THE MUDDLE FAMILIESTHE LINEAGE & HISTORY OF THE MUDDLE FAMILIES OF THE WORLD INCLUDING VARIANTS MUDDEL, MUDDELL, MUDLE & MODDLE |
|||||||||||||
|
[Home] [Origins] [Early Records] [General Notes] [Master Index] [Contact me]
John & Margary/Dorothy Muddle's Family
John Muddle was probably born about 1562, possibly at either Buxted or Mayfield in Sussex, but the surviving registers of both these parishes don't go back that far. John settled in Rotherfield, Sussex where he had the status of yeoman, which indicated that he was reasonably prosperous and probably owned and farmed at least a few acres of land. He also practised his trade of whitesmith, this being one who worked in tin and other non-ferrous metals, and also finished metalwork by processes such as polishing and enamelling. The first record we have of John being in Rotherfield is in an indenture dated 20 December 1581 whereby Alexander Farmer leased to Nicholas Farmer a croft and lands, being about 14 acres at Welstreame and almost 4 acres called Rycarde of the Manor of Rotherfield, then in the tenure of John Modell, who was also a witnesses to the indenture. The details of this document were recorded 21 years later when it was produced at the Court of the Manor of Rotherfield held on 12 March 1603.[1] On 3 October 1582 in the twenty-fourth year of the reign of Elizabeth I, when John was about 20 years old, three horses belonging to George and Christopher Hill (or Hilles, records differ on this detail) were stolen at Rotherfield. This must have resulted in John, together with Richard Muddle of Mayfield and Edward Akent of Withyham, being arrested for this offence and incarcerated in the gaol at Lewes Castle, because at a Session of the Peace (the date is not recorded on surviving documents) held at Lewes they were before the court requesting bail which was granted as follows:[2] And at the same general session of the peace, before the aforenamed Justice, there came John Modell of Rotherfield in the county aforesaid, smith, Richard Modell junior of Mayfield in the county aforesaid, smith, and Richard Modell senior of Buxted in the county aforesaid, smith. And the aforesaid John Modell and Richard Modell junior acknowledged themselves to owe to our said Lady the Queen, each of them, forty pounds, and the aforesaid Richard senior acknowledged himself to owe to our said Lady the Queen twenty pounds, Under the condition that if the aforesaid John Modell and Richard Modell junior should appear at the next general gaol delivery to be held in the county aforesaid before the Justices of our said Lady the Queen assigned for gaol delivery etc, to answer to our said Lady the Queen concerning and upon the certain felonies whereof they stand adjudged, that then etc. And at the same general session of the peace, before the aforenamed Justice, there came Edward Akent of Withyham in the county aforesaid, husbandman, and William Holman of Withyham in the county aforesaid, husbandman, And the aforesaid Edward acknowledged himself to owe to our said Lady the Queen forty pounds, and the aforesaid William acknowledged himself to owe to our said Lady the Queen twenty pounds, Under the condition that if the aforesaid Edward should appear at the next general gaol delivery to be held in the county aforesaid before the Justices of our said Lady the Queen assigned for gaol delivery etc, to answer to our said Lady the Queen concerning and upon the certain felonies whereof he stands indicted, that then etc. It’s thought that Richard Muddle of Mayfield was possibly John’s elder brother, but there is no definite proof of this, though John was an overseer of Richard’s 1608 will.[3] It’s also thought that Richard Muddle senior of Buxted was probably the father or guardian of John and Richard, but again there is no definite proof of this, and neither John nor Richard junior were mentioned in Richard senior’s will.[4] One son who was mentioned in the will, Alexander Muddle, whitesmith of Buxted, was an overseer and witness to the will of Richard’s son Abraham in 1609,[5] and bondsman for the marriage licence of John’s son Thomas in October 1615,[6] after the respective deaths of Richard in 1608 and John in March 1615, indicating that Alexander may have then been acting as head of the family and was the eldest surviving brother of John and Richard. The next gaol delivery for Sussex was the Assize Session held at East Grinstead on 8 March 1583. John, Richard and Edward presented themselves there as their bail conditions required, but it seems that the indictment against them had not been prepared. This resulted in John and Richard being discharged from their own bail, but they remained bound by the recognizance given by Richard Muddle senior. Edward was released on his own bail, there being no mention of the recognizance given for him by William Holman that must, for some reason, have lapsed.[7] To generate the required indictment an inquisition was held at the General Session of the Peace of the county of Sussex, held at Lewes on 11 April 1583, before Thomas Sackvyle, knight, his fellow justices, and sixteen jurors of a grand jury. The following was the indictment they produced: [8] That Edward Akent, late of Withyham in the county aforesaid, yeoman, John Muddle, late of Rotherfield in the county aforesaid, yeoman, and Richard Mudle, late of Mayfield in the county aforesaid, yeoman, On the third day of October in the twenty fourth year of the reign of our Lady Elizabeth, by the grace of God, of England, France and Ireland, Queen, defender of the faith etc, at Rotherfield aforesaid in the county aforesaid, feloniously took and made away with one mare, of colour grey, then and there found, to the value of 40s, of the goods and chattels of George Hilles of Rotherfield aforesaid in the county aforesaid, yeoman, against the peace, crown and dignity of our said Lady the Queen. And that Edward Akent, late of Withyham in the county aforesaid, yeoman, John Mudle, late of Rotherfield in the county aforesaid, yeoman, and Richard Mudle late of Mayfield in the county aforesaid, yeoman, On the third day of October in the twenty fourth year of the reign of our said Lady Elizabeth, by the grace of God, of England, France and Ireland, Queen, defender of the faith etc, at Rotherfield aforesaid in the county aforesaid, feloniously took and made away with two geldings then and there found, of which one was red sorrel in colour, to the value of five pounds, and the other was grey in colour, to the value of 53s 4d, of the goods and chattels of a certain Christopher Hilles of Rotherfield aforesaid in the county aforesaid, yeoman, against the peace, crown and dignity of our said Lady the Queen. The next gaol delivery for Sussex was the Assize Session held at East Grinstead on 19 July 1583. John, Richard and Edward presented themselves there to answer the serious charges against them, for at this time the theft of anything valued above 12d (equivalent to about £10 in 2000) was a capital offence. They were tried before Thomas Gawdy, knight, and twelve jurors, who found them guilty, but to escape the hangman’s noose they claimed ‘benefit of clergy’. This was a right first decreed by William II in 1087 that was originally intended to let clergy escape their first capital offence before a civil court and instead be tried by the more lenient church court. The test that they were clergymen was that they should read a passage from the Bible. This right was later extended to anyone who was literate and could satisfactorily read a passage in Latin from the Bible. By tradition the passage they were normally asked to read was part of Psalm 51, which became known as the ‘neck-verse’, and many people who couldn’t read would learn to recite this so that if required they could pretend to read it. So, whether our three were literate, or had just memorised the Psalm, they passed the test as the assize record states: [9] Muddell, Muddell & Akent are adjudged in the clerk's certificate and …
