THE MUDDLE FAMILIES

 

THE SUSSEX MUDDLE FAMILIES THE ARDINGLY MUDDLES

 

Chart of William & Anne/Elizabeth Muddle’s Family

 

William and Anne’s eldest child was William Muddle who was baptised at All Saints’ Church in Lindfield on 3 February 1746. When he was 25 years old William married 20-year-old Sarah Jeffrey at St Margaret’s Church in Buxted on 31 March 1771. Sarah was the daughter of Robert and Mary Jeffery, and she had been baptised at St Margaret’s Church in Buxted on 14 January 1751. William and Sarah had three children born between 1772 and 1776, and they probably always lived at Uckfield even though their first child was baptised at Buxted. William became Uckfield Parish Clerk in 1780 and retained this post until he died.

William's father died in 1795, and his will left William his copyhold property in Uckfield subject to him paying the mortgage on it, and any other real estate, together with all his working tools that were in his workshop in Uckfield, and a third share of any residue of his personal estate. This shows that William must have been a cooper like his father, and had probably been working with him and took over the business on his father's death. William was joint executor with his brother-in-law John Fenn of his father's will.

After the death of William's father the first proclamation of any claim on his properties next to Uckfield Churchyard was made at the Court of the Manor of Framfield held on 29 June 1795. But it was not until three years later at the court held on 2 July 1798 that William presented probate of his later father's will, and claimed his late father's properties next to Uckfield Churchyard. William was admitted to this property on payment of a fine of 9d to the Lord of the Manor. Then five years later at the Court of the Manor of Framfield held on 3 November 1803 it was recorded that Sarah Woodward and John Woodward, the executors of the will of Robert Durrant, acknowledge full repayment of the principal and interest on the mortgage of £240 taken out by William's father. At the same court it was recorded that William had then sold his property next to Uckfield Churchyard to John Woodward of Framfield, and John Woodward was admitted to the property on payment of a fine of 3s 6d to the Lord of the Manor.

It's thought that John Woodward never occupied this property as he sold it to William Kenward the year William died, 1812, and that William and his family had continued as the occupiers. They had probably had to sell to raise money, possibly to repay the mortgage. It's further thought that after William Kenward purchase the property the Muddle family still continued to live there and that son William, who had been working with his father, continued operating the cooperage business there until his death two years later in 1814 when his widow Mary took over the cooperage business, and that it was only after she remarried in 1817 that William Kenward occupied the property and changed the use to a maltings. This property is now the two properties of Malthouse and Malt Cottage in Church Street next to the west wall of the churchyard.

William’s burial record states that he had been Uckfield Parish Clerk for 32 years when he died at Uckfield at the age of 66, and was buried in Holy Cross Churchyard at Uckfield on 29 March 1812. The Uckfield Parish Clerks' Memoranda Book noting baptisms, marriages and burials was written by William Muddle from 1780 to 1812, having taken over from Joseph Martin, who had served from 1747 to 1777.[3] Sixteen years after William's death Sarah died at Uckfield, at the age of 78, and she was buried in Holy Cross Churchyard at Uckfield on 30 December 1828.

 

Their children were:

William 1772-1814  John 1774-1835  Robert 1776-1821

 

William and Sarah’s eldest child was William Muddle who was baptised at St Margaret’s Church in Buxted on 5 November 1772. When he was 23 years old William married 18-year-old Mary Stanford at the Church of All Saints in Lewes on 13 November 1795, by a licence issued at Lewes Archdeaconry Court on 13 November 1795. The licence described William as being a 22-year-old bachelor and cooper of All Saints in Lewes, and Mary as an 18-year-old spinster of All Saints in Lewes who married with the consent of her mother, widow Sarah Stanford. Mary was the daughter of Edward and Sarah Stanford; she was born on 23 May 1777 and baptised at the Church of St Thomas à Becket in Lewes on 15 June 1777.

William and Mary initially lived in Lewes where their first child was born in 1796. Then in about 1797 they moved to Uckfield where their other five children were born between 1798 and 1808. William had probably come back to Uckfield to join his father in the family cooperage business next to the church in Church Street, which had passed to his father after his grandfather's death in 1795. William was about 30 years old when he was recorded on the Sussex Militia List of 1803 as being a cooper of Uckfield and also a headborough (a parish petty constable). It's thought that the Muddle family continued to live and work in the property next to the church after William's father sold it to John Woodward in 1803, and that even after William's father's death in 1812, when John Woodward sold the property on to William Kenward that William and family continued to live there for the next two years with William operating the cooperage business until his death. William died at Uckfield, at the age of 41, and he was buried in Holy Cross Churchyard at Uckfield on 27 April 1814.

Immediately after her husband's death Mary had this notice printed in the 2 May 1814 edition of The Sussex Advertiser:

MARY MUDDLE, begs leave to inform her friends and the public, that she intends to continue the business of a COOPER, TURNER, &c. and takes this liberty to solicit a continuance of the favours she has received, since the death of her husband.

So it seems that Mary continued to live at the property in Church Street with her children and probably her widowed mother-in-law, and continued to operate the cooperage business there, probably with her bachelor brother-in-law John Muddle, who was a cooper, doing the work. This continued for three years, with John Muddle probably living with Mary, her children and his mother, until, at the age of 39, Mary married 51-year-old blacksmith Edmund Hobbs at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 26 March 1817. Edmund was the son of Edmund and Elizabeth Hobbs, and he had been baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 11 August 1765.

Directly across the road from where the Muddle family lived and had their cooperage business in Church Street was a stable block owned by the Streathfeild family. Their account book shows that in 1813-14 they were renting this to Crossweller & Co. a stage coach operator, who broke their contract owing the balance of the rent. From April 1815 it was rented to William Kenward, who had earlier purchased the Muddle property; he had agreed to have it at £5 per year until a tenant was found. He had it for 18 months until the Streathfeilds decided that as they couldn't rent it out as stables they would convert it to a cooperage shop as Mary Muddle would then pay £2 extra a year for it. So from 1 September 1816 Mary stated to pay £7 per year for this property as a place to operated her cooperage business and six months later married Edmund Hobbs and together with her children and probably her brother-in-law John Muddle and her mother-in-law Sarah Muddle, went to live at Edmund's house and smithy in Uckfield High Street. William Kenward would now have occupied and started using the old Muddle cooperage building as a malthouse. For seven years Mary continued to rent the property at £7 per year, then in 1823 the rent went down to £6 10s, possibly because the Streathfeilds considered that they had recouped the approx £25 they had spent on conversion and repairs, some of which had gone to Edmund Hobbs for his services as a smith. Mary's last year's annual rent should have run until 31 August 1826 but was recorded as stopping on 4 June 1826, which was presumably when Mary, at the age of 46, gave up renting this property and also operating the cooperage business.[4] The business and possibly the property were probably taken over by her brother-in-law John Muddle as he was recorded as being a cooper in Uckfield in 1828 and 1833.

In the census of 30 May 1831 Edmund and Mary were living in Uckfield and the household consisted of four males, two of whom were blacksmiths, and one female. The female would have been Mary, and one of the males was probably 8-year-old William Muddle, the illegitimate son of Mary’s daughter Mary Ann who Mary probably looked after while Mary Ann worked in service. Edmund was recorded in the 1839 edition of Pigot & Co’s Directory of Sussex as being a smith of Uckfield. In the census of 6 June 1841 Edmund and Mary were living in the north-western part of the High Street in Uckfield, and living with them was Mary’s grandson, 18-year-old William Muddle, who was working for Edmund as a blacksmith’s labourer. On the Uckfield Parish tithe map and apportionment of 28 September 1843 Edmund Hobbs was recorded as occupying a house and smith's forge of 9 perches in area that paid no tithes and therefore no rent charge that replaced tithes, and was owned by Samuel Lidbetter who lived directly across the road. This was plot 210 on the map, situated in the north-western part of the High Street, it became 105 & 107 High Street; and in 2009 it was occupied by Duke Letting and In-Gear.

Mary died at Uckfield at the age of 68 (not 67 as given on her burial record), and she was buried in Holy Cross Churchyard at Uckfield on 26 September 1845. Six months later Edmund died at the age of 80, and he was buried in Holy Cross Churchyard at Uckfield on 14 February 1846.

