THE MUDDLE FAMILIES

 

THE SUSSEX MUDDLE FAMILIES THE ARDINGLY MUDDLES

 

Chart of Henry & Clara Muddle’s Family

 

Henry and Clara’s eldest child was Henry Frank Muddle who was born at Bath Road, Heston, Middlesex on 12 July 1858. Henry was not baptised until 20 January 1861 at St Philip the Apostle Church, Newark Street, Stepney, London. In the census of 7 April 1861 Henry, at the age of 2, was living with his parents at 7 Denbigh Terrace, Kensington, London, which was the home of his mother’s sister Emma and her husband Francis Ebsworth. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Henry, now aged 12, was living with his parents at the Queen Victoria, 7 Wilson Terrace, Bromley by Bow, Tower Hamlets, London.

During March 1878, when he was 19, Henry was working as barman for his father at The Ship tavern when the inquest on James Thompson accused him of being negligent in serving Thompson a fatal quantity of alcohol. The inquest was reported in The Alliance News of 23 March 1878:

DEATH FROM DRINKING – On Tuesday, at the Whittington and Cat, Church Row, Bethnal Green, an inquest was held touching the death of James Thompson, 60, a cabinet maker, 1 Bacon-street. On Friday afternoon he went to the Ship tavern, from which he was removed at 11 30 insensibly drunk. On arriving home he was laid down in the passage, where two or three hours afterwards he was found to be dead. Mr. Henry Muddle, son of the proprietor of the Ship, said he had charge of the bar that night, his father being out. He did not recollect how many times he served deceased, being busy, but at eleven o’clock he refused to serve him any more. He did not see him leave the house. The coroner, addressing the witness, said, “You have jeopardised your father’s licence, and I hope it will be refused. Deceased’s death has been caused by the drink supplied at your house.” Dr. Richards said he had made a post-mortem examination, and the cause of death was congestion of the brain with serous effusion on the brain, due to excessive drinking. The coroner, to Inspector Chigley, K Division: - “You have heard the evidence, and you know what course to pursue in the matter.” The jury, one and all, were of the same opinion as the coroner, and returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence. – Hackney Gazette, March 15.

In the 1881 census Henry’s father was manager for the publican of The Ship tavern, and not the licence holder, so it looks as if he may have lost his licence because of this incident.

The 13 December 1879 edition of Bell's Life in London and Sporting Chronicle reported that a benefit for the widow and children of the boxer Ted Napper was held at the Foresters' Music Hall in Mile End on 9 December 1879 at which Mr H Muddle and young Harry Muddle, a pedestrian, where among those attending. Mr H Muddle would be Henry's father and young Harry Muddle would be this Henry then age 21, and pedestrians were sportsmen engaged in long distance walking.

When he was 21 years old Henry married 19-year-old Martha Louisa Goldsmith at South Hackney Parish Church in Middlesex on 11 March 1880. Martha was the daughter of Thomas and Martha Goldsmith; she had been born at Bethnal Green in London and her birth registered during the 2nd quarter of 1860. See the section headed ‘Henry & Martha Muddle’s Family’ for the rest of their lives and details of their family.

 

Henry and Clara’s second child was William Muddle who was born at 7 Denbigh Terrace, Notting Hill, Kensington, London on 20 May 1860, and privately baptised by the Church of St Peter in Notting Hill on 7 June 1860. William died at 7 Denbigh Terrace on 21 November 1860, when only 6 months old, from a premature birth and congestion of the lungs.

 

Henry and Clara’s third child was Charles Albert Muddle who was born at 7 Denbigh Terrace, Kensington, London on 18 September 1861. In the census of 2 April 1871 Charles, at the age of 9, was living with his parents at the Queen Victoria, 7 Wilson Terrace, Bromley by Bow, Tower Hamlets, London. Then in the census of the 3 April 1881 Charles, now aged 19, was living with his parents at The Ship, 6 & 7 Bacon Street, Bethnal Green, London, and he was working as a barman. On 6 July 1885 Charles was a 23-year-old publican at the Weavers' Arms in Hanbury Street, Spitalfields, London, which was about a quarter of a mile south of Beacon Street where he had been living with his parents, when a Middlesex County Court judgement against him for £14 0s 9d, probably for debt, was recorded in the 20 August 1885 edition of The Commercial Gazette.