Capital crimes, particularly the more serious offences, for which ‘benefit of clergy’ could be claimed had been gradually reduced during the Tudor period and during the first year of the reign of Edward VI (1547-8) horse theft had been so revoked, so why had our three been able to claim it? Possibly the judge thought that the only sentence he could give, that of execution, was too harsh in this particular case and ‘bent to rules’ to give a fairer result, as judges of this era were known, at times, to do. At this time horse theft was the crime that most often resulted in a capital punishment actually being carried out. This was because it was normally seen as being a calculated criminal act carried out by what were seen as professional criminals for profit by quickly selling on the horse, frequently in a different county. As this seems unlikely to have been the motive in this case, and a moment of silly moral weakness more likely the reason, it would have been viewed by those administering the justice of the time as a situation where clemency was required rather than the strict application of the law. Also the fact that they were of yeoman status in their respective communities would have acted in their favour when being judged by their peers. As benefit of clergy could only be claimed once, to identify, in the future, someone who had already claimed it, they were branded on the thumb with a T for theft or an M for manslaughter; a painful, but preferable, outcome to that of execution. They were also given a pardon so that they couldn’t in the future be tried for any aspect of the felony of which they were guilty. Their pardons were issued by Elizabeth I on 28 October 1583 and are worth quoting in full: [10] Concerning pardons for Edward Akente and others The Queen sends greetings to all to whom [these presents may come] etc. Whereas Edward Akente, late of Withyham in our county of Sussex, yeoman, John Muddle, late of Rotherfield in our said county of Sussex, yeoman, and Richard Muddle, late of Mayfield in our said county of Sussex, yeoman, are indicted, condemned and adjudged, Because they, on the third day of October in the twenty fourth year of our reign, at Rotherfield aforesaid in the county aforesaid, feloniously took and made away with one mare then and there found, coloured grey, to the value of forty shillings, of the goods and chattels of George Hill of Rotherfield aforesaid in the county aforesaid, yeoman, against our peace, crown and dignity, And also because they, on the said third day of October in the twenty fourth year of our abovesaid reign, at Rotherfield aforesaid in the county aforesaid, feloniously took and made away with two geldings then and there found, of which one was coloured red sorrelled, to the value of five pounds, and the other was coloured grey, to the value of fifty three shillings and four pence, of the goods and chattels of a certain Christopher Hill of Rotherfield aforesaid in the county aforesaid, yeoman, against our peace, crown and dignity, Just as by the separate indictments aforesaid, remaining on the record, may fully be allowed and appear; May you know that we, however, moved by piety, of our special grace, and from certain knowledge, and of our own free will, have pardoned, remitted and released, and by these presents, for ourselves, our heirs and successors, do pardon, remit and release, the aforenamed Edward Akente, late of Withyham in our county of Sussex, yeoman, John Muddle, late of Rotherfield in the county aforesaid, yeoman, and Richard Muddle, late of Mayfield in the county aforesaid, yeoman, and each of them, and by whatever other names, surnames, or additions to names or surnames, skills or occupations, place or places, the aforesaid Edward Akente, John Muddle and Richard Muddle, or any of them, may be known, called or spoken of, or was lately known, called or spoken of, of the aforesaid separate felonies done and perpetrated in manner and form aforesaid. And [we pardon] the accessories of the same, and of each of the same, and all and singular other felonies, trespasses, abetments, malice, conspiracies, procurements, instigations, encouragements, assistances, encitements and consultations, and all other offences and wrongdoings whatsoever touching or concerning the aforesaid felonies, or any other premises whatsoever. And [we pardon] the flight or flights thereupon made, whether the same Edward, John and Richard, or any of them, have or have not been indicted, appealed, tried, impeached, convicted, attainted, outlawed, condemned or adjudged, concerning the premises or any of the premises, or whether they, or any of them, should happen to be indicted, tried, impeached, appealed, convicted, attainted, outlawed, condemned or adjudged thereof in the future. And [we pardon] all and all manner of outlawries pronounced, or at a later date to be pronounced, upon the same Edward, John and Richard, or any of them, on occasion of the premises or any of the premises. And [we pardon] all and singular indictments, judgements, executions, pains of death, corporal penalties, condemnations, punishments and imprisonments, and all other pains and penalties whatsoever, had, done, rendered or adjudged, or to be had, done, rendered or adjudged, upon the same Edward, John and Richard, or any of them, for the premises or any of the premises. And also [we pardon] all and all manner of suits, complaints, actions, impeachments and demands whatsoever which we have, have had, or might in the future be able to have against the same Edward, John and Richard, or any of them, by reason or occasion of the premises, or of any of them, or which our heirs or successors might in any way be able to have in the future. And [we pardon] suit of our peace which pertains, or may in future be able to pertain, to us, against the same Edward, John and Richard, or any of them, for the premises. And by these presents we give and grant our firm peace to them and each one of them, Such that they, and each of them, should however stand to right in our Court if any person should wish to speak against them, or any of them, concerning the premises, or any of the premises. And such that the same Edward, John and Richard, and each of them, shall find good and sufficient security, according to the form and effect of a certain Act enacted in the Parliament of our Lord Edward the Third, late King of England, our ancestor, held at Westminster in the tenth year of his reign, to conduct themselves well, from now on, towards us, our heirs and successors, and the whole of our people. In witness whereof etc. Witnessed by the Queen at Westminster on the twenty eighth day of October. By writ under the privy seal.
