Regimental Headquarters on 7 March 1866 at Nowshera on the North-West Frontier, which is about 60 miles west of Islamabad in what is now northern Pakistan. By the first quarter of 1868 John had moved southeast with the regiment to Subathoo in the Punjab and it was on 10 January 1868 that he started to received 1d per day Good Conduct pay. In about 1869 John and the rest of the regiment left India for Great Britain, and in the census of 2 April 1871 John was a Private with the 90th Regiment of Foot (Light Infantry) at Edinburgh Castle in Scotland. While in Scotland John served with detachments of the regiment at Stirling, Glasgow and Ayr. By the second quarter of 1872 John was with the regiment at Aldershot in England, and now on 2d per day Good Conduct pay. Then on 19 April 1873 while with the regiment at Aldershot John was discharged to the army reserve; he had completed 8 years and 100 days active service. Then on 9 January 1875 he was fully discharged, having completed the 10 years he had enlisted for. His 8 years and 100 days active service was the time that counted towards his pension and an application for his pension had been sent to the Royal Hospital, Chelsea on 24 December 1874.[46]

Soon after his discharge John found employment with the London & South Western Railway, being appointed a Carriage Washer in the Carriage Department at Clapham Junction in May 1873 at 19 shillings per week that was later increased to 20 shillings. After two years in this employment John resigned on 30 June 1875.[47]

When he was 32 years old John married 22-year-old Alice Gosden at St Giles in the Fields Church in London on 2 June 1878. They were both then living at 13 Chenies Street, Bloomsbury, London, and John was a labourer. Alice was the daughter of Stephen and Charlotte Gosden; she had been born at Bisley in Surrey on 5 September 1855, and baptised at Bisley Church on 23 September 1855.

John and Alice had six children; the first was born at Battersea in London in 1879. In the census of 3 April 1881 they were living at 14 Canterbury Place in Battersea with their young son and Alice’s parents, Stephen and Charlotte Gosden, were staying with them; John was working as a general labourer. Their next three children were born at Battersea between 1882 and 1886; when the second of these three was born in 1884 they were living at 32 Usk Road. Their fifth child was born at 8 Coligny Street, Wandsworth, London in 1888. In the census of the 5 April 1891 they were living at 8 Coligny Street with four of their then five children, and John was still a general labourer. Their eldest son was then living with Alice’s parents at 61 Sanderstead Road, Croydon, Surrey. They then moved to Croydon where their last child was born at in 1892.

By 1894 they had moved back to the Wandsworth/Battersea area as their daughter Letitia returned to Eltringham School in that area that year, and they were living at 6 Hope Street in Battersea in 1897 when Letitia left school. In the census of 31 March 1901 John and their five youngest children were recorded as living at 6 Hope Street, while Alice was away from home visiting their eldest son and her parents at 159 Bynes Road in Croydon. In this census John was described as being a skilled labourer in a starch factory. When their eldest son married in 1905 John was described as being an employee in an iron foundry, and then when their eldest daughter married in 1908 John was a general labourer, and they were continuing to live at 6 Hope Street. In the census of 2 April 1911 they were still living at 6 Hope Street, now with just their four unmarried children still with them; John was an out of work general labourer and they had their young grandson Thomas Fletcher staying with them, his mother having just given birth to her next child.

John died in Wandsworth registration district on 22 February 1929 at the age of 83. Alice’s bachelor son William was living at 6 Hope Street when he died in June 1946 and it’s thought that Alice was probably still living there with him. After this Alice was recorded in the electoral register as living at 27 Petergate in Battersea with her son Alfred and his wife Emily from 1947 to 1949. Twenty-one years after John’s death Alice died at 27 Petergate on 3 February 1950 at the age of 94 from a cerebral thrombosis.

 

Their children were:

Stephen George 1879-1954  William John 1882-1946

Letitia Grace 1884-1966  Alfred James 1886-1965

Edith May 1888-1969  Lottie Alice 1892-1966

 

John and Alice’s eldest child was Stephen George Muddle who was born at Battersea in London, and whose birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1879. In the census of 3 April 1881 Stephen, at the age of 1, was living with his parents at 14 Canterbury Place in Battersea. Then in the census of the 5 April 1891 Stephen, now aged 11, was staying with his maternal grandparents, Stephen and Charlotte Gosden, at 61 Sanderstead Road in Croydon.

When he got into trouble for trying to derail a train on 21 October 1891 by placing objects on the railway, Stephen, at the age of 12, was going to Bynes Road Board School in South Croydon. Stephen and his friend Thomas Stove were first brought before Croydon Borough Police Court on Tuesday 27 October 1891 when, as reported in The Times the next day, they were remanded in custody. They came before the same court again on Tuesday 3 November, and as reported in Jackson's Oxford Journal of 7 November, they were again remanded in custody to the workhouse. Their trial at the same court was held the next day, 4 November, and The Times the following day reported the proceedings as follows:

THE ATTEMPT TO WRECK THE EASTBOURNE EXPRESS

Yesterday at the Croydon Police-court, before the Mayor and a full bench of magistrates, Stephen Muddle, 12, and Thomas Shove, 11, schoolboys, both of South Croydon, were charged on remand with unlawfully and maliciously placing two iron chairs and one iron fishplate on the main line of the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway, with intent to endanger the lives of the passengers travelling thereon. The evidence showed that the engine of the midday express from Eastbourne struck the chairs and sustained considerable damage. When arrested by Detective-sergeant Ward the prisoners admitted that they put the irons on the line to see the train run off. Mr. Ellis, solicitor, now appeared with Inspector Turpin, to prosecute on behalf of the railway company. Stephen Gilbert stated that on October 21 he was the driver of the 12 noon fast train from Eastbourne to London. Shortly after passing over Purley intermediate signal-box his engine struck something on the left-hand rail, and he felt a jerk and saw the ballast fly. He was then travelling at the rate of 30 or 40 miles an hour. He at once applied the Westinghouse brake, reducing his speed to five miles per hour, and found that his guard iron and sand pipe had been broken off. He saw no one on the line. Mr. Ellis said that, having regard to the ages of these boys, the magistrates had power under the Regulation of Railways Act of 1871, which was added to the Summary Jurisdiction Act, to deal with them summarily. Mr. Dennis appeared on behalf of the boys. The Mayor told the prisoners that their conduct had been most disgraceful, for they had committed an act which might have resulted in the loss of a great many lives. He did not think however, that when they put the chairs on the line they contemplated that, but their conduct had been most reckless and very wrong indeed. Muddle would receive eight and Shove six strokes with a birch rod.

In the census of 31 March 1901 Stephen, at the age of 21, was continuing to live with his grandparents, Stephen and Charlotte Gosden, but now at 159 Bynes Road in Croydon. Both Stephen and his grandfather were greengrocers working on their own account at home, so presumably they were in business together.

When he was 25 years old Stephen married 21-year-old Sarah Louisa Verrell at Croydon Register Office in Surrey on 18 June 1905. Stephen was then a carman living at 175 Bynes Road in Croydon, and Sarah was living at 77 Wilford Road in Croydon. Stephen and Sarah didn't have any children, but Sarah already had an illegitimate daughter who had been born at Croydon in 1902. They were living at 40 Queens Road in Croydon when this daughter was admitted to Great Ormond Street Hospital on 11 May 1908 and then again on 7 August 1908 suffering from heart disease. When this daughter was yet again admitted to Great Ormond Street Hospital on 12 September 1910 they were living at 38 Gloucester Road in West Croydon. And when this daughter died on 8 March 1911 they were living at 38 Gloucester Road in West Croydon and Stephen was working as a coal porter. In the census of 2 April 1911 they were living in one room at 38 Gloucester Road in West Croydon and Stephen was a coalman. They also recorded their daughter as living there even though she had died four weeks earlier, but Sarah did state that her only child was then dead.

