THE MUDDLE FAMILIES

 

THE SUSSEX MUDDLE FAMILIES THE BUXTED MUDDLES

 

Chart of Richard & Dorothy Booker's Family

 

Richard and Dorothy’s eldest child was Louisa Booker who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 1 December 1811. Louisa died when only 2 years old, and she was buried in St Margaret the Queen Churchyard at Buxted on 14 October 1813.

 

Richard and Dorothy’s second child was Lucy Booker who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 25 December 1813. Lucy died when only 2 years old, and was buried in St Margaret the Queen Churchyard at Buxted on 11 August 1816.

 

Richard and Dorothy’s third child was Sarah Booker who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 11 February 1816. Louisa died when only 7 months old, and she was buried in St Margaret the Queen Churchyard at Buxted on 18 August 1816.

 

Richard and Dorothy’s fourth child was William Booker who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 18 January 1818. In the census of 6 June 1841 William, at the age of 23, was living with his parents at the Maypole Farm in High Hurstwood.

When he was 27 years old William married 27-year-old Mary Cook, who was from Hadlow Down, at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 12 November 1845. William’s brother Henry was also married there on the same day. Mary was the daughter of Michael and Hannah Cook; she had been born in Mayfield Parish and baptised at St Dunstan’s Church in Mayfield on 23 August 1818. (Mary was recorded as Mary Ann at her marriage but on all other records including her baptism she is just Mary.) William and Mary are thought to have been childless as there are no baptism records at Buxted or census records of children.

In the census of 30 March 1851 William and Mary were living at Crowborough, and William was working as a farm labourer. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 they were living at Morffeys (Morphews) near Sleeches Farm in High Hurstwood; this cottage was later extended and called The Homestead, and it is now back to being called Morphews; it is in Fowley Lane at High Hurstwood. William was now described as being a farmer of 20 acres. It is thought that it was at about this time that William opened a beer shop at Morphews for the workmen building the nearby railway line running north from Uckfield. One of the major constructions on this line was the viaduct over the river at Tibbs Mill, which was only 800 yards away.

William went to the Court of the Manor of Framfield held on 22 June 1866, and as a result of his father’s death in 1863 he claimed as his right and inheritance, as the eldest son, his late father’s copyhold property of a cottage and one rood of land at High Hurstwood, which he was admitted to on payment of 1d. This is the property then called Ivyhole and now called Woodpeckers, and was plot 152 on the Buxted Parish tithe map of 1840. William would also have had the freehold land of 8 perches, plot 67 of the 1862 enclosures, which adjoined Ivyhole.

In the census of 2 April 1871 William and Mary were living at the Grocer’s Shop in High Hurstwood with two boarders, one of whom was Mary’s mother, and a lodger. William was now described as a master grocer employing one boy. The Grocer’s Shop would have been at Newlands (The Royal Oak), the tenancy of which William probably took-over when his father died in 1863. This house and farm were still owned by Benjamin Minns, there is no indication that William farmed the land, but he probably did. In the census of 3 April 1881 William and Mary are still living at the Grocer’s Shop, which was now additionally described as a Beer Shop, with two lodgers, and William was described as being a grocer and publican. This seems to indicate that it was William who started the Royal Oak Pub at High Hurstwood sometime in the 1870s, though his brother Henry may have sold beer there for a time in the mid 1850s for their father.

 

 

Later in 1881 William died at the age of 63, his death being registered in Uckfield registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1881. In his will dated the 12 April 1878 and proved at the District Registry in Lewes on 24 October 1881, he left all his property to his wife Mary. At the Court of the Manor of Framfield held on 21 November 1882 Mary was admitted on payment of 6d, to her late husband’s copyhold property of a cottage and one rood of land. At the same court she then sold this property to Amos Smith a carpenter of High Hurstwood for £95; this sale would have also included the adjoining freehold land of 8 perches. Mary continued to live at Newlands until it was sold by the heirs of Benjamin Minns on the 14 October 1884. An inventory of tenant’s rights,[2] written by Mary on 26 September 1884 for the new owner, William Duvall, states that the new incoming tenant was to be Henry Hoath. In the census of 31 March 1901 Mary was living in a cottage in the vicinity of Newlands, and she had 11-year-old Solomon Smith as a lodger. Mary was still living at High Hurstwood when she died at the age of 72, and was buried in Holy Trinity Churchyard at High Hurstwood on 7 March 1892.

 

Richard and Dorothy’s fifth child was Richard John Booker, known as John, who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 9 July 1820. In the census of 6 June 1841 John, at the age of 21, was living with his parents at the Maypole Farm in High Hurstwood. When he was 21 years old John married Harriet Turk at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 19 October 1841. Harriet was the daughter of Thomas and Sarah Turk, and she had been born at Buxted in about 1817. John and Harriet had thirteen children, the first of whom was born about 18 months before they married, and the last in 1861. In the census of 6 June 1841 Harriet and her illegitimate daughter were living with Harriet’s parents at Grovehurst in the Heron’s Ghyll area of Buxted Parish, and Harriet was working as a servant.

According to the census records of where their children were born, John and Harriet first lived in Buxted Parish, and then in about 1846 they moved to Rotherfield Parish. In the census of 30 March 1851 they were living at Slaugham Gill in the Crowborough area of Rotherfield Parish with their then seven children, and John was a farm labourer. Living with them was Harriet’s widowed father, Thomas Turk. Their next child was born in Buxted Parish in late 1853 and in the 1855 Post Office Directory of the Six Home Counties John was listed as a farmer at Shadwell Farm in the High Hurstwood area of Buxted Parish. So John had probably become the tenant farmer at Shadwell Farm in about 1852. In the census of 7 April 1861 they were living at Shadwell Farm with nine of their children, and Harriet’s brother, Benjamin Turk, was their live-in farm servant. John was now described as a farmer of 56 acres and employing one man. In the 1862 Post Office Directory of Sussex John was listed as a farmer at Shadwell Farm.