At the same Assize Session as the trial Richard Muddle senior was discharged from the recognizance he had entered into to deliver John and Richard junior, but for some unknown reason Edward was not discharged from his bail until the Assize session held at East Grinstead on 5 July 1588, five years after the trial.[11] There is unfortunately no indication of why John, Richard and Edward perpetrated the theft; the fact that they could stand bail of £40 each (equivalent to about £8000 in 2000) would seem to indicate that it wouldn’t have been for monetary gain. Was it possibly high jinks by three young men going home from the alehouse that got seriously out of hand, or was it because of a grudge against the Hill family – we will probably never know. Four years after his trial and pardon John is purchasing property. At the Court of the Manor of Rotherfield held on 13 June 1587 Thomas Bennett sold one parcel of land called Stubble, alias Stumblerede, containing 5 acres of assert at Crowborough in Rotherfield Parish, to John Modell and his heirs.[12] Then five years after his near fatal brush with the law John married Margary Farmer at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 11 February 1588, this being five months before the Spanish Armada appeared off the south coast of England. John only retained the land he had purchased in 1587 for 18 months because at the Court of the Manor of Rotherfield held on 21 January 1589 John Modell sold to Peter Snatchell, his wife Mary and son William, one parcel of land called Stubble, alias Stumblerede, containing 5 acres of assert at Crowborough in Rotherfield, near the land of Edward Hodelye to the north and west, and the Queen's Highway to the west, south and east.[13] John had presumably sold the above property so that he could participate as a partner with William Wickham senior, a gentleman of the Middle Temple in London, and William Wickham junior in the leasing of a much larger property. Because at the Court of the Manor of Dewland held on 11 April 1589 Robert Hodley and his son Richard lease a messuage, barn and 75 acres of bondland called Broadfield, Wellfield, Brickost Field and Le Stumlett to William Wickham senior, William Wickham junior and John Modle for the terms of their lives. (The Manor of Dewlands was a small area of Rotherfield between Castle Hill and Stone Mill owned by Rotherfield Church.)[14] At the View of Frankpledge (Court Leet) of Rotherfield held on 17 September 1590 John Modell was one of the residents of the southern part of Rotherfield town who were in default and each in mercy (fined) 2d. One of the obligations of a resident was to attend the View of Frankpledge and if they didn't they were liable to an amercement, effectively a fine, and put on a list for the beadle to go round and collect the amercement.[15] John and Margary lived at Rotherfield where their only child, a son, was born two years after their marriage. When this son was only six months old Margary died, and she was buried in the Churchyard of St Denys at Rotherfield on 8 August 1590. At the Court of the Manor of Rotherfield held on 10 December 1590 it was recorded that out of court on 11 October 1590 Thomas Bennett sold a parcel of land called Townershill containing 3 roods of assert at Crowborough and a parcel of land called Drobeford containing 6 acres of assert in Rotherfield, to John Modell and his heirs.[16] Twenty-one months after Margary’s death John’s second marriage was to Dorothy Knight at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 8 May 1592. They lived at Rotherfield where they had seven children born between 1593 and 1608, two sons and five daughters, three of the daughters dying in early childhood. At the Court of the Manor of Rotherfield held on 24 May 1594 John Modell paid a fine of 3d for a licence against Thomas Bennett in a plea of violence.[17] This was probably to do with some interference by Thomas Bennett in the property that John had purchased from him in 1590. Then at the next court held on 3 September 1594 John Tomkyn paid a fine of 3d for a licence against John Modell.[18] At the View of Frankpledge (Court Leet) of Rotherfield held on 25 September 1594 in the list of residents of the south burgh of Rotherfield who were in default and each in mercy (fined) 2d, there were two called John Modell.[19] As there is no other record of there being two men called John Modell at Rotherfield during this time it seems likely that this is either an error or that John Modell was in default twice. At the Court of the Manor of Rotherfield held on 7 August 1595 it was recorded that out of court on 14 June 1595 John Knight had sold 4 acres of land, referred to as assert of Combe in Rotherfield, to the use of whitesmith John Modell and his heirs that would be void if John Knight paid John Modell £8 at the church porch of Rotherfield on the Feast of St John the Baptist in 1599 (24 June 1599).[20] At the View of Frankpledge (Court Leet) of Rotherfield held on 24 September 1595 in the list of residents of the south burgh of Rotherfield who were in default and each in mercy (fined) 2d, there was this time only one named John Modell.[21] At the Court of the Manor of Rotherfield held on 10 December 1595, at the third proclamation, John Modell finally pays a fine of 3s 4d to the Lord of the Manor for his admittance to the 4 acres of land surrendered by John Knight.[22] At the View of Frankpledge (Court Leet) of Rotherfield held on 27 September 1596 John Modell was one of the residents of the south burgh of Rotherfield who were in default and each in mercy (fined) 2d.[23] At the Court of the Manor of Rotherfield held on 16 March 1598 Thomas Wood requested a licence against John Modell for taking and unjustly detaining cattle. Also at the same court John Modell pays 20s as another fine to the Lord of the Manor on the earlier surrender of John Knight.[24] At the View of Frankpledge (Court Leet) of Rotherfield held on 12 March 1600 John Modell was one of the residents of the south burgh of Rotherfield who were in default and each in mercy (fined) 2d.[25] At the View of Frankpledge (Court Leet) of Rotherfield held on 17 September 1600 John Modell was one of the residents of the south burgh of Rotherfield who were in default and each in mercy (fined) 2d.[26] At the Court of the Manor of Rotherfield held on 2 April 1601 John Muddle pays 20s as the remainder of his fine on the surrender of John Knight. Then at the same court John Modell sells this croft containing 4 acres of assert of Combe laying near Combe Bridge in Rotherfield to Anthony Knight and his heirs. As John Modell was no longer a tenant of the manor for a Heriot a heifer was seized and sold for 16s 8d, and John Knight's admission was postponed until the next court.[27] At the View of Frankpledge (Court Leet) of Rotherfield held on 7 October 1602 John Modell was one of the residents of the south burgh of Rotherfield who were in default and each in mercy (fined) 2d.[28] At the Court of the Manor of Rotherfield held on 29 March 1604 Thomas Hothley and his wife Jane sold two pieces of assert land containing 12 acres called Kitreede and Doddsmeade, lying at Doddshill in Rotherfield, to John Modell and his heirs. No Heriot was due as Thomas Hothley remained a tenant of the manor, and John's admission was postponed until the next court.[29] At the Court of the Manor of Rotherfield held on 23 April 1604 John Modell paid a fine of 3d for a licence against Robert a Kent for debt.[30] At the Court of the Manor of Rotherfield held on 17 January 1605 John Modell paid a fine of £6 to the Lord of the Manor for admission to the 12 acres called Kitreede and Doddsmeade that he had purchased the previous year.[31] John's trade as a whitesmith was recorded in the Court records of Rotherfield Manor on 7 August 1595 as detailed above, and on 12 March 1603 when his son Thomas was admitted to property. All three of John's sons became blacksmiths and thereby continued the Muddle family's association with metalworking. The Court Book for the Manor of Rotherfield for the period 1606 to 1616 has been lost so we have no records of John's dealings with the Manor of Rotherfield during the last decade of his life. John died when he was probably about 53 years old, and he was buried in the Churchyard of St Denys at Rotherfield on 21 March 1615. Dorothy died 24 years later, and she was buried in the Churchyard of St Denys on 12 March 1639. Her burial record refers to a 'Widow Muddell' being buried, but by process of elimination this has been determined to be Dorothy.