During the First World War Stephen served as Private 573350 in the 17th Battalion of the London Regiment (Poplar & Stepney Rifles) and then as Private 666822 in the Labour Corps. Soldiers who had been wounded and were no longer fit enough to serve in the trenches were often transferred to Labour Corps. For his war service Stephen was awarded two campaign medals, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal, and also the Silver War Badge. The Silver War Badge was awarded to those military personnel who were discharged as a result of sickness or wounds contracted or received during the war.[48]

Sarah died at the age of 54, her death being registered in Lewisham registration district in London during the 1st quarter of 1937. Later that year Stephen’s second marriage, when he was about 58, was to Elizabeth Moore, who was about 60, in Deptford registration district in London during the 3rd quarter of 1937. There were no children from this marriage as Elizabeth was too old. Stephen died at the age of 74, his death being registered in Wandsworth registration district in London during the 2nd quarter of 1954. The 1953 London Telephone Directory and the 1958 Telephone Directory for Outer London (Surrey) list Mrs Elizabeth Muddle as living at 12 Bennetts Avenue, Shirley, Croydon. Five years after Stephen’s death Elizabeth died at the age of 82, her death was registered in Mid-East Surrey registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1959.

 

Sarah’s illegitimate child was Sarah Lilian Verrell whose birth was registered in Croydon registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1902. Sarah was living with her mother and step-father at 40 Queen's Road in Croydon when she was admitted under the name Sarah Muddle to Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children on the 11 May 1908 suffering from morbus cordis (heart disease), and after a stay of 51 days her condition was described as relieved and she was discharged on 1 July 1908 to Cromwell House, the hospital's convalescent home. Then on the 7 August 1908 Sarah, under the name Lily Muddle, was still living at 40 Queen's Road when she was readmitted to Great Ormond Street Hospital with the same condition as before, this time she stayed for 328 days and after her condition had again been relieved she was discharged on 1 July 1909 to Cromwell House convalescent home. Then on 12 September 1910 Sarah was living with her mother and step-father at 38 Gloucester Road in West Croydon when, under the name Sarah Muddle, she was again readmitted to Great Ormond Street Hospital with the same condition as before, this time she stayed for 91 days and after her condition had yet again been relieved she was discharged on 12 December 1910.[49] Sarah was living with her mother and step-father at 38 Gloucester Road in West Croydon when she died there on 8 March 1911 at the age of 8, from valvular diseases of the heart. Her death was registered under the name Sarah Lilian Verrell. Four weeks after her death Sarah was recorded by her parents in the census of 2 April 1911, under the name Sarah L Verrell Muddle, as living with them at 38 Gloucester Road in West Croydon, though her mother did state that her only child was then dead.

 

John and Alice’s second child was William John Muddle who was born at Battersea in London, and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1882. In the census of the 5 April 1891 William, at the age of 9, was living with his parents at 8 Coligny Street, Wandsworth, London, and he was going to school. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 William, now aged 19, was living with his parents at 6 Hope Street in Battersea, and he was working as a general labourer. In the census of 2 April 1911 William, at the age of 29, was working as a coal merchant's carman and continuing to live with his parents at 6 Hope Street. William never married. He was working as a railway labourer and still living at 6 Hope Street, presumably with his widowed mother, when he died in St Stephens Hospital, Chelsea, London on 13 June 1946, at the age of 64, from peritonitis due to a perforated chronic duodenal ulcer.

 

John and Alice’s third child was Letitia Grace Muddle, known as Grace, who was born at 32 Usk Road, Battersea, London on 18 July 1884. In the census of the 5 April 1891 Grace, at the age of 6, was living with her parents at 8 Coligny Street, Wandsworth, London, and she was going to school. Grace’s Labour Certificate, which certified that she was at least 13 years old and had completed the required attendance at school, shows that she attended Eltringham Street School in 1891 and 1894 to 1897 when she left school to start work. In the census of 31 March 1901 Grace, now aged 16, was living with her parents at 6 Hope Street in Battersea, and she was working as a starch box maker.

When she was 23 years old Grace married 24-year-old Tom Fletcher at St John’s Church in Battersea on 18 April 1908. Tom was then a labourer living at 38 Farningham Road, Caterham, Surrey, and Letitia was living with her parents at 6 Hope Street in Battersea. Tom was the son of Arthur and Jane Fletcher, and he had been born at Wilton in Wiltshire on 2 November 1883. Tom and Grace had four children born at Caterham between 1909 and 1917. They were living at 10 Orchard Cottages, Godstone Road, Caterham, and Tom was working as a carman at the coal wharf when their first child’s birth was registered in June 1909; this child had been born at 1 Orchard Cottages in April. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 they were living at 116 Caterham Road in Caterham Valley with their recently born daughter; Tom was working as a coal carter and their son was away staying with Grace's parents.

Tom must have looked after his horses well as his grandson Ken Creed has some horse brasses that were awarded to Tom for the good condition of his horses. Later Tom and Grace moved to 319 Croydon Road in Caterham, which was a semi-detached house backing on to the railway line with gas lighting and an outside toilet. They lived there for the rest of their lives. When their son married in 1932 they were living at 319 Croydon Road and Tom was working as a coal porter.

When their daughter May died in 1944 her husband and baby son came to live with Tom and Grace at 319 Croydon Road, and their spinster daughter Lottie was also then living with them. Tom was a gardener and working at a large house in Woldingham, Surrey when on his way to work he slipped on ice and sustained injuries from which he died in the Dene Hospital at Caterham on the 30 January 1960, at the age of 76. Six years later Grace, who had suffered from leg ulcers ever since the death of her daughter May in 1944, died in the Dene Hospital at Caterham on 22 January 1966, at the age of 81.

 

Tom and Grace’s eldest child was Thomas William Fletcher, known as Tom, who was born at 1 Orchard Cottages, Godstone Road, Caterham, Surrey on 18 April 1909. In the census of 2 April 1911 Tom, at the age of nearly 2, was staying with his grandparents John and Alice Muddle at 6 Hope Street because his mother had just given birth to her next child.

When he was 23 years old Tom married 25-year-old Mabel Olga Lincoln, known as Olga, at Warlingham Parish Church in Surrey on 17 September 1932. Tom was then a private chauffeur living with his parents at 319 Croydon Road in Caterham, and Olga was a domestic servant living at Glebe Road in Warlingham. Olga was the daughter of gardener George Lincoln and she had been born in Midhurst registration district in Sussex on 4 September 1907. Tom and Olga lived in Croydon Road at Caterham and had three children born in 1933, 1936 and 1951.

Tom died at the age of 67, his death being registered in South-Eastern Surrey registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1976. Twenty-three years later Olga died at the age of 92, her death being registered in South-East Surrey registration district during November 1999.

