THE MUDDLE FAMILIES

 

THE SUSSEX MUDDLE FAMILIES THE BUXTED MUDDLES

 

Chart of John & Mary Muddle's Family

 

John and Mary’s eldest child was Dorothy Muddle who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 26 April 1791. When she was 20 years old Dorothy married 25-year-old Richard Booker at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 4 October 1811. Richard was the son of John and Elizabeth Booker, and he had been baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 2 February 1786. See the page headed ‘Richard & Dorothy Booker’s Family’ for the rest of their lives and details of their family.

 

John and Mary’s second child was Sarah Muddle who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 22 April 1792. When she was 23 years old Sarah married Edward Richardson at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield, Sussex on 20 January 1813. They had six children, four sons and two daughters, both daughters dying in infancy. Their first child was born in Buxted Parish in 1815, and their other five at Little Horsted between 1818 and 1829. They were living at Brockwells in Little Horsted when their sixth child was born and their fifth child died during the second half of 1829. Sarah died at Little Horsted at the age of 39, and she was buried in St Michael & All Saints Churchyard at Little Horsted on 11 September 1831.

Just over a year after Sarah’s death Edward married Mary Peckham at St Mary’s Church in Ringmer, Sussex on 24 October 1832 by licence. They had two children born at Little Horsted; the first in 1834 when they were living at Pond Pit, who died when only 2 months old; and the second in 1835 when they were living at Wicklands Cottage. Edward had always worked as a farm labourer and he was living in the Alms Houses at Little Horsted when he died at the age of 47, and was buried in St Michael & All Saints Churchyard at Little Horsted on 28 September 1837.

 

Edward and Sarah’s eldest child was Edward Richardson who was born in Buxted Parish in Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 11 June 1815.

 

Edward and Sarah’s second child was John Richardson who was born at Little Horsted in Sussex, and baptised at St Michael & All Angels Church in Little Horsted on 4 January 1818.

 

Edward and Sarah’s third child was Mary Richardson who was born at Little Horsted in Sussex, and baptised at St Michael & All Angels Church in Little Horsted on 5 March 1820. Mary died when she was about 7 months old, and she was buried in St Michael & All Saints Churchyard at Little Horsted on 6 October 1820.

 

Edward and Sarah’s fourth child was William Richardson who was born at Little Horsted in Sussex, and baptised at St Michael & All Angels Church in Little Horsted on 16 May 1824.

 

Edward and Sarah’s fifth child was Ann Richardson who was born at Little Horsted in Sussex, and baptised at St Michael & All Angels Church in Little Horsted on 1 April 1827. Ann died when she was 2 years old, and she was buried in St Michael & All Saints Churchyard at Little Horsted on 23 October 1829.

 

Edward and Sarah’s sixth child was Henry Richardson who was born at Little Horsted in Sussex, and baptised at St Michael & All Angels Church in Little Horsted on 9 August 1829.

 

Edward and Mary’s eldest child (Edward’s seventh) was Charlotte Richardson who was born at Little Horsted in Sussex, and baptised at St Michael & All Angels Church in Little Horsted on 1 March 1834. Charlotte died when she was only 2 months old, and she was buried in St Michael & All Saints Churchyard at Little Horsted on 5 March 1834.

 

Edward and Mary’s second child (Edward’s eighth) was Lucy Richardson who was born at Little Horsted in Sussex, and baptised at St Michael & All Angels Church in Little Horsted on 30 August 1835.

 

John and Mary’s third child was Elizabeth Muddle who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 31 March 1793.

 

John and Mary’s fourth child was Anne Muddle who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 22 February 1795. When she was 22 years old Anne married 39-year-old James Smith at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 30 April 1817. James was the son of John and Elizabeth Smith; he had been born at Mayfield in Sussex and baptised at St Dunstan’s Church in Mayfield on 16 November 1777. James and Anne had three children, born at High Hurstwood between 1818 and 1823, the second of whom died when only 4 months old.

James was a thatcher and farm labourer, and at the Court of the Manor of Framfield held on 8 July 1813 he had been admitted, on payment of 2s 9d to the lord of the manor, to the copyhold property called Old Hall (also known as Lime Kiln House and now called Old Hall Cottage) in High Hurstwood which consisted of a cottage and about 1½ acres of land, which he had purchased from William Wilmshurst for £340 plus taking over an existing mortgage of £100 from William Richardson. This property paid a yearly rent of 5½d to the lord of the manor, and was shown as plots 1480 & 1481 on the Buxted Parish tithe map of 1840. James and Anne, and their children, lived all their lives at this property. At the Court of the Manor of Framfield held on 3 April 1819 James mortgages the property for £100 at 5% interest to Richard Roots a carpenter of Maresfield, this was presumably so that he could payoff the £100 mortgage from William Richardson, though confirmation of this was not given until at the Court of the Manor of Framfield held on 19 June 1844 the executors of the late executor of the late William Richardson acknowledged that the mortgage had been repaid.

Anne died at the age of 37 (not 36 as given on her burial record), and she was buried in St Margaret the Queen Churchyard at Buxted on 27 May 1832.

The yearly tithe rent on James property was set at 10s in 1840. In the census of 6 June 1841 James was not at Lime Kiln House, he was probably away working. His two children Sarah Ann and William were there (his second born child had died when a baby), together with Sarah Anne’s five months old illegitimate daughter Elizabeth, and their maternal grandmother, Mary Muddle. Sarah Anne was 13 when her mother died, and since then she had been housekeeper for her father and brother, which she continued to do all her life. Her grandmother was presumably there to help out while she had a young child.

At the Court of the Manor of Framfield held on 19 June 1844 Richard Roots acknowledged repayment of the £100 mortgage he had given James. At the same court James then re-mortgages his property for £100 at 5% interest from George Turner a gentleman of Fletching. In the census of 30 March 1851 James was living at Lime Kiln House with his unmarried son William, who was also a thatcher and probably worked with his father. Also there was his daughter Sarah Anne and her husband Henry Booker, their two children and Sarah Ann’s illegitimate daughter Elizabeth. At the Court of the Manor of Framfield held on 23 June 1852 George Turner acknowledged repayment of the £100 mortgage that he had given to James.

In the census of 7 April 1861 James was still living at Lime Kiln House, with his son William who never married, his daughter Sarah Anne who was still keeping house for them, (her husband was visiting his parents at Newlands Farm at this time), and Sarah Anne’s two sons. The other part of Lime Kiln House was occupied by William Mann a blacksmith and his family. It is though that Lime Kiln House had always been two dwellings, James presumably renting out one section. Then in the 1862 enclosures of the wastes of the manor, James was given plots 156 and 160 totalling 1 rood 32 perches that adjoined his property, as additional copyhold land.

James died at High Hurstwood on 2 January 1863, at the age of 85, and he was buried in St Margaret the Queen Churchyard at Buxted on 9 January 1863. At probate James’ personal effects were valued at under £20, but his will dated the 7 February 1860 and proved at the District Registry of Lewes on 2 February 1863, appointed Charles Leeson Prince, a surgeon of Uckfield, as sole executor and trustee, and left to him in trust the copyhold property called Old Hall, which he was to let and from the proceeds after expenses to pay James’ daughter Sarah Anne a yearly annuity of £7 and the balance of the profit to go to James’ son William. After the death of either Sarah Anne or William the survivor was to get the full profits from the rents, and then when the survivor died the property was to be sold and the monies divided equally between any surviving children of Sarah Anne and William. As a result at the Court of the Manor of Framfield held on 23 June 1865 Charles Leeson Prince was admitted, on payment of 2s 9d to the lord of the manor, to James’ copyhold property which he was to hold in trust. See the section on Sarah Ann’s son, Spencer Booker, for details of what happened to the trust and the property.