John and Margary’s only child was Thomas Muddle who was born at Rotherfield in Sussex, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 25 January 1590. At the Court of the Manor of Rotherfield held on 12 March 1603 it was recorded that out of court on 21 January 1603 Henry Davy and Elizabeth Young sold a cottage and piece of wasteland called Harecombe containing 10 acres of asset at Crowborough in Rotherfield Parish to Thomas Muddle, son of whitesmith John Muddle, and his heirs. Thomas was then 13 years old and his admission was postponed until the next court.[32] Four months later at the Court of the Manor of Rotherfield held on 9 May 1603 Thomas was admitted to this property on payment of a fine of £3 to the Lord of the Manor.[33] There are no further records of Thomas owning this property so he probably sold it in the period 1606 to 1616 for which the Manor of Rotherfield Court Book has been lost. Then when he was 15 years old Thomas Muddle was sworn in as one of the homage (jury of tenants) at the Court of the Manor of Rotherfield held on 4 April 1605.[34] When he was 25 years old Thomas married 25-year-old widow Mary Hyder, whose maiden name was Longley. No record of the actual marriage has been found, but a licence was issued by Lewes Archdeaconry Court on 2 October 1615, which stated that the marriage was to take place at Rotherfield Church. The licence described Thomas as being a blacksmith of Rotherfield, and Mary as being a widow of Rotherfield. Mary was the daughter of Richard and Ann Longley; she had been born at Rotherfield, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 29 March 1590. When her father, Richard Longley, died in late 1616 Mary inherited £20. Thomas and Mary lived at Rotherfield in Sussex where they had eight children born between 1616 and 1628, the last two being twins. Thomas continued to work as a blacksmith in Rotherfield. A year after his marriage it was recorded in the Rotherfield Churchwardens' Account Book that on 3 November 1616 Thomas Muddle sold one woman's seat, built and placed in the middle space in the church and being the third hind seat on the north side of the space, to Nicholas Fermor and his heirs for seven shillings, in the presence of churchwardens Gilbert Wood & Nicholas Marchant. Thomas was not able to write, when he was required to sign his name to this entry in the account book he just made a + mark.[35] At this time men and women sat in separate areas in the church. Parishioners built their own pews in the church, and bought, sold and inherited seats in the pews just like any other property. At the Court of the Manor of Rotherfield held on 9 April 1621 it was reported that a ditch between Smythfield Burres and Steepe Lane was ruinous and in decay, which was the responsibility of Thomas Muddle, and he was given until 1 May 1621 to repair it or be fined 8s 4d.[36] At the View of Frankpledge (Court Leet) of Rotherfield held on 11 October 1621 Thomas Muddle was one of many in a list of residents within this View of Frankpledge that were in default and in mercy (fined) 2d. One of the obligations of a resident was to attend the View of Frankpledge and if they didn't they were liable to an amercement, effectively a fine, and put on a list for the beadle to go round and collect the amercement.[37] At the Court of the Manor of Rotherfield held on 1 October 1622 Vincent Bodle surrendered a half acre of land with a cottage on it laying near Dodds Brook in Rotherfield to Thomas Muddle on condition that if Vincent Bodle pays £11 16s 6d on the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary next to come (25 March 1623) to Thomas Muddle at his home in Rotherfield then this surrender will be void. No Heriot was due as Vincent Bodle had no living beast, and Thomas Muddle was admitted on payment of a fine of 5s with a fine of 21s 8d if the premises are forfeit.[38] At the Court of Rotherfield Hundred also held on 1 October 1622 Thomas Muddle was sworn in as one of the homage (jury of tenants).[39] At the Court of the Manor of Rotherfield held on 10 April 1623 it was reported that the £11 16s 6d due to Thomas Muddle from Vincent Bodle on 25 March 1623 had been paid.[40] At the Court of the Manor of Rotherfield held on 4 October 1624 Thomas Muddle's stepson Richard Hyder was admitted to property left to him by his grandfather Richard Longley on the death of his grandmother, and as he was underage guardianship of him and his property was granted to his stepfather Thomas Muddle until he attained the age of 21, and for this guardianship Thomas paid 3s 4d to the Lord of the Manor.[41] At the Court of Rotherfield Hundred also held on 28 September 1625 Thomas Muddle was sworn in as one of the homage. At the same court it was reported that the hedges and ditches of the highway leading from Smythfield Burres to the messuage of John Bucher of Steepe were ruinous, in decay and go unscoured by the fault of Thomas Muddle, Anthony Snatt, Christopher Hilles junior, Edward Hyder and John Sawyer, and they are given until the Feast of our Lord's Nativity (Christmas, 25 December 1625) to amend them or each will be fined 5s.[42] At the Court of the Manor of Rotherfield held on 2 April 1627 Thomas Pike entered a plea of trespass against Thomas Muddle. This was continued at the next court held on 11 October 1627 when it was again deferred to the next court held on 18 December 1627.[43] Thomas Pike was the stepfather of Thomas Muddle's wife Mary who after the death of Mary's mother in 1624 had married Alice Doudswell in 1625, so it seems likely that this was some family dispute. After 15 years of marriage and 2½ years after the birth of her twins Mary Muddle died at the age of 40, and was buried in the Churchyard of St Denys at Rotherfield on 23 October 1630. When his stepson Richard Hyder attained the age of 21 in 1630 Thomas Muddle's guardianship of Richard and the property he had inherited came to an end. Then the following year Thomas gave Richard a mortgage on this property. This was recorded at the Court of the Manor of Rotherfield held on 4 October 1631 when it was stated that out of court on 13 September 1631 Richard Hyder had surrendered a cottage, garden and two pieces of assert of Smallgrove containing 6 acres lying near Maynard's Gate held by rent of 2s and other services to Thomas Muddle under the condition that if Richard paid Thomas the sum of £22 9s 7d at the home of Thomas in Rotherfield on 22 September 1632 then this surrender would become null and void. Thomas was admitted as tenant of these premises on payment of a fine of 6s 8d to the Lord of the Manor.[44] Just a year after his first wife's death Thomas, now aged 41, married Joan Kent at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 3 November 1631. This marriage was childless and only lasted just a year, as Joan died in November 1632, and was buried in the Churchyard of St Denys at Rotherfield on 15 November 1632. This again left Thomas a widower with four children; a son aged 16 and three daughters aged 12, 8 and 4. It seems that Richard Hyder never repaid the mortgage from Thomas Muddle with the result that Thomas became the owner of this land on the payment of another fine to the Lord of the Manor. This was recorded at the Court of the Manor of Rotherfield held on 16 April 1633 when it was reported that Richard Hyder had not paid the £22 9s 7d to Thomas Muddle on 22 September 1632 or later and that he therefore forfeited the premises to Thomas who was to pay a fine of £7 to the Lord of the Manor by 18 June 1633.