When he was 27 years old Charles married 26-year-old widow Minnie Isaacs, whose maiden name was Davis, at Bethnal Green Register Office on 11 June 1889. They were both then living at 2 Sclater Street in Bethnal Green and Charles was a club manager. Minnie was the daughter of licensed victualler Joel Davis and his wife Sophia, and she had been born at Well Close Square, St George in the East, London in about 1863. Charles and Minnie had three children, the last dying soon after birth. Their first child had been born eight months before their marriage, when they had been living at 2 Sclater Street, and Charles had been a club manager. When their second child was born in late 1889 they were living at 182 Brick Lane in Bethnal Green, and Charles was a licensed victualler. When their third child was born at the end of 1890 they were living at 47 Barbican in the City of London and Charles was a licensed victualler’s manager. In the census of 5 April 1891 they were living at the Black Horse Inn, 47 Barbican, St Giles Cripplegate, London with their two children and Minnie’s son, Percy Isaacs. Charles was a publican and employer, and Minnie was his assistant. They had two live-in servants, 21-year-old potman Ernest Allen, and 21-year-old nursemaid Bessie Hall. Charles was a licensed victualler, and they were living at 71 High Street, Marylebone when, three years after their marriage, Minnie died there on 28 December 1892, at the age of 29, from influenza, and tuberculosis of the lungs and intestines that she’d had for a year.

Two and a half years after Minnie’s death Charles, at the age of 33, married 26-year-old Eliza Tepper at Whitechapel Register Office on 10 June 1895. They were both then living at 89 High Street, Whitechapel, and Charles was a licensed victualler. Eliza was the daughter of licensed victualler John Tepper and his wife Sophia; she had been born at Limehouse in London and her birth registered during the 2nd quarter of 1869. The 1895 edition of the Post Office London Directory listed Charles Muddle as the publican at the Victory Public House, 144 Ben Jonson Road, Stepney. Charles and Eliza had three children; the first was born at Stepney in 1896. The 1899 edition of the Post Office London Directory listed Charles Muddle as the publican at the Tiger Public House, 14 Avebury Street, Hoxton. Then when their second child was born in mid-1900 they were living at The Crown, New Cut, Lambeth and Charles was a licensed victualler. In the census of 31 March 1901 they were living at 27 New Cut in Lambeth and Charles was a licensed victualler and employer. Living with them were their then two children; Charles’ two sons from his first marriage; Percy Isaacs, the son of Charles’ first wife; and three servants, a barman, a nursemaid and a domestic servant. Then when their third child was born in June 1902 they were living at Queens Square in Islington, and they were still living in Islington when their first child died in 1904, at the age of 8.

After their frequent moves to different public houses in London they had finally settled when the 1910 edition of the Post Office London Directory listed Charles Muddle as the publican at The Green Man and Still Public House, 161 Whitecross Street. In the census of 2 April 1911 were living at The Green Man and Still Public House, 161 Whitecross Street with their two surviving children and Charles' son Joseph from his first marriage. Both Charles and Eliza gave their occupations as licensed victualler and 21-year-old son Joseph was their manager. They had Mr E Allen as a live-in potman and barman, and Eliza's widowed mother, Sophia Tepper, was living with them. The 1914 and 1915 editions of the Post Office London Directory both listed Charles Muddle as the publican at The Green Man and Still Public House, 161 Whitecross Street, and they were living at The Green Man and Still Public House, 161 Whitecross Street, St Luke’s, Holborn, London when Eliza died there on 26 December 1915, at the age of 46, from cancer of the uterus; Charles was still a licensed victualler.

While Charles was the publican at The Green Man and Still Public House it was a well known venue for live entertainment and was referred to as 'Muddles'. One of the entertainers would have been Charles' son Joseph. Both of Charles' sons from his first marriage, Leon and Joseph, served in the army in France during the First World War, and were both wounded. It seems that the eldest son, Leon, lived with Charles at The Green Man and Still Public House after being invalided out of the army in 1917 and helped Charles to run the pub.

Four years after Eliza’s death Charles, at the age of 58, married 41-year-old widow Maud Mary [Elizabeth] Chapman, whose maiden name was Sandford, at St Luke’s Church, Old Street, Holborn, London on 14 December 1919. They were then both living at The Green Man and Still Public House, 161 Whitecross Street and Charles was a licensed victualler. Maud was the daughter of Edward and Elizabeth Sandford, and her birth had been registered in Sudbury registration district in Suffolk during the 1st quarter of 1878. Less than a month after Charles and Maud's marriage Charles' son Leon married Maud's daughter Mary while they were both living at The Green Man and Still Public House.

About 18 months after their marriage Charles and Maud were living at The Green Man and Still Public House, 161 Whitecross Street, London when Charles died on 29 June 1921, at the age of 59, after having an operation on his stomach. Probate of Charles’ will, which valued his effects at £3352 14s 8d, was granted on 23 July 1921 by London Probate Registry to his widow, Maud Mary Elizabeth, and his son Lipman Leon Muddle a public house manager. Maud had added the third Christian name of Elizabeth to her name between marrying Charles and acting as executor of his will, and it's thought that Leon had been managing The Green Man and Still Public House while his father had been ill.

It seems that Maud took over the licence of The Green Man and Still Public House after her husband's death, but within three years the business was in financial trouble, because the 18 July 1924 edition of the London Gazette carried the notice that the creditors of Maud Muddle of 10 Norway Street, St Lukes, London, formally of The Green Man and Still, 161 Whitecross Street, a licensed victualler, had filed a petition for bankruptcy at the High Court of Justice. Then the 5 September 1924 edition of the London Gazette carried the notice that the petition had been granted and on 21 August chartered accountant Maurice Hyams of 60 Chancery Lane, London had been appointed as trustee.