 

James and Anne’s eldest child was Sarah Ann Smith, known as Ann, who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 13 September 1818. When Sarah Ann was 13 her mother died, and from then on she is thought to have kept house for her father and her brother who never married, even after she married she stayed at Lime Kiln House and looked after them. In the census of 6 June 1841 Sarah Ann, at the age of 22, was living at Lime Kiln House in High Hurstwood with her brother William, her grandmother Mary Muddle, and her illegitimate 5-month-old daughter Elizabeth, her father is thought to have been away working. When she was 27 years old Sarah Ann married her first cousin, 20-year-old Henry Booker, at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 12 November 1845. See the page headed ‘Henry & Sarah Ann Booker’s Family’ for the rest of their lives and details of their family.

 

Sarah Ann’s illegitimate daughter was Elizabeth Smith who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex in about January 1841, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 22 September 1843. In the census of 6 June 1841 Elizabeth, at the age of 5 months, was living at Lime Kiln House in High Hurstwood, with her mother and the rest of the family. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Elizabeth, now aged 10, was living at Lime Kiln House, with her mother, stepfather and the rest of the family. In the census of 7 April 1861 Elizabeth, at the age of 20, was a live-in general servant of the family of retired farmer David Dadswell at Lane End Cottages in High Hurstwood.

When she was 22 years old Elizabeth married 22-year-old Charles Luxford at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 27 October 1863. Charles was the illegitimate son of 15-year-old Philadelphia Luxford; he had been born at Crowborough on 29 August 1841, and baptised at St Denys Church in Rotherfield on 14 November 1841. His mother married Henry Turner in 1845 and Charles was living with them in the 1851 census.

Charles and Elizabeth had five children born between 1864 and 1872. According to the birthplaces of their children, they first lived in Buxted Parish, moving to Rotherfield Parish in about 1865, and then back to Buxted Parish in about 1868.

In the census of 2 April 1871 they were living in Hendall Cottage at Herons Ghyll in Buxted Parish with their then four children, and Charles was a farm labourer. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 they were living at Inchreed Cottage in Rotherfield Parish with their four youngest children; Charles was working as a farm carter and his son William, who was a carter’s boy, was probably working with him. In this census Elizabeth was also recorded as being a visitor at Bassetts Farm in Cowden, Kent where her eldest son was a live-in farm servant. In this census, at both Inchreed Cottage and Bassetts Farm, family members were recorded with the surname Turner instead of Luxford, this being the married name of Charles’ mother. In the census of 5 April 1891 Charles and Elizabeth were living at Court House Cottage in Beddingham, Sussex with their two youngest children, and Charles was a farm labourer. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 they were living at 24 Bow Terrace in Wateringbury, Kent with their youngest son, and Charles was working as a corn, hay and straw carter.

Elizabeth died at the age of 69 (not 70 as given on her death certificate), her death being registered in Malling registration district, which includes Wateringbury, in Kent during the 1st quarter of 1910.

 

Charles and Elizabeth’s eldest child was James Luxford who was born in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 12 June 1864. In the census of 2 April 1871 James, at the age of 6, was living with his parents at Hendall Cottage in Herons Ghyll. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 James, now aged 16, was a live-in indoor milkman to farmer Herbert Booker at Bassetts Farm in Cowden, Kent. In the census of 5 April 1891 James, at the age of 26, was a live-in farm servant at Inchreed farm in Rotherfield Parish to farmer Edmund Whitewood, whose wife was a related to James by marriage through the Booker family.

When he was 35 years old James married 36-year-old Fanny Hesman in Croydon registration district in Surrey during the 3rd quarter of 1899. Fanny was the daughter of George and Mahala Hesman, and she had been born at Buxted and baptised at St Mark’s Church in Hadlow Down on 25 February 1863. She was the sister of the Frank Hesman who had married James’ sister Jane Luxford in 1895. James and Fanny had at least one child, a daughter born at Woodmansterne in Surrey the following year. In the census of 31 March 1901 they were living at Stocklands in Cuckfield, Sussex with their young daughter, and James was working as a cowman on a farm.

 

James and Fanny’s only known child was Ethel Caroline Luxford who was born at Woodmansterne in Surrey, and whose birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1900. In the census of 31 March 1901 Ethel, at the age of 8 months, was living with his parents at Stocklands in Cuckfield, Sussex.

 

Charles and Elizabeth’s second child was William Luxford who was born in Rotherfield Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 22 July 1866. In the census of 2 April 1871 William, at the age of 4, was living with his parents at Hendall Cottage in Herons Ghyll. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 William, now aged 14, was working as a carter’s boy, probably with his father who was a carter, and living with his parents at Inchreed Cottage in Rotherfield Parish.

William was a miller at Hartfield when, at the age of 21, he married 20-year-old Ellen Hoath at Rotherfield Church on 4 February 1888. Ellen was the daughter of John and Harriet Hoath; she had been born at Buxted and baptised at St Mark’s Church in Hadlow Down on 9 February 1868. William and Ellen first lived at Hartfield where their first child was born in 1888. In the census of 5 April 1891 they were living at Newtons Terrace in Hartfield with their then one child, and William was working as a miller. Later they moved to Wateringbury in Kent where their other child was born in 1898. In the census of 31 March 1901 they were living in Bow Road at Wateringbury, and William was working as a corn miller.

 

William and Ellen’s eldest child was Ernest William Luxford who was born at Hartfield in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1889. In the census of 5 April 1891 Ernest, at the age of 2, was living with his parents at Newton Terrace in Hartfield. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Ernest, now aged 12, was living with his parents in Bow Road, Wateringbury, Kent.

 

William and Ellen’s second child was Florence Elizabeth Luxford who was born at Wateringbury in Kent, and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1899. In the census of 31 March 1901 Florence, at the age of 2, was living with her parents in Bow Road, at Wateringbury.

 

Charles and Elizabeth’s third child was Jane Luxford who was born in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 31 January 1869. In the census of 2 April 1871 Jane, at the age of 2, was living with her parents at Hendall Cottage in Herons Ghyll. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Jane, now aged 12, was living with her parents at Inchreed Cottage in Rotherfield Parish, and she was going to school. In the census of 5 April 1891 Jane, at the age of 22, was a live-in general domestic servant to Henry Wood and Maria Davis at 143 High Street in Lewes.

When she was 26 years old Jane married 24-year-old Frank Hesman in Lewes registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1895. Frank was the son of George and Mahala Hesman; he had been born at Buxted and baptised at St Mark’s Church in Hadlow Down on 21 August 1870. He was the brother of the Fanny Hesman who was to marry Jane’s brother James Luxford in 1899. In the census of 31 March 1901 Frank and Jane were living at White Cottage in London Road, Wallington, Surrey; Frank was working as a cowman and they had 19-year-old gardener Sidney Stanford as a boarder.