 

Tom and Grace’s second child was Violet May Fletcher, known as May, who was born at Caterham in Surrey on 17 March 1911. In the census of 2 April 1911 May, at the age of 2 weeks, was living with her parents at 116 Caterham Road in Caterham Valley. When she was 28 years old May married 29-year-old Kenneth Marshal Creed at South-East Surrey Register Office on 23 September 1939. Kenneth was then a Private in the Royal Army Medical Corps who was normally a taxi driver living at 73 Beechwood Road in Caterham, and May was a chain store cashier living with her parents at 319 Croydon Road in Caterham. Kenneth had been born at Hastings in Sussex on 9 June 1910. Kenneth and May had one child, a son, born in a private nursing home at Caterham in Surrey in 1944. May died in Caterham Nursing Home on 15 July 1944, at the age of 33, when she haemorrhaged after giving birth to her son and the nursing home didn’t have supplies of her blood type. Kenneth and his son then went to live with May’s parents at 319 Croydon Road in Caterham. Kenneth was a taxi driver operating from Caterham Railway Station. Kenneth remarried and died in South-East Surrey registration district on 12 March 1966 at the age of 55.

 

 

Tom and Grace’s third child was Lottie Irene Fletcher who was born at Caterham in Surrey on 29 November 1913. Lottie never married; she lived with her parents and looked after her mother and her young nephew Ken Creed. Lottie died in a nursing home at Banstead in Surrey at the age of 88, her death being registered during February 2002.

 

Tom and Grace’s forth child was Doris Matilda Fletcher who was born at Caterham in Surrey on 24 March 1917. When she was 24 years old Doris married Alan Maule in Staines registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1941. Alan had been born on 28 February 1917. Alan and Doris had two children born in 1947 and 1951. They lived at Shepperton in Middlesex. Alan died at Bromley in Kent at the age of 85, his death being registered during February 2003. Doris died at Bromley in Kent on 8 May 2005 at the age of 88.

 

John and Alice’s fourth child was Alfred James Muddle who was born at Battersea in London, and whose birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1886. In the census of the 5 April 1891 Alfred, at the age of 4, was living with his parents at 8 Coligny Street, Wandsworth, London, and he was going to school. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Alfred, now aged 14, was living with his parents at 6 Hope Street in Battersea, and he was working as a starch box labeller. In the census of 2 April 1911 Alfred, at the age of 24, was working as a carman and continuing to live with his parents at 6 Hope Street.

When he was 35 years old Alfred married 38-year-old Emily Rickman in Wandsworth registration district during the 4th quarter of 1921. Emily was the daughter of Lewis and Emma Rickman; she had been born at Peckham in London and her birth registered during the 1st quarter of 1883. Alfred and Emily had one child born in Wandsworth registration district in 1922.

From 1935 Alfred and Emily are recorded on the electoral register as living at 27 John Street (which was renamed Petergate in 1937), Battersea, London. When his daughter married in 1946 Alfred was recorded as being a railwayman. Then from 1947 to 1949 Alfred’s widowed mother, Alice Muddle, was recorded on the electoral register as living with them at 27 Petergate; she died in early 1950. Then later that year Emily died at the age of 67, her death was registered in Wandsworth registration district during the 4th quarter of 1950. The electoral register continues to record Alfred living at 27 Petergate until 1965. Alfred died at the age of 78, his death being registered in Battersea registration district during the 1st quarter of 1965.

 

Alfred and Emily’s only child is Alice Muddle whose birth was registered in Wandsworth registration district during the 1st quarter of 1922. When she was 23 years old Alice married 26-year-old William Bailey at St Paul’s Church, Battersea, London, on 26 January 1946. William was then a soldier living at 18 Leewood Place, Swanley, Kent, and Alice was living with her parents at 27 Petergate in Battersea. They had one child born at Lambeth in London in 1948.

 

John and Alice’s fifth child was Edith May Muddle who was born at 8 Coligny Street, Wandsworth, London on 19 September 1888. In the census of the 5 April 1891 Edith, at the age of 2, was living with her parents at 8 Coligny Street, Wandsworth, London. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Edith, now aged 12, was living with her parents at 6 Hope Street in Battersea. In the census of 2 April 1911 Edith, at the age of 22, was not working and still living with her parents at 6 Hope Street.

Then two weeks after the census, when she was 22 years old, Edith married 23-year-old Thomas Albert Macarthy at St John’s Church in Battersea on 17 April 1911. They were both then living at 6 Hope Street in Battersea, and Thomas was a milk carrier. Thomas was the son of Thomas and Jane Macarthy, and he had been born at Fulham in London on 11 June 1887. Thomas and Edith had two children born in Kingston registration district in Surrey in 1912 and 1926. They were living at 155 Gladstone Road, London SW19 when Edith registered her brother William’s death in 1946. Edith died in Merton registration district in Surrey on 30 June 1969 at the age of 80. Then four months later Thomas died in Mid-East Surrey registration district on 26 October 1969 at the age of 82. They were both cremated.

 

Thomas and Edith’s eldest child was William Thomas Alfred Macarthy who was born in Kingston registration district in Surrey on 4 January 1912. William married three times, to Lottie, Rita and Fe. William died on 15 July 1999 at the age of 87.

 

John and Alice’s sixth child was Lottie Alice Muddle who was born at Croydon in Surrey, and whose birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1892. In the census of 31 March 1901 Lottie, at the age of 8, was living with her parents at 6 Hope Street in Battersea. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 Lottie, now aged 18, was working as a cardboard box maker for a candle manufacturer and continuing to live with her parents at 6 Hope Street.

When she was 27 years old Lottie married William H Wheeler in Wandsworth registration district in London during the 1st quarter of 1920. Willam was a policeman and they are not thought to have had any children. They were living at 209 Fernside Avenue, Hanworth, Middlesex when Lottie registered her mother’s death in 1950. William died in Croydon registration district in Surrey on the 4 April 1962 at the age of 74, and Lottie died in Croydon registration district on 5 January 1966 at the age of 73.

 

John and Rebekah’s second child was Robert Frederick James Muddle, known as Frederick, who was born at Thames Ditton in Surrey on 7 March 1847, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Nicholas in Thames Ditton on 1 April 1847. Frederick seems to have not used the name Robert and was known as Frederick or Frederick James. In the census of 30 March 1851 Frederick, at the age of 4, was living with his parents at Windmill Lane, Hampton, Middlesex. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 Frederick, now aged 14, was working as a match maker in a match factory and living with his father and stepmother at 5 Brights Buildings, Wandsworth, Surrey. In the census of 2 April 1871 Frederick, at the age of 24, was working as a farm labourer and still living with his father and stepmother at 5 Brights Buildings. Later that year while he was still 24 years old Frederick married 18-year-old Harriet Rebecca Peacock at St Mary’s Church in Lambeth, London, on 8 July 1871. Harriet was the daughter of Joseph and Mary Peacock; she had been born at Paradise Street in Lambeth and her birth registered during the 1st quarter of 1853. See the section headed ‘Frederick & Harriet Muddle’s Family’ for the rest of their lives and details of their family.

 

John and Rebekah’s third child was Charles Thomas Muddle who was born at Thames Ditton in Surrey on 19 May 1852, and as his mother died four weeks later he wasn't baptised until he was nearly three years old, at the Parish Church of St Nicholas in Thames Ditton on 25 February 1855. In the census of 7 April 1861 Charles, at the age of 8, was going to school and living with his father and stepmother at 5 Brights Buildings, Wandsworth, Surrey.

When he was 18 years old Charles married 15-year-old Mary Beckett at St George’s Church in Battersea on 9 April 1871. They were both then living at 25 Usk Road in Battersea and Charles was a labourer. Seven days earlier they had both been recorded in the census of 2 April 1871 as living with James and Ann Simmonds at 25 Usk Road when they were described as being the nephew and niece of the Simmonds; presumably the Simmonds were relatives of Mary. Mary gave her age as 17 at her marriage, but she had been born on 16 September 1855 and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Battersea on 28 October 1855, the daughter of Thomas and Ann Beckett, so she was only 15.