[45] At the Court of the Manor of Rotherfield held on 13 January 1634 Thomas Muddle was sworn in as one of the homage.[46] At the Court of the Manor of Rotherfield held on 9 August 1637 Richard Saxpes was granted a licence to lease to Thomas Muddle a messuage and assert of bondland containing 7 acres at Jarvis Brook for 12 years from the next Feast of Michaelmas (29 September 1637) for Thomas to farm. He was also granted a licence to pull down the middle part of the barn on the premises and with the timber mend the messuage and rest of the barn. For these licences Richard Saxpes paid a fine of 27s to the Lord of the Manor.[47] In 1640 Thomas Muddle made his mark in the Rotherfield Churchwardens' Account Book as one of the witness to the accounts of William Ovenden and Thomas Baker when they handed over to the new churchwardens, John Turner and John Burges. Three years later in the Account Book on 7 May 1643 John Cheesman and John Wickesham hand over to the new churchwardens, William Vincent and Thomas Muddle; to be followed the next year with the accounts, dated 2 July 1644, of Thomas Muddle and William Vincent when they handed over to the new churchwardens, Nicholas Holmes and Richard Snatt.[48] So as was normal at that time Thomas did his turn at serving for one year, 1643-44, as a churchwarden even though he couldn't write. Thirty-two years later, in 1676, Elizabeth Vincent, the youngest daughter of Thomas' fellow churchwarden William Vincent, was to marry Thomas' grandson John Muddle. At the Court of the Manor of Rotherfield held on 1 February 1643 Thomas Muddle was sworn in as one of the homage.[49] At the Sussex Quarter Sessions held at Lewes on 15 & 16 January 1646 the grand jury indicted Thomas and his son John, who were both described as blacksmiths of Rotherfield; that on 20 April 1645 at Rotherfield they had stolen and carried away a ploughshare valued at 2 shillings and a coulter (the vertical knife mounted in front of a ploughshare) valued at 18 pence that belonged to John Cheesman. John, but not Thomas, was bound by £20 to appear at the next sessions with sureties of £10 from his uncle Robert Muddle and his wife's relative Thomas Luxford. John must have appeared at the next sessions held at Lewes on 9 & 10 April 1646 where the verdict of the trial jury, as recorded on the indictment document, was that both Thomas and John were not guilty, and had not fled justice, which would have resulted in the forfeiture of their chattels. It's assumed that Thomas didn't attend the trial, because he was not bound to, and as a result was arrested and held in prison, because at the next sessions held at Lewes on 16 & 17 July 1645 Thomas was recorded as acquitted and to be delivered out of custody.[50] It's impossible to know just what had happened to cause Thomas and John to be accused of this theft, but possibly as blacksmiths they had made the ploughshare and coulter for John Cheesman and he had not paid for them, which resulted in Thomas and John reprocessing them for which action John Cheesman accusing them of theft. At the Court of the Manor of Rotherfield held on 23 October 1649 Thomas Muddle was sworn in as one of the homage.[51] At the Court of the Manor of Rotherfield held on 11 August 1654 it was recorded that Thomas Muddle, who was the Beadle, had, on 26 July 1654, as directed, seized land called Edward's Down for the Lord of the Manor in the presence of two copyhold tenants.[52] At the Court of the Manor of Rotherfield held on 16 August 1659 it was recorded that out of court on 12 July 1659 Thomas Morphe, his wife Mary sold to Nicholas Turner a cottage and one acre of land in the west part of Irishreede holden by the yearly rent of 3s, and one piece of land containing 3 acres of assert of Crowborough lying in the middle part of Irishreede holden by the yearly rent of 9d, and one piece of waste land in which there is a well lying beside the cottage holden by the yearly rent of 1d. Nicholas Turner then surrendered this property to Thomas Muddle on the condition that if Nicholas Turner pays Thomas Muddle 24s on 6 April 1660 and then £21 4s on the 6 April 1661 this surrender will be null and void.[53] At the Court of the Manor of Rotherfield held on 28 September 1660 it was recorded that Thomas Muddle, as Beadle, had accepted two surrenders out of court on 3 July 1660 and 31 August 1660.[54] Mary Muddle, the granddaughter of Thomas, is thought to have become an invalid in 1652 and was probably being looked after by her widowed mother, her father, Thomas' son John, having died in 1648. At some point Mary had become a charge on Rotherfield parish and in 1663, when Mary was 23 years old, the Overseers of Rotherfield instigated legal proceedings to have Thomas maintain her; Thomas presumably having refused to do this voluntarily. So at the Lewes Quarter Sessions held on 30 April and 1 May 1663 Thomas Muddle of Rotherfield was ordered to appear at the next sessions to show cause why he should not contribute to the keeping and maintenance of his grandchild Mary Muddle. Then at the Lewes Quarter Sessions held on 6 to 8 October 1664 the disagreement between Thomas Muddle and the Overseers of the Poor of Rotherfield concerning the maintenance of Mary Muddle was referred to the next monthly meeting at Maresfield of the Justices of the Peace. Then at the Lewes Quarter Sessions held on 13 & 14 January 1665 it was finally order that as Thomas Muddle had been shown to be of sufficient means he was to henceforth maintain his grandchild Mary Muddle and an earlier order that the Overseers of Rotherfield were to maintain her was made void. Thomas was then 75 years old and presumably paid for his granddaughter's maintenance for the remaining 4½ years of his life.[55] Thomas Muddle lived for 36 years after the death of his second wife; he died at the age of 79 and was buried in the Churchyard of St Denys at Rotherfield on 10 June 1669. At the Court of the Manor of Rotherfield held on 7 December 1671 it was recorded that Thomas Muddle senior had died holding by a yearly rent of 2s, two cottages, a barn and 8 acres of assert laying at Maynard's Gate, and his grandson Thomas Muddle junior came to court to claim this property and was admitted on payment of a relief of 2s to the Lord of the Manor.[56] This is the property that Richard Hyder had forfeited to Thomas in 1633 for failing to repay a mortgage on it, though it seems to have grown in size by 2 acres and acquired a second cottage during the intervening 38 years, though this is possibly an error in the records because when Thomas Muddle junior dies in 1688 the description of the property has reverted to a cottage, a barn and 6 acres of assert laying at Maynard's Gate.