John’s father died in 1863, and at the Court of the Manor of Framfield held on 27 June 1864 John, on payment of 6d to the lord of the manor, was admitted to his late father’s tenement of 22 perches of land, as his inheritance, his father’s will dated 22 February 1856 stated that John was to have the piece of land on which he had built a house

 John must have been making money as a farmer, for at the Court of the Manor of Framfield held on 12 February 1867 John was admitted, on payment of 3d to the lord of the manor, to his mother’s copyhold property that is now called The Cottage, which he had purchased from her for £60. Then at the Court of the Manor of Framfield held on 15 October 1870 John was admitted, on payment of 3s 9d to the lord of the manor, to the copyhold property called Crossways (now White Cottage) in High Hurstwood, that consisted of a cottage and about 2 acres of land, being plots 200 & 201 on the tithe map of 1840 and plot 93 of the enclosures of 1862, and which he had purchased from Edward Skinner for £240. This property paid a yearly rent of 7½d to the lord of the manor, and a yearly tithe rent of 10s. But then at the Court of the Manor of Framfield held on 23 June 1871 it was recorded that on 10 January 1871 John had mortgaged some of his copyhold properties, consisting of 22 perches of land on which he had built two cottages and a grocer’s shop, and land of 12 perches with messuage on which he had built four cottages and a boot maker’s shop, to George Carter a linen draper of Woodbridge in Suffolk and Horace Page a farmer of Framfield for £300 at 5% interest. This court record indicated that John also owned his late father’s freehold land consisting of plots 64 & 65 of the 1862 enclosures, which were probably also part of the mortgage, it is not known if John got these by inheritance or purchase. It was this court record that stated that the land of 22 perches abutted on the north the land of 12 perches, instead of the freehold cottage and ground also owned by John. This is a very confused situation that may be clarified by more information, such as the full details of John’s father’s will, and the above interpretation may not be correct. In the Return of Owners of Land 1873, Sussex John Booker of Buxted was described as owning 4 acres, 1 rood, 26 perches of land with a rental value of £56.

 

 

Though John owned land at High Hurstwood, in the census of 2 April 1871 they were living at Frymans Farm in Brede near Rye in Sussex with seven of their children, and John was a farmer of 150 acres. They had 21-year-old Edmund Whitewood, who was soon to marry their eldest daughter, as a live-in farm servant, and two of their sons were farm labourers and presumably working for John on the farm.

In the census of 3 April 1881 John and Harriet were living at Inchreed Farm in Rotherfield Parish. Living with them were three of their unmarried children, a nephew, John Booker, who was working for them as an indoor farm servant, and Harriet’s brother, Benjamin Turk, who at the age of 73, was back as their live-in farm labourer. In both the censuses of 1871 and 1881 Harriet was recorded as Margaret, so it seems that she was know by that name during this period but later reverted back to Harriet.

At the Court of the Manor of Framfield held on 3 November 1884 John, who was described a being a farmer at Inchreed Farm in the Parish of Rotherfield, was admitted on payment of 9s 6d to the lord of the manor, to the copyhold property called Hanghurst (now Medleys Farm) at High Hurstwood, consisting of a house, barn, garden, orchard and land of about 6½ acres, being plots 1386 to 1389 on 1840 tithe map and plot 76 of the 1862 enclosures, that he had purchased from Henry Peerless for £700. This property paid a yearly rent of 1s 7d to the lord of the manor, and a yearly tithe rent of £1 12s 0d.

John died at Inchreed Farm on 29 April 1885, at the age of 64, and he was buried in the graveyard of Five Ash Down Independent (Calvinistic) Chapel on 2 May 1885. In his will dated the 31 May 1882 and proved in the Principal Registry of Her Majesty’s High Court of Justice on 10 June 1885, John left all his real estate to his sons Thomas and John, who were the executors of his will, to sell after his wife’s death, and the proceeds to go to his personal estate. So at the Court of the Manor of Framfield held on 19 June 1885 Thomas and John were admitted to all their late father’s copyhold properties on payment of 14s to the lord of the manor.

In the census of 5 April 1891 Harriet was living at South Street in Rotherfield; she was described as ‘living on her own means’ and had her two spinster daughters, Emily and Charity, living with her. Harriet died at the age of 77, and she was buried in the graveyard of Five Ash Down Independent (Calvinistic) Chapel on 26 March 1894. At the Court of the Manor of Framfield held on 2 October 1894 Thomas and John then sold all their late father’s copyhold properties, the details are as follows:

To Edward Page Mitchell a grocer of High Hurstwood they sold, for £25, 1 perch of copyhold land abutting, on the north to land to be sold to James Midmore, on the east to the high road, and on the south and west to freehold land that today they had sold to Edward Page Mitchell. This copyhold and freehold property is what for many years was the village shop and today is called Lilac Cottage.

To James Midmore a boot maker of High Hurstwood they sold, for £60, 1 rood of copyhold land with cottage abutting, on the north to a tenement to be sold to Margaret Jane Higgins, on the east to the high road, on the south to copyhold land sold to Edward Page Mitchell, and on the west to freehold land that today they had sold to James Midmore. This copyhold and freehold property is where, after demolishing the existing buildings, James Midmore built two cottages and a shoemaker’s shop, the shoemaker’s shop has now gone and the cottages are today called Trinity Cottage and White Briars.

To Margaret Jane Higgins a spinster of The Nest (formerly Browns Nest), High Hurstwood they sold, for £155, 12 perches of land with the messuage thereon, that was then divided into two tenements, and abutted land of Margaret Jane Higgins on the north. This is the property that is today called The Cottage.

To their brother Richard Booker a bricklayer of High Hurstwood they sold, for £200, the property called Crossways, which is today called White Cottage.

To Trayton Ireland a grocer and draper of Laughton they sold, for £265, the majority part of the property called Hanghurst, which is today called Medleys Farm.