 

Their children were:

Mary Ann 1796-1866  Harriet 1798-1799  Sarah 1800-1888

Maria 1804-1878  William 1808-1844

 

William and Mary’s eldest child was Mary Ann Muddle who was born at Lewes on 14 October 1796, and baptised at St Anne’s Church in Lewes on 25 November 1796. Mary Ann never married, but when she was 27 years old she had an illegitimate son who was born at Uckfield in 1823 and fathered by butcher John Wood. This son was probably looked after by Mary Ann’s mother while Mary Ann earned her living working in service. In the census of 6 June 1841 Mary Ann, at the age of 44, was a live-in servant to Martha Dixon at Whitemans Green in Cuckfield and her son was living with Mary Ann’s mother and stepfather in Uckfield. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Mary Ann, at the age of 54, was a live-in housekeeper for farm bailiff Bright Holmes at Harlands Farm in Uckfield. In the census of 7 April 1861 Mary Ann was lodging with Henry and Mary Ann Gilham on the northern side of Church Street in Uckfield, and she was working as a domestic servant. Mary Ann died at Uckfield, at the age of 70, and she was buried in Holy Cross Churchyard at Uckfield on 15 December 1866.

 

Mary Ann’s illegitimate son was William Frederic Wood Muddle who was fathered by butcher John Wood and baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 1 June 1823. It’s thought that William was probably looked after by his maternal grandmother and her second husband, blacksmith Edmund Hobbs, while his mother was away working in service, and that he was probably one of the four males in their household in Uckfield in the census of 30 May 1831. Because in the census of 6 June 1841 William, at the age of 18, was living in Uckfield High Street with his maternal grandmother and her second husband, blacksmith Edmund Hobbs, for whom William was then working as a blacksmith’s labourer. William’s maternal grandmother died in 1845 and her husband, Edmund Hobbs, in 1846. So in the census of 30 March 1851 William, now aged 27, was a journeyman painter and glazier lodging with the family of garden labourer Humphrey Brooker at North Row in Uckfield. William had probably learned his trades of painter, glazier and plumber (all three trades are given for him on various censuses) from his uncle George Rouse Rake who had a business in these trades in Uckfield until about 1847.

When he was 32 years old William married 33-year-old Susan Mansfield at St Margaret’s Church in Buxted on 15 December 1855. Susan was the daughter of farmer Richard Mansfield, and she had been born at Church Stretton in Shropshire in about 1821. In the census of 1851 Susan had been a dairy maid working for the Earl of Liverpool at Buxted Park.

Just over a year after their marriage William and Susan’s only child was born at Uckfield in early 1857. In the census of 7 April 1861 all three were lodging with the family of railway porter William Hyde at Bird-in-Eye in Uckfield, and William was a journeyman painter. William was also recorded in this census as being a live-in servant (painter) at Church Street in Uckfield of John Cox, who was a plumber and glazier employing one man, this man was presumably William.

It's thought that by 1865 they had moved to North Row in Uckfield because it was while they were living there that they seemed to normally have two lodgers; and the 24 October 1865 edition of The Sussex Advertiser in reporting on the trial at East Sussex Michaelmas Quarter Sessions of Frederick Bean, William Spurgeon and John Griffith for stealing fowl from John Starr of Buxted, reported that witness William Muddle stated that Spurgeon and Griffith lodged with him. No address was given but it's assumed that it was this William Muddle and that he was living at North Row.

In the census of 2 April 1871 William, Susan and their son were living at North Row in Uckfield, William was now a painter’s labourer and they had two lodgers. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 William and Susan were continuing to live at North Row, William was now a journeyman plumber and glazier, and they had two lodgers one of whom, groom Richard Dench, had been with them in 1871. In the census of 5 April 1891 they were still living at North Row, William now described himself as a painter and they had just the one lodger.

Susan died at Uckfield at the age of 71, and she was buried by Holy Cross Church in Uckfield Cemetery on 1 February 1892. Then two years later William died at Uckfield on 22 April 1894, at the age of 70 (not 68 as given on his burial record), and he was buried by Holy Cross Church in Uckfield Cemetery on 26 April 1894. Probate of William’s will, which valued his effects at £539 15s 9d, was granted to his son Alfred by Lewes Probate Registry on 15 June 1894.

 

William and Susan’s only child was Alfred William Muddle who was born at Uckfield, and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1857. Alfred was baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 4 November 1860 when he was 3 years old. In the census of 7 April 1861 Alfred, at the age of 4, was living with his parents, all as lodgers with the family of William Hyde at Bird-in-Eye in Uckfield. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Alfred, now aged 14, was living with his parents at North Row in Uckfield, and he was going to school.

In about 1876, when he was about 19 years old, Alfred moved from Uckfield to Fletching to work for the plumbing and painting business of Joseph Fuller, who died in early 1876, and whose business was then run by his widow Mary Fuller. In the census of 3 April 1881 Alfred, at the age of 24, was boarding with widow Mary Fuller and her daughter Julia at Mays House in Fletching. Alfred was a journeyman painter and plumber and working for Mary Fuller who was described as a master painter and plumber, meaning that she was running her late husband’s business. The following year Alfred, at the age of 25, married the boss’s daughter, 24-year-old Julia Fuller, at St Andrew & St Mary the Virgin Church in Fletching on 23 August 1882. Julia was the daughter of Joseph and Mary Fuller, and she had been baptised at St Andrew & St Mary the Virgin Church in Fletching on 5 September 1858.

Alfred and Julia had two children, both sons, born at Fletching in 1883 and 1886. The 1890 edition of Kelly's Directory of Sussex and the 1891 edition of Kelly's Directory of Kent, Surrey & Sussex both listed Alfred William Muddle of Fletching as a plumber and painter. In the census of 5 April 1891 Alfred and Julia were living at Mays House in Fletching with their two sons, and Alfred was a plumber, painter and glazier, and an employer, so he must have taken over his mother-in-law's business, probably when he married Julia. The 1899 edition of Kelly's Directory of Sussex listed Alfred William Muddle of Fletching as a plumber, painter and shopkeeper. In the census of 31 March 1901 they were continuing to live at Mays House with their two sons, Alfred, as a plumber, painter and an employer working at home, was continuing to run the family business with the help of his eldest son, and Julia's mother was back living with them. The 1905 edition of Kelly's Directory of Sussex listed Alfred William Muddle of Fletching as a plumber and painter.

Their youngest son died in 1905, at the age of 19, when he accidentally shot himself. Then five years later Julia died at Mays House, at the age of 52 (not 57 as given on her death certificate and burial record), and she was buried by St Andrew & St Mary the Virgin Church in same grave as her son, S1859, in Fletching Cemetery on 16 December 1910. Ernest Moore, a later resident of Mays House, recalled Julia as being a stately person with white hair. The 1911 edition of Kelly's Directory of Sussex listed Alfred William Muddle of Fletching as a plumber and painter. In the census of 2 April 1911 Alfred and his son William were still living at Mays House, but Alfred no longer had his own business and was working as a painter and his son was a barman. They had 35-year-old James Weston Fuller, who was probably a relative of Alfred's late wife, as a boarder.

Two and a half years after Julia’s death Alfred married Amelia Jones in Church Stretton registration district in Shropshire during the 2nd quarter of 1913. It seems likely that Amelia was either a relative or friend of Alfred's mother's family who were from Church Stretton. The 1915 edition of Kelly's Directory of Sussex listed Alfred William Muddle of Fletching as a plumber and painter. Then in 1918 Alfred's eldest son died at Eastbourne, at the age of 35. The arrival of the news of his death in Fletching was recorded by Robert Saunders in a letter of 4 August 1918 to his son in Canada:

Poor old Muddle had a wire yesterday to say Will had died suddenly.  So both of those boys have gone.

Twenty years after his second marriage Alfred was still living at Mays House when he died at Fletching on 2 April 1933, at the age of 76, and was buried in grave 112 of St Andrew & St Mary the Virgin Churchyard at Fletching on 6 April 1933. His funeral was reported in The Sussex Express of 13 April 1933:

FLETCHING RESIDENT

-------------

FUNERAL OF MR. A. W. MUDDLE

At the Fletching Parish Church on Thursday the funeral took place of Mr. Alfred William Muddle, of Moy’s Cottage, who resided in Fletching for 56 years. He had been ailing since last September, but had only kept to his bed a fortnight. A native of Uckfield, Mr. Muddle carried on the business of painter and decorator at Fletching, succeeding his father-in-law, Mr. Joseph Fuller, for whom he previously worked. Although 76 years of age, Mr. Muddle was in business up to the last. He leaves a widow, but his two sons predeceased him.

The Vicar (the Rev. J. Malville Jones) officiated, and the mourners were: Mrs. Muddle (widow), Mrs. Muddle (daughter-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. Munslow (nephew and niece), Miss Hotchkiss (cousin), and Miss Marsh...