Charles and Mary had three children born at Battersea between 1871 and 1880. In the census of 3 April 1881 they were living at 11 Wilson Street in Battersea with their three children, and Charles was working as a general labourer. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 they were living at 13 Yelverton Road in Battersea with their two youngest children, and Charles was now an engineer’s labourer. Their eldest daughter with her husband and young daughter were occupying one room at the same address. Charles was described as a labourer when his youngest daughter married in 1899. In the census of 31 March 1901 Charles and Mary were occupying two rooms at 44 Yelverton Road. Also in this house were the family of their youngest daughter, Elizabeth Bright, in three rooms, and a widow, Martha Jayne, in one room. Charles was now working as a stationary engine driver. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 Charles and Mary were lodgers occupying one room at 395 York Road in Wandsworth and Charles was working as a motor engineer's labourer.

Mary died at the age of 62, her death being registered in Wandsworth registration district in London during the 1st quarter of 1918. Thirteen years later Charles died at the age of 79, his death being registered in Battersea registration district in London during the 4th quarter of 1931.

 

Charles and Mary’s eldest child was Mary Ann Muddle who was born at Battersea in London, and whose birth was registered during the 4th quarter of 1871. In the census of 3 April 1881 Mary Ann, at the age of 9, was living with her parents at 11 Wilson Street in Battersea, and she was going to school.

When she was 17 years old Mary Ann married 22-year-old John Miller at St Faith’s Church in Wandsworth on 9 June 1889. They were both then living at 29 Warple Way; John was a pavior (maker and user of wooden blocks for making pavements) and Mary Ann was a factory worker. They had four known children, born in Battersea between 1891 and 1895.

In the census of 5 April 1891 they were living in one room at 13 Yelverton Road in Battersea (the home of Mary Ann's parents) with their young daughter, and John was working as a storekeeper. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 they were living at 217 Bartholomew Buildings, Seward Street, Finsbury, with their four children, and John was a wood yard foreman. Bartholomew Buildings consisted of seven tenement blocks containing 346 tenements; the tenement John and Mary Ann lived in had three rooms. In the census of 2 April 1911 they were living in four rooms at 26 Chadworth Buildings in St Luke's Parish, Holborn, London their four children was a foreman wood-pavior. This census recorded that they had had five children, one of whom had died, but it has not been possible to identify this dead child.

 

John and Mary Ann’s eldest child was Mary Joanna Miller who was born at Battersea, and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1891. In the census of 31 March 1901 Mary, at the age of 10, was living with her parents at 217 Bartholomew Buildings, Seward Street, Finsbury. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 Mary, now aged 20, was working as a milliner and living with her parents at 26 Chadworth Buildings in St Luke's Parish, Holborn, London.

 

John and Mary Ann’s second child was Norah Miller who was born at Battersea, and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1892. In the census of 31 March 1901 Norah, at the age of 9, was living with her parents at 217 Bartholomew Buildings, Seward Street, Finsbury. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 Norah, now aged 19, was working as a tobacco packer and living with her parents at 26 Chadworth Buildings in St Luke's Parish, Holborn, London.

 

John and Mary Ann’s third child was Kathleen Elizabeth Miller, known as Katie, who was born at Battersea in about 1893. In the census of 31 March 1901 Katie, at the age of 7, was living with her parents at 217 Bartholomew Buildings, Seward Street, Finsbury. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 Katie, now aged 17, was working as a feather cutter and living with her parents at 26 Chadworth Buildings in St Luke's Parish, Holborn, London.

 

John and Mary Ann’s fourth child was Charles Miller who was born at Battersea in about 1895. In the census of 31 March 1901 Charles, at the age of 5, was living with his parents at 217 Bartholomew Buildings, Seward Street, Finsbury. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 Charles, now aged 15, was working as a messenger and living with his parents at 26 Chadworth Buildings in St Luke's Parish, Holborn, London.

 

Charles and Mary’s second child was Ada Elizabeth Muddle who was born at Battersea in London, and whose birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1874. In the census of 3 April 1881 Ada, at the age of 6, was living with her parents at 11 Wilson Street in Battersea, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Ada, now aged 16, was living with her parents at 13 Yelverton Road in Battersea.

When she was 17 years old Ada married 20-year-old Walter Robert Lee at Battersea Parish Church on 3 August 1891. Walter was a labourer living at 13 Francis Street in Battersea and Ada was living with her parents at 13 Yelverton Road in Battersea. Walter was the son of Edward and Louisa Lee, he had been born at Chelsea and his birth registered during the 3rd quarter of 1871. Walter and Ada had three known children born in Battersea between 1894 and 1899. In the census of 31 March 1901 they were living at 7 Hope Street in Battersea with their three children, and Walter was a general labourer.

Walter died at the age of 39, his death being registered in Wandsworth registration district in London during the 4th quarter of 1910. The following year in the census of 2 April 1911 Ada was a widow living with her three daughters in two rooms at 15 Lombard Dwelling, Lombard Road, Battersea. This census recorded that Ada had had four children, one of whom had died, but it has not been possible to identify this dead child.

 

Walter and Ada’s eldest child was Ada Elizabeth Lee who was born at Battersea, and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1894. In the census of 31 March 1901 Ada, at the age of 7, was living with her parents at 7 Hope Street in Battersea. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 Ada, now aged 17, was working as a camphor trimmer and living with her widowed mother in two rooms at 15 Lombard Dwelling, Lombard Road, Battersea.

 

Walter and Ada’s second child was Florence Louisa Lee who was born at Battersea, and whose birth was registered during the 4th quarter of 1895. In the census of 31 March 1901 Florrie, at the age of 5, was living with her parents at 7 Hope Street in Battersea. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 Florence, now aged 15, was working as a chemical packer and living with her widowed mother in two rooms at 15 Lombard Dwelling, Lombard Road, Battersea.

 

Walter and Ada’s third child was Helen Elizabeth Lee who was born at Battersea, and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1899. In the census of 31 March 1901 Helen, at the age of 2, was living with her parents at 7 Hope Street in Battersea. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 Helen, now aged 12, was going to school and living with her widowed mother in two rooms at 15 Lombard Dwelling, Lombard Road, Battersea.

 

Charles and Mary’s third child was Elizabeth Louisa Muddle who was born at Battersea in London, and whose birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1880. In the census of 3 April 1881 Elizabeth, at the age of 8 months, was living with her parents at 11 Wilson Street in Battersea. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Elizabeth, now aged 10, was living with her parents at 13 Yelverton Road in Battersea, and she was going to school.

When she was 19 years old Elizabeth married 25-year-old William James Bright at Battersea Parish Church on 4 November 1899. They were both then living at 40 Yelverton Road in Battersea and William was working as a labourer. William was the son of Edmund and Elizabeth Bright; he had been born at Battersea and his birth registered during the 1st quarter of 1874. William and Elizabeth had three children, two daughters and a son, born in Battersea between 1900, 1907 and 1913.

In the census of 31 March 1901 they were living in three rooms at 44 Yelverton Road in Battersea with their then one child, and William was working as a general labourer. Also living in two rooms of this house were Elizabeth's parents. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 they were living in three rooms at 90A York Road in Battersea with their then two children, William was working as a labourer, mill hand, at the Morgan crucible works and they had 26-year-old naval stoker Ernest Stevenson as a visitor. It's thought that William worked at the Battersea factory of Morgan Carbon, a division of The Morgan Crucible Company.