To Abraham Richard Betchley a miller of Groombridge they sold, for £190, the remaining part of Hanghurst with the cottages thereon, that today is called Stoneley.

At the Court of the Manor of Framfield held on 29 November 1895, it was recorded that in a writing dated the 7 July 1894 George Carter and Horace Page acknowledge repayment of £300 and interest on the mortgage taken out by Richard John Booker on 10 January 1871.

 

Their children were:

Sally 1840-?  Emma (Emily) 1842-1919  Caroline 1843-1924  Charles 1845-?

Richard 1847-?  Stephen 1848-1894  Thomas 1851-?  Ann 1852-?

John 1853-1933  Charity 1855-1908  Herbert 1857-?

Alice 1859-1859  Mercy 1861-?

 

John and Harriet’s eldest child was Sally Turk/Booker who was born at Buxted in Sussex before her parents were married. She was baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 5 April 1840, and at this baptism her father’s name was given as John, so it is assumed to have been John Booker. In the census of 6 June 1841 Sally, at the age of 1, and her mother were living with her maternal grandparents, Thomas and Sarah Turk at Grovehurst in the Heron’s Ghyll area of Buxted Parish. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Sally, now aged 11, was living with her parents at Slaugham Gill in Crowborough, and she was going to school. In the census of 7 April 1861 Sally, at the age of 21, was living with her parents at Shadwell Farm in High Hurstwood and was she described as being a ‘farmer’s daughter at home’. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Sally, at the age of 31, was living with her parents at Frymans Farm in Brede near Rye in Sussex, and one of her father’s live-in farm servants was Edmund Whitewood, whom Sally was soon to marry.

Later that year, while she was still 31, Sally married Edmund Whitewood in Rye registration district in Sussex during the 2nd quarter of 1871. Edmund was the son of Robert and Mary Whitewood; he had been born at Nutley in Sussex and baptised at James the Less Church in Nutley on 9 March 1851. Edmund and Sally had six children; the first was born at Brede in 1872; the next two at Cowden in Kent in 1874 and 1876; and the following two at Penshurst in Kent in 1878 and 1880. In the census of 3 April 1881 Edmund and Sally and their then five children were lodging with Sally’s brother John Booker near Crowborough Railway Station, and Edmund was working as a farm labourer. Their sixth child was born in Rotherfield Parish in 1884. In the census of 5 April 1891 they were living at Inchreed Farm in Rotherfield Parish with their six children, and Edmund was now a farmer and employer. They had Sally’s 83-year-old bachelor uncle living with them and also two live-in farm servants, one of whom, 26-year-old James Luxford, was related to Sally by marriage through the Booker family. In the census of 31 March 1901 Edmund and Sally were still living at Inchreed Farm, where Edmund was still a farmer and employer, but only their two youngest children were still living with them.

 

Edmund and Sally’s eldest child was Emily Whitewood who was born at Brede in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 4th quarter of 1872. In the census of 3 April 1881 Emily, at the age of 8, was living with her parents, who were lodging with her mother’s brother John Booker near Crowborough Railway Station, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Emily, now aged 18, was living with her parents at Inchreed Farm in Rotherfield Parish.

 

Edmund and Sally’s second child was Frances Whitewood who was born at Cowden in Kent, and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1874. In the census of 3 April 1881 Frances, at the age of 6, was living with her parents, who were lodging with her mother’s brother John Booker near Crowborough Railway Station, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Frances, now aged 16, was living with her parents at Inchreed Farm in Rotherfield Parish.

 

Edmund and Sally’s third child was Robert John Whitewood, known as John, who was born at Cowden in Kent, and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1876. In the census of 3 April 1881 John, at the age of 5, was living with his parents, who were lodging with her mother’s brother John Booker near Crowborough Railway Station, and he was going to school. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 John, now aged 15, was living with his parents at Inchreed Farm in Rotherfield Parish; he was described as a farmer’s son and would have been helping his father on the farm.

 

Edmund and Sally’s fourth child was Harriet Ann Whitewood who was born at Penshurst in Kent, and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1878. In the census of 3 April 1881 Harriet, at the age of 3, was living with her parents, who were lodging with her mother’s brother John Booker near Crowborough Railway Station. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Harriet, now aged 13, was living with her parents at Inchreed Farm in Rotherfield Parish, and she was going to school.

 

Edmund and Sally’s fifth child was Rhoda Whitewood who was born at Penshurst in Kent, and whose birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1880. In the census of 3 April 1881 Rhoda, at the age of 7 months, was living with her parents, who were lodging with her mother’s brother John Booker near Crowborough Railway Station. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Rhoda, now aged 10, was living with her parents at Inchreed Farm in Rotherfield Parish, and she was going to school. In the census of 31 March 1901 Rhoda, at the age of 20, was continuing to live with her parents at Inchreed Farm.

 

Edmund and Sally’s sixth child was Jabez Whitewood who was born at Rotherfield in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 4th quarter of 1884. In the census of 5 April 1891 Jabez, at the age of 6, was living with his parents at Inchreed Farm in Rotherfield Parish, and he was going to school. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Jabez, now aged 16, was continuing to live with his parents at Inchreed Farm; he was described as a farmer’s son and would have been helping his father on the farm.

 

John and Harriet’s second child was Emma Booker, known as Emily, who was born at Buxted in Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 10 July 1842. In the census of 30 March 1851 Emily, at the age of 8, was living with her parents at Slaugham Gill in Crowborough, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 Emily, now aged 18, was a live-in general servant in Rotherfield Village to the family of Thomas Russell, the Baptist Minister of Providence Chapel. In the census of 2 April 1871 Emily, at the age of 28, was a live-in general servant in Rotherfield Village to the family of Thomas Russell’s widow, Jane Russell. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Emily, at the age of 38, was still a live-in general servant to the family of widow Jane Russell at Providence Villa in Rotherfield Village. In the census of 5 April 1891 Emily, at the age of 48, was living with her widowed mother and her spinster sister, Charity, at South Street in Rotherfield. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Emily, still a spinster at the age of 58, was living with her other two spinster sisters, Charity and Mercy, at Chapel Cottage in Rotherfield, and she was described as living on her own means. Emily never married and she was living in the High Street at Rotherfield when she died at the age of 77 (not 76 as given on her burial record), and was buried in St Denys Churchyard at Rotherfield on 26 November 1919.