Mrs Reeves, of Reeves the Photographers in Lewes, recalled Alfred as being a large built man who walked in a leisurely manner. Ernest Moore, a later resident of Mays House, recalled that as well as the plumbing, painting and decorating business, the Muddles for a time had a tobacconist and sweet shop at Mays House and also sold pears from their garden at a halfpenny a bag. Also that Alfred did much of the decorating and repair work on the Sheffield Park estate. Members of the Fuller family recalled that if Alfred had too much work, or work that was too complicated for him, he would get the Fuller building and decorating firm at Red Brick House in Newick to help him out. And that after Alfred’s death his widow, Amelia, sold his tools to this firm for £20.

Probate of Alfred’s will, which valued his effects at £215 18s 4d, was granted to his widow, Amelia, by Lewes Probate Registry on 15 May 1933. It seems likely that some time after Alfred’s death Amelia returned to her native Shropshire to be close to members of her family. Fourteen years after Alfred’s death Amelia died at the age of 86, her death being registered in Shrewsbury registration district in Shropshire during the 1st quarter of 1947.

 

Alfred and Julia’s eldest child was William Joseph Muddle who was born at Fletching in Sussex on 1 March 1883, and baptised at St Andrew & St Mary the Virgin Church in Fletching on 6 May 1883. In the census of 5 April 1891 William, at the age of 8, was living with his parents at Mays House in Fletching, and he was going to school. In 1894 when he was 11 years old William started attending Varndean Boys’ Grammar School in Brighton. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 William, now aged 18, was continuing to live with his parents at Mays House, and he was now a plumber’s labourer, presumably working for his father. But two months later William had moved to Eastbourne where he had found employment with the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway, who had appointed him a cleaner in their Locomotive and Carriage Department at Eastbourne on 24 May 1901 at 2s 2d per day.[5]

William's mother died in late 1910 and in the census of 2 April 1911 William, at the age of 28, was living back at Mays House in Fletching with his widowed father; he was now working as a barman in a public house, probably at the Griffin Inn that was next-door to Mays House.

The following extract from a letter written by Robert Saunders, the headmaster of Fletching School, to his eldest son in Canada on 8 August 1914 shows that William must have been in the army from early in the First World War. The extract was printed in The Sunday Times of 10 February 1980:

Will Muddle caused a little excitement Thursday as he returned home from Eastbourne to don his uniform and join his regiment for Dover. He visited the Griffin and departed on a bike in a very excited state, proclaiming loudly “well if he got killed he didn’t care a damn.”…

William's discharge from the army 19 months later was recorded by Robert Saunders in a letter to his son on 13 March 1916:

Wm. Muddle I hear has been set free from the army, being unfit for further service. He was at the tower and as far as I can find out was the butt of men and no doubt convinced the officers he was too much of a fool to be kept on.

The only other record found of William having been in the army is on his death certificate of 1918 that states that he had been a Private in the 5th Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment.

About three months after his discharge from the army William, at the age of 33, married 42-year-old widow Maggie Jane March, whose maiden name was Jardine, at Christ Church in Eastbourne on 6 June 1916 . They were both then living at 46 Beach Road in Eastbourne, and William was working as a carman. Their marriage certificate records William as being a widower, but this is almost certainly wrong as no earlier marriage for William has been found, and either this is a simple mistake or William had been lying to Maggie about this for some reason.

Five months after his marriage William returned to employment with the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway, who appointed him a labourer in their Locomotive and Carriage Department at Eastbourne on 6 November 1916 at 3s 5d per day.[6]

William and Maggie didn’t have any children, but Maggie had daughters from her first marriage. Two years after their marriage William died at their home, 46 Beach Road, on 2 August 1918, at the age of 35, from pneumonia that he’d had for 9 days. William’s death certificate described him as having been a fitter’s mate in the locomotive shed of the London Brighton & South Coast Railway, and an ex-Private of the 5th Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment. Forty-nine years later Maggie died at the age of 95, her death being registered in Eastbourne registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1967.

 

Alfred and Julia’s second child was Ernest Alfred Muddle who was born at Fletching in Sussex during the 4th quarter of 1885, and baptised at St Andrew & St Mary the Virgin Church in Fletching on 7 February 1886. In the census of 5 April 1891 Ernest, at the age of 5, was living with his parents at Mays House in Fletching, and he was going to school. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Ernest, now aged 15, was continuing to live with his parents at Mays House. Ernest worked as a gardener. He died in the Sussex County Hospital at Brighton on 6 August 1905, at the age of 19, from the effects of an accidentally self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He was buried by St Andrew & St Mary the Virgin Church in grave S1859 in Fletching Cemetery on 11 August 1905. The inquest into his death, held on 8 August 1905, was reported in The Sussex Daily News of 9 August 1905:[7]

FLETCHING GUN FATALITY

-----------------

INQUEST AT BRIGHTON

Mr. Howard F. Gates the Deputy Coroner for Brighton held an inquest at the Sussex County Hospital yesterday on the body of Ernest Alfred Muddle, aged 19, who accidentally shot himself at Fletching on 2nd July.

William Muddle of May House, Fletching, a plumber, said the deceased was his brother and was a gardener living at the above address. On Sunday the 2nd July, about 9 a.m., he was with the deceased in the garden scaring birds from the fruit trees. His brother was using a small saloon rifle. Witness went down a side path leaving his brother by an outhouse in the centre of the garden. Shortly after he heard his brother call out, “William! William!” and he went back to the spot where he had left him but he was gone, and on looking into an outhouse, he saw the deceased sitting down with his head resting on his left hand. He was bleeding from a wound in his forehead. He asked him how it happened and he said that the rifle went off accidentally. With assistance the witness got him into the house, and Dr. Gravely of Fletching was called. He attended the deceased and then ordered his removal to the Sussex County Hospital, which was done at once.

Julia Muddle, the wife of William Muddle, said the deceased was her son. She saw him at home on 2nd July, and had been to visit him from time to time at the hospital. He never told her anything about the accident. He only said it was an accident, and there was no one to blame. There was no one in the garden except her two sons on that Sunday.

Mr. H. B. Walters, assistant House Surgeon at the Sussex County Hospital, said the deceased was brought there on the evening of 2nd July. He was suffering from a bullet which had penetrated his forehead. They searched for the bullet but failed to find it. Deceased died last Sunday. A post-mortem examination had been made and the bullet was found in the fore part of the brain just to the right. Death was due to meningitis caused by an abscess in the brain arising from the bullet wound.

The jury returned a verdict of accidental death.

Ernest’s funeral was reported in The Sussex Express of 17 August 1905:

FLETCHING

AGENT FOR THIS PAPER – Mr. J. P. Hale

FUNERAL – The funeral of Mr. Ernest Muddle, age 19, of Mays House, took place in the Parish Churchyard on Friday afternoon. The corpse was borne from Mays House by hand, and was met at the lych-gate by the clergy and choir, and on entering the church the 39th Psalm and hymn 193 was sung, whilst hymn 536 was sung at the graveside. There were many floral tributes, including wreaths from the deceased’s mother, father, and brother, Mr., Mrs., and Miss Galliver, Miss M. Fuller, Miss Dodson, Mrs. Moore, Miss Stevenson, etc.

 

William and Mary’s second child was Harriet Muddle who was born at Uckfield, and baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 31 September 1798. Harriet died at Uckfield when only about a year old, and she was buried in Holy Cross Churchyard at Uckfield on 15 August 1799.

 

William and Mary’s third child was Sarah Muddle who was born at Uckfield, and baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 10 August 1800. When she was about 33 years old Sarah married John Hunter at St George Hanover Square Church, Westminster, London, on 12 June 1833 by a licence issued on 11 June 1833 by the Vicar General. They were both then living in the parish of St George Hanover Square. John had been born in Ayrshire in Scotland between 1801 and 1806. John and Sarah moved to Kilwinning near Irvine in Ayrshire where they had four children born between 1835 and late 1841.

In the census of 6 June 1841 John and Sarah were living at Kidsneuk off the Kilwinning Road in the parish of Irvine with their then three children; John was working as a male servant, and they had 20-year-old female servant Grace Baillie living with them. John had died by the time of the census of 30 March 1851 as Sarah was then a widow and annuitant living in the parish of Irvine with two of her children and she had 4-year-old Albert Norris as a boarder. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 Sarah was a lodging house keeper living at 29 Dunbarton Road in the Anderston district of Glasgow, and she had two young men as boarders In the census of 2 April 1871 Sarah was an annuitant living with her daughter Caroline at 340 Dunbarton Road, and they had 38-year-old Mary Walker as a boarder. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Sarah and Caroline were continuing to live at 340 Dunbarton Road, and Sarah was still an annuitant.