Elizabeth died in Battersea on 23 April 1949, at the age of 68, and she was buried in grave no. 392 Class H Block 25 of Wandsworth Cemetery. Ten years later William died at the age of 85, his death being registered in Wandsworth registration district during the 1st quarter of 1959.

 

William and Elizabeth’s eldest child was Elizabeth Mary Bright who was born in Battersea, and whose birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1900. In the census of 31 March 1901 Elizabeth, at the age of 7 months, was living with her parents in three rooms at 44 Yelverton Road in Battersea. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 Elizabeth, now aged 10, was living with her parents in three rooms at 90A York Road in Battersea.

When she was 18 years old Elizabeth married Joseph Clark in Wandsworth registration district on 2 February 1919. Joseph was the son of John and Sarah Clark and he had been born in Pimlico in St George Hanover Square registration district in London on 3 November 1896. Joseph and Elizabeth had four children born in Battersea between 1919 and 1931, three sons and a daughter, one of the sons died in 1922 when only 10 months old. They were living in Mustid Road, Battersea when their last child was born in 1931 and remained there until Joseph bought his butcher's shop in Battersea Park Road in the late 1930s.

Joseph died in Kensington regiatration district on 2 April 1960, at the age of 63. Two years later Elizabeth died in North Surrey registration district on 15 April 1962, at the age of 61. Joseph, Elizabeth and their young son were all buried in grave no. 500 HB 19 of Wandsworth Cemetery.

 

 

William and Elizabeth’s second child was Florence Ada Bright who was born at Battersea, and whose birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1907. In the census of 2 April 1911 Florence, at the age of 3, was living with her parents in three rooms at 90A York Road in Battersea. Florence never married, she died at the age of 23, possibly of a thyroid condition, her death being registered in Wandsworth registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1931.

 

William and Elizabeth’s third child was William Charles T Bright who was born at Battersea and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1913. When he was 20 years old William married 18-year-old Rosina Mary Morgan in Wandsworth registration district during the 4th quarter of 1933. Rosina had been born on 13 September 1915. William and Rosina had two children born in Battersea registration district, a daughter in 1934 and a son in 1939. William work at Battersea Power Station and then at a new power station in North Wales. During the Second World War he was in the army. Rosina died at the age of 85, her death being registered in Canterbury registration district in Kent during February 2001.

 

William and Mary’s fifth child was Mary Ann Muddle who was born at Balcombe in Sussex, and baptised at St Mary's Church in Balcombe on 18 August 1811. Mary Ann moved to London to work and in the census of 6 June 1841 Mary Ann, at the age of 29, was a female servant to Catharine Wyatt in Chapel Street, St George Hanover Square, Westminster. Then in early 1843, when she was 31 years old, Mary Ann gave birth to an illegitimate daughter in St George Hanover Square registration district, who died when only 1 month old. At this time Mary Ann was working as a servant and living at 6 Ranelagh Road in Pimlico.

Eight months after the death of her daughter Mary Ann, now aged 32, married William Linnard at St Margaret’s Church in Westminster on 19 November 1843. William was then a coachman living at Kensington Gore, and Mary Ann was living at York Street. William was the son of Richard and Maria Linnard, and he had been baptised at St Nicholas’ Church, Hurst, Berkshire on 28 July 1811. In the census of 7 April 1861 William and Mary Ann were living in part of 38 Great Marylebone Street, Marylebone, London and William was continuing to work as a coachman. William died at the age of 53, his death being registered in Marylebone registration district during the 1st quarter of 1865.

 

Mary Ann’s illegitimate child was Agnes Muddle whose birth was registered in St George Hanover Square registration district in London during the 1st quarter of 1843. Agnes died at 6 Ranelagh Road in Pimlico, which is within St George Hanover Square registration district, on 18 March 1843, when only 1 month old, from inflammation of the windpipe.

 

William and Mary’s sixth child was Henry Muddle who was born at Balcombe in Sussex, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Balcombe on 3 April 1814. In the census of 6 April 1841 Henry, at the age of 27, was a live-in male servant to innkeeper Joseph Johnson at the famous old George Inn at Crawley in Sussex on the London to Brighton stagecoach road. Also living and working at the inn was 20-year-old female servant Jane Deadman. Five years later Henry, at the age of 32, married 25-year-old Jane Deadman at St John sub Castro Church in Lewes on 3 August 1846. They were both then living at Edward Street in Lewes; Henry was working as a porter and Jane was a dressmaker. Jane was the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Deadman; she had been born at Crawley in Sussex on 16 February 1821, and baptised at St John’s Church in Crawley on 1 April 1821. After their marriage Henry and Jane lived at Reigate in Surrey where Henry was a publican while they had seven children born between 1848 and 1860.

When their first child was born in August 1848 Henry was a tapster (innkeeper). In the census of 30 March 1851 they were living at Market Place in Reigate with their then two children; Henry was a publican and they had 15-year-old Amelia Langridge as a live-in house servant. The 1851 and 1855 editions of the Post Office Directory of the Six Home Counties both listed Henry Muddle as a publican at the White Hart Tap, Market Place, Reigate. This would presumably have been part of the White Hart Hotel, another famous coaching inn on the London to Brighton stagecoach road, and Henry would have probably been either a tenant of the hotel owners or managing the hotel taproom for them.

 

 

Then in the census of 7 April 1861 Henry and Jane were living in Nutley Lane at Reigate with their seven children, and Henry was a retailer of beer. Jane’s widowed mother, Elizabeth Deadman, who was a 78-year-old nurse, was living with them. The census does not specify their exact address in Nutley Lane by it was almost certainly the Prince of Wales at 24 Nutley Lane which became 32 Nutley Lane around the end of the century when the street was renumbered. Their youngest child died in 1862 at the age of 2, and Jane’s mother died in 1870. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 they were continuing to live in Nutley Lane, now with their six surviving children, and Henry was still a beer retailer. Later that year Henry died at Reigate on 29 December 1871, at the age of 57, and he was buried in grave D2224 of Reigate Cemetery on 5 January 1872. Probate of Henry’s will, which described him as a retailer of beer and valued his effects at under £100, was granted on 1 May 1873 to his widow Jane and James Brooker carpenter of Reigate.

The 1874 edition of Kelly's Directory of Surrey and the 1878 edition of the Post Office Directory of Surrey both listed Mrs Jane Muddle as being a beer retailer of Nutley Lane, presumably having taken over as licensee of the beer house when Henry died. In the census of 3 April 1881 Jane and five of her children were living in Nutley Lane at Reigate, and Jane was described as being a beer retailer. Jane also had one of her grandchildren staying with her. Then in the census of the 5 April 1891 Jane was a beer retailer living at the Prince of Wales, 24 Nutley Lane. Living with Jane were her four unmarried adult children, and her married daughter, Fanny Howard, and her three children were staying with her. The 1891 edition of Kelly's Directory of Kent, Surrey & Sussex listed Mrs Jane Muddle as being a beer retailer of Nutley Lane, Reigate. Then the 1895 edition of Kelly's Directory of Surrey listed Mrs Jane Muddle as being a beer retailer at 24 Nutley Lane, Reigate.

It was 27 years after Henry’s death that Jane, who was still living at Nutley Lane, died on 12 March 1899 at the age of 78; she was buried with her husband in grave D2224 of Reigate Cemetery on 17 March 1899. Jane died intestate and administration of her estate was granted by London Probate Registry on 29 April 1899 to her son William; her effects were valued at £135.