 

Charles and Elizabeth’s fourth child was Alfred Luxford who was born in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 26 February 1871. In the census of 2 April 1871 Alfred, at the age of 3 months, was living with his parents at Hendall Cottage in Herons Ghyll. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Alfred, now aged 10, was living with his parents at Inchreed Cottage in Rotherfield Parish, and he was going to school. In the census of 5 April 1891 Alfred, at the age of 20, was working as a farm labourer and living with his parents at Court House Cottage in Beddingham, Sussex.

When he was about 23 years old Alfred married Emma Charlotte Harman in Brighton registration district in Sussex during the 1st quarter of 1894. Emma was the daughter of Frank and Ellen Harman; she had been born at Barcombe in Sussex, and her birth registered during the 4th quarter of 1873. Alfred and Emma had one child born at Beddingham in Sussex in 1895. In the census of 31 March 1901 they were running a boarding house at Pony Farm in Findon, Sussex, which had nine grooms as boarders who were working at the local horse racing training stables.

 

Alfred and Emma’s only child was Frank Luxford who was born at Beddingham in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1895. In the census of 31 March 1901 Frank, at the age of 6, was living with his parents at Pony Farm in Findon, Sussex.

 

Charles and Elizabeth’s fifth child was Spencer Luxford who was born in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 6 October 1872. In the census of 3 April 1881 Spencer, at the age of 8, was living with his parents at Inchreed Cottage in Rotherfield Parish, and he was going to school. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Spencer, now aged 18, was working as a farm labourer and living with his parents at Court House Cottage in Beddingham, Sussex. In the census of 31 March 1901 Spencer, at the age of 28, was working as a brewer’s labourer and living with his parents at 24 Bow Terrace in Wateringbury, Kent.

 

James and Anne’s second child was Eliza Smith who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 2 January 1820. Eliza died when only 4 months old, and she was buried in St Margaret the Queen Churchyard at Buxted on 17 March 1820.

 

James and Anne’s third child was William Smith who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret’s Church in Buxted on 21 December 1823. William’s mother died when he was 8 and his sister Sarah Ann then keep house for him and his father. In the census of 6 June 1841 William, at the age of 17, was living at Lime Kiln House in High Hurstwood with his sister and maternal grandmother. Then in the censuses of the 30 March 1851 and the 7 April 1861 William was still living at Lime Kiln House in High Hurstwood, with his father and the family of his married sister Sarah Ann.

William had become a thatcher and farm labourer like his father, and is thought to have probably worked with his father. When his father died in 1863, his father’s property was put into trust, and William got the income from the property after the £7 annuity had been paid to his sister. William never married, and he continued to live at Lime Kiln House, where his sister, Sarah Ann, keep house for him. In the census of 2 April 1871 he was at Lime Kiln House with Sarah Ann, one of her sons and a lodger.

In the Return of Owners of Land 1873, Sussex William Smith of Hurstwood was described as owning 5 acres, 3 roods, 21 perches of land with a rental value of £24 10s, this was not the Lime Kiln House property as that was only 1½ acres and then held in trust by Charles Leeson Prince.

Then in the censuses of the 3 April 1881 and the 5 April 1891 he was Lime Kiln House with just his sister, and continuing to work as a farm labourer. In the census of 31 March 1901 William was still living at Lime Kiln House with his sister, but now, at the age of 77, he had presumably retired, as he was not recorded as having any occupation. William’s sister died during May 1904 and then just over a year later William died at High Hurstwood at the age of 81 (not 80 as given on his burial record), and he was buried in Holy Trinity Churchyard at High Hurstwood on 11 June 1905.

 

John and Mary’s fifth child was John Muddle who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 17 July 1796. John died when only about a year old, and he was buried in St Margaret the Queen Churchyard at Buxted on 12 June 1797.

 

John and Mary’s sixth child was Mary Muddle who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 7 January 1798. When she was 22 years old Mary married Henry Keley at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 20 August 1820, and the eldest of their children was baptised there on the same day. The Keley name has many spelling variations such as Keelly/Kelly and even Cayley/Ceyley. Henry and Mary first lived at Buxted where Henry worked as a farm labourer, and they had their second child there in 1821. They then moved to Barcombe in Sussex where they had five more children born between 1823 and 1832, and Henry continued to work as a farm labourer. Their eighth child was born at Tatsfield in Surrey in about 1836. On the death of her father in 1843, Mary inherited £50, which had to be paid to her within 12 months by the inheritor of Greystones, who was her brother Joseph Muddle. Death duty tax of 10s 3d was paid on this inheritance on 29 March 1845.[2]

In the census of 30 March 1851 Mary was living at Chelsham in Surrey with two of her children, and was recorded as still being married. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 Mary was a widow and a nurse, and living with her widowed daughter Mary Cooper and her daughter in Duppas Hill Lane at Croydon in Surrey. In the census of 2 April 1871 Mary and her spinster daughter Ann were living at Rail View Cottages in Croydon, Mary was living on assistance from friends and the parish and her daughter was living on the parish. Mary died at the age of 79, her death being registered in Croydon registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1877.

 

Henry and Mary’s eldest child was Henry John Keley who was born at Buxted in Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 20 August 1820, the same day that his parents married there. When he was 25 years old Henry married Mary at St Leonard’s Church in Chelsham, Surrey on 18 December 1845. They had at least three children born at Limpsfield in Surrey between 1847 and 1849. In the census of 30 March 1851 they were living at Limpsfield with their three children, and Henry was working as a brewer’s labourer.

 

Henry and Mary’s eldest child was Henry Keley who was born at Limpsfield in Surrey in about 1847. In the census of 30 March 1851 Henry, at the age of 3, was living with his parents at Limpsfield.

 

Henry and Mary’s second child was Eleanor Keley who was born at Limpsfield in Surrey in about 1848. In the census of 30 March 1851 Eleanor, at the age of 2, was living with her parents at Limpsfield.

 

Henry and Mary’s third child was Alfred Keley who was born at Limpsfield in Surrey in about 1849. In the census of 30 March 1851 Alfred, at the age of 1, was living with his parents at Limpsfield.

 

Henry and Mary’s second child was George Keley who was born at Buxted in Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 1 July 1821.

 

Henry and Mary’s third child was William Keley who was born at Barcombe in Sussex, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Barcombe on 13 April 1823.

 

Henry and Mary’s fourth child was James Keley who was born at Barcombe in Sussex, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Barcombe on 28 May 1826. In the census of 30 March 1851 James, at the age of 25, was working as a farm labourer and living with his mother at Chelsham in Surrey.

 

Henry and Mary’s fifth child was Sarah Keley who was born at Barcombe in Sussex, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Barcombe on 18 May 1828. In the census of 30 March 1851 Sarah, at the age of 23, was a live-in general servant to farmer Isaac Stanley at Chelsham Court in Chelsham, Surrey.

 

Henry and Mary’s sixth child was Ann Keley who was born at Barcombe in Sussex, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Barcombe on 7 March 1830. In the census of 2 April 1871 Ann, unmarried at the age of 41, was living with her mother at Rail View Cottages in Croydon, Surrey, and they were both living on assistance from the parish.

 

Henry and Mary’s seventh child was Mary Keley who was born at Barcombe in Sussex, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Barcombe on 29 July 1832. Mary married a Cooper and they had at least one child born at Croydon in Surrey in about 1856. In the census of 7 April 1861 Mary was a widow working as a dressmaker and living in Duppas Hill Lane at Croydon with her young child and her widowed mother.