Seven years later Sarah was living with her daughter Caroline at 4 Ardgowan Terrace in Glasgow when she died there at 8.30am on 25 February 1888, at the age of 87, from old age and softening of the brain, which she had suffered from for about 4 years.

 

John and Sarah’s eldest child was William Hunter who was baptised at Kilwinning Church, near Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland on 14 May 1835. In the census of 6 June 1841 William, at the age of 6, was living with his parents at Kidsneuk off the Kilwinning Road in the parish of Irvine. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 William, now aged 15, was living with his widowed mother in the parish of Irvine, and he was going to school.

 

John and Sarah’s second child was John Hunter who was baptised at Kilwinning Church, near Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland on 21 December 1836. In the census of 6 June 1841 John, at the age of 4, was living with his parents at Kidsneuk off the Kilwinning Road in the parish of Irvine.

 

John and Sarah’s third child was Francis Hunter who was baptised at Kilwinning Church, near Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland on 17 February 1840. In the census of 6 June 1841 Francis, at the age of 1, was living with his parents at Kidsneuk off the Kilwinning Road in the parish of Irvine.

 

John and Sarah’s fourth child was Caroline Burges Hunter who was baptised at Kilwinning Church, near Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland on 16 December 1841. In the census of 30 March 1851 Caroline, at the age of 9, was living with her widowed mother in the parish of Irvine, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 Caroline, now aged 19, was a teacher of music living with the family of teacher Alan Carswell in North Road at Stenhousemuir in Stirlingshire. In the census of 2 April 1871 Caroline, at the age of 29, was living with her widowed mother at 340 Dunbarton Road in the Anderston district of Glasgow, and she was working as a daily governess. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Caroline, at the age of 39, was continuing to live with her mother at 340 Dunbarton Road, and she was now a music teacher. When her mother died in 1888 Caroline, at the age of 46, was living with her at 4 Ardgowan Terrace in Glasgow. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Caroline, at the age of 49, was a visitor at Lochiel House, Main Street, Callander, Perthshire, which is 25 miles north of Glasgow, and she was living on private means. In the census of 31 March 1901 Caroline, still unmarried at the age of 59, was living alone at 56 Gibson Street in the Partick district of Glasgow, and she was an annuitant.

 

William and Mary’s fourth child was Sophia Muddle who was born at Uckfield, and baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 25 July 1802. Sophia died at Uckfield when only two years old, and she was buried in Holy Cross Churchyard at Uckfield on 22 August 1804.

 

William and Mary’s fifth child was Maria Muddle who was born at Uckfield in Sussex, and baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 8 July 1804. In about 1828 Maria, at the age of about 24, married or started living with George Rouse Rake, who was about 23. No marriage has been found for George and Maria, and it's thought that they possibly never married because proof of their marriage was being sought by solicitors around the time of Maria's death - see the end of this section on Maria Muddle for details. George was the son of John and Mary Rake; he had been born at Portsea in Hampshire and baptised at St Mary's Church in Portsea on 6 December 1805. He had been baptised as George Rake but frequently used the second forename of Rouse, which was his mother's maiden name.[8]

It's not known what brought George to Uckfield, but he and Maria had six children born at Uckfield between 1829 and 1845, three of whom died in infancy. At the baptisms of these children George was described five times as a plumber and glazier and once as a painter and glazier. In the census of 30 May 1831 George was recorded as a plumber living at Uckfield and the head of a household consisting of three males and four females. One of the females would have been Maria and two of the males would have been his sons George and William. The 1833 edition of Pigot & Co.’s Directory Of Sussex records George Rouse Rake as a plumber, glazer and painter of Uckfield.

The 1839 edition of Pigot & Co.’s Directory of Sussex records George Rake as a painter and glazier of Uckfield. In the census of 6 June 1841 they were living in Uckfield High Street with their two surviving daughters and 14-year-old live-in servant Anne Brooker, and George was again described as a plumber. Their surviving son was away at boarding school in Herstmonceux. In this census George was the enumerator of Uckfield district 4, the district he lived in.

On the Uckfield Parish tithe map and apportionments of 28 September 1843 George Rouse Rake was recorded as owning and occupying a garden of 1 rood 2 perches in area, on which there was a 3s rent charge that had replaced tithes. This was plot 385¾ on the eastern side of the High Street in the New Town area of Uckfield and is now about half the land occupied by the properties Lewes House and Melrose. The same map and apportionments also recorded that George Rouse Rake and others were the occupiers of the house and garden of 26 perches on which there was 1s 9d rent charge and was owned by Elizabeth Davis. This was plot 272 on the map which shows the building divided into three and the Rake family are thought, from the enumeration sequence of the 1841 census, to have lived in the northern most section. This building was attached to the northern end of the stone terrace of cottages called White Rails. The two northern homes on plot 272 became 63 & 65 High Street and have been replaced by a mid-20th century building set a few yards further back off the road that in 2009 was occupied by Uckfield Electrics.

 

 

The 1845 edition of Kelly's Directory of Sussex listed George Rouse Rake as living in Uckfield. George and Maria's last child was born at Uckfield in 1845, but sadly this child died at Uckfield in early 1847 when she was 2 years old. Sometime after the death of their daughter they moved near to where George had been born in Hampshire, possibly because George had come into an inheritance. For in the census of 30 March 1851 they were living at Langstone near Havant in Hampshire with their two surviving daughters, and George was now a proprietor of houses and land, and a hop merchant. The following year George died at the age of 46, his death being registered in Portsea Island registration district during the 1st quarter of 1852.

In the census of 7 April 1861 Maria and her two daughters were still living at Langstone, and Maria was now a landed proprietor, presumably having inherited property, or the income from it, from George. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Maria was living with the family of her eldest and only surviving son, George Rake, at St George's in Campbell Road, Portsea. Seven years later Maria died at the age of 74, her death being registered in Portsea Island registration district during the 4th quarter of 1878.

It seems that George and Maria had probably told people that they had married in London but because there was no proof of this it's thought there may have been inheritance problems, which resulted, two years before Maria's death, in a notice being placed in The Times of 6 May 1876:

TO PARISH CLERKS

- £1 REWARD -

WANTED a CERTIFICATE of the MARRIAGE of MARIA MUDDLE, Spinster, who is believed to have been married in London, in or about the year 1828. Apply to Messrs. Besant and Porter, solicitors, Portsea.

Then ten years later there was another notice in The Times of 19 May 1886 :

PERSONAL, &c.

FIVE POUNDS REWARD.

CERTIFICATE of MARRIAGE WANTED, of GEORGE ROUSE RAKE and MARIA MUDDLE, married in London, about 1829. Perhaps non-conformists. Mr Downes, solicitor, 114, Fore-street, E.C.

 

George and Maria’s eldest child was George Rake who was born at Uckfield in Sussex. He was privately baptised on 27 May 1829 and then received in to Holy Cross Church at Uckfield on 2 August 1829. In the census of 6 June 1841 George, at the age of 12, was a schoolboy at a school run by James Greene at Posey Green, Windmill Hill, Herstmonceux, Sussex.

When he was 24 years old George married 24-year-old Sarah Martin at St Mary's Church in Portsea, Hampshire on 9 July 1853. Sarah was then living in St James Street in Portsea. She was the daughter of master mariner James Martin and his wife Frances; she had been born at Gravesend in Kent and baptised at St Peter & St Paul Church in Milton by Gravesend on 22 March 1829. In the census of 30 March 1851 she was staying with her uncle and aunt, Daniel and Ann Low, in Portsea.

George and Sarah had five children born at Portsea between 1854 and 1868, and when the first of these children were baptised in 1854 they were living in Unwin Street in Portsea and George was an architect and surveyor. In the census of 7 April 1861 they were living at 80 St George Square in Portsea with their then two children. George was an architect and surveyor employing four apprentices, one of whom was living with them, and they had two live-in servants, a cook and a housemaid. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 they were living at St George's in Campbell Road, Portsea with their five children. George was still an architect and surveyor; his widowed mother was living with them, and they had one live-in domestic servant. George's mother died in 1878. In the census of 3 April 1881 they were still living at St George's in Campbell Road, now with their three eldest children still at home. George was still an architect and surveyor, and they had two live-in domestic servants, a cook and a housemaid.

Sarah died at the age of 55, her death being registered in Portsea Island registration district during the 1st quarter of 1885. Then later that year George died at the age of 56 (not 55 as given on his death certificate), his death being registered in Portsea Island registration district during the 4th quarter of 1885.