After her bankruptcy Maud started another business as the Kelly's Directory of Hertfordshire for 1933 listed Mrs Maud Muddle as having refreshment rooms in Star Street, Ware, Hertfordshire. Maud died at 19 Essex Road in Hoddesdon, which is about 4 miles south of Ware, on 12 April 1952, at the age of 74 (not 75 as given on her death certificate), from a cerebral haemorrhage and arteriosclerosis.

 

Charles and Minnie’s eldest child was Leon Lipman Muddle who was born at 2 Sclater Street, Bethnal Green, London on 10 October 1888, eight months before his parent’s marriage, and though his birth was registered under the name Lipman Leon Muddle he was nearly always known as Leon Lipman Muddle. In the census of 5 April 1891 Leon, at the age of 2, was living with his parents at the Black Horse Inn, 47 Barbican, St Giles Cripplegate, London. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Leon, now aged 12, was living with his father and stepmother at 27 New Cut, Lambeth, London.

In the census of 2 April 1911 Leon, at the age of 22, was a stableman, who together with several other stablemen and stable-boys, was living with the family of racing horse trainer Felix Walmough Leach at Graham Place, High Street, Newmarket, Cambridgeshire. Leon became a jockey at Newmarket and then before the First World War he became a jockey for the Kaiser in Germany. Just before the start of the war Leon and his friend and fellow jockey, Fred Winter, were given the option by the Kaiser of either returning to England or staying in Germany as his personal prisoners. Leon returned to England, but Fred, being the Kaiser's Premier Jockey, stayed and instead of being a personal prisoner of the Kaiser, he was arrested and put in prison, so becoming the first British prisoner of war. A lucky escape for Leon.[2]

During the First World War Leon was living with his father and stepmother at The Green Man and Still Public House, 161 Whitecross Street, London when he enlisted in the City of London Yeomanry (Rough Riders) at Putney on 10 November 1915 as Trooper 3801. His army records give his age as then being 25 years and 1 month; actually he was exactly 2 years older than this. His army records also record that he was 5ft 3ins tall with a 34in fully expanded chest and to be of good physical development and fair vision. Leon was with the City of London Yeomanry (Rough Riders) in England for just over a year until on 12 December 1916 he was transferred to the 5 Battalion the Royal Fusiliers as Private G/62418 (GS/62418 on Medal Card). Two days later he was moved to the 2nd Battalion the Royal Fusiliers and embarked for France, where on 2 January 1917 he was transferred to the 9th Battalion the Royal Fusiliers. While with the 9th Battalion Leon was wounded and returned to England on 10 May 1917. He was in Fulham Military Hospital until 19 September 1917, and was discharged from the army on 10 October 1917 as no longer being physically fit for war service.[3] He had served 1 year and 336 days for which he was awarded two campaign medals, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal, and he also received the Silver War Badge that was awarded to those military personnel who were discharged as a result of sickness or wounds contracted or received during the war.[4] Leon is thought to have then lived with his widowed father at The Green Man and Still Public House, 161 Whitecross Street, London. His wounds resulted in him being in a wheelchair for a time until he recovered, but it seems that he probably helped his father to run the pub.

In December 1919 Leon's father married for a third time, and less than a month later Leon, at the age of 31, married his new stepmother's daughter, 22-year-old Mary Maud Elizabeth Chapman, at St Luke's Church, Old Street, Holborn, London on 4 January 1920. They were both then living, with Leon's father and Mary's mother, at The Green Man and Still Public House, 161 Whitecross Street, and Leon was a licensed victualler like his father. Mary was the daughter of police sergeant John Chapman and his wife Maud Mary, and her birth had been registered in Kensington registration district in London during the 3rd quarter of 1897.

Leon and Mary had eight children born between 1921 and 1932, two of whom were twins who both died soon after birth. Their first child was born in Holborn registration district in June 1921, just 19 days before the death of Leon's father, who was still living at The Green Man and Still Public House, where Leon and Mary are thought to have also still been living while Leon continued to help his father run the pub. They probably moved from the pub after the death of Leon's father, their next six children were born in West Ham registration district in Essex between 1923 and 1930. From at least 1923 they lived at 37 Palmerston Road in Walthamstow where Leon had a delicatessen shop, and while there the 2nd, 3rd and 4th of their children were born. Then in 1926 they moved to 14 Elmfield Road in Walthamstow, and while there their twins sons, who died soon after birth, were born in 1927 and then another son in 1930.

Because of a diphtheria epidemic they moved out of London and were at Cheshunt in Hertfordshire by 1932 when their eighth child, their last, was born. Leon was a small man, a typical jockey, but all his sons were quite tall. They didn't stay at Cheshunt long, moving a few miles north to Rye Road in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, and then on to 56 Stortford Road in Hoddesdon in about 1933. Their last move was to a larger house at 19 Essex Road in Hoddesdon in about 1935.