 

 

John and Harriet’s third child was Caroline Booker whose birth was registered during the 4th quarter of 1843, and who was baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 27 March 1844. In the census of 30 March 1851 Caroline, at the age of 7, was living with her parents at Slaugham Gill in Crowborough, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 Caroline, now aged 17, was a live-in general servant to the family of grocer and draper George Edward in Rotherfield Village.

In about 1869 Caroline had an illegitimate son, who was possibly fathered by her uncle Charles Booker. Because, in the census of 2 April 1871 Caroline, now aged 27, was living at Crossways in High Hurstwood, where she was housekeeper for her widowed uncle, Charles Booker, and four of his children, the youngest of which was hers.

In the census of 3 April 1881 Caroline was and living at Bassett’s Farm in Cowden, Kent, where she was housekeeper for her unmarried brother Herbert; also living there was her son, Ephraim Booker, and her uncle, Charles Booker, the probable father of her son. In the census of 5 April 1891 Caroline, at the age of 47, was a farmer at Redbridge Farm in Rotherfield Parish. Living with her was her son, Ephraim, and her uncle, Charles Booker; both were farm labourers and probably working for Caroline. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Caroline, still unmarried at the age of 57, was still a farmer at Redbridge Farm. Now just her uncle, Charles Booker, who was now farm foreman, was living with her. Charles died at Redbridge Farm in 1904. Twenty years later Caroline was living in New Road at Rotherfield when she died at the age of 80, and was buried in St Denys Churchyard at Rotherfield on 7 February 1924.

 

Caroline’s illegitimate son was Ephraim Booker who was born in Buxted Parish, probably at High Hurstwood, about 1869. His father is thought to have been his mother’s uncle, Charles Booker, who she was then living with as housekeeper. (Ephraim was recorded as Charles’ son in the 1871 census, and then as Caroline’s son in the 1891 census.)

In the census of 2 April 1871 Ephraim, at the age of 1, was living with his mother and probable father at Crossways in High Hurstwood. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Ephraim, now aged 11, was, together with his mother and probable father, living with his uncle, farmer Herbert Booker, at Bassett’s Farm in Cowden, Kent. In the census of 5 April 1891 Ephraim, at the age of 21, was living with his mother and probable father at Redbridge Farm in Rotherfield Parish, and he was working as a farm labourer, probably for his mother.

When he was about 29 years old Ephraim married 25-year-old Harriet Ann Walters in Uckfield registration district during the 4th quarter of 1898. Harriet was the daughter of John and Harriet Walters; she had been born at Crowborough and her birth registered during the 2nd quarter of 1873. Ephraim and Harriet had at least two children. Their first child, a daughter, was born at Crowborough in 1899. In the census of 31 March 1901 they were living at Stone Cross in Crowborough with their young daughter, and Ephraim was continuing to work as a farm labourer. Ephraim had become a farmer when their second child was born at Crowborough in 1905.

 

Ephraim and Harriet’s eldest child was Lily Annie Booker who was born at Crowborough in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 4th quarter of 1899. In the census of 31 March 1901 Lily, at the age of 1, was living with her parents at Stone Cross in Crowborough.

 

Ephraim and Harriet’s second child was Frederick Charles Booker who was born at Crowborough in Sussex, and baptised at All Saints Church in Crowborough on 7 May 1905.

 

John and Harriet’s forth child was Charles Booker who was born at Buxted in Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 1 June 1845. In the census of 30 March 1851 Charles, at the age of 6, was living with his parents at Slaugham Gill in Crowborough, and he was going to school. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 Charles, now aged 16, was living with his parents at Shadwell Farm in High Hurstwood. In the census of 2 April 1871 Charles, at the age of 26, was a live-in agricultural carter for woodreeve David Baker in the Crowborough Warren area of Buxted Parish.

When he was 28 years old Charles married 22-year-old Eunice Mary Baker, known as Mary, at High Hurstwood Church on 8 May 1873. Charles was then a farmer living with his parents at Brede, and Mary, who was living at Crowborough Warren, was the daughter of the David and Ann Baker with whom Charles had been living as a servant in 1871. Mary had been born at Buxted on 14 February 1851 and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 26 February 1854 at the same time as three of her elder siblings.

Charles and Mary had five children; the first two were born at Crowborough Warren in High Hurstwood Parish in 1873 and 1875, and the next in Buxted Parish during 1877. They then moved to Rotherfield Parish where in the census of 3 April 1881 they were living at Brattles near to Inchreed Farm with their then three children, and Charles was working as a farm labourer. Their fourth and fifth children were born in Rotherfield Parish in 1882 and 1885. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 they were living at Stephnetts Farm in the Blackham area of Withyham Parish with their five children, and Charles was now a farmer. In the census of 31 March 1901 they were continuing to live at Stephnetts Farm, now with four of their children, and Charles was still a farmer.

 

Charles and Mary’s eldest child was Esther Booker who was born at Crowborough Warren in High Hurstwood Parish, and baptised at Holy Trinity Church in High Hurstwood on 31 August 1873. In the census of 3 April 1881 Esther, at the age of 7, was living with her parents at Brattles near Inchreed Farm in Rotherfield Parish, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Esther, now aged 17, was living with her parents at Stephnetts Farm in the Blackham area of Withyham Parish. In the census of 31 March 1901 Esther, at the age of 27, was working as a general domestic servant and continuing to live with her parents at Stephnetts Farm.