 

George and Sarah’s eldest child was Ellen Louisa Rake who was born at Portsea in Hampshire, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Portsea on 9 June 1854. In the census of 7 April 1861 Ellen, at the age of 6, was living with her parents at 80 St George Square in Portsea, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Ellen, now aged 16, was living with her parents at St George’s in Campbell Road, Portsea, and she had now left school. In the census of 3 April 1881 Ellen, at the age of 26, was still living with her parents at St George’s in Campbell Road.

 

George and Sarah’s second child was George Arthur Rake who was born at Portsea in Hampshire in about 1856. In the census of 7 April 1861 George, at the age of 4, was living with his parents at 80 St George Square in Portsea, and he was going to school. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 George, now aged 14, was living with his parents at St George’s in Campbell Road, Portsea, and he was still going to school. In the census of 3 April 1881 George, at the age of 24, was working as a mechanical engineer and still living with his parents at St George’s in Campbell Road.

 

George and Sarah’s third child was John E Rake who was born at Portsea in Hampshire in about 1861. In the census of 2 April 1871 John, at the age of 9, was living with his parents at St George’s in Campbell Road, Portsea, and he was going to school. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 John, now aged 19, was working as an architectural pupil, probably for his father, and still living with his parents at St George’s in Campbell Road.

 

George and Sarah’s fourth child was Emily Christie Rake who was born at Portsea in Hampshire, and whose birth was registered during the 4th quarter of 1862. In the census of 2 April 1871 Emily, at the age of 8, was living with her parents at St George’s in Campbell Road, Portsea, and she was going to school.

 

George and Sarah’s fifth child was Florence Gertrude Rake who was born at Portsea in Hampshire, and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1868. In the census of 2 April 1871 Florence, at the age of 3, was living with her parents at St George’s in Campbell Road, Portsea.

 

George and Maria’s second child was William Rake who was born at Uckfield in Sussex, and baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 3 June 1831. William died at Uckfield when he was only 6 weeks old, and he was buried in Holy Cross Churchyard at Uckfield on 12 June 1831.

 

George and Maria’s third child was Mary Rake who was born at Uckfield in Sussex, and baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 11 November 1832. Mary died at Uckfield when she was only 19 months old, and she was buried in Holy Cross Churchyard at Uckfield on 23 February 1834.

 

George and Maria ’s fourth child was Eliza Rake who was born at Uckfield in Sussex, and baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 10 August1838. In the census of 6 June 1841 Eliza, at the age of 3, was living with her parents in Uckfield High Street. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Eliza, now aged 12, was living with her parents at Langstone near Havant in Hampshire, and she was going to school. In the census of 7 April 1861 Eliza, at the age of 22, was living with her widowed mother at Langstone.

 

George and Maria’s fifth child was Fanny Rake who was born at Uckfield in Sussex. Her birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1841 but she was only baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 25 March 1845, at the age of 4, at the same time as her younger sister Ellen Sarah. In the census of 6 June 1841 Fanny, at the age of 4 months, was living with her parents in Uckfield High Street. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Fanny, now aged 10, was living with her parents at Langstone near Havant in Hampshire, and she was going to school. In the census of 7 April 1861 Fanny, at the age of 20, was living with her widowed mother at Langstone.

When she was about 25 years old Fanny married 28-year-old Richard Tier in St George Hanover Square registration district in London during the 1st quarter of 1866. Richard was the son of Thomas and Ann Tier, and he had been baptised at West Thorney Church near Chichester in Sussex on 30 July 1837. They lived at Skipton in Yorkshire where they had five children born between 1867 and 1873, one of whom died in infancy. In the census of 2 April 1871 they were living in Skipton High Street with their then three children; Richard was a silk merchant and they had three live-in servants, a draper’s assistant, a nurse and a domestic servant. Fanny died at Skipton at the age of 32, her death being registered during the 1st quarter of 1874.

 

Richard and Fanny’s eldest child was Herbert Richard Tier who was born at Skipton in Yorkshire, and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1867. In the census of 2 April 1871 Herbert, at the age of 4, was living with his parents in Skipton High Street.

 

Richard and Fanny’s second child was John George Tier who was born at Skipton in Yorkshire, and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1868. In the census of 2 April 1871 John, at the age of 2, was living with his parents in Skipton High Street.

 

Richard and Fanny’s third child was Percy Walter Tier who was born at Skipton in Yorkshire, and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1870. In the census of 2 April 1871 Percy, at the age of 11 months, was living with his parents in Skipton High Street.

 

Richard and Fanny’s fourth child was Mabel Annie J Tier who was born at Skipton in Yorkshire, and whose birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1872. Mabel died at Skipton when she was only a few months old, her death being registered during the 2nd quarter of 1873.

 

Richard and Fanny’s fifth child was Dora Alice Tier who was born at Skipton in Yorkshire, and whose birth was registered during the 4th quarter of 1873.

 

George and Maria’s sixth child was Ellen Sarah Rake who was born at Uckfield in Sussex, and baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 25 March 1845. Ellen died at Uckfield when she was 2 years old, and she was buried in Holy Cross Churchyard at Uckfield on 31 March 1847.

 

William and Mary’s sixth child was William Muddle who was born at Uckfield, and baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 9 February 1808.

When he was 23 years old William married Agnes Cockburn, who was about 20, at St Anne’s Church, Soho, Westminster, Middlesex, on 24 October 1831. They were both then living in the parish of St Anne’s, Soho. William worked as a cooper and they had four children, two of who died in infancy. Their first child was born in Commercial Road, Stepney, London in October 1832, and they were living at Dock Head, Bermondsey, Surrey when this child was baptised in January 1834.

Their second child was born in early 1835, and they were living in Uckfield when this child died in August 1836. They had presumably come to Uckfield so that William could take on the cooperage business in Church Street of his uncle, John Muddle, who had become ill and died in mid-1835.

While they were living in Uckfield William placed this advert for an apprentice in the 15 August 1836 edition of The Sussex Advertiser:

WANTED, an Active Lad as an APPRENTICE to a Cooper; - he will have an opportunity of learning his Trade. Apply (if by letter, post paid) to Wm. Muddle, Cooper, Uckfield. A Premium will be expected.

It's not known if William took on an apprentice. William and Agnes' third child was born at Uckfield in early 1837 and then in mid-1837 William became bankrupt and all his possessions, as advertised in the 10 July 1837 edition of The Sussex Advertiser, including new furniture and tools he must have purchased on coming to Uckfield, were sold at auction:

SALE BY AUCTION.

UCKFIELD - TO COOPERS AND OTHERS.

BY MR. R. MARKWICK.

On Thursday next, July 13th, 1837

ALL the neat STOCK-IN-TRADE, Working Tools, and Household Furniture (nearly-new), of Mr. Wm. Muddle, Uckfield, Sussex, distrained for rent and the benefit of his creditors; consisting of a large quantity of iron hooping, truss and quarter hoops, brine, washing and other tubs and keelers, about forty good new pails, pipe staves, all sorts of cooper's tools (nearly new), and other articles.

HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE.

Consisting of new mahogany and other chairs, new mahogany chest of draws, ditto Pembroke, round and other tables, one feather bed, bedsteads and furniture, blankets, quilts, &c., a quantity of linen, pictures, earthenware, excellent books of different descriptions, brass fenders and fire-irons, tin and iron saucepans, and a variety of other articles.

Sale to begin at Ten o'clock, and the whole to be sold without reserve. The goods may be viewed one hour previous to the sale.

The cooperage business in Church Street, that had been William's for only two years, now passed to John and Sarah Gaston. William and his family left Uckfield and returned to London were they living at 14 Baldwin Street, Old Street, City Road, St Luke's, when their third child died in June 1839, at the age of 2. They were still at this address when their fourth child was born in September 1839.

In the census of 6 June 1841 they were living in Baldwin Street with their two surviving children and William was working as a cooper. Also living in the same house was Mary Adkins with her daughter Ann, aged 16, and sons James and John, aged 19 and 13; both sons were journeymen coopers and presumably working for William. Five-year-old George Freelove was also living there. They were still living in Baldwin Street when William died at the age of 36, and was buried in Golden Lane Cemetery (Bunhill Burial Ground) on 11 February 1844.[9]

Then two years after her husband's death Agnes and widower William Tiver had banns for their marriage called at St Mary's Church in Islington, London on 5, 12 & 19 July 1846, their marriage was then to take place at this church on 23 August 1846 and the marriage register was partly completed ready for this, but it was then crossed out and parish clerk added this note 'The Book was filled up thus far to save time - but the Lady not making her appearance the Marriage was not Solemnized'. The register recorded that Agnes and William were then both living at 5 Serman Lane, Islington. It's not known why Agnes didn't attend but just over two months later widow Agnes Muddle, at the age of about 35, married 33-year-old widower William Tiver at St Giles without Cripplegate Church in London on 3 November 1846. They were both then living in Well Street in London and William was working as a plasterer. William was the son of Abraham and Betsy Tiver, and he had been baptised at St Mary the Virgin Church in North Petherton near Bridgwater in Somerset on 11 April 1813.