 

Their children were:

Elizabeth 1848-1915  William 1850-1948  Jane 1852-1918

Harry 1854-1932  Emily 1856-1929  Fanny 1856-1919  Ellen 1860-1862

 

Henry and Jane’s eldest child was Elizabeth Muddle who was born at Reigate in Surrey at 10 am on 25 August 1848, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Reigate on 6 October 1848. In the census of 30 March 1851 Elizabeth, at the age of 2, was living with her parents at Market Place in Reigate. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 Elizabeth, now aged 12, was living with her parents in Nutley Lane at Reigate, and she was going to school.

The 1 March 1865 edition of The Juvenile Missionary Magazine recorded those in Reigate who had collected contributions towards the purchase of a missionary ship and Elizabeth Muddle, who was then 16, had collected 6s 5d, this being the eighth largest collection of over twenty in Reigate.

In the census of 2 April 1871 Elizabeth, at the age of 22, was working as a dressmaker and continuing to live with her parents in Nutley Lane. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Elizabeth, at the age of 32, was living with her widowed mother in Nutley Lane, and she was continuing to work as a dressmaker. In the census of 5 April 1891 Elizabeth, at the age of 42, was living with her mother at the Prince of Wales, 24 Nutley Lane, and she was continuing to work as a dressmaker. The 1891 edition of Kelly's Directory of Kent, Surrey & Sussex listed Miss Elizabeth Muddle as having a general shop in Nutley Lane, Reigate, and the 1895 edition of Kelly's Directory of Surrey listed Miss Elizabeth Muddle as having a general shop at 34 Nutley Lane in Reigate, where her brother William and his family were living in the 1891 census.

Elizabeth's mother died in 1899 and in the census of 31 March 1901 Elizabeth was the head of the Muddle household living at 21 South Road in Reigate. Living with Elizabeth were he brother Harry, her sisters Jane and Emily, and her nieces Violet, Lilian, Edith and Bertha Howard. Both Elizabeth and her sister Jane were dressmakers working on their own account at home. The Kelly's Directory of 1902 listed Elizabeth, as Miss Muddle, living at 21 South Road in Reigate. In the census of 2 April 1911 Elizabeth was still the head of the Muddle household living at 21 South Road in Reigate. Living with Elizabeth were he brother Harry, her sisters Jane and Emily, and her niece Violet Howard. Both Elizabeth and her sister Jane were still dressmakers working on their own account at home. The Kelly's Directory of 1913 listed Elizabeth, as Miss Muddle, living at 21 South Road in Reigate.

Elizabeth never married. She was still living at 21 South Road when she died on 29 June 1915, at the age of 66. She was buried with her parents in grave D2224 of Reigate Cemetery on 2 July 1915. Probate of Elizabeth's will, which valued her effects at £796 6s 8d, was granted on 30 July 1915 by London Probate Registry to her nephew William Henry Muddle and her niece Violet Howard.

 

Henry and Jane’s second child was William Muddle who was born at Reigate in Surrey, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Reigate on 27 February 1850. In the census of 30 March 1851 William, at the age of 1, was living with his parents at Market Place in Reigate. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 William, now aged 11, was living with his parents in Nutley Lane at Reigate, and he was going to school. In the census of 2 April 1871 William, at the age of 21, was working as a carpenter and continuing to live with his parents in Nutley Lane.

The Fourteenth Annual Report of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters & Joiners, from December 1872 to December 1873 listed under Excluded Members at Reigate; William Muddle, James Tullett and Mark Elsey, for arrears. James Tullett was William's future brother-in-law, who was recorded in the 1871 census as being a 20-year-old carpenter living with his parents, James and Ann Tullett, in Doods Road, Reigate.

When he was 24 years old William married 22-year-old Ann Tullett at St Mary's Church in Reigate on 19 December 1874. William was then a carpenter living in Doods Road, Reigate, and Ann was living in St Mary's Road, Reigate. Ann was the daughter of gardener James Tullett and his wife Ann; she had been born at Reigate and her birth registered during the 3rd quarter of 1852. See the section headed ‘William & Ann Muddle’s Family’ for the rest of their lives and details of their family.

 

Henry and Jane’s third child was Jane Muddle who was born at Reigate in Surrey, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Reigate on 11 February 1852. In the census of 7 April 1861 Jane, at the age of 9, was living with her parents in Nutley Lane at Reigate, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Jane, now aged 19, was working as a dressmaker and continuing to live with her parents in Nutley Lane. In the census of 3 April 1881 Jane, at the age of 29, was living with her widowed mother in Nutley Lane, and she was now working as a milliner. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Jane, at the age of 39, was living with her mother at the Prince of Wales, 24 Nutley Lane, and she was now back working as a dressmaker.

Jane's mother died in 1899 and in the census of 31 March 1901 Jane was living at 21 South Road in Reigate with her sisters Elizabeth and Emily, her brother Harry, and her nieces Violet, Lilian, Edith and Bertha Howard. Both Jane and her sister Elizabeth were dressmakers working on their own account at home. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 Jane was still living at 21 South Road in Reigate, now with her sisters Elizabeth and Emily, her brother Harry, and her niece Violet Howard. Both Jane and her sister Elizabeth were still dressmakers working on their own account at home.

Jane never married. She was still living at 21 South Road when she died on 7 October 1918 at the age of 66. She was buried in grave D2223 of Reigate Cemetery on 10 October 1918. (Jane's maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Deadman, had been buried in the same plot on 9 January 1870.) Probate of Jane's will, which valued her effects at £880 8s 9d, was granted on 7 May 1919 by London Probate Registry to her nephew William Henry Muddle and her niece Violet Allen (née Howard).

 

 

Henry and Jane’s fourth child was Harry Muddle who was born at Reigate in Surrey, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Reigate on 8 October 1854. In the census of 7 April 1861 Harry, at the age of 6, was living with his parents in Nutley Lane at Reigate, and he was going to school. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 William, now aged 16, was working as a labourer and continuing to live with his parents in Nutley Lane. In the census of 3 April 1881 Harry, the age of 26, was living with his widowed mother in Nutley Lane, and he was working as a labourer. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Harry, at the age of 36, was living with his mother at the Prince of Wales, 24 Nutley Lane, and he was now working as a painter.

Harry's mother died in 1899 and in the census of 31 March 1901 Harry was still a painter and now living at 21 South Road in Reigate with his sisters Elizabeth, Jane and Emily, and his nieces Violet, Lilian, Edith and Bertha Howard. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 Harry was working as a house painter and living at 21 South Road in Reigate with his sisters Elizabeth, Jane and Emily, and his niece Violet Howard.

The Holmesdale Directory of 1931 records Harry as still living at 21 South Road after all his sisters had died. Harry never married. He was still living at 21 South Road when he died on 18 June 1932 at the age of 77. He was buried with his two sisters, Jane and Emily, in grave D2223 of Reigate cemetery on 22 June 1932. Probate of Harry’s will, which valued his effects at £89 14s 0d, was granted on 19 July 1932 by London Probate Registry to his niece, Violet Allen (née Howard).

 

Henry and Jane’s fifth child, one of twins, was Emily Muddle who was born at Reigate in Surrey, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Reigate on 24 December 1856. In the census of 7 April 1861 Emily, at the age of 4, was living with her parents in Nutley Lane at Reigate, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Emily, now aged 14, was still going to school and continuing to live with her parents in Nutley Lane. In the census of 3 April 1881 Emily, at the age of 24, was living with her widowed mother in Nutley Lane and she was described as being an assistant, presumably she was helping her mother run the beer house. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Emily, at the age of 34, was living with her mother at the Prince of Wales, 24 Nutley Lane, and she was working for her mother as an inn assistant.