 

Charles and Mary’s second child was Charles Booker who was born at Crowborough Warren in High Hurstwood Parish, and baptised at Holy Trinity Church in High Hurstwood on 4 April 1875. In the census of 3 April 1881 Charles, at the age of 6, was living with his parents at Brattles near Inchreed Farm in Rotherfield Parish, and he was going to school. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Charles, now aged 16, was living with his parents at Stephnetts Farm in the Blackham area of Withyham Parish, and he was described as being a farmer’s son, meaning that he was helping his father on the farm.

Charles was still a farmer’s son living at Withyham when, at the age of 23, he married 21-year-old Annie Jeffery at St Michael & All Angels Church in Withyham on 26 October 1898. They lived in the Blackham area of Withyham Parish where they had five children born between 1900 and 1908. In the census of 31 March 1901 they were living at 2 Stephnetts Cottage in Blackham with their then two children, and Charles was working as a farm labourer. At the baptism of their fourth child in 1904 Charles was described as being a labourer on the L.B.S.C.R. (London, Brighton & South Coast Railway).

 

Charles and Annie’s eldest child was Annie Booker who was baptised at St Michael & All Angels Church in Withyham on 21 January 1900. In the census of 31 March 1901 Annie, at the age of 1, was living with her parents at 2 Stephnetts Cottages in the Blackham area of Withyham Parish.

 

Charles and Annie’s second child was Alice Victoria Booker who was baptised at St Michael & All Angels Church in Withyham on 3 March 1901. In the census of 31 March 1901 Alice, at the age of 2 months, was living with her parents at 2 Stephnetts Cottages in the Blackham area of Withyham Parish.

 

Charles and Annie’s third child was Cissie Mary Booker who was baptised at St Michael & All Angels Church in Withyham on 6 July 1902.

 

Charles and Annie’s fourth child was Winifred Ruth Booker who was baptised at St Michael & All Angels Church in Withyham on 25 December 1904.

 

Charles and Annie’s fifth child was Thomas Booker who was baptised at St Michael & All Angels Church in Withyham on 9 February 1908.

 

Charles and Mary’s third child was Mary Booker who was born in Buxted Parish, and baptised at Holy Trinity Church in High Hurstwood on 28 October 1877. In the census of 3 April 1881 Mary, at the age of 3, was living with her parents at Brattles near Inchreed Farm in Rotherfield Parish. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Mary, now aged 13, was living with her parents at Stephnetts Farm in the Blackham area of Withyham Parish. In the census of 31 March 1901 Mary, at the age of 23, was continuing to live with her parents at Stephnetts Farm in the Blackham area of Withyham Parish.

 

Charles and Mary’s fourth child was Thomas Booker who was born in Rotherfield Parish, and baptised at Holy Trinity Church in High Hurstwood on 12 November 1882. In the census of 5 April 1891 Thomas, at the age of 8, was living with his parents at Stephnetts Farm in the Blackham area of Withyham Parish. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Thomas, now aged 18, was working as a domestic gardener and continuing to live with his parents at Stephnetts Farm.

 

Charles and Mary’s fifth child was Andrew Booker who was born in Rotherfield Parish, and baptised at Holy Trinity Church in High Hurstwood on 8 February 1885. In the census of 5 April 1891 Andrew, at the age of 6, was living with his parents at Stephnetts Farm in the Blackham area of Withyham Parish. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Andrew, now aged 16, was working as a bricklayer and continuing to live with his parents at Stephnetts Farm.

 

John and Harriet’s fifth child was Richard Booker who was born at Rotherfield in Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 21 March 1847. In the census of 30 March 1851 Richard, at the age of 4, was living with his parents at Slaugham Gill in Crowborough, and he was going to school. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 Richard, now aged 14, was a cordwainer’s apprentice living at Crossways in High Hurstwood with the family of James Midmore a master cordwainer (shoemaker).

When he was 22 years old Richard married 22-year-old Harriet Caroline Mitchell, known as Caroline, in Tonbridge registration district in Kent during the 4th quarter of 1869. Caroline was the daughter of Richard and Frances Mitchell; she had been born at Rotherfield on 31 July 1847, and baptised at St Denys Church in Rotherfield on 5 September 1847. Richard and Caroline had four children born at High Hurstwood; the first two in early 1870 and early 1871.

In the census of 2 April 1871 they were living, together with their then two children, in one of the cottages owned by Richard’s father, to the south of Browns Nest in High Hurstwood, and near the shoemaker’s shop. Richard was now a journeyman shoemaker, presumably working for James Midmore, who had the shoemaker’s shop. They had two more children in 1873 and 1876. Then in 1877 Caroline died at the age of 30, and she was buried in the graveyard of Five Ash Down Independent (Calvinistic) Chapel on 18 November 1877. Their youngest child died in early 1879.

 

In the census of 3 April 1881 Richard, who was now a farm worker, was still living in one of the cottages near the shoemaker’s shop with his three surviving children, together with his housekeeper, Emily Ann Young, and her two children. These two children were almost certainly fathered by Richard as were the next four children that Emily had before they married at Holy Trinity Church in High Hurstwood on the 19 November 1890. The first of these six children had been baptised soon after birth but the other five were all baptised together on 1 October 1890, seven weeks before Richard and Emily married. Emily was the daughter of William and Edith Young; she had been born at High Hurstwood and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 8 April 1860.

In the census of 5 April 1891 Richard, who was now a bricklayer, and Emily were living at Hanghurst (now Medleys Farm) in High Hurstwood, which was one of Richard’s late father’s properties and was then owned by the executors of his father’s will. Then living with Richard and Emily were one of Richard’s children from his first marriage and six of their children born to Emily since she had come to live with Richard as his ‘housekeeper’. After their marriage Richard and Emily had five more children, the first two were born in 1891 and 1894 while they were still living at High Hurstwood.