William and Agnes had three children born at St Luke’s in London between 1847 and 1854, one of whom died in infancy. In the census of 30 March 1851 they were living at 43 Seward Street in St Luke’s (Finsbury) with their then two children and Agnes’ two surviving children from her first marriage; William was working as a printer and Agnes was a dressmaker. Their second child died in early 1853 at the age of 3, and their third child was born a year later. In the census of 7 April 1861 they were living at 48 Rahere Street in St Luke’s with their two surviving children and Agnes’ youngest child from her first marriage; William was now a bricklayer and Agnes was still a dressmaker. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 they were living at 64 Gee Street in St Luke’s with their youngest child and living in the same house was the family of Agnes’ eldest daughter who had married in 1858. Agnes did not now have an occupation and William was a house decorator.

William died at the age of 64 (not 66 as given on his death certificate), his death being registered in Shoreditch registration district in London during the 3rd quarter of 1877. In the census of 3 April 1881 Agnes was continuing to live with her married daughter’s family at 64 Gee Street and she was working as a mantle maker, as was her daughter. Agnes died at the age of 71, her death being registered in Holborn registration district in London during the 1st quarter of 1882.

 

William and Agnes’ eldest child was Mary Ann Cockburn Muddle who was born in Commercial Road, Stepney, London on 25 October 1832, and baptised at St John Horsleydowns Church, Tooley Street, Bermondsey, Surrey, on 26 January 1834. In the census of 6 June 1841 Mary Ann, at the age of 8, was living with her parents in Baldwin Street, St Luke's, London. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Mary Ann, now aged 18, was living with her mother and stepfather at 43 Seward Street, St Luke’s, London, and she was working as a stock maker.

When she was 26 years old Mary Ann married 27-year-old John Schickling at the Cathedral Parish Church of Manchester on 25 December 1858. John was then a saddler living at 17 Nightingale Street, Strangeways, Manchester, and Mary Ann was living at 75 Moreton Street, Strangeways, Manchester. John was the son of farmer John Schickling and he had been born in Bavaria in Germany in about 1831.

John and Mary Ann had two children born at St Luke’s in London in 1859 and 1861. In the census of 2 April 1871 they were living at 64 Gee Street in St Luke’s with their eldest child, and John was a foreman in a bag manufactory. Mary Ann’s mother, stepfather and stepsister were also living in the same house. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 they continuing to live at 64 Gee Street with their eldest child, but only Mary Ann’s mother was living with them as Mary Ann’s stepfather had died in 1877. John was now a portmanteau maker, and Mary Ann and her mother were mantle makers.

John died at the age of 56, his death being registered in Camberwell registration district in London during the 1st quarter of 1887. Then four years later Mary Ann died at the age of 58, her death being registered in Camberwell registration district in London during the 1st quarter of 1891.

 

John and Mary Ann’s eldest child was John William Schickling whose birth was registered in St Luke’s registration district in London during the 4th quarter of 1859. In the census of 2 April 1871 John, at the age of 11, was living with his parents at 64 Gee Street in St Luke’s, and he was going to school. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 John, now aged 21, was working as a furrier and continuing to live with his parents at 64 Gee Street.

 

John and Mary Ann’s second child was Arthur Alfred Schickling whose birth was registered in St Luke’s registration district in London during the 3rd quarter of 1861.

 

William and Agnes Muddle’s second child was William Muddle who was born in about February 1835, but only baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 23 August 1836, just before he died at Uckfield, at the age of 18 months, and was buried in Holy Cross Churchyard at Uckfield on 30 August 1836.

 

William and Agnes Muddle’s third child was David Muddle who was born about 6 January 1837. David died at 14 Baldwin Street, Old Street, City Road, St Luke’s, London on 24 June 1839, at the age of 2 years, 5 months and 18 days, from measles, and he was buried in Golden Lane Cemetery (Bunhill Burial Ground) on 30 June 1839.[10]

 

William and Agnes Muddle’s fourth child was Agnes Muddle who was born at 14 Baldwin Street, Old Street, City Road, St Luke’s, London, on 22 September 1839. In the census of 6 June 1841 Agnes, at the age of 1, was living with her parents in Baldwin Street. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Agnes, now aged 11, was living with her mother and stepfather at 43 Seward Street, St Luke’s, London. In the census of 7 April 1861 Agnes, at the age of 21, was living with her mother and stepfather at 48 Rahere Street in St Luke’s. Agnes never married. She died at the age of 30, her death being registered in Holborn registration district in London during the 3rd quarter of 1869.

 

William and Agnes Tiver’s eldest child (Agnes’ fifth) was William Tiver who was born at St Luke’s in London in about 1847. In the census of 30 March 1851 William, at the age of 4, was living with his parents at 43 Seward Street in St Luke’s. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 William, now aged 14 was working as a brass finisher and living with his parents at 48 Rahere Street in St Luke’s.

 

William and Agnes Tiver’s second child (Agnes’ sixth) was Thomas Henry Tiver who was born at St Luke’s in London and whose birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1849. In the census of 30 March 1851 Thomas, at the age of 1, was living with his parents at 43 Seward Street in St Luke’s. Thomas died when he was only 3 years old, his death being registered in St Luke’s registration district during the 1st quarter of 1853.

 

William and Agnes Tiver’s third child (Agnes’ seventh) was Anne Tiver who was born at St Luke’s in London and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1854. In the census of 7 April 1861 Anne, at the age of 7, was living with her parents at 48 Rahere Street in St Luke’s. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Anne, now aged 17 was living with her parents at 64 Gee Street in St Luke’s, and she was going to school.

 

William and Sarah’s second child was John Muddle who was baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 18 September 1774. It was probably John, at the age of 12 or 13, who practiced writing his signature, two of which have the date 1787, in the Uckfield Parish Clerks' Memoranda Book that was then being kept by his father, who was Parish Clerk.[11] John would have learnt the trade of cooper from his father and probably worked in the family cooperage business, first for his father until his death in 1812, and then for his elder brother William until his death in 1814. It seems that William's widow Mary, who married Edmund Hobbs in 1817, then took over the cooperage business, probably with John providing the cooperage skills and doing the work, until Mary gave up the business on 4 June 1826. John was then recorded in the 1828 and 1833 editions of Pigot & Co.’s Directory of Sussex as being a cooper of Uckfield, so it seems that he had by then taken over the family business. John never married. He had been living at Waldron when he died in the Workhouse, at the age of 61, and was buried in Holy Cross Churchyard at Uckfield on 17 July 1835.

 

William and Sarah’s third child was Robert Muddle who was baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 3 March 1776. When he was 22 years old Robert married Ann Leopard at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 26 June 1798. They lived at Uckfield where they had three children born between 1798 and 1803. Robert was about 27 years old when he was recorded on the Sussex Militia List of 1803 as being a married shoemaker of Uckfield and to be infirm. Ann died at Uckfield, probably as a result of problems giving birth to her third child, as she was buried in Holy Cross Churchyard at Uckfield on 25 August 1803, the day before her third child was baptised, and just two months after her second child had died. Seventeen years later Robert was still a widower when he died, at the age of 45, in Uckfield Workhouse, and was buried in Holy Cross Churchyard at Uckfield on 14 February 1821.

 

Robert and Ann’s eldest child was Ann Muddle who was baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 9 September 1798. In the census of 6 June 1841 Ann, at the age of 42, was working as a laundress and living in the home of smith James Leppard at Carlton Row in Brighton, which seemed to have an assortment of lodgers.

 

Robert and Ann’s second child was Maria Muddle who was baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 7 June 1801 . Maria died at Uckfield when only two years old, and she was buried in Holy Cross Churchyard at Uckfield on 25 June 1803.

 

Robert and Ann’s third child was Fanny Muddle who was baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 26 August 1803, the day after her mother’s burial there. When she was 28 years old Fanny married 28-year-old Zaccheus Anscomb at the Church of St Nicholas in Brighton on 3 April 1832. Zaccheus was the son of James and Sarah Anscomb; he had been born at Henfield in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church St Peter in Henfield on 29 May 1803. Zaccheus and Fanny were living at Kensington Place in Brighton and Zaccheus was a miller when their three children, all daughters, were born between 1833 and 1838. In the census of 30 March 1851 they were living at 75 Trafalgar Street in Brighton with their two youngest daughters and Zaccheus' father, and Zaccheus was still working as a miller. Later that year they were still living in Trafalar Street when Fanny died at the age of 48, and was buried in the Churchyard of St Nicholas in Brighton on 21 August 1851.