 

Mary’s only known child was Alice Harriet Cooper who was born at Croydon in Surrey, and whose birth was registered during the 4th quarter of 1856. In the census of 7 April 1861 Alice, at the age of 4, was living with her mother in Duppas Hill Lane at Croydon.

 

Henry and Mary’s eighth child was Louisa Keley who was born at Tatsfield in Surrey in about 1836. In the census of 30 March 1851 Louisa, at the age of 14, was living with her mother at Chelsham in Surrey.

 

John and Mary’s seventh child was Joseph Muddle who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 27 October 1799. When he was 24 years old Joseph married 18-year-old Sarah Gaston, also known as Sally, at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 3 November 1823. Sarah was the daughter of John and Mary Gaston; she had been born at Thames Ditton in Surrey, and baptised at St Nicholas’ Church in Thames Ditton on 6 October 1805. See the page headed ‘Joseph & Sarah Muddle’s Family’ for the rest of their lives and details of their family.

 

 

John and Mary’s eighth child was Isaac Muddle who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex in about 1804. Isaac died while still an infant and he was buried in St Margaret the Queen Churchyard at Buxted on 22 May 1804. (No baptism has been found for Isaac to prove who his parent’s were, but at his burial he was described as being the infant son of John Muddle, and John and Mary’s family was the only one in the area at that time that he would fit into. He probably died soon after birth, before there was time to have him baptised.)

 

John and Mary’s ninth child was William Muddle who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex. He was privately baptised on 2 August 1809, and then received into St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 3 September 1809. When he was 24 years old William married 21-year-old Mary Curd at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 24 December 1833. Mary was the daughter of William and Eleanor Curd, and she had been baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 29 November 1812. William and Mary had four children born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish between 1834 and 1843, the last two dying in infancy. In the census of 6 June 1841 they were living in one part of the house called Browns Nest at High Hurstwood with their then three children, and also William’s father, John Muddle, and Charles Muddle the son of William’s brother Joseph. William’s mother, Mary Muddle, presumably also normally lived with them but was away on census night looking after another member of her family.

William and Mary’s third and then youngest child died from inflammation of the brain just before Christmas 1841, and their fourth child, and only daughter, was born on 16 March 1843. Then just 14 days after the birth of his daughter William died at High Hurstwood of consumption (tuberculosis) on 30 March 1843, at the age of 33, and he was buried in St Margaret the Queen Churchyard at Buxted on 5 April 1843. William’s death was registered by his sister Dorothy Booker, who had been present at his death. A little over a year after William’s death Mary also died of consumption at High Hurstwood on 21 June 1844, at the age of 31, and she was buried in St Margaret the Queen Churchyard at Buxted on 26 June 1844. Mary’s death was registered by Ellen Curd who was present at the death, and presumably a relative of Mary, possibly her mother or a sister, and had probably been helping to look after Mary and her children. Just three weeks after Mary’s death her young daughter also died of consumption, and her death was also registered by Ellen Curd.

This left William and Mary’s sons, John and Charles, then aged 10 and 7, orphans, and the only survivors of this family.

 

Their children were:

John 1834-1889  Charles 1837-1878  Stephen 1841-1841  Sarah Ann 1843-1844

 

William and Mary’s eldest child was John Muddle who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 13 April 1834. In the census of 6 June 1841 John, at the age of 7, was living with his parents and grandfather at Browns Nest in High Hurstwood. John became an orphan in June 1844; both his parents having died in the space of fifteen months.

John and his brother Charles should have inherited Browns Nest when their grandfather John Muddle died in 1843, but their uncle Joseph initially cheated them out of it. They were admitted to the hop garden of 12 perches that was a small part of Browns Nest, at the Court of the Manor of Framfield held on 16 June 1847, when Joseph and his sister Dorothy were made their guardians. Then at the Court of the Manor of Framfield held on 14 November 1850 Joseph had to surrender Browns Nest to John and Charles, as it had been found out that they were the rightful heirs. See the sections on their grandfather John Muddle and their uncle Joseph Muddle for more details. In the census of 30 March 1851 John, at the age of 17, was a live-in farm labourer working for farmer Joseph Wickens at Brookhouse in Rotherfield Parish.

On 28 January 1856 John, at the age of about 22 (though he gave his age as 19), enlisted as Private 4375 in the 9th Regiment of Foot at Castlebar, County Mayo, Ireland. He received a bounty of £9 for enlisting and was described as being 5ft 4ins tall. How John came to be in Castlebar from being in Sussex five years earlier is a mystery. John and some other Castlebar recruits were then marched south the 90 miles to the Regimental Depot at Limerick over a period of 11 days, and John then spent 43 days, most of the period to the end of March, in hospital. John remained at the Regimental Depot at Limerick for nearly 18 months until on 20 July 1857 he was one of a group of 21 men from the 9th Regiment that were attached to the 1st Battalion of the 1st Regiment of Foot (then known as The Royal Regiment of Foot) at Curragh Camp, County Kildare, Ireland.[3] Five days later on 25 July 1857 this group of men was transferred to the 1st Battalion of the 1st Regiment of Foot, and were given double service numbers; John's was 4375/407. The regiment was at Curragh Camp until 3 August then transferred to Glasgow in Scotland where they embarked for India. By the end of 1857 they were stationed at Secundarabad in central India.

It was while John was serving with the army in India that at the Court of the Manor of Framfield held on 23 June 1859 it was recorded that earlier that year John and his brother Charles had sold Browns Nest to Albert Henry Hills of London for £50. John presumably got £25 as a half share of the sale.

During the 1st quarter of 1861 John was with the regiment at Trimulgherry, which is a few miles north of Hyderabad, and receiving 1d Good Conduct pay, then during the 1st quarter of 1865 John was with the regiment at Kamptee (now Kamthi) near Nagpur and receiving 2d Good Conduct pay. So it seems that the photograph of John in uniform with one Good Conduct stripe was probably taken sometime between these two dates.[4]

 

While in India John completed the term of engagement that he had enlisted for and requested to be discharged; this was granted by his Commanding Officer at Kamptee in India on 1 November 1865. As his regiment was to continue being stationed in India John was sent back to England, departing on 23 December 1865, and discharged from the army on 13 April 1866, at the age of 32, having served 10 years and 74 days. His discharge papers describe him as being 5ft 5½ins in height (1½ins taller than when he enlisted) with a fair complexion, grey eyes, light brown hair and no marks or scars. They also recorded that his conduct had been exemplary; that he was in possession of two Good Conduct Badges; his trade was that of labourer and he intended to reside in Uckfield. On discharge his final pay was for 5 days at one shilling per day and his conveyance to Uckfield was paid for.[5]

In the census of 2 April 1871 John was working as a carman and boarding with the family of fellow carman William Blackman somewhere in that part of Uckfield between the river and the junction of Church Street and the High Street.

Ten years after his discharge from the army John, at the age of 42, married 30-year-old widow Frances Wheatley, whose maiden name was Elphick, at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 27 May 1876. They were both then living in Uckfield and John was a labourer. Frances was the daughter of John and Frances Elphick; she had been born at Isfield in Sussex and her birth registered during the 1st quarter of 1846. She was baptised at St Margaret of Antioch Church in Isfield on 16 July 1848. Then when she was 21 years old Frances had married James Wheatley in Uckfield registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1867. They had at least three daughters, Ann, Louisa and Fanny, and in the census of 2 April 1871 they were living at Ringles Cross in Uckfield and James was a brewer’s labourer. James died at the age of 37, his death being registered in Lewes registration district in Sussex during the 4th quarter of 1875.