Thomas and Mary’s eldest child was John Muddle who was born at Rotherfield in Sussex, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 10 March 1616. When his grandfather Richard Longley died in late 1616 John inherited a half share of the residue of his estate that he was to receive at the age of 21 with the income until then used for his bringing up. When he was 23 years old John married Sarah Luxford at the Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul in Tonbridge, Kent on 18 October 1639. See the page headed ‘John and Sarah Muddle’s Family’ for the rest of their lives and details of their family.
Thomas and Mary’s second child was Thomas Muddle who was born at Rotherfield in Sussex, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 1 March 1618. Thomas is thought to have died when only one year old, and to be the unnamed Muddell that was buried in the Churchyard of St Denys at Rotherfield in September or October 1619.
Thomas and Mary’s third child was Elizabeth Muddle who was born at Rotherfield in Sussex, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 2 April 1620.
Thomas and Mary’s fourth child was William Muddle who was born at Rotherfield in Sussex, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 25 November 1621. William died when only one year old, and he was buried in the Churchyard of St Denys at Rotherfield on 1 July 1623.
Thomas and Mary’s fifth child was Anne Muddle who was born at Rotherfield in Sussex, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 1 January 1623. Anne died when only a few weeks old, and she was buried in the Churchyard of St Denys at Rotherfield on 25 January 1623.
Thomas and Mary’s sixth child was Mary Muddle who was born at Rotherfield in Sussex, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 31 October 1624. When she was 22 years old Mary married John Alchorne at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 2 February 1647.
Thomas and Mary’s seventh child, one of twins, was Anne Muddle who was born at Rotherfield in Sussex, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 4 May 1628. When she was 24 years old Anne married Thomas Boys at the Parish Church of St Michael & All Angels in South Malling near Lewes in Sussex on 22 July 1652.
Thomas and Mary’s eighth child, one of twins, was Margaret Muddle who was born at Rotherfield in Sussex, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 4 May 1628. Margaret is thought to have died when just one year old, and to be the unnamed daughter of Thomas Muddell that was buried in the Churchyard of St Denys at Rotherfield on 4 May 1629.
John and Dorothy’s eldest child (John’s second) was Elizabeth Muddle who was born at Rotherfield in Sussex, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 8 April 1593. Elizabeth died when only four years old, and she was buried in the Churchyard of St Denys at Rotherfield on 6 July 1597. The burial record describes Elizabeth as the wife of John, but this is thought to be an error and should have been daughter of John, because no Elizabeth who was the wife of a John is known from this time and the first female child that John and Dorothy had after 1597 was also called Elizabeth.
John and Dorothy’s second child (John’s third) was Susan Muddle who was born at Rotherfield in Sussex, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 6 October 1594. In 1619 when she was about 25 years old Susan had an illegitimate daughter who was baptised at Frant in Sussex; the father was recorded as being William Crowherst. This daughter died at the age of 12 and was buried at Rotherfield.
Susan’s illegitimate daughter was Rachel Muddle who was baptised at the Parish Church of St Alban in Frant, Sussex on 22 September 1619. It was recorded at Rachel's baptism that her father was William Crowherst. Rachel died when 12 years old, and she was buried in the Churchyard of St Denys at Rotherfield on 26 July 1632.
John and Dorothy’s third child (John’s fourth) was Robert Muddle who was born at Rotherfield in Sussex, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 27 December 1596. In 1622 when Robert was one of the sureties for his sister Mary's marriage licence, he was described as being a blacksmith. When he was 28 years old Robert married Alice Cheseman at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 15 November 1625. The following year there is a record of the children of Robert Muddell being buried in Rotherfield Churchyard on 13 August 1626. This probably means that there was a multiple birth, twins or more, that were either stillborn or died almost immediately after birth, and were never baptised or named before death and burial. Robert and Alice then went on to have three children born between 1627 and 1632 who were baptised at Rotherfield. Then it seems that in late 1633 Alice had twins who were either still born or died soon after birth, and that this birth also resulted in Alice's death, as both of these unnamed and unbaptised children and Alice were all buried in the Churchyard of St Denys at Rotherfield on 6 December 1633. About eleven months after Alice’s death Robert married Margaret Hatch at the Parish Church of St Mary in Hadlow, Kent on 26 October 1634, but they didn't have any children. Robert was the occupier of a farm in Rotherfield that was one of the six tenements, barns and 250 acres of land in Rotherfield owned by James Alchorne, a yeoman of Tonbridge, in a settlement, dated 7 September 1643, of these properties on his son John Alchorne.[57] Robert was described as a husbandman (tenant farmer) of Rotherfield when he stood surety of £10 for his nephew John Muddle at the Sussex Quarter Sessions held at Lewes on 15 & 16 January 1646.[58] After twenty-nine years of marriage Margaret died and was buried in the Churchyard of St Denys at Rotherfield on 13 June 1663. Eleven years later Robert died at the age of 77, at Mayfield, where he was probably living with his son Thomas, and he was buried in the Churchyard of St Denys at Rotherfield on 21 March 1674.
Robert and Alice’s eldest named child was Thomas Muddle who was born at Rotherfield in Sussex, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 23 September 1627. When he was 33 years old Thomas married Elizabeth Aynscombe at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 16 May 1661. They didn't have had any children, and they must have moved to Mayfield, or to have always lived there, as that was where Elizabeth died in early 1675. She was buried in the Churchyard of St Denys at Rotherfield on 3 February 1675. Sixteen months after Elizabeth’s death Thomas, at the age of 48, married Elizabeth Tompsett at the Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul in Wadhurst, Sussex on 22 June 1676. There were also no children from this marriage, and they initially lived at Mayfield. When the grandson of Thomas' cousin John Muddle, who was Thomas Muddle junior of Rotherfield, inherited his father's properties at Rotherfield, he was under age, being only 16 years old, so the Court of the Manor of Rotherfield held on 1 March 1688 made Thomas, described as a yeoman of Mayfield, the guardian of Thomas Muddle junior of Rotherfield and his property until he attained the age of 21. Thomas being the closest living male relative of Thomas Muddle junior of Rotherfield.[59] When he made his will on 23 June 1690 Thomas described himself as being a yeoman of Mayfield. But by the time he died at the beginning of 1702, at the age of 74, Thomas was living at Ticehurst in Sussex. He was buried in the Churchyard of St Peter & St Paul at Wadhurst on 14 January 1702. In his will, which was proved at the Archdeaconry of Lewes on 17 April 1702, Thomas left 20 shillings each to the four children of his sister Margaret Stonard, and the rest of his estate to his wife Elizabeth, whom he also made sole executrix.[60] When Elizabeth made her will on 18 January 1703, a year after her husband's death, she described herself as being a widow of Ticehurst. Elizabeth died at the beginning of 1717, and she was buried in the Churchyard of St Peter & St Paul at Wadhurst on 7 January 1717. In her will, which was proved at the Archdeaconry of Lewes on 7 October 1717, Elizabeth left bequests to members of her Tompsett family and made her brother Thomas Tompsett her executor.[61]
Robert and Alice’s second named child was Margaret Muddle who was born at Rotherfield in Sussex, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 2 February 1630. Margaret married a Stonard and had at least four children who are named in her brother Thomas’ will as Thomas, Susanna, Mary and Frances.