Emily's mother died in 1899 and in the census of 31 March 1901 Emily was working as a housemaid and living at 21 South Road in Reigate with her sisters Elizabeth and Jane, her brother Harry, and her nieces Violet, Lilian, Edith and Bertha Howard. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 Emily was still working as a housemaid and living at 21 South Road in Reigate with her sisters Elizabeth and Jane, her brother Harry, and her niece Violet Howard.

The Kelly’s Directories of 1923 & 1925, and the Holmesdale Directories of 1927 & 1929 show Emily, recorded as Miss Muddle, living at 21 South Road in Reigate. Emily never married. She was still living at 21 South Road when she died on 1 June 1929, at the age of 72, and was buried with her sister Jane in grave D2223 of Reigate Cemetery on 6 June 1929. Probate of Emily's will, which valued her effects at £782 15s 3d, was granted on 19 November 1929 by London Probate Registry to her nephew, William Henry Muddle and her niece, Violet Allen (née Howard).

 

 

Henry and Jane’s sixth child, one of twins, was Fanny Muddle who was born at Reigate in Surrey, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Reigate on 24 December 1856. In the census of 7 April 1861 Fanny, at the age of 4, was living with her parents in Nutley Lane at Reigate, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Fanny, now aged 14, was still going to school and continuing to live with her parents in Nutley Lane. In the census of 3 April 1881 Fanny, at the age of 24, was living with her widowed mother in Nutley Lane, and she was described as being an assistant, presumably she was helping her mother run the beer house.

When she was 26 years old Fanny married 29-year-old Robert Howard at the Independent Chapel in Reigate on 1 November 1882. Robert was then a valet living at 67 Frant Road in Tunbridge Wells, and Fanny was living in Nutley Lane at Reigate. Robert was the son of tailor Henry Howard and his wife Ann; he had been born at Frant in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Alban in Frant on 1 May 1853. In the census of 3 April 1881 Robert had been valet to William Neville the Marquis of Abergavenny.

Robert and Fanny had four children, all daughters, born in Reigate between 1883 and 1892. In the census of 5 April 1891 Fanny and her then three daughters were staying with her mother, Jane Muddle, at the Prince of Wales, 24 Nutley Lane. It seems that Robert and Fanny must have separated and in the census of 31 March 1901 Fanny was living with her brother William and his family at 32 Nutley Lane in Reigate where she was working as an assistant to William, who was a beer retailer. Nutley Lane had been renumbered around the end of the century when 24 Nutley Lane became 32 Nutley Lane, so Fanny was still living at the Prince of Wales. Fanny's four daughters were living with her sisters Elizabeth, Jane and Emily, and her brother Harry at 21 South Road in Reigate.

In the census of 2 April 1911 Fanny, still describing herself as married, was continuing to live with her brother William and his family at the Prince of Wales in Nutley Lane and she was still an assistant in the business. Her daughter Violet was still living with her sisters Elizabeth, Jane and Emily, and her brother Harry at 21 South Road in Reigate, her daughter Edith had recently died and her daughter Bertha was working in service as a cook. Eight years later Fanny died at the age of 62 and she was buried with her parents in grave D2224 of Reigate Cemetery on 22 April 1919.

 

Robert and Fanny’s eldest child was Violet Howard whose birth was registered in Reigate registration district in Surrey during the 4th quarter of 1883. In the census of the 5 April 1891 Violet, at the age of 7, was, together with her mother and two sisters, staying with her grandmother, Jane Muddle, at the Prince of Wales, 24 Nutley Lane, Reigate. Then in the census of the 31 March 1901 Violet, now aged 17, was working as a butcher’s cashier, and together with her three sisters, she was staying with her aunts, Elizabeth, Jane and Emily Muddle, and her uncle Harry Muddle, at 21 South Road in Reigate. In the census of 2 April 1911 Violet, at the age of 27, was working as a butcher's book keeper and living with her aunts, Elizabeth, Jane and Emily Muddle, and her uncle Harry Muddle, at 21 South Road in Reigate.

In July 1915 Violet was still a spinster when she acted as one of the executors of the will of her aunt, Elizabeth Muddle. Then later that year when she was about 32 years old Violet married Richard Allen in Reigate registration district during the 4th quarter of 1915. In 1919 Violet acted as one of the executors of the will of her aunt, Jane Muddle. In 1929 Violet was one of the executors of the will of her aunt, Emily Muddle, and then in 1932 she acted as the sole executor of the will of her uncle, Harry Muddle.

 

Robert and Fanny’s second child was Lilian Howard whose birth was registered in Reigate registration district in Surrey during the 2nd quarter of 1887. In the census of the 5 April 1891 Lilian, at the age of 4, was, together with her mother and two sisters, staying with her grandmother, Jane Muddle, at the Prince of Wales, 24 Nutley Lane, Reigate. Then in the census of the 31 March 1901 Lilian, now aged 14, was an apprentice dressmaker, and together with her three sisters, she was staying with her aunts, Elizabeth, Jane and Emily Muddle, and her uncle Harry Muddle, at 21 South Road in Reigate. Lilian was probably an apprentice to her aunts, Elizabeth and Jane Muddle, who were both dressmakers working at home.

 

Robert and Fanny’s third child was Edith Howard whose birth was registered in Reigate registration district in Surrey during the 2nd quarter of 1889. In the census of the 5 April 1891 Edith, at the age of 1, was, together with her mother and two sisters, staying with her grandmother, Jane Muddle, at the Prince of Wales, 24 Nutley Lane, Reigate. Then in the census of the 31 March 1901 Edith, now aged 11, was described as being an imbecile, and together with her three sisters, she was staying with her aunts, Elizabeth, Jane and Emily Muddle, and her uncle Harry Muddle, at 21 South Road in Reigate. Edith never married. She died at the age of 21, her death being registered in Riegate registration district during the 1st quarter of 1911.

 

Robert and Fanny’s fourth child was Bertha Howard who was born at Reigate, and whose birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1892. In the census of the 31 March 1901 Bertha, at the age of 8, was, together with her three sisters, staying with her aunts, Elizabeth, Jane and Emily Muddle, and her uncle Harry Muddle, at 21 South Road in Reigate. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 Bertha, now aged 18, was working as a live-in domestic cook to spinster Emma Cooper at Holly Grange, Reigate Road, Reigate.

 

Henry and Jane’s seventh child was Ellen Muddle who was born at Reigate in Surrey, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Reigate on 27 May 1860. In the census of 7 April 1861 Ellen, at the age of 11 months, was living with her parents in Nutley Lane at Reigate. Ellen died at the age of two; her death being registered in Reigate registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1862.

 

William and Mary’s seventh child was Milly Muddle who was born at Balcombe in Sussex, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Balcombe on 15 June 1817. Milly’s mother died in 1819 and then her father in 1828, leaving Milly an orphan at the age of eleven. It’s thought that Milly has to be the person who appears in the accounts of the Overseers of the Poor of Balcombe Parish as Mildred Muddle. She was first recorded in February 1830, when she was given 7/- for being in need. Then in March 1833 Charles Tester was paid 15/- by the Overseers for keeping Mildred Muddle, and in May 1834 Mildred, who would now be about 17, was given £1 by the Overseers for clothes.[50] In the census of 6 June 1841 Milly, at the age of 24, was working as a female servant and living with the family of her brother William, who was a publican, at Capel in Surrey.