John and Frances lived in Uckfield, where they had five children born between 1877 and 1889, and where John worked as a brewer’s labourer. In the census of 3 April 1881 they were living at 13 Alexandra Road in the New Town area of Uckfield with their then two children and three of Frances’ daughters from her first marriage.

 

John died at Uckfield on 22 April 1889 from phthisis (another name for consumption or tuberculosis), at the age of 55, and he was buried in Uckfield Cemetery on 27 April 1889. John’s death was registered by his stepdaughter Fanny Wheatley, who was present at his death. In the census of 5 April 1891 Frances and her five children by John were living at Mill Mead in the New Town area of Uckfield, and Frances was working as a charwoman.

Six years after John’s death Frances, at the age of 49, married 41-year-old bachelor Henry Tyler Hedges at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 9 November 1895. They were both then living in Uckfield and Henry was a hoopmaker. Henry was the son of Charles and Elizabeth Ann Hedges; he had been born at Liverpool in Lancashire, and baptised at St Peter's Church in Liverpool on 28 June 1854. After his father's death Henry's mother had married Peter Mansbridge in 1872 and in the census of 3 April 1881 Henry was living with them at Bolney in Sussex, then in the census of 5 April 1891 Henry was living with them in Alexander Road in the New Town area of Uckfield.

Henry and Frances were living at 5 Foxhall Cottages in Framfield Road, Uckfield when Frances' son William joined the militia in 1896. In the census of 31 March 1901 they were living at 5 Foxhall Terrace in Framfield Road (same place as Foxhall Cottages) with Frances' youngest son, and Henry was continuing to work as a wooden hoopmaker. Henry's mother and his stepfather, Elizabeth Ann and Peter Mansbridge, were then living two doors away at 3 Foxhall Terrace. Frances died at the age of 57 (not 56 as given on her death certificate), her death being registered in Uckfield registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1903.

In the census of 2 April 1911 Henry was living with his mother and his stepfather at 135 Framfield Road in Uckfield. His mother at 83 and his stepfather at 74 were both retired, and Henry, aged 56, was continuing to work as a wooden hoopmaker. Henry died at the age of 79, his death being registered in Uckfield registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1933.

 

John and Frances’ eldest child was John Muddle who was born at Uckfield in Sussex on 2 March 1877, and baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 15 April 1877. In the census of 3 April 1881 John, at the age of 4, was living with his parents at 13 Alexandra Road in the New Town area of Uckfield. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 John, now aged 14, was living with his widowed mother at Mill Mead in the New Town area of Uckfield, and he was going to school.

John had been working as a labourer for C W Peckham in Uckfield when, at the age of 22 years and 9 months (not 17 years and 10 months he gave on his attestation form), he enlisted at Lewes on 19 December 1899 for six years as Private 8123 in the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment, which was a militia light infantry battalion. He was then described as 5ft 1¼ins tall and weighed 123lbs, with a 33½ins chest that expanded to 35½ins, a fresh complexion, grey eyes, brown hair and no distinctive marks. He was passed a fit to serve at Chichester on 20 December 1899. John was embodied (put on active service) on 6 February 1900 then just over a year later, on 29 March 1901, he embarked with the battalion for South Africa. He served with the battalion as mounted infantry in South Africa during the Boer War for which he was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal with three Colony Clasps for Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal, and also two Date Clasps for South Africa 1901 and South Africa 1902. On 6 February 1902 while in South Africa and after 2 years on active service John was awarded a Good Conduct Badge and the 1d per day increase in pay that went with it. On his return from South Africa he arrived at St Helena in the South Atlantic on 15 June 1902 and then England on 11 September 1902 when and was disembodied (taken off active service). He had served 2 years and 218 days on active service, of which 1 year and 167 days was overseas. John was present at the annual militia training in 1904 and 1905, and he was discharged on 18 December 1905 on completion of the 6 years that he had enlisted for. On discharge his conduct and character were described as very good, and his description was 5ft 2¼ins tall with a fresh complexion, grey eyes, brown hair and his trade was labourer.[6]

When he was 27 years old John married 25-year-old Ellen Mitchell at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 27 August 1904, the same day that his sister Mary also married there. John and Ellen were both then living at 5 Foxhall Cottages in Uckfield and John was working as a labourer. Ellen was the daughter of Edward and Fortune Mitchell; she had been born at Brighton and her birth registered during the 4th quarter of 1878. John and Ellen continued to live in Uckfield where they had three children born between 1905 and 1909. John was a labourer until at least 1905, but by the beginning of 1908 he had become a platelayer on the railway. They then moved to Lewes where they had another child in 1913.

They lived at 102 Malling Street in Lewes, probably from the time they first moved to Lewes, and they were definitely living there when John enlisted at Lewes on 2 November 1914 as Private 20129 in the 72nd Provisional Battalion of the Territorial Force of the County of Sussex after the start of the First World War. John was working as a stableman at the time of his enlistment. He was immediately posted to the 3rd National Reserve Company of the 5th Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment, and then on the 16 October 1915 he was posted back to the 72nd Provisional Battalion. After serving 1 year and 123 days with the Territorial Force John was discharged on 3 March 1916 so that he could re-enlist in the Regular Army. On discharge John’s character was stated to be very good and Lieutenant Colonel Helme described him as honest, sober and industrious. His physical description on discharge was the same as when he was discharged from the Royal Sussex Regiment in 1905 except that he had grown slightly to 5ft 3ins.[7]

The following day, 4 March 1916, John enlisted at Woolwich as a horsekeeper in the Army Veterinary Corps. John was Private 15215 in the Army Veterinary Corps before being transferred to the Royal Engineers where his service number was 245663 and then WR/265950. For his service during the First World War John was awarded two campaign medals, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.[8] To have been eligible for these medals John must have served in a theatre of war, most likely in France, but as his service before joining the Army Veterinary Corps was in England it must have been during his time in the Army Veterinary Corps and/or the Royal Engineers that John served overseas, but his army service records for this time have not survived.

When his son William married in 1938 John was described as then being a general labourer. Later he worked as a night watchman for Johnson and Phillips, an electric power company, and then for Seeboard when the electrical power industry was nationalised in 1947 and Johnson and Phillips became part of Seeboard. Around the end of the Second World War John’s sister-in-law, Mabel Muddle, who was Canadian by birth, would often visit Ellen at 102 Malling Street and bring Canadian comics for their granddaughter Pat.

Ellen died at the age of 74, her death being registered in Lewes registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1953. It was probably soon after Ellen’s death that John went to live with his daughter Alice Shoesmith at 85 Malling Street. He continued to live with the family of his daughter Alice at 85 Malling Street until fourteen years after his wife’s death he had to go into Brighton Hospital where he died at the age of 90, his death being registered during the 4th quarter of 1967.

 

John and Ellen’s eldest child was Alice Ellen Muddle who was born at Uckfield in Sussex on 26 May 1905, and baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 6 August 1905. In about 1911 she moved with her parents to Lewes.