Robert and Alice’s third named child was Elizabeth Muddle who was born at Rotherfield in Sussex, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 29 January 1632.
John and Dorothy’s fourth child (John’s fifth) was Edward Muddle who was born at Rotherfield in Sussex, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 26 August 1599. When he was 31 years old Edward married Annis Burgess at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 2 May 1631, by a licence issued at Lewes Archdeaconry Court on 30 April 1631. The licence described Edward as being a blacksmith of Rotherfield, and Annis (called Agnes in the licence) as being a maiden of Rotherfield. They lived at Rotherfield where they had three children, the first being baptised only 13 days after their marriage. Edward died at the age of 43, and he was buried in the Churchyard of St Denys at Rotherfield on 5 July 1643. Thirty-six years later Annis died and was buried in the Churchyard of St Denys at Rotherfield on 28 October 1679; on her burial record she was called Ann and described as being a widow and a pauper.
Edward and Annis’ eldest child was Robert Muddle who was born at Rotherfield in Sussex, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 15 May 1631.
Edward and Annis’ second child was Elizabeth Muddle who was born at Rotherfield in Sussex, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 7 April 1634. Elizabeth died when only about 5 years old, and she was buried in the Churchyard of St Denys at Rotherfield on 27 March 1639.
Edward and Annis’ third child was Thomas Muddle who was born at Rotherfield in Sussex, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 27 December 1636. Thomas never married, he died at Rotherfield, at the age of 50, and he was buried in the Churchyard of St Denys at Rotherfield on 2 May 1687. His burial record described him as being a pauper, as his mother had been; it seems likely that Thomas had lived with his mother until her death in 1679.
John and Dorothy’s fifth child (John’s sixth) was Elizabeth Muddle who was born at Rotherfield in Sussex, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield Church on 14 February 1602. Elizabeth was named after her late elder sister who had died four and a half years earlier when only four years old. But this Elizabeth didn't fair any better, as she died when only one and a half years old, and was buried in the Churchyard of St Denys at Rotherfield on 30 September 1603.
John and Dorothy’s sixth child (John’s seventh) was Mary Muddle who was born at Rotherfield in Sussex, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 21 December 1604. When she was 18 years old Mary married 36-year-old Robert Bennett at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 17 December 1622, by a licence issued at Lewes Archdeaconry Court on 14 December 1622. The licence described Robert as being a carpenter and Mary as being a maiden of Rotherfield. Robert was the son of Thomas Bennett; he had been born at Rotherfield and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 25 June 1586. Robert and Mary lived at Rotherfield where they had four children born between 1623 and 1632. At Rotherfield Hundred Court and View of Frankpledge held on 10 April 1623 it was reported that Robert Bennett had maintained and sustained a cottage for habitation for two months against the statute and was fined £4. Then six months later at the View of Frankpledge held on 6 October 1623 it was reported that Robert Bennett had continued to maintain a cottage for habitation for five months against the statute and was fined £10.[62] It seems that when he married Robert, as a carpenter, had built himself a cottage to live in with his wife, but that it didn’t comply with the conditions of the ‘Erection of Cottages Act 1588’ that required a cottage built for habitation to have at least 4 acres of freehold land lying near it. This was to deter the many squatters building cottages on common land and an offender against this requirement was to forfeit £10 to the sovereign. Seventeen months after the birth of his last child Robert died, at the age of 46, and was buried in the Churchyard of St Denys at Rotherfield on 2 May 1633. Then five years later Mary's eldest daughter, Mary, died at the age of 10. Three years after this Mary, at the age of 36, married 47-year-old Henry Knell at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 25 November 1641. Henry was the son of Edmund Knell; he had been born at Rotherfield and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 9 June 1594. Henry and Mary had one child, a daughter, born at Rotherfield in 1644.
Robert and Mary’s eldest child was Thomas Bennett who was born at Rotherfield in Sussex, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 5 October 1623.
Robert and Mary’s second child was Robert Bennett who was born at Rotherfield in Sussex, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 18 September 1625.
Robert and Mary’s third child was Mary Bennett who was born at Rotherfield in Sussex, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 2 June 1628. Mary died at the age of 10 and was buried in the Churchyard of St Denys at Rotherfield on 23 September 1638.
Robert and Mary’s fourth child was Elizabeth Bennett who was born at Rotherfield in Sussex, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 8 January 1632.
Henry and Mary’s only child (Mary's fifth) was Mary Knell who was born at Rotherfield in Sussex, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 10 March 1644.