They were still living at 19 Essex Road in Hoddesdon when Mary died there on 5 April 1949 at the age of 51, from myocardial degeneration and chronic bronchitis, and Leon was then a storekeeper. Leon was still living at 19 Essex Road in the late 1950s. When his son John married in 1957 Leon was described as being a druggist packer; when his son Henry married in 1959 he was described as being a retired chemical worker; and when his son William married in 1960 he was described as being a retired laboratory assistant. Leon died at the age of 77 (not 75 as given on his death certificate), his death being registered in Ware registration district in Hertfordshire during the 1st quarter of 1966.

 

 

Charles and Minnie’s second child was Joel Muddle, known as Joseph, who was born at 182 Brick Lane in Bethnal Green, London on 5 November 1889. In the census of 5 April 1891 Joseph, at the age of 1, was living with his parents at the Black Horse Inn, 47 Barbican, St Giles Cripplegate, London. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Joseph, now aged 11, was living with his father and stepmother at 27 New Cut, Lambeth, London. In the census of 2 April 1911 Joseph, at the age of 21, was living with his father and stepmother at The Green Man and Still Public House, 161 Whitecross Street, St Luke's, Holborn, London where he was working as the manager for his parents, who were the licensed victuallers.

Joseph was an entertainer; he was one part of The Royal Gotham Quartet who performed barber shop, harmony and comedy songs. Royal had probably been added to their name after they did a Royal Variety Show. One of the venues where Joseph entertained was almost certainly his father's pub The Green Man and Still. It was in this pub that the comments of a customer resulted in Joseph, at the age of 24, going off on 10 August 1914, six days after the start of the First World War, and enlisting in the army as Private 8550 in the Royal Army Medical Corps. He was sent to France on 8 October 1914 where he was gassed and also received a bayonet wound; as a result he was invalided out of the army as no longer physically fit for war service and discharged on 1 June 1915. For his war service Joseph was awarded three campaign medals, the Victory Medal, the British War Medal and the 1914 Star with clasp, and also the Silver War Badge that was awarded to those military personnel who were discharged as a result of sickness or wounds contracted or received during the war.[5] The 1914 Star was awarded to those who had served ashore in France and Flanders between 5 August 1914 and 22 November 1914, and the clasp was for those who had actually been under fire between these dates. So Joseph must have been under fire in France within days of arriving there, and his injuries resulted in his army service lasting only about nine months.

Two years after his discharge Joseph was working as a roundsman when, at the age of 27, he married 21-year-old Phoebe Matilda Whitehouse at Holy Trinity Church, Hoxton, London, on 19 August 1917. They were both then living at 47 Chatham Avenue in Hoxton. Phoebe was the daughter of Charles Whitehouse, and she had been born in Shoreditch registration district in London on 18 May 1896 .

Joseph and Phoebe had six children, the first was born in East Grinstead registration district in Sussex in 1918; the next two in Pancras registration district in London in 1920 and 1922, when they were living in Albany Street near Regents Park; and the last three in Shoreditch registration district in London between 1925 and 1929. Joseph became a variety and music hall entertainer again after the war (he was described as having been a hotel entertainer when his son married in 1991) and made a good living. But his health had suffered as a result of his wartime service and in 1931 he became ill with tuberculosis and the family moved to Groombridge in Sussex to see if the country air would help. This proved to be too far from the rest of the family in London so they soon moved to the Downham Estate at Catford in Lewisham, London.

Joseph died at the age of 43, his death being registered in Lewisham registration district in London during the 2nd quarter of 1933. The family had gone from being relatively well-off when Joseph had been working as an entertainer to being poor, and it was a struggle for Phoebe to raise her six children, ranging in age from 3 to 15, after Joseph's death. But she succeeded and forty-four years after Joseph's death Phoebe died when about 81 years old, her death being registered in Bromley registration district in Kent during the 2nd quarter of 1977.

 

Charles and Minnie’s third child was an unnamed daughter who was born at 47 Barbican in the City of London on 29 December 1890. This child died soon after birth, her death being registered in London City registration district during the 1st quarter of 1891.

 

Charles and Eliza’s eldest child (Charles’ fourth) was Lilian Clara Muddle who was born at Stepney in London, and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1896. In the census of 31 March 1901 Lilian, at the age of 5, was living with her parents at 27 New Cut, Lambeth, London. Lilian died at the age of 8, her death being registered in Islington registration district in London during the 2nd quarter of 1904.

 

Charles and Eliza’s second child (Charles’ fifth) was Evelyn Gladys Muddle who was born at The Crown, New Cut, Lambeth, London on 28 July 1900. In the census of 31 March 1901 Evelyn, at the age of 8 months, was living with her parents at 27 New Cut, Lambeth, London. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 Evelyn, now aged 10, was living with her parents at The Green Man and Still Public House, 161 Whitecross Street, St Luke's, Holborn, London.