When she was 23 years old Alice married 31-year-old Frank Louis Shoesmith in Lewes registration district during the 1st quarter of 1929. Frank was the son of Frank Louis and Frances Elizabeth Shoesmith; he had been born at Lewes and his birth registered during the 4th quarter of 1897. Frank and Alice lived at 85 Malling Street in Lewes, and they had two children born in Lewes in 1930 and 1935. Frank died at the age of 46 (not 47 as given on his death certificate), his death being registered in Brighton registration district in Sussex during the 2nd quarter of 1944.

The following year Alice, at the age of 40, married her late husband's brother, 29-year-old Sydney George Shoesmith, known as Sid, in Lewes registration district during the 4th quarter of 1945. Sydney was the son of Frank Louis and Frances Elizabeth Shoesmith, and he had been born in Lewes registration district on 24 September 1916. In about 1944 Alice's brother Jack and his daughter had come to live with Alice at 85 Malling Street, then soon after her mother died in 1953 Alice's father came to live with her. At this point 85 Malling Street contained Alice and Sidney with Alice's two sons, her father and her brother Jack and his daughter and also a lodger.

Sidney died when he was just on 60 years old, his death being registered in Sutton registration district in Surrey during the 3rd quarter of 1976. Six years later Alice died when she was just on 77 years old, her death being registered in Brighton registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1982.

 

 

John and Ellen’s second child was William John Muddle, known as Jack, who was born at Uckfield in Sussex on 3 October 1907, and baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 5 January 1908. In about 1911 he moved with his parents to Lewes.

When he was 30 years old Jack married 40-year-old Alice Maud Evershed at Lewes Register Office on 8 July 1938. Jack was then a journeyman electrician living with his parents at 102 Malling Street in Lewes, and Alice was living at 55 Valence Road in Lewes. Alice was the daughter of Henry and Lucy Evershed, and she had been born at Lewes on 12 January 1898. Alice already had a daughter when she married Jack, and Jack and Alice had one child, a daughter, born in Worthing registration district in Sussex during September 1938.

Jack worked for Johnson and Phillips, an electric power company, and then for Seeboard when the electrical power industry was nationalised in 1947 and Johnson and Phillips became part of Seeboard. Jack and Alice lived at 18 Thomas Street in Lewes until they separated in about 1944. Jack and his daughter then went to live with his sister Alice Shoesmith at 85 Malling Street in Lewes. Jack’s wife Alice died in Eastbourne registration district on 26 August 1956, at the age of 58. Fifteen years after his wife’s death Jack was still working for Seeboard when he died in Brighton registration district on 14 September 1971, at the age of 63.

 

John and Ellen’s third child was Richard Charles Muddle, known as Dick, who was born at Uckfield in Sussex on 3 November 1909, and baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 6 February 1910. In about 1911 he moved with his parents to Lewes. When he was 31 years old Richard married 22-year-old Dorothy J Wilson in Maidstone registration district in Kent during the 2nd quarter of 1941. Dorothy had been born on 14 September 1918. During the Second World War Richard served in the army. Richard and Dorothy had two children born in Folkestone registration district in Kent in 1946 and 1950. Richard died at the age of 75, his death being registered in Shepway registration district in Kent during May 1985. Dorothy lives in Folkestone.

 

 

John and Ellen’s fourth child was Albert George Muddle, known as Bert, whose was born in Lewes registration district in Sussex on 20 November 1913. When he was 24 years old Albert married 26-year-old Lilian Grace Mugridge, known as Lily, at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 24 September 1938. Albert was then a labourer living at South Malling in Lewes, and Lily was living at 63 Framfield Road in Uckfield. They were living at 5 English Passage in Lewes when their first child was baptised in 1940 and Albert was then still working as a labourer. When their second child was born in 1943 Albert was a soldier in the RAF and Lily was living at 63 Framfield Road in Uckfield, presumably with her parents. On 2 December 1991 Bert gave two interviews about his life to the Lewes and District Branch of the University of the Third Age.[9] Lily died in Lewes Hospital on 29 January 1994, at the age of 82. Six years later Albert was still living at Lewes when he died in hospital on 19 December 2000, at the age of 87.

 

John and Frances’ second child was William Charles Muddle who was born at Uckfield in Sussex on 16 October 1878, and baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 24 November 1878. In the census of 3 April 1881 William, at the age of 2, was living with his parents at 13 Alexandra Road in the New Town area of Uckfield. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 William, now aged 12, was living with his widowed mother at Mill Mead in the New Town area of Uckfield, and he was going to school.

William was working as a blacksmith for Weston Carriage Works in Uckfield when at the age of 17 years and 10 months (not 18 years and 4 months that he gave on his attestation form), he enlisted at Lewes on 24 August 1896 for six years as Private 7187 in the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment, which was a militia light infantry battalion. William was then described as 5ft 4½ins tall and weighed 120lbs, with a 32ins chest that expanded to 34½ins, a fresh complexion, blue eyes, brown hair and no distinctive marks. He was passed as fit to serve at Chichester on 25 August 1896. William was present for the annual training in 1897 but then on 20 January 1898 he purchased his discharge.[10]

Two years later William was a labourer when, at the age of 21 years and 3 months, he enlisted as Gunner 3611 in the Royal Horse & Royal Field Artillery at Eastbourne on 17 January 1900 for 12 years (7 years active service and then 5 years in the reserve). On his attestation papers he stated that he had previously been in the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment from which he had purchased his discharge, and that he had also once been rejected for military service because he had an undersize chest measurement. His was now described as being 5ft 6ins tall, with a chest measurement of 34ins expanding to 36ins, a fresh complexion, blue eyes, dark brown hair and a scar on his right kneecap.

In the census of 31 March 1901 William, at the age of 22, was recorded as a Gunner in the Royal Field Artillery at the Military Garrison in Colchester, Essex. A photo of William in uniform shows him with the brass shoulder title RFA confirming that he was in the Royal Field Artillery branch of the regiment that had been split into two branches in 1899.

After serving nearly a year and nine months in England William was posted to India, sailing on 8 October 1901. During April 1904, while in India, he extended his period of active service to 8 years. There are two photos of William taken while he was serving in India. The earlier photo shows him in the white Far East uniform with one good conduct stripe on his left sleeve; this was taken at Peshawar on the North-West Frontier (now in Pakistan). The later photo shows him in normal dark uniform with two good conduct stripes above which are the crossed guns of an Artillery Prize winner; this photo was taken at Meerut, which is about 40 miles north-east of Delhi.