John and Dorothy’s seventh child (John’s eighth) was Bridget Muddle who was born at Rotherfield in Sussex, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 14 February 1608. Bridget died when only four years old, and was buried in the Churchyard of St Denys at Rotherfield on 12 October 1609. [1] ESRO ABE/ACC2953/87 pp122A,122B Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1593 - 1606, & PAR465/26/1/4 pp103,104 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [2] TNA ASSI 35/25/8 m.2, Assize Indictment Files, translated from the Latin by Dr. B F Westcott. [3] ESRO W/SM/C63, Will of Richard Muddle of Mayfield proved by Deanery of South Malling. [4] ESRO W/SM/B28, Will of Richard Muddle of Buxted proved by Deanery of South Malling. [5] ESRO W/SM/C79, Will of Abraham Muddle of Mayfield proved by Deanery of South Malling. [6] SRS Vol.1 Sussex Marriage Licences 1586-1643 p.96. [7] TNA ASSI 35/25/7 m.5v, Assize Indictment Files. [8] TNA ASSI 35/25/8 m.3, Assize Indictment Files, translated from the Latin by Dr. B F Westcott. [9] TNA ASSI 35/25/8 m.4, Assize Indictment Files, translated from the Latin by Dr. B F Westcott. [10] TNA C 66/1228 m.24, Chancery and Supreme Court of Judicature Patent Rolls, translated from the Latin by Dr. B F Westcott. [11] TNA ASSI 35/30/8 m.2v, Assize Indictment Files. [12] ESRO ABE/ACC2953/86 p13A Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1587 - 1593, & PAR465/26/1/4 pp103,104 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [13] ESRO ABE/ACC2953/86 p48B Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1587 - 1593, & PAR465/26/1/3 p32 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [14] Catherine Pullein, Transcript of Court Rolls of the Manor of Dewlands, 1583 - 1711. [15] ESRO ABE/ACC2953/86 p66A Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1587 - 1593, & PAR465/26/1/3 p46 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [16] ESRO ABE/ACC2953/86 p69A Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1587 - 1593, & PAR465/26/1/3 p49 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [17] ESRO ABE/ACC2953/87 p10B Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1593 - 1606, & PAR465/26/1/4 p10 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [18] ESRO ABE/ACC2953/87 p12A Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1593 - 1606, & PAR465/26/1/4 p11 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [19] ESRO ABE/ACC2953/87 p13B Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1593 - 1606, & PAR465/26/1/4 pp12,13 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [20] ESRO ABE/ACC2953/87 p28A Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1593 - 1606, & PAR465/26/1/4 p25 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [21] ESRO ABE/ACC2953/87 p31B Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1593 - 1606, & PAR465/26/1/4 p28 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [22] EESRO ABE/ACC2953/87 pp32B,33A Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1593 - 1606, & PAR465/26/1/4 p29 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [23] ESRO ABE/ACC2953/87 p44A Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1593 - 1606, & PAR465/26/1/4 p39 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [24] ESRO ABE/ACC2953/87 pp64B,65A Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1593 - 1606, & PAR465/26/1/4 p62 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [25] ESRO ABE/ACC2953/87 p84A Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1593 - 1606, & PAR465/26/1/4 p75 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [26] ESRO ABE/ACC2953/87 p93A Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1593 - 1606, & PAR465/26/1/4 p82 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [27] ESRO ABE/ACC2953/87 pp101A,102A Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1593 - 1606, & PAR465/26/1/4 pp89,90 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [28] ESRO ABE/ACC2953/87 p119B Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1593 - 1606, & PAR465/26/1/4 p100 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [29] ESRO ABE/ACC2953/87 pp142A,142B Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1593 - 1606, & PAR465/26/1/4 p119 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [30] ESRO ABE/ACC2953/87 p143A Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1593 - 1606, & PAR465/26/1/4 p120 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [31] ESRO ABE/ACC2953/87 p151A Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1593 - 1606, & PAR465/26/1/4 p127 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [32] ESRO ABE/ACC2953/87 p127A Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1593 - 1606, & PAR465/26/1/4 p109 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [33] ESRO ABE/ACC2953/87 p135B Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1593 - 1606, & PAR465/26/1/4 p116 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [34] ESRO ABE/ACC2953/87 p154B Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1593 - 1606, & PAR465/26/1/4 p130 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [35] ESRO PAR465/10/3/1 p.75 Rotherfield Churchwardens' account book. [36] ESRO ABE/ACC2953/88 p35B Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1616 - 1631, & PAR465/26/1/5 p58 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [37] ESRO ABE/ACC2953/88 p37B Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1616 - 1631, & PAR465/26/1/5 p61 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [38] ESRO ABE/ACC2953/88 pp43A,43B Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1616 - 1631, & PAR465/26/1/5 pp67,68 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [39] ESRO ABE/ACC2953/88 p49A Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1616 - 1631, & PAR465/26/1/5 p76 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [40] ESRO ABE/ACC2953/88 p52B Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1616 - 1631, & PAR465/26/1/5 p82 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [41] ESRO ABE/ACC2953/88 pp71A,71B Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1616 - 1631, & PAR465/26/1/5 p112 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [42] ESRO ABE/ACC2953/88 pp91A,92A Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1616 - 1631, & PAR465/26/1/5 pp138,140 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [43] ESRO ABE/ACC2953/88 pp101B,104B,105A Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1616 - 1631, & PAR465/26/1/5 pp157,161,162 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [44] ESRO ABE/2315 pp1A,1B Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1631 - 1724, & PAR465/26/1/6 pp1,2 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [45] ESRO ABE/2315 p7B Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1631 - 1724, & PAR465/26/1/6 pp9,10 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [46] ESRO ABE/2315 p9B Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1631 - 1724, & PAR465/26/1/6 p12 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [47] ESRO ABE/2315 p23A Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1631 - 1724, & PAR465/26/1/6 p30 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [48] ESRO PAR465/10/3/1 pp.104, 107 & 108 Rotherfield Churchwardens' account book. [49] ESRO ABE/2315 p43B Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1631 - 1724, & PAR465/26/1/6 p55 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [50] ESRO QO/1 Sussex Quarter Session Order Book 1642-49 & ESRO QR/E70/26 Sussex Quarter Sessions Roll, Lewes Sessions, 15 & 16 January 1645/6. [51] ESRO ABE/2315 p56B Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1631 - 1724, & PAR465/26/1/6 p71 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [52] ESRO ABE/2315 p69A Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1631 - 1724, & PAR465/26/1/6 p85 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [53] ESRO ABE/2315 pp79B,80A Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1631 - 1724, & PAR465/26/1/6 pp96,97 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [54] ESRO ABE/2315 pp83B,84A Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1631 - 1724, & PAR465/26/1/6 pp104,105 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [55] ESRO QO/4 & QO/5 Sussex Quarter Sessions Order Books. [56] ESRO ABE/2315 pp96B,97A Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1631 - 1724, & PAR465/26/1/6 p120 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [57] ESRO ACC8665/1 Settlement by James Alchorne of Tonbridge. [58] ESRO QO/1 Sussex Quarter Session Order Book 1642-49 [59] ESRO ABE/2315 pp127B,128A Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1631-1724, & PAR465/26/1/6 pp162,163 Modern translation & index of above Court Book. [60] ESRO W/A45/p13, Will of Thomas Muddle of Mayfield proved by Archdeaconry of Lewes. [61] ESRO W/A49/p296, Will of Elizabeth Muddle of Ticehurst proved by Archdeaconry of Lewes. [62] ESRO ABE/ACC2953/88 pp63A,64B Court Book of the Manor of Rotherfield, 1616 – 1631, & PAR465/26/1/5 pp98,101 Modern translation & index of above Court Book.
|