After his mother’s death in 1894, it was recorded at the Court of the Manor of Framfield held on 2 October 1894 that Richard was admitted, on payment of 3s 9d to the lord of the manor, to his late father’s copyhold property called Crossways (now White Cottage) at High Hurstwood, which he had purchased from the executors of his father’s will (his brothers Thomas & John), for £200. Then at the Court of the Manor of Framfield held on 29 November 1895, it was recorded that for the sum mentioned in an indenture dated the 29 June 1895 Richard was granted the freehold of Crossways by the lord of the manor. It was at about this time that they moved to Crowborough where their other three children were born between 1898 and 1902. In the census of 31 March 1901 they were living at 2 Pilmer Road in Crowborough with seven of their children, and Richard was continuing to work as a bricklayer. So it looks as if Richard probably sold Crossways after he was granted the freehold. Richard was still described as being a bricklayer when his daughter Hetty married in 1910.

 

Richard and Caroline’s eldest child was Luther Booker who was born at High Hurstwood in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1870. In the census of 2 April 1871 Luther, at the age of 1, was living with his parents in High Hurstwood. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Luther, now aged 11, was living with his widowed father in High Hurstwood, and he was going to school. In the census of 5 April 1891 Luther, at the age of 21, was a miller’s grinder boarding with the family of farm labourer Thomas Dabson at Huggetts Furnace Cottage in Hadlow Down. He would have been working for Eli Dadswell at the nearby Huggetts Furnace Mill.

 

Richard and Caroline’s second child was Hephzibah Booker who was born at High Hurstwood in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1871. In the census of 2 April 1871 Hephzibah, at the age of 2 months, was living with her parents in High Hurstwood. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Hephzibah, now aged 10, was living with her widowed father in High Hurstwood, and she was going to school. In the census of 5 April 1891 Hephzibah, at the age of 20, was a live-in general domestic servant to the family of farmer John Mitchell at Ford Brook in Rotherfield Parish. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Hephzibah, still unmarried at the age of 30, was continuing to live with the family of John Mitchell, but now at Leighlands Farm in Rotherfield Parish, and she was now described as being their niece and working for them as a mother’s help. So John Mitchell was presumably a relative of Hephzibah’s late mother, possibly her brother.

 

Richard and Caroline’s third child was Ruth Booker who was born at High Hurstwood in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1873. In the census of 3 April 1881 Ruth, at the age of 7, was living with her widowed father in High Hurstwood, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Ruth, now aged 17, was living with her father and stepmother at Hanghurst in High Hurstwood. In the census of 31 March 1901 Ruth, at the age of 27, was an inmate of The Union Workhouse in Uckfield, and she was described as having the occupation of domestic nurse.

 

Richard and Caroline’s fourth child was Thomas Booker who was born at High Hurstwood in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1876. Thomas died when only 2 years and 9 months old, and he was buried in the graveyard of Five Ash Down Independent (Calvinistic) Chapel on 13 February 1879.

 

Richard and Emily’s eldest child (Richard’s fifth) was Hilda Selina Young/Booker who was born at High Hurstwood in Sussex on 9 March 1879, and baptised at Holy Trinity Church in High Hurstwood on 11 May 1879. In the census of 3 April 1881 Hilda, at the age of 2, was living with her unmarried parents in High Hurstwood. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Hilda, now aged 12, was living with her now married parents at Hanghurst in High Hurstwood.

When she was 20 years old Hilda married 21-year-old Charles Arthur Rout in Brighton registration district during the 4th quarter of 1899. Charles was the son of Charles and Emma Rout; he had been born in Brighton and his birth registered during 1st quarter of 1878. Charles and Hilda had at least seven children born in Brighton. Hilda died at Brighton on 4 December 1931, at the age of 52, possibly either a murder or suicide. The Saturday 5 December 1931 edition of The Brighton and Hove Herald reported that Hilda's body had been washed ashore between Black Rock and Roedean clothed in only her underwear, and several of her teeth were missing from her upper jaw.

 

Richard and Emily’s second child (Richard’s sixth) was Martha Young/Booker who was born at High Hurstwood in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1880, but only baptised, together with four of her siblings, at Holy Trinity Church in High Hurstwood on 1 October 1890, just before her parent’s marriage. In the census of 3 April 1881 Martha, at the age of 7 months, was living with her unmarried parents in High Hurstwood. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Martha, now aged 10, was living with her now married parents at Hanghurst in High Hurstwood. In the census of 31 March 1901 Martha, at the age of 20 and using the name Booker, was a live-in parlour maid at The Hall in Nutley.

 

Richard and Emily’s third child (Richard’s seventh) was Albert Young/Booker who was born at High Hurstwood in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 4th quarter of 1882, but only baptised, together with four of his siblings, at Holy Trinity Church in High Hurstwood on 1 October 1890, just before his parent’s marriage. In the census of 5 April 1891 Albert, at the age of 8, was living with his parents at Hanghurst in High Hurstwood. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Albert, now aged 18, was working as a bricklayer’s labourer and living with his parents at 2 Pilmer Road in Crowborough.

 

Richard and Emily’s fourth child (Richard’s eighth) was Clara Young/Booker who was born at High Hurstwood in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1885, but only baptised, together with four of her siblings, at Holy Trinity Church in High Hurstwood on 1 October 1890, just before her parent’s marriage. In the census of 5 April 1891 Clara, at the age of 6, was living with her parents at Hanghurst in High Hurstwood. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Clara, now aged 16, was living with her parents at 2 Pilmer Road in Crowborough.