 

After serving just over 6 years in India, William arrived back in England on 11 January 1908. Then 6 days later, having completed his 8 years of active service, William was transferred to the reserve on 17 January 1908. After his four years in the reserve were complete William was discharged on 16 January 1912.[11]

In 1910, while still on the army reserve, William, aged 31, emigrated from England to Canada; he sailed 3rd class on the Sardinian of the Allan Line from London on 2 February 1910,[12] and after a voyage of 18 days going via Le Havre, France William arrived at St John, New Brunswick on 20 February 1910. On the passenger list William stated that he had been working in England as a smith's mate and that he had been a stableman and groom from 1900 to 1908, this being the period he served with the Royal Field Artillery. He further stated that in Canada his destination was St John, New Brunswick and his intended occupation was labourer.[13] In the Canadian census of 1911 William was an unmarried general labourer rooming with the family of candy maker Walter Clarke at 175 Fulford in the St Antoine district of Montreal, Quebec. Then the following year William made a visit back to England sailing 3rd class on the Victorian of the Allan Line from Montreal to arrive at Liverpool on 19 October 1912. The passenger list described him as a labourer whose permanent residence was Canada.[14]

William returned to Canada and on the 26 January 1915 he enlisted, under the name William Muddell, in the 24th Battalion of the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force. William was now married as he gave his next-of-kin as his wife, Mabel Graddy, living at Kilbourn Siding, Laval County, Province of Quebec, and he stated that his occupation was that of painter. These army records describe William as 5ft 4½in tall with a 37in fully expanded chest, a clear complexion, grey eyes, brown hair, and that he had tattoos on the front of his body and covering both arms.[15]

It seems that William was sent to England with the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force and that Mabel followed him to there. She must be the Mrs Muddell who sailed from Montreal on the Pomeranian of the Allan Line to arrive at London on 4 October 1915. The passenger list described her as a 28-year-old housewife whose permanent residence had been Canada, and who was going to live at 64 Brighton Road in Newhaven, Sussex.[16] It seems that William must have been discharged from the Canadian Army while stationed in England because he was recorded as sailing 3rd class on the Corinthian of the Allan Line, then operated by the Canadian Pacific Line, from London on 20 April 1916 bound for Quebec. The departure passenger list describes him as a 36-year-old printer whose last permanent residence had been a British Possession and his intended future permanent residence was in Canada.[17] After a voyage of 14 days William arrived at Quebec on 4 May and the arrival passenger list described him as a 36-year-old printer whose destination was Montreal and that he had migrated to Canada in 1910.[18]

Mabel must have also returned to Canada because both William and Mabel Muddell sailed 3rd class on the Antonia of the Cunard Line from Montreal to arrive at London on 6 December 1923. The passenger list described William as a labourer and Mabel as a housewife, and stated that their last permanent residence was Canada and their new permanent residence would be in England at East Hoathly, Sussex.[19] They could only have lived at East Hoathly for a short time, if at all, because William was recorded as being the licensee at the Halfway House in Isfield from 1924 to 1952. When they retired as licensees at the Halfway House they moved to a council flat in Uckfield. William died, at the age of 77, his death being registered in Uckfield registration district during the 1st quarter of 1956. Then the following year Mabel died at the age of 70, her death being registered in Uckfield registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1957.

 

 

John and Frances’ third child was Mary Muddle who was born at Uckfield in Sussex, and baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 23 October 1881. In the census of 5 April 1891 Mary, at the age of 9, was living with her widowed mother at Mill Mead in the New Town area of Uckfield, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Mary, now aged 19, was a live-in cook to widower James Wilkinson and his son at Vernon Place, New Town, Uckfield. The other servant in the house was housemaid Kate Muddle who was not related to Mary, being a member of the ‘Framfield Muddle Family’.

In 1903, when she was about 22 years old, Mary had an illegitimate daughter born in Uckfield that was probably fathered by her future husband. Then the following year while she was still 22 years old Mary married 25-year-old Richard Keeley at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 27 August 1904, the same day that her brother John also married there. Richard and Mary were both then living in Uckfield and Richard was working as a brick moulder. Richard was the son of George and Louisa Keeley, and he had been born at Hawkhurst in Kent in about 1881. Richard and Mary had four more children born between 1906 and 1918 while they were living at 88 Framfield Road in Uckfield. During the First World War Richard served in the artillery, and while in France he was subjected to a gas attack in which many of his comrades died; this event affected him deeply. In about the mid-1920s they moved to 3 Harcourt Road in Uckfield. Richard worked for Durrants, the Uckfield firm of builders, and one of the projects that he worked on was the building of Maresfield Army Camp.

Mary died at the age of 85, her death being registered in Cuckfield registration district in Sussex during the 1st quarter of 1967. Eight years later Richard, who had remained very active, died at the age of 95, his death being registered in Uckfield registration district during the 1st quarter of 1975.

 

Richard and Mary’s eldest child was Frances Hilda Muddle/Keeley, known as Hilda, who was born at Uckfield in Sussex on 30 August 1903, the year before her parents’ marriage, and baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 4 October 1903. When she was 41 years old Hilda married 42-year-old Albert Edward Olive in Uckfield registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1945. Albert had been born in Uckfield registration district on 6 March 1903. Albert and Hilda lived at 23 Alexandra Road in Uckfield and were childless. Albert died at the age of 80, his death being registered in Haywards Heath registration district in Sussex during February 1984. Three years later Hilda died at the age of 83 (not 84 as given on her death certificate), her death being registered in Uckfield registration district during February 1987.

 

 

Richard and Mary’s second child was Donald Guy Keeley who was born at Uckfield in Sussex on 24 May 1906. When he was 35 years old Donald married Violet Mary Holman, who was just on 25 years old, in Uckfield registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1941. Violet had been born in Canada on 7 September 1915, and had moved to Nutley in Sussex in early childhood. Donald and Violet lived at Fords Green in Nutley and had two children born in 1943 and 1944. Violet died at the age of 76, her death being registered in Uckfield registration district during the 4th quarter of 1991. Six years later Donald died at the age of 91, his death being registered in Uckfield registration district during the 4th quarter of 1997.

 

Richard and Mary’s third child was Florence May Keeley who was born at Uckfield in Sussex on 20 June 1909. When she was 31 years old Florence was married to 33-year-old Henry Williamson Marshall by the Bishop of Lewes at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield 20 July 1940. Henry was from Washington in County Durham where he had been born on 23 March 1907, and he was visiting family in Fletching, Sussex when he met Florence and never went back. Henry and Florence had two children born in 1941 and 1947, and lived all their married life at 3 Framfield Road in Uckfield. Florence worked as a seamstress and Henry worked at Sheffield Park Saw Mills where one of the things he made was the wooden shingles for the spire on Holy Cross Church in Uckfield.

Florence died in Uckfield registration district on 5 October 1991, at the age of 82. Four months later Henry died in Lewes registration district on 3 February 1992, at the age of 84.

 

 

Richard and Mary’s fourth child was Ethel Mary Keeley who was born at Uckfield in Sussex on 2 January 1912. When she was 23 years old Ethel married 20-year-old Stanley Benjamin Barber in Lewes registration district in Sussex during the 4th quarter of 1935. Stanley had been born in Lewes registration district on 31 March 1915. Stanley and Ethel lived at Lewes and had two children born in 1939 and 1943. Stanley died at the age of 71, his death being registered in Lewes registration district during February 1987. Nine years later Ethel died at the age of 84, her death being registered in Lewes registration district during November 1996.

 

Richard and Mary’s fifth known child was Richard James Keeley, known as Dick, who was born at Uckfield in Sussex on 3 September 1918. Richard never married. He lived with his parents at 3 Harcourt Road in Uckfield, and worked as a gardener. After his parents’ deaths he continued to live alone at 3 Harcourt Road and he was still working as a gardener when he died at 3 Harcourt Road at the age of 84, his death being registered during February 2003.

 

John and Frances’ fourth child was Alice Muddle who was born at Uckfield in Sussex, and baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 9 December 1883. In the census of 5 April 1891 Alice, at the age of 7, was living with her widowed mother at Mill Mead in the New Town area of Uckfield, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Alice, now aged 17, was a live-in housemaid to the family of grocer and draper William Dendy at Manchester House in Uckfield High Street.