When she was about 24 years old Evelyn married 24-year-old William Alfred Dickins in Holborn registration district in London during the 3rd quarter of 1924. William was the son of George and Annie Dickins and he had been born in St Luke, Holborn, London on 5 November 1899. William and Evelyn had two children; the first born in Pancras registration district in London in 1925 and the second in Holborn registration district in London in 1926.

William died at the age of 71, his death being registered in Hertford registration district in Hertfordshire during the 2nd quarter of 1971. Twenty-five years later Evelyn died at the age of 96, her death being registered in Hitchin & Stevenage registration district in Hertfordshire during October 1996.

 

Charles and Eliza’s third child (Charles’ sixth) was Charles Edward Victor Muddle who was born at Queens Square, Islington, London on 5 June 1902. In the census of 2 April 1911 Charles, at the age of 8, was living with his parents at The Green Man and Still Public House, 161 Whitecross Street, St Luke's, Holborn, London.

When he was 28 years old Charles married 28-year-old Ada Emily Biggs in Brentford registration district in Middlesex during the 1st quarter of 1931. Ada was the daughter of Alfred Henry and Emily Jane Biggs, she had been born at Battersea in London on 30 July 1902 and baptised at the Parish Church of Christ Church in Battersea on 12 October 1902. Charles and Ada didn't have any children. They were living at 24 Shaftesbury Avenue, Norwood Green, Southall, Middlesex when Charles died in Hounslow Hospital, Heston, Middlesex on 25 October 1935 at the age of 33. He was buried in the Churchyard of St Leonard at Heston where the headstone records that he had been fatally injured and that the grave was also used for Ada's father who died on 16 September 1937. Charles died intestate and administration of his estate, valued at £1180 14s 4d, was granted to Ada by London Probate Registry on 3 January 1936.

The London Telephone Directory of 1939 and 1953 lists Mrs Ada Muddle (Muddel in 1953) as living at 398 Great West Road in Hounslow. In the Queen’s Birthday Honours for 1962 Ada, now spelling her name Muddell was granted the British Empire Medal for her services as Supervisor of the Telephone Exchange at Heathrow Airport.[6] Ada died at the age of 91, her death being registered in Sedgemoor registration district in Somerset during February 1994.

 

Henry and Clara’s fourth child was Allen Muddle who was born at Stamford Rivers near Ongar in Essex on 28 August 1863. In the census of 2 April 1871 Allen, at the age of 7, was living with his parents at the Queen Victoria, 7 Wilson Terrace, Bromley by Bow, Tower Hamlets, London. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Allen, now aged 17, was staying with his uncle and aunt, Francis and Emmeline Ebsworth, in their pub, The Windmill & Bells, Market Place, Romford, Essex.

When he was 25 years old Allen married 31-year-old Mary Ann Cate at St Peter's Church in Bethnal Green, London on 23 July 1888. They were then both living at 62 Sale Street in Bethnal Green, and Allen was working as a barman. Mary Ann was the daughter of George and Sarah Cate; she had been born at Joseph Street in Stepney, London and baptised as Mary Ann Elizabeth Cate at the District Church of St Thomas in Stepney on 3 May 1857.

Allen and Mary Ann didn’t have any children. In the census of 5 April 1891 they were living at 113 Corfield Street in Bethnal Green, Allen was described as being an out of business licensed victualler, and they had 17-year-old Alice Douglas as a live-in domestic servant. The 1895 edition of the Post Office London Directory listed Allen Muddle as a beer retailer at 12 Chilton Street, Bethnal Green.

In late 1900 Allen was the licensee of the Sultan Public House, Picton Street, Camberwell, when he was sued at Lambeth County Court by jobmaster James Lavell to recover £5 15s for the hire of two brakes. The somewhat hilarious court proceedings were report in The Daily News of 9 November 1900 and the News of the World of 11 November 1900:

THE LADIES’ BEANFEAST

KISSING AND DANCING ON THE JOURNEY

Allen Muddle, licensee of the Sultan public-house, Picton-street, Camberwell, was sued at Lambeth county-court, by Jas. Lavell, a jobmaster, to recover £5 15s, hire of two brakes. Evidence having been given as to defendant hiring the vehicles for a ladies’ beanfeast of which Mrs. Muddle was in charge, plaintiff’s son, who acted as coachman of the larger brake, was called. He said it was true, as alleged by Mr. Muddle, that the party was not taken to Betchworth as arranged, but that was due to a variety of circumstances. In the first place, the start was delayed an hour owing to the ladies refreshing themselves at the Sultan. Then they ordered him to pull up at Balham to get whisky, and could not be got away for half an hour. They insisted upon stopping at other places, and were a particularly long time at the Angel, Sutton, where they started dancing. Here they picked up with a strange beanfeast party – also consisting of ladies, and who were also bound for Betchworth. They all agreed not to go as far as there, but to stay at the Surrey Yeomanry, a public-house about three miles on the London side of the place named. Defendant, who appeared in person: Were you dancing? – They caught hold of me and made me dance. The other coachman was almost torn to pieces. (Laughter.) – Defendant: Did you kiss Mrs. Muddle? – Not that I am aware of. They all kissed me – (laughter) – and said “What is one amongst many?” (Laughter.) As I had the toothache I got on the box-seat, but they came after me, crying “Don’t be cross, coachman.” They caught hold of me again, and broke my new hat. (Laughter.) I have been driving beanfeasters for years, but never met with such a dreadful lot as these ladies were. The last public refused to serve them. (Laughter.) – Defendant: Do you admit kissing Mrs. Muddle? – Judge Emden: He has already told you that they all kissed him. (Laughter.) – Defendant: Did she tell you to behave yourself, and not be kissing the ladies? – No. – Defendant: Were you home after eleven, whereas the agreement was to be home at ten? – That was because one could not get the ladies out of the wayside public-houses. (Laughter.) – Alfred West, the driver of the second brake, gave corroborative evidence. – Plaintiff’s counsel: Were the ladies dancing? – They were dancing like cannibals. (Laughter.) I was badly knocked about by them. (Laughter.) – For the defence a male musician named Pearson, who had been employed by defendant to accompany the party, swore that the delays were caused by young Lanell and West dancing with the ladies. The former had a lady’s hat on. (Laughter.) Witness was not kissed or otherwise molested. – Counsel: Perhaps that is because you are not so young and good looking as the coachman. (Laughter.) – Judge Emden said that the whole affair appeared a “Muddle,” and gave judgment for plaintiff, with costs.

A few month later in the census of the 31 March 1901 Allen and Mary Ann were living at the Queens Elm Public House, 241 Fulham Road, Chelsea, where Allen was the manager for a licensed victualler. Living with them were three people who were working for Allen; John Fiddy who was a potman and barman; and married couple William and Annie Spencer who were barman and barmaid, and had their two sons with them; finally there was boarder Frederick Gibbs who was a police pensioner. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 Allen was staying with licensed victualler Edward James Boswell at 193 City Road, Shoreditch, London where he was working as the manager. Mary Ann was living at 13 Tavistock Street in Bethnal Green, London where she was working as washer woman. Mary Ann had also put Allen as living there but the enumerator had crossed him out as he had not slept there on census night./p>

Allen died at the age of 52, his death being registered in Shoreditch registration district in London during the 2nd quarter of 1915. Fourteen years later Mary Ann died at the age of 72, her death being registered in Bethnal Green registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1929.

 

Henry and Clara’s fifth child was Edgar Muddle who was born at the Queen Victoria, Bromley by Bow, Tower Hamlets, London on 19 March 1869. In the census of 2 April 1871 Edgar, at the age of 2, was living with his parents at the Queen Victoria, 7 Wilson Terrace, Bromley by Bow, Tower Hamlets, London. Edgar was baptised at St Paul’s Church, Shadwell, Stepney on 23 July 1876 when the family were living at 94 High Street in Shadwell. Then in the census of the 3 April 1881 Edgar, now aged 12, was living with his parents at The Ship, 6 & 7 Bacon Street, Bethnal Green, London, and he was described as being a champion walker. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Edgar was ‘out of employment’, and together with his ‘out of business’ widowed father, was staying with the family of publican Joel Davis at 182 Brick Lane, Bethnal Green. It looks as if Edgar had probably been working for his father at The Hare pub, and became unemployed when the business failed.

When he was 23 years old Edgar married 19-year-old Mary Ann Ada Walden, known as Ada, at Holy Trinity Church in Tottenham on 21 December 1892. They were both then living at Page Green in Tottenham and Edgar was a publican. Ada was the daughter of Henry and Ellen Walden; she had been born at Mile End Old Town in London on 10 April 1873 and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan & All Saints in Stepney on 4 May 1873.

Edgar and Ada had eleven children born between 1893 and 1917, two of whom died in childhood. Their first two children were born at Mile End Old Town in London in 1893 and late 1894. Their third child was born at Rotherhithe in London during 1896; their fourth at Willesden in Middlesex during 1898; and their fifth at Wembley in Middlesex during 1900. In the census of 31 March 1901 they were living at 23 Priory Park Road, Wembley, Middlesex, with their five children, and Edgar was working as a house painter. They were living in four rooms, and they had Joseph and Mary Bailey as lodgers living in two more rooms.

Their sixth child was born Wembley during 1902; and their third and four children died in mid-1903 at the ages of 6 and 5. Their seventh child was born at Ashford in Middlesex during late 1903 when Edgar was working as a billiard marker. Their eighth child was born at Clacton-on-Sea in Essex during 1906 while Edgar was continuing to work as a billiard marker. Their ninth child was born Clacton-on-Sea during 1908. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 they were living at 6 Dunloe Avenue in Tottenham, Middlesex with six of their children. Edgar was now working as head waiter at a restaurant and they had Ada's brother Henry Walden and his daughter Catherine staying with them. Their tenth child was born in Camberwell registration district in London during late 1911; and their eleventh in Hampstead registration district in London during 1917.