 

Richard and Emily’s fifth child (Richard’s ninth) was Hetty Young/Booker who was born at High Hurstwood in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 4th quarter of 1886, but only baptised, together with four of her siblings, at Holy Trinity Church in High Hurstwood on 1 October 1890, just before her parent’s marriage. In the census of 5 April 1891 Hetty, at the age of 4, was living with her parents at Hanghurst in High Hurstwood. When she was 23 years old Hetty married 27-year-old Percy James Mackellow at All Saints Church in Crowborough on 26 March 1910. They were both then living at Crowborough, and Percy was working as a bricklayer. Percy was the son of James and Sophia Mackellow; he had been born at Rotherfield in Sussex and his birth registered during the 1st quarter of 1883. Then twenty-one months after their marriage Percy and Hetty emigrated from England to Australia. They sailed 3rd class on the Oswestry Grange of the Queensland Line from London on 5 January 1912. On the passenger list Percy was described as a bricklayer and their intended destination port was given as Rockhampton in Queensland.[3]

 

Richard and Emily’s sixth child (Richard’s tenth) was Agnes Young/Booker who was born at High Hurstwood in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1889, but only baptised, together with four of her siblings, at High Hurstwood Church on 1 October 1890, just before her parent’s marriage. In the census of 5 April 1891 Agnes, at the age of 2, was living with her parents at Hanghurst in High Hurstwood. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Agnes, now aged 12, was living with her parents at 2 Pilmer Road in Crowborough.

 

Richard and Emily’s seventh child (Richard’s eleventh) was Alice Booker who was born at High Hurstwood in Sussex, and baptised at Holy Trinity Church in High Hurstwood on 1 May 1892. In the census of 31 March 1901 Alice, at the age of 9, was living with her parents at 2 Pilmer Road in Crowborough.

 

Richard and Emily’s eighth child (Richard’s twelfth) was Benjamin Booker who was born at High Hurstwood in Sussex, and baptised at Holy Trinity Church in High Hurstwood on 12 May 1895. In the census of 31 March 1901 Benjamin, at the age of 6, was living with his parents at 2 Pilmer Road in Crowborough.

 

Richard and Emily’s ninth child (Richard’s thirteenth) was Emmie Booker who was born at Crowborough in Sussex, and baptised at Holy Trinity Church in High Hurstwood on 6 November 1898. In the census of 31 March 1901 Emmie, at the age of 3, was living with her parents at 2 Pilmer Road in Crowborough.

 

Richard and Emily’s tenth child (Richard’s fourteenth) was Lilian Frances Booker who was born at Crowborough in Sussex, and baptised at Holy Trinity Church in High Hurstwood on 16 June 1901. In the census of 31 March 1901 Lilian, at the age of 7 months, was living with her parents at 2 Pilmer Road in Crowborough.

 

Richard and Emily’s eleventh child (Richard’s fifteenth) was Irene Booker who was born at Crowborough in Sussex, and baptised at Holy Trinity Church in High Hurstwood on 28 September 1902.

 

John and Harriet’s sixth child was Stephen Booker who was born at Rotherfield in Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 24 December 1848. In the census of 30 March 1851 Stephen, at the age of 2, was living with his parents at Slaugham Gill in Crowborough. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 Stephen, now aged 12, was living with his parents at Shadwell Farm in High Hurstwood, and he was going to school. In the census of 2 April 1871 Stephen, at the age of 22, was living with his parents at Frymans Farm in Brede near Rye in Sussex, and he was working as a farm labourer, probably for his father. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Stephen, at the age of 32, was living with his parents at Inchreed Farm in Rotherfield Parish, and he was described as being a farmer’s son, so he would have been helping his father run the farm. In the census of 5 April 1891 Stephen, still unmarried at the age of 42, was working as a wood contractor and living with the family of his brother Herbert at Bassett’s Farm in Cowden, Kent. Stephen never married. He died at the age of 45, his death being registered in Tonbridge registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1894.

 

John and Harriet’s seventh child was Thomas Booker who was born in Rotherfield in Sussex on 5 February 1851, and baptised at St Denys Church in Rotherfield on 2 March 1851. In the census of 30 March 1851 Thomas, at the age of one month, was living with his parents at Slaugham Gill in Crowborough. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 Thomas, now aged 10, was living with his parents at Shadwell Farm in High Hurstwood, and he was going to school. In the census of 2 April 1871 Thomas, at the age of 20, was living with his parents at Frymans Farm in Brede near Rye in Sussex, and he was working as a farm labourer, probably for his father. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Thomas, still unmarried at the age of 30, was working as a miller and lodging with widow Eliza Browning at 46 Union Street in Canterbury, Kent.

At the Court of the Manor of Framfield held on 19 June 1885, Thomas, who was described as being a miller of New Road in Buxted, was admitted with his brother John, on payment of 14 shillings to the Lord of the Manor, to all of their late father’s copyhold properties, which had been left to them in trust as executors of their father’s will. Then, after their mother’s death, at the Court of the Manor of Framfield held on 2 October 1894 Thomas and his brother John sold their late father’s properties; see the section above on their parents for details.

When he was 33 years old Thomas married 29-year-old Alice Pierce in Canterbury registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1884. Alice was the daughter of Isaac and Maria Pierce; she had been born at Canterbury and her birth registered during the 1st quarter of 1855. Thomas and Alice had four children; the first born at Buxted in late 1884; the next two at Leeds in Kent in 1886 and 1888. In the census of 5 April 1891 they were living at 8 Vicarage Street in Faversham, Kent with their then three children, and Thomas was a journeyman miller. Their fourth child was born at Riverhead in Kent in 1895. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 they were living at 4 Branch Street in Dover, Kent with their two youngest children, and Thomas was still working as a journeyman miller.

 

Thomas and Alice’s eldest child was George Booker who was born at Buxted in Sussex, and his birth registered during the 4th quarter of 1884. In the census of 5 April 1891 George, at the age of 6, was living with his parents at 8 Vicarage Street in Faversham, Kent, and he was going to school.

 

Thomas and Alice’s second child was Ellen Booker who was born at Leeds in Kent, and her birth registered during the 4th quarter of 1886. In the census of 5 April 1891 Ellen, at the age of 4, was living with her parents at 8 Vicarage Street in Faversham, Kent.