When she was 28 years old Alice married 23-year-old William Welfare in Lewes registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1912. William was the son of Luke and Sarah Welfare; he had been born at East Chiltington in Sussex and baptised at East Chiltington Parish Church on 25 November 1888. During the First World War William enlisted at Lewes in the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment as Private G/1552. He was sent to France on 1 June 1915 and after 3½ months there he was killed in action on 13 October 1915, at the age of 27. He has no known grave but is commemorated on panels 69 to 73 of the Loos Memorial in Dud Corner Cemetery. William was awarded three campaign medals, the Victory Medal, the British War Medal and the 1914/15 Star.[20]

Alice lived in a cottage in Pipe Passage near the castle in Lewes and worked as a cleaner at Barclays Bank in Lewes. When he retired from Chatham Dockyard Alice’s brother James came to live with her until his death in 1951. Seventeen years later Alice died at the age of 84, her death being registered in Lewes registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1968.

 

John and Frances’ fifth child was James Theodore Muddle who was born at Uckfield in Sussex, and baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 6 October 1889. In the census of 5 April 1891 James, at the age of 1, was living with his widowed mother at Mill Mead in the New Town area of Uckfield. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 James, now aged 11, was living with his mother and stepfather at 5 Fox Hall Terrace in Framfield Road, Uckfield, and he was going to school.

James had been working as a shop assistant when, at the age of 21, he enlisted at London on 1 May 1911 as Gunner 35223 in the 46th Company of the Royal Garrison Artillery. He was then described as 5ft 6¼ins tall, weighed 137lbs, had a chest measurement of 33ins that expanded to 35½ins, and was of good physical development. From the 4 May he was stationed at Newhaven and while there he was admitted to hospital at Newhaven on 20 May suffering from haemorrhoids. The following day he was transferred to Shorncliff near Folkestone to have them removed, and after 20 days in hospital there he was discharged back to duties at Newhaven. He was transferred from Newhaven on the 10 August 1911 and stationed at Dover. While at Dover he had further haemorrhoid problems as a result of his earlier operation and from 6 June 1912 he was in hospital there for another 20 days. Two months later he was still having haemorrhoid problems and from 18 August 1912 he spent 10 days in Cambridge Hospital at Aldershot, though this is the last record of this problem so this last treatment must have been effective.

On 11 December 1912 James sailed from England to serve in India for about 18 months, being recalled to England when it looked as if there would be war with Germany. On the way home he was hospitalized in Aden with Sand Fly Fever for 12 days from 15 June 1914. He arrived back in England on 9 October 1914 and was sent out to serve with the Expeditionary Force in France on 6 November 1914. James was in France for three months, returning to England on 4 February 1915. He was sent out to France again on 29 December 1916 for eight months, returning to England on 26 August 1917.

There is a photo of James in the army’s Hospital Blues uniform with his cap having the badge of the Royal Irish Rifles that, together with his character reference indicating that his health suffered due to his war service, seems to indicate that James may have spent considerable time in hospital between his two tours of duty in France and again after the second tour, though his surviving army records make no mention of this. This would explain the almost two years between his two tours in France, which would have otherwise been very unusual.

At some point, the records do not record when; James was transferred from the Royal Garrison Artillery to be Rifleman 9920 in the Royal Irish Rifles. He was an Acting Sergeant in the 15th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles at their depot in Dublin when he was discharged on 11 April 1918 as physically unfit for further war service. He had served a total of 6 years and 346 days. On discharge James was described as 5ft 7½ins tall (he had grown an inch and a quarter while in the army) and to have the same chest measurement as when he enlisted. He had a fresh complexion, grey eyes, brown hair and a scar on the back of his left thigh. After his discharge he intended to live at 16 Herondale in the parish of St Swithun’s in Lewes.[21]

For his war service James was awarded the Victory Medal, the British War Medal, the 1914 Star with Clasp and the Silver War Badge. The 1914 Star was awarded to those who had been in France and Flanders between 5 August and 22 November 1914 and the Clasp was for those who had actually been under fire between these dates. The Silver War Badge was awarded to those military personnel who were discharged as a result of sickness or wounds contracted or received during the war.[22]

On his discharge documents James was given a glowing character reference:

A man of the highest character, served his Country long and well and suffered in health in consequence.

Owing to nature of his disability an outdoor position such as Canvasser, Overseer or Timekeeper on public works or any similar post might suit him. Employers are urged to extend a preference to him in appreciation of his high character and war service. He ought to do himself credit in any position of trust or responsibility.

This reference would have helped James get his job at Chatham Dockyard where he worked as a wireman (electrician). On the 22 December 1950 the King awarded the Imperial Service Medal to James for his service as a wireman at H.M. Dockyard, Chatham.[23] After he retired from the dockyard, which was probably an early retirement because of ill heath, he went to live with his widowed sister Alice Welfare in Pipe Passage, Lewes. James died in Brighton General Hospital on 18 August 1951, at the age of 61, and he was buried in Uckfield Cemetery on 23 August 1951.

 

William and Mary’s second child was Charles Muddle who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 19 February 1837. In the census of 6 June 1841 Charles, at the age of 4, was living with his parents and grandfather at Browns Nest in High Hurstwood. Charles became an orphan in June 1844; both his parents having died in the space of fifteen months.

Charles and his brother John should have inherited Browns Nest when their grandfather, John Muddle, died in 1843, but their uncle Joseph initially cheated them out of it. They were admitted to the hop garden of 12 perches that was a small part of Browns Nest, at the Court of the Manor of Framfield held on 16 June 1847, when Joseph and his sister Dorothy were made their guardians. In the census of 30 March 1851 Charles, now aged 14, who had been an orphan since he was 7, was living with the family of his uncle Joseph Muddle at Browns Nest. Then at the Court of the Manor of Framfield held on 14 November 1850 Joseph had to surrender Browns Nest to Charles and his brother John, as it had been found out that they were the rightful heirs. See the sections on their grandfather John Muddle and their uncle Joseph Muddle for more details.

When he was 21 years old Charles married his second cousin, 18-year-old Sarah Charity Muddle, at St Mark’s Church in Hadlow Down on 28 August 1858. Sarah was the daughter of Richard and Philadelphia Muddle who lived at Hadlow Down, and she had been baptised at St Mark’s Church in Hadlow Down on 3 May 1840. See the page headed ‘Charles & Sarah Muddles Family’ for the rest of their lives and details of their family.

 

William and Mary’s third child was Stephen Muddle who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 6 June 1841. In the census of 6 June 1841 Stephen, at the age of 3 months, was living with his parents and grandfather at Browns Nest in High Hurstwood. Stephen died at High Hurstwood on 19 December 1841 from inflammation of the brain, when only 10 months old (9 months in burial register), and he was buried in St Margaret the Queen Churchyard at Buxted on 23 December 1841.

 

William and Mary’s fourth child was Sarah Ann Muddle who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex on 16 March 1843, just 14 days before her father’s death from consumption, and she was baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 4 June 1843. Two months after her mother’s death from consumption (tuberculosis) Sarah Ann also died at High Hurstwood of consumption on 12 August 1844, when only 17 months old, and she was buried in St Margaret the Queen Churchyard at Buxted on 16 August 1844.

Copyright © Derek Miller 2008-2010

Last updated 25 August 2010