When she was 28 years old Milly married 31-year-old David Cox at St Michael and All Angels Church in Mickleham near Dorking in Surrey on 8 September 1845. They were both then living in Mickleham and David was working as a Chaise Man. They had two children born in Dorking registration district in 1847 and 1849. In the census of 30 March 1851 they were living at Holmwood Common just to the south of Dorking with their two children, and David was now a potter and glass merchant. David died when he was about 41 years old, his death being registered in Dorking registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1855.

In the census of 7 April 1861 Milly and her two children were living at Holmwood, and Milly was working as a needlewoman. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Milly and her daughter were living at Flint Hill in Holmwood, and Milly was continuing to work as a needlewoman. In the census of 3 April 1881 Milly and her daughter were continuing to live at Flint Hill, and they were both now working as needlewomen. Milly died at the age of 73, her death being registered in Dorking registration district during the 1st quarter of 1891.

 

David and Milly’s eldest child was Emily Cox whose birth was registered in Dorking registration district in Surrey during the 1st quarter of 1847. In the census of 30 March 1851 Emily, at the age of 4, was living with her parents at Holmwood Common just to the south of Dorking. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 Emily, now aged 14, was living with her widowed mother at Holmwood, and she was going to school. In the census of 2 April 1871 Emily, at the age of 24, was working as a charwoman and living with her mother at Flint Hill in Holmwood. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Emily, at the age of 34, was continuing to live with her mother at Flint Hill, and, like her mother, working as a needlewoman.

Emily's mother died in early 1891 and in the census of 5 April 1891 Emily, at the age of 44, was a visitor at the home of Catherine Alexander at 21 Box Hill in Dorking, and she was still a needlewoman. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Emily, at the age of 54, was now working as a general domestic servant and living in one room in the home of gardener Henry Jones' family at 5 Harrow Road in Dorking. In the census of 2 April 1911 Emily, still a spinster at the age of 64, was working as a needlewoman and a boarder in the boarding house kept by widow Louisa Worsfold at 28 Orchard Road in Dorking.

Emily never married. She died at the age of 79, her death being registered in Reigate registration district in Surrey during the 4th quarter of 1926.

 

David and Milly’s second child was Alfred Cox whose birth was registered in Dorking registration district in Surrey during the 3rd quarter of 1849. In the census of 30 March 1851 Alfred, at the age of 1, was living with his parents at Holmwood Common just to the south of Dorking. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 Alfred, now aged 11, was living with his widowed mother at Holmwood, and he was going to school. When he was about 25 years old Alfred married Elizabeth Emonson in Kingston registration district in Surrey during the 3rd quarter of 1874. They had three children, all sons, born at Richmond in Surrey between 1876 and 1882. In the census of 3 April 1881 they were living at Water Lane in Richmond with their then two children, and Alfred was a general dealer. Alfred died at the age of 34, his death being registered in Richmond registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1883. In the census of 5 April 1891 Elizabeth and two of her sons were living at Worple Way in Richmond; Elizabeth was working as a charwoman and she had 49-year-old labourer Peter Cheadle as a boarder. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Elizabeth and her two sons were living at 20 Benns Cottages, Kew Foot Road, Richmond; Elizabeth was not working, both of her sons now working for the railway.

 

Alfred and Elizabeth’s eldest child was James Alfred Cox who was born at Richmond in Surrey, and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1877. In the census of 3 April 1881 James, at the age of 3, was living with his parents at Water Lane in Richmond. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 James, now aged 13, was working as a van boy on the railway and living with his widowed mother at Worple Way in Richmond. In the census of 31 March 1901 James, at the age of 23, was now a railway carman and living with his mother at 20 Benns Cottages, Kew Foot Road, Richmond. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 James, at the age of 34, was working as a railway porter for the London and South Western Railway and living with his married brother Walter William Cox and his wife at 147 Norroy Road, Putney, London.

 

Alfred and Elizabeth’s second child was Henry George Cox who was born at Richmond in Surrey, and whose birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1879. In the census of 3 April 1881 Henry, at the age of 1, was living with his parents at Water Lane in Richmond. When he was 17 years old Henry married 21-year-old Annie Louisa Stribbling in Fulham registration district in London during the 1st quarter of 1897. Annie had been born at Strand in London and her birth registered during the 4th quarter of 1875.

Henry and Annie had at least seven children born at Richmond between 1897 and 1909. In the census of 31 March 1901 they were living at 22 Benns Cottages, Kew Foot Road, Richmond with their then two children, and Henry was working as a railway porter. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 they were living at 6 Dancer Road in Richmond with their then five surviving children and Henry was working as a railway porter for the London and South Western Railway. Their eldest child had died just before this census and they are thought to have had another child in about 1907 who died soon after birth as Annie stated in this census that she'd had seven children, two of whom had died.

 

Henry and Louisa’s eldest child was Alice Elizabeth O Cox who was born at Richmond in Surrey, and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1897. In the census of 31 March 1901 Alice, at the age of 3, was living with her parents at 22 Benns Cottages, Kew Foot Road, Richmond. Alice died at the age of 11, her death being registered in Richmond registration district during the 1st quarter of 1909.

 

Henry and Louisa’s second child was Henry James W Cox who was born at Richmond in Surrey, and whose birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1899. In the census of 31 March 1901 Henry, at the age of 1, was living with his parents at 22 Benns Cottages, Kew Foot Road, Richmond. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 Henry, now aged 11, was living with his parents at 6 Dancer Road in Richmond and he was going to school.

 

Henry and Annie’s third child was Walter William Cox who was born at Richmond in Surrey, and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1901. In the census of 2 April 1911 Walter, at the age of 9, was living with his parents at 6 Dancer Road in Richmond and he was going to school.

 

Henry and Annie’s fourth child was Lily Louisa Cox who was born at Richmond in Surrey, and whose birth was registered during the 4th quarter of 1903. In the census of 2 April 1911 Lily, at the age of 7, was living with her parents at 6 Dancer Road in Richmond and she was going to school.

 

Henry and Annie’s fifth child was Eva Mary Cox who was born at Richmond in Surrey, and whose birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1905. In the census of 2 April 1911 Eva, at the age of 5, was living with her parents at 6 Dancer Road in Richmond and she was going to school.

 

Henry and Annie’s sixth known child was Edith Maud Cox who was born at Richmond in Surrey, and whose birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1909. In the census of 2 April 1911 Edith, at the age of 1, was living with her parents at 6 Dancer Road in Richmond.

 

Alfred and Elizabeth’s third child was Walter William Cox who was born at Richmond in Surrey, and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1882. In the census of 5 April 1891 Walter, at the age of 9, was living with his widowed mother at Worple Way in Richmond. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Walter, now aged 19, was working as a railway porter and living with his mother at 20 Benns Cottages, Kew Foot Road, Richmond.

When he was 21 years old Walter married 22-year-old Lilly Grindel in Brentford registration district in Middlesex during the 4th quarter of 1903. Lilly was the daughter of Henry and Minnie Grindel; she had been born at Liverpool in Lancashire and her birth registered during the 3rd quarter of 1881. Walter and Lilly didn't have any children. In the census of 2 April 1911 they were living at 147 Norroy Road, Putney, London; Walter was working as a railway guard for the London and South Western Railway, and they had Walter's bachelor brother James Alfred Cox, who was a railway porter for the London and South Western Railway, living with them.

 

Edmund and Ann’s second child was Edmund Muddle who was born at Balcombe in Sussex and privately baptised on 16 September 1777, then received into St Mary's Church in Balcombe on 5 October 1777. Edmund died at Balcombe at the age of 13, and he was buried in St Mary's Churchyard at Balcombe on 17 June 1791.

Copyright © Derek Miller 2005-2015

Last updated 2 August 2015