Three years after Fanny's death Zaccheus married spinster Barbara Barnett in Brighton registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1854. Barbara was the daughter of Benjamin and Mary Barnett; she had been born at Ashurst in Sussex, privately baptised on 18 May 1804 and received into the Parish Church of St James in Ashurst on 10 June 1804. In the census of 7 April 1861 Zaccheus, Barbara and Zaccheus' daughter Sarah were living at 35 Trafalgar Street, and Zaccheus was still a miller. Then when Zaccheus' daughter Sarah married in 1864 they were living at 19 Islingword Road in Brighton. Five years later Zaccheus died at the age of 66, his death being registered in Brighton registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1869. In the census of 2 April 1871 Barbara was living at 19 Islingword Road in Brighton, and she had Jane Bennett as a visitor. Barbara died at the age of 76, her death being registered in Brighton registration district during the 4th quarter of 1880.

 

Zaccheus and Fanny’s eldest child was Ann Anscomb who was born at Brighton in Sussex, and baptised at the Church of St Nicholas in Brighton on 31 March 1833.

 

Zaccheus and Fanny’s second child was Sarah Anscomb who was born at Brighton in Sussex, and baptised at the Church of St Nicholas in Brighton on 26 April 1835. In the census of 30 March 1851 Sarah, at the age of 16, was living with her parents at 75 Trafalgar Street in Brighton. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 Sarah, at the age of 26, was living with her father and stepmother at 35 Trafalgar Street, and she was working as an assistant to her father in his miller's shop.

When she was 29 years old Sarah married 35-year-old Thomas Simons at the Church of St Nicholas in Brighton on 14 May 1864. Thomas was then an engineer living at 15 Peel Place in Brighton and Sarah was living with her father and stepmother at 19 Islingword Road in Brighton. Thomas was the son of corn dealer William Simons and his wife Mary; he had been born at Bingley in Yorkshire and baptised at the Church of All Saints in Bingley on 3 August 1828. Thomas and Sarah are not thought to have any children. In the census of 2 April 1871 they were living at 33 Blackman Street in Brighton and Thomas was working as an engine fitter. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 they were still living at 33 Blackman Street but they were now living on income from property.

Sarah died at the age of 47, her death being registered in Brighton registration district during the 1st quarter of 1882. In the census of 5 April 1891 Thomas was a retired engine fitter lodging with widow Lucy Goddard and her daughter in the three rooms they occupied at 28 Stanley Road in Preston near Brighton.

 

Zaccheus and Fanny’s third child was Fanny Anscomb who was born at Brighton in Sussex, and baptised at the Church of St Nicholas in Brighton on 11 March 1838. In the census of 30 March 1851 Fanny, at the age of 13, was living with her parents at 75 Trafalgar Street in Brighton. Three years later Fanny was living in Blackman Street, Brighton when she died at the age of 16, and was buried in the Churchyard of St Nicholas in Brighton on 17 May 1854.

 

William and Anne’s second child was John Muddle who was baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 11 April 1748. It's thought that it must be John who was being referred to when the General Evening Post of 20 April 1784 reported on the execution by hanging at Horsham on Saturday (17 April) of William Darby for stealing some articles of wearing apparel that belonged to Joseph Hartley and John Muddle of Uckfield:

Joseph Varnfield, for a burglary in the house of Thomas Newland, of Slindon; and William Darby, for stealing some articles of wearing apparel, the property of Joseph Hartley and John Muddle, of Uckfield, were on Saturday executed at Horsham, pursuant to their sentence. Varnfield, on leaving the gaol, behaved in a manner highly unbecoming his unhappy situation; nor was he at least awed by the solemnity of the procession, nor even at the sight of the gallows, where he appeared totally unmindful of his approaching fate, and remained so hardened and audacious to the last, that he prayed, "the King might never have another man to fight his battles;" he feared not death, but said; "that he should like to be hanged by one who bore the appearance of a man, but that his executioner looked not at all like one." - Darby, though his behaviour was not so shockingly audacious as that of his unhappy fellow-sufferer, appeared totally unconcerned about his approaching dissolution, and died without showing the least signs of penitence or contrition.

John was not in his father’s will dated the 9 March 1793, so he had probably died, probably unmarried, by then.

 

William and Anne’s third child was Martha Muddle who was baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 12 August 1753. When she was 29 years old Martha married 32-year-old John Fenn at St Mary Magdalene Church, Bermondsey Street, Bermondsey, Surrey, on 6 October 1782. John was the son of Charles and Mary Fenn; he had been born at Whitelion Street in Whitechapel, London and baptised at the Church of St Mary in Whitechapel on 22 November 1749 when his parents were recorded as being poor. John and Martha had three children; the first born in 1783 while they were living in Mile End New Town, the second in 1786 when they were living in Bethnal Green and the third in 1793 when they were living in Brick Lane, Whitechapel. John was described as a tallow chandler at the baptisms of the first two of these children. When Martha's father made his will in 1793 he described John as a tallow chandler of Whitechapel in London, and when he died in 1795 Martha inherited a third share of the residue of his personal estate with John joint executor with his brother-in-law William Muddle of his father-in-law's will. They were living at Mile End Old Town when Martha died of cancer at the age of 48 and was buried in the Churchyard of St Dunstan & All Saints in Stepney, London on 13 December 1801. Nineteen years later John was still living at Whitechapel when he died at the age of just on 71 (not 64 as given on his burial record), and was buried in the Churchyard of St Dunstan & All Saints in Stepney, London on 5 November 1820. Mile End Old Town and Brick Lane, Whitechapel are references to the same place.

 

John and Martha’s eldest child was John Fenn who was born at Mile End New Town, London on 1 July 1783 and baptised at the Church of St Dunstan & All Saints in Stepney, London on 13 July 1783.

 

John and Martha’s second child was Maria Fenn who was born at Bethnal Green, London on 20 June 1786 and baptised at the Church of St Matthew in Bethnal Green on 23 July 1786.

 

John and Martha’s third child was John William Fenn who was born at Brick Lane in Whitechapel, London and baptised at the Church of St Mary in Whitechapel on 7 April 1793.

 

William and Anne’s fourth child was Alexander Muddle who was baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 11 April 1756. When he was 26 years old Alexander married Elizabeth Finch at St Nicholas’ Church in Brighton on 12 January 1783. They lived at Brighton where they had four children born between 1784 and 1789, the first and third of whom both dying when only a few months old. When his father died in 1795 Alexander inherited a third share of the residue of his father’s personal estate. Alexander died at Lindfield at the age of about 45, and he was buried in All Saints’ Churchyard at Lindfield on 28 March 1801.

 

Alexander and Elizabeth’s eldest child was William Muddle who was born at Brighton in Sussex, and baptised at St Nicholas’ Church in Brighton on 14 April 1784. William died at Brighton when he was about 2 months old, and he was buried in St Nicholas' Churchyard at Brighton on 5 June 1784.

 

Alexander and Elizabeth’s second child was Mary Ann Muddle who was born at Brighton in Sussex, and baptised at St Nicholas’ Church in Brighton on 8 July 1786. When she was 29 years old Mary Ann married 33-year-old James King at St Nicholas’ Church in Brighton on 2 October 1815. James was the son of Benjamin and Mary King; he had been born at Plumpton in Sussex and baptised at St Michael & All Angels Church in Plumpton on 18 April 1782. James and Mary Ann lived at Lindfield in Sussex where they had four children born between 1816 and 1825, and where James worked as a carpenter. Mary Ann died at Lindfield at the age of 53, and she was buried in All Saints Churchyard at Lindfield on 22 February 1840.

In the census of 6 June 1841 James, with his daughter Sophia and son George, was living in Kent Street at Lindfield, and he was continuing to work as a carpenter. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 James was a master carpenter employing six men and living at 16 Kent Street in Lindfield. Living with James were his son George and his daughter Sophia with her husband and young son; both George and Sophia’s husband were journeymen carpenters and presumably working for James. Also in the household were 17-year-old niece Celia Vine, who was a housemaid, and 12-year-old granddaughter Mary Ann King. In the census of 7 April 1861 James, at the age of 79, was a retired builder living with his widowed daughter Sophia and her five children in Lewes Road at Lindfield.