Edgar was described as being of 'independent means' when his daughter Lilian married for the second time in 1939. Ada died at Howe Road, Watlington, Oxfordshire on 28 December 1949, at the age of 76, from senility. Ada's death certificate described Edgar as being of independent means. Edgar died at the age of 82, his death being registered in Wood Green registration district in North London during the 1st quarter of 1951.

 

Edgar and Ada’s eldest child was Edgar Henry Christopher Muddle who was born at Mile End Old Town in London, and whose birth was registered during the 4th quarter of 1893. In the census of 31 March 1901 Edgar, at the age of 7, was living with his parents at 23 Priory Park Road, Wembley, Middlesex. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 Edgar, now aged 17, was working as a billiard marker and living with his parents at 8 Dunloe Avenue in Tottenham, Middlesex.

When he was about 24 years old Edgar married Helen Churchill in Paddington registration district in London during the 4th quarter of 1917. Edgar was a soldier when he became a member of the Harmony Lodge No 555 of Freemasons at Fermoy in Ireland, entering as an apprentice on 4 December 1918.[7] Then the following year Edgar was a cargo supervisor living in Paddington when he became a member of the Queen's Westminster Lodge No 2021 of the Freemasons. His initiation was on 16 December 1919, his passing on 16 March 1920 and his raising on 19 July 1920.[8]

Edgar and Helen had two children born in Paddington registration district in 1920 and 1921. They were living at 1A Delamere Terrace in Paddington when Edgar died at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington on 28 June 1926, at the age of 32. Edgar died intestate and administration of his estate, which was valued at £32, was granted to Helen on 9 July 1926 by London Probate Registry. Five years later Helen married Albert G Brown in Hampstead registration district in London during the 4th quarter of 1931 and it seems likely that her two sons changed their surname to Brown.

 

Edgar and Helen’s eldest child was Dennis E Muddle whose birth was registered in Paddington registration district in London during the 1st quarter of 1920. It seems likely that Dennis changed his surname to Brown after his father's death and his mother's remarriage.

 

Edgar and Helen’s second child was Ronald A Muddle whose birth was registered in Paddington registration district in London during the 1st quarter of 1921. It seems likely that Ronald changed his surname to Brown after his father's death and his mother's remarriage.

 

Edgar and Ada’s second child was Ada Maud E Muddle who was born at Mile End Old Town in London, and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1895. In the census of 31 March 1901 Ada, at the age of 6, was living with her parents at 23 Priory Park Road, Wembley, Middlesex.

When she was 20 years old Ada married John E Simpson in Hampstead registration district in London during the 4th quarter of 1915. They had three children born in Paddington registration district in London in 1916, 1917 and 1919. Ada died at the age of 91, her death being registered in Islington registration district in London during September 1986.

 

John and Ada’s eldest child was John E Simpson whose birth was registered in Paddington registration district in London during the 2nd quarter of 1916.

 

John and Ada’s second child was Ada E Simpson whose birth was registered in Paddington registration district in London during the 4th quarter of 1917.

 

John and Ada’s third child was Clifford D Simpson whose birth was registered in Paddington registration district in London during the 4th quarter of 1919.

 

Edgar and Ada’s third child was Claude Albert V Muddle who was born at Rotherhithe in London, and whose birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1896. In the census of 31 March 1901 Claude, at the age of 4, was living with his parents at 23 Priory Park Road, Wembley, Middlesex. Claude died when only 6 years old, his death being registered in London City registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1903.

 

Edgar and Ada’s fourth child was Florence Ellen Muddle who was born at Willesden in Middlesex, and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1898. In the census of 31 March 1901 Florence, at the age of 3, was living with her parents at 23 Priory Park Road, Wembley, Middlesex. Florence died when only 5 years old, her death being registered in Edmonton registration district in Middlesex during the 3rd quarter of 1903.

 

Edgar and Ada’s fifth child was Gertrude Evelyn Muddle who was born at Wembley in Middlesex, and whose birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1900. In the census of 31 March 1901 Gertrude, at the age of 7 months, was living with her parents at 23 Priory Park Road in Wembley. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 Gertrude, now aged 10, was living with her parents at 6 Dunloe Avenue in Tottenham, Middlesex and she was going to school.

When she was 22 years old Gertrude married 23-year-old Charles William Buckley in Hampstead registration district in London during the 4th quarter of 1922. Charles was the son of Charles and Eliza Buckley; he had been born at Heeley in Sheffield, Yorkshire and his birth registered during the 1st quarter of 1899. Charles and Gertrude had two children born in Ecclesall Bierlow registration district in Yorkshire, which included Heeley, in 1923 and 1931.

A year after the birth of their second child Charles died at the age of 33, his death being registered in Ecclesall Bierlow registration district in Yorkshire during the 3rd quarter of 1932. Thirty-five years later Gertrude died at the age of 67, her death being registered in Oxford registration district in Oxfordshire during the 4th quarter of 1967.