 

James and Mary Ann’s eldest child was James King who was born at Lindfield in Sussex on 20 July 1816, and baptised at the Independent Chapel of Lindfield and Ardingly on 18 August 1816. James married Mary and they had one child, a daughter, born at Fletching in about 1838. In the census of 6 June 1841 they were living in Fletching with their daughter, and James was working as a carpenter. Mary died and James then married Eliza and they had five children born at Lindfield between 1850 and 1861. In the census of 30 March 1851 they were living at 14 Kent Street in Lindfield with their then one child, and James was a journeyman carpenter. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 they were living in Lewes Road at Lindfield with their five children, and James was now a builder. Also living with them was James’ daughter from his first marriage as well as Eliza’s daughter, Fanny Martin, and an apprentice, 17-year-old Francis Jenner.

 

James and Mary’s only child was Mary Ann King who was born at Fletching in Sussex in about 1838. In the census of 6 June 1841 Mary Ann, at the age of 2, was living with her parents at Fletching. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Mary Ann, now aged 12, was living with her paternal grandfather, James King, at 16 Kent Street in Lindfield. In the census of 7 April 1861 Mary Ann, at the age of 22, was working as a lady’s maid and living with her father and stepmother in Lewes Road at Lindfield.

 

James and Eliza’s eldest child (James’ second) was William Henry King who was born at Lindfield in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1850. In the census of 30 March 1851 William, at the age of 11 months, was living with his parents at 14 Kent Street in Lindfield. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 William, now aged 10, was living with his parents in Lewes Road at Lindfield, and he was going to school.

 

James and Eliza’s second child (James’ third) was James A King who was born at Lindfield in Sussex in about 1854. In the census of 7 April 1861 James, at the age of 6, was living with his parents in Lewes Road at Lindfield, and he was going to school.

 

James and Eliza’s third child (James’ fourth) was Horace R King who was born at Lindfield in Sussex in about 1856. In the census of 7 April 1861 Horace, at the age of 4, was living with his parents in Lewes Road at Lindfield, and he was going to school.

 

James and Eliza’s fourth child (James’ fifth) was Herbert James King who was born at Lindfield in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1859. In the census of 7 April 1861 Herbert, at the age of 2, was living with his parents in Lewes Road at Lindfield.

 

James and Eliza’s fifth child (James’ sixth) was Ada J King who was born at Lindfield in Sussex in early 1861. In the census of 7 April 1861 Ada, at the age of 1 month, was living with her parents in Lewes Road at Lindfield.

 

James and Mary Ann’s second child was Sophia King who was born at Lindfield in Sussex on 24 November 1818, and baptised at the Independent Chapel of Lindfield and Ardingly on 5 December 1818. In the census of 6 June 1841 Sophia, at the age of 22, was living with her widowed father and brother George in Kent Street in Lindfield; she was described as being independent, but was probably acting as her father’s housekeeper.

When she was about 29 years old Sophia married James Pim in Brighton registration district during the 4th quarter of 1847. They lived at Lindfield where they had five children born between 1848 and 1857. In the census of 30 March 1851 James, Sophia and their then one child were living with Sophia’s father at 16 Kent Street in Lindfield; James was a journeyman carpenter and presumably working for Sophia’s father.

James had died by the time of the census of 7 April 1861 as Sophia was then a widow living in Lewes Road at Lindfield with her five children and her now retired father. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Sophia and four of her children were living at 2 Lewes Road in Lindfield, and Sophia was now a baker. In the census of 3 April 1881 Sophia was still a baker living in Lewes Road at Lindfield and she had her two daughters and a granddaughter living with her.

Sophia died at the age of 68 (not 67 as given on her death certificate), her death being registered in Cuckfield registration district, which includes Lindfield, during the 2nd quarter of 1887.

 

James and Sophia’s eldest child was James Henry Pim who was born at Lindfield in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1848. In the census of 30 March 1850 James, at the age of 2, was living with his parents in the home of his maternal grandfather, James King, at 16 Kent Street in Lindfield. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 James, now aged 12, was living with his widowed mother in Lewes Road at Lindfield, and he was going to school.

 

James and Sophia’s second child was Joseph Pim who was born at Lindfield in Sussex in about 1851. In the census of 7 April 1861 Joseph, at the age of 9, was living with his widowed mother in Lewes Road at Lindfield, and he was going to school. Then in the census of 2 April 1871, Joseph, now aged 19, was working as a carpenter and living with his mother at 2 Lewes Road in Lindfield.

 

James and Sophia’s third child was Eliza Jessie Pim who was born at Lindfield in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1853. In the census of 7 April 1861 Eliza, at the age of 7, was living with her widowed mother in Lewes Road at Lindfield, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 3 April 1881, Eliza, at the age of 27, was working as a dressmaker and living with her mother in Lewes Road at Lindfield.

 

James and Sophia’s fourth child was Charles Pim who was born at Lindfield in Sussex in about 1855. In the census of 7 April 1861 Charles, at the age of 5, was living with his widowed mother in Lewes Road at Lindfield, and he was going to school. Then in the census of 2 April 1871, Charles, now aged 15, was a wheelwright’s apprentice and living with his mother at 2 Lewes Road in Lindfield.

 

James and Sophia’s fifth child was Annie Pim who was born at Lindfield in Sussex in about 1857. In the census of 7 April 1861 Annie, at the age of 3, was living with her widowed mother in Lewes Road at Lindfield, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 2 April 1871, Annie, now aged 13, was living with her mother at 2 Lewes Road in Lindfield, and she was continuing to go to school. In the census of 3 April 1881, Annie, at the age of 23, was living with her mother in Lewes Road at Lindfield.

 

James and Mary Ann’s third child was Elizabeth King who was born at Lindfield in Sussex on 11 June 1821, and baptised at the Independent Chapel of Lindfield and Ardingly on 29 July 1821.

 

James and Mary Ann’s fourth child was George King who was born at Lindfield in Sussex, and baptised at All Saints Church in Lindfield on 6 March 1825. In the census of 6 June 1841 George, at the age of 16, was living with his widowed father and sister Sophia in Kent Street at Lindfield, and he was a journeyman carpenter probably working for his father. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 George, now aged 26, was living with his father and the family of his now married sister Sophia at 16 Kent Street in Lindfield; he was still a journeyman carpenter and presumably continuing to work for his father.

 

Alexander and Elizabeth’s third child was Sarah Muddle who was born at Brighton in Sussex, and baptised at St Nicholas’ Church in Brighton on 12 February 1788. Sarah died at Brighton when she was about 6 months old, and she was buried in St Nicholas' Churchyard at Brighton on 6 August 1788.

 

Alexander and Elizabeth’s fourth child was Elizabeth Muddle who was born at Brighton in Sussex, and baptised at St Nicholas’ Church in Brighton on 6 July 1789. When she was 28 years old Elizabeth married William Trowbridge at St Nicholas’ Church in Brighton on 14 September 1817. They had three children; the first of whom was born at Lindfield in 1818; when this child was baptised in October 1818 they were living at Pall Mall, Westminster, London, and William was a musical instrument maker. Their second child was born at St Marylebone in London in 1820, and their third at St Pancras in London in 1831. Elizabeth died at the age of 48, her death being registered in St Pancras registration district during the 4th quarter of 1837. In the census of 6 June 1841 William, who was working in a gum factory, and his youngest son were lodging at Congreve Street in St Pancras with the family of William Wood, who was an under storekeeper at the gum factory.

 

William and Elizabeth’s eldest child was Mary Ann Elizabeth Trowbridge who was born at Lindfield in Sussex on 28 September 1818, and baptised with the name Mary Ann Trowbridge at the Independent Chapel of Lindfield and Ardingly on 11 October 1818, at which time her parents were living at Pall Mall, Westminster, London. Then nine years later Mary Ann was baptised with the name Mary Ann Elizabeth Trowbridge at St Marylebone Church in London on 3 February 1828.

 

William and Elizabeth’s second child was William Charles Trowbridge who was born at St Marylebone in London on 7 January 1820, and baptised at St Marylebone Church on 6 February 1820.

 

William and Elizabeth’s third child was William Trowbridge who was born at St Pancras in London on 6 June 1831, and baptised at St Pancras Old Church on 26 June 1831. In the census of 6 June 1841 William, at the age of 10, was, together with his father, lodging with the family of William and Mary Wood at Congreve Street in St Pancras. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 William, now aged 19, was working as a labourer in a gas works and living with the family of William and Mary Wood at 4 Canal Terrace in Islington, and he was now described as being their cousin.

Copyright © Derek Miller 2005-2014

Last updated 2 June 2014