 

Edgar and Ada’s sixth child was Lilian Doris Muddle who was born at Wembley in Middlesex on 6 January 1902. In the census of 2 April 1911 Lilian, at the age of 9, was living with her parents at 6 Dunloe Avenue in Tottenham, Middlesex and she was going to school.

When she was 21 years old Lilian married 36-year-old Frederick James Chesterfield in Hampstead registration district in London during the 2nd quarter of 1923. Frederick was the son of James and Mary Ann Chesterfield and his birth had been registered in Pancras registration district in London during the 4th quarter of 1886. Frederick and Lilian had one child born in Hampstead registration district in 1924 before their marriage ended in divorce. Frederick died at the age of 76, his death being registered in Hampstead registration district during the 1st quarter of 1963.

Lilian's second marriage, at the age of 37, was to 34-year-old bachelor Charles Wilson Hellewell at Hendon Register Office on 22 March 1939. They were both then living at Tudor Croft, High Street, Stonegrove, Edgware and Charles was assistant secretary of a limited company. Charles was the son of Arthur and Florence Hellewell; he had been born at Otley in Yorkshire and his birth registered during the 2nd quarter of 1904. There were no children from this marriage. Lilian died at the age of 88, her death being registered in Halifax registration district in Yorkshire during February 1990.

 

Edgar and Ada’s seventh child was Ivy Louise Muddle who was born at Ashford in Middlesex on 19 September 1903. In the census of 2 April 1911 Ivy, at the age of 7, was living with her parents at 6 Dunloe Avenue in Tottenham, Middlesex and she was going to school. When she was about 26 years old Ivy married John E Baker in Paddington registration district in London during the 3rd quarter of 1929. They are not thought to have had any children. Ivy died when she was just on 86 years old, her death being registered in Bishops Stortford registration district in Hertfordshire during September 1989.

 

Edgar and Ada’s eighth child was Gladys Alexandra Muddle who was born at 6 Wellington Terrace, Warwich Road, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, on 7 February 1906. In the census of 2 April 1911 Gladys, at the age of 5, was living with her parents at 6 Dunloe Avenue in Tottenham, Middlesex and she was going to school. When she was 23 years old Gladys married William S Baker in Hampstead registration district in London during the 3rd quarter of 1929. They are not thought to have had any children. Gladys died when she was 90 years old, her death being registered in Dover registration district in Kent during July 1996.

 

Edgar and Ada’s ninth child was Dorothy Catharine Muddle who was born at Clacton-on-Sea in Essex on 27 April 1908. In the census of 2 April 1911 Dorothy, at the age of 3, was living with her parents at 6 Dunloe Avenue in Tottenham, Middlesex and she was going to school.

When she was 23 years old Dorothy married 26-year-old George Benjamin Cameron in Hampstead registration district in London during the 4th quarter of 1931. George was the son of John and Annie Cameron; he had been born at 18 Wilson Street, Nairn, Scotland on 6 June 1905, and baptised at Nairn Congregational Church on 6 August 1905. George and Dorothy had three children; the first two born in Eton registration district in Buckinghamshire in 1933 and 1936, and the third in Mid-Eastern Surrey registration district in 1942. George was a chemist and served in the RAF as a Pilot Officer during the Second World War.

George died at the age of 68, his death being registered in Sutton registration district in Surrey during the 1st quarter of 1974. Thirteen years later Dorothy died at the age of 79, her death being registered in Bromley registration district in Kent during November 1987.

 

Edgar and Ada’s tenth child was Harold Vernon Muddle who was born in Camberwell registration district in London on 23 November 1911. When he registered his mother’s death in 1949 Harold was living at 9 Gresley Road, London N19. When he was 38 years old Harold married 35-year-old divorcee Lilian Theresa Moore, whose maiden name was Everard, at Islington Register Office in London on 1 April 1950. Harold was then a solicitor's clerk living at 9 Gresley Road, and Lilian was living at 14 Pemberton Gardens. Lilian was the daughter John Robert Gibb Everard and her birth had been registered in Islington registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1914. Harold and Lilian didn’t have any children. Harold died at the age of 86, his death being registered in Enfield registration district in Middlesex during October 1998. Thirteen years later Lilian was living at 4 The Vineries, Reservoir Road, Southgate, London when she died on 6 November 2011, at the age of 97.

 

Edgar and Ada’s eleventh child was Olive C Muddle whose birth was registered in Hampstead registration district in London during the 2nd quarter of 1917. When she was 23 years old Olive married Trevor P Roberts in Ploughley registration district in Oxfordshire during the 4th quarter of 1940. There were no children from this marriage. Olive’s second marriage, when she was about 34, was to James Axon in Bromley registration district in Kent during the 2nd quarter of 1951. There were no children from this marriage.

Copyright © Derek Miller 2005-2016

Last updated 26 February 2016