 

Thomas and Alice’s eldest child was Edith Booker who was born at Leeds in Kent, and her birth registered during the 3rd quarter of 1888. In the census of 5 April 1891 Edith, at the age of 2, was living with her parents at 8 Vicarage Street in Faversham, Kent. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Edith, now aged 12, was living with her parents at 4 Branch Street in Dover, and she was going to school.

 

Thomas and Alice’s second child was Harriet Emma Booker who was born at Riverhead in Kent, and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1895. In the census of 31 March 1901 Harriet, at the age of 6, was living with her parents at 4 Branch Street in Dover.

 

John and Harriet’s eighth child was Ann Booker who was born at Rotherfield in Sussex, and baptised at St Denys Church in Rotherfield on 4 July 1852. In the census of 7 April 1861 Ann, at the age of 8, was living with her parents at Shadwell Farm in High Hurstwood. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Ann, now aged 18, was living with her parents at Frymans Farm in Brede near Rye in Sussex.

 

John and Harriet’s ninth child was John Booker who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex on 24 December 1853, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 5 February 1854. In the census of 7 April 1861 John, at the age of 7, was living with his parents at Shadwell Farm in High Hurstwood. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 John, now aged 17, was a live-in grocer's assistant to master grocer and draper Richard Baitup at Hadlow Down. In the census of 3 April 1881 John, at the age of 27, was a master grocer and draper living near Crowborough Railway Station in Jarvis Brook, and he had the family of his married sister Sally Whitewood lodging with him.

When he was 29 years old John married 25-year-old Annie Wilmshurst at St Denys Church in Rotherfield on 26 December 1883. Annie was the daughter of William and Harriet Wilmshurst, and she had been born at Rotherfield on 28 October 1858. John and Annie had six children born in Rotherfield Parish between 1885 and 1900. In the census of 5 April 1891 they were living at Frogs Hole near Crowborough Railway Station in Jarvis Brook with their three children, and John was a master grocer and draper. They had a live-in domestic servant, and three people working for John were living with them, a draper's assistant, a grocer's assistant and a grocer's apprentice.

At the Court of the Manor of Framfield held on 19 June 1885 John, who was described as being a grocer and draper of Crowborough Station, was admitted with his brother Thomas, on payment of 14 shillings to the Lord of the Manor, to all of their late father's copyhold properties, which had been left to them in trust as executors of their father's will. Then, after their mother's death, at the Court of the Manor of Framfield held on 2 October 1894, John and his brother Thomas sold their late father's properties; see section above on their parents for details.

In the census of 31 March 1901 John and Annie were living in Station Road at Jarvis Brook with their six children, and John was now a grocer, draper and sub-postmaster. Their eldest daughter, Grace, was working for her father as a grocer's clerk, and they had seven live-in servants; one was a general domestic servant and the others six worked for John as a post office clerk, three grocer's assistants and two draper's assistants. As well as his main store near the railway station John also had a smaller general store near the school in Western Road, Jarvis Brook.

They were living at Jarvis Brook when Annie died on 28 December 1915, at the age of 57; she was buried in St Denys Churchyard at Rotherfield on 1 January 1916. Eighteen years later John was still living at Jarvis Brook when he died on 16 December 1933, at the age of 79 (not 78 as given on his burial record). He was buried in St Denys Churchyard at Rotherfield on 19 December 1933.

 

John and Annie’s eldest child was Grace Booker who was born at Jarvis Brook in Rotherfield Parish, Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 4th quarter of 1884. In the census of 5 April 1891 Grace, at the age of 6, was living with her parents at Frogs Hole near Crowborough Railway Station in Jarvis Brook, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Grace, now aged 16, was living with her parents in Station Road at Jarvis Brook, and she was working for her father as a grocer’s clerk. Grace never married; the man she was going to marry was killed in the First World War. Grace died on 8 March 1961, at the age of 76, and she was buried in St Denys Churchyard at Rotherfield.

 

John and Annie’s second child was Mabel Annie Booker who was born at Jarvis Brook in Rotherfield Parish, Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1888. In the census of 5 April 1891 Mabel, at the age of 2, was living with her parents at Frogs Hole near Crowborough Railway Station in Jarvis Brook. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Mabel, now aged 12, was living with her parents in Station Road at Jarvis Brook.

When she was 25 years old Mabel married 34-year-old Elam James Whapham at St Denys Church in Rotherfield on 15 October 1913. Elam was them an assistant overseer living at The Hollies in Mayfield, and Mabel was living at Jarvis Brook. Elam was the son of Owen and Elizabeth Whapham; he had been born at Mayfield in Sussex and his birth registered during the 2nd quarter of 1879. They had one child born in Uckfield registration district during 1915. Mabel was living at Station Road in Jarvis Brook when she had an adult baptism at St Denys Church in Rotherfield on 16 May 1927. Mabel died on 30 April 1951 at the age of 63, and she was buried in St Denys Churchyard at Rotherfield.

 

Elam and Mabel’s only child is Margaret C E Whapham, known as Betty, who birth was registered in Uckfield registration district in Sussex during the 4th quarter of 1915.

 

John and Annie’s third child was Harriet Kate Booker, known as Katie, who was born at Jarvis Brook in Rotherfield Parish, Sussex on 26 March 1890. In the census of 5 April 1891 Katie, at the age of 1, was living with her parents at Frogs Hole near Crowborough Railway Station in Jarvis Brook. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Katie, now aged 11, was living with her parents in Station Road at Jarvis Brook. Katie had an adult baptism at St Denys Church in Rotherfield on 29 February 1912.

When she was 23 years old Katie married 25-year-old Donald Olaf Christopher Beale at St Denys Church in Rotherfield on 25 June 1913. Donald was then an auctioneer living in Uckfield, and Kate was living at Jarvis Brook. Donald was the son of Louis and Mary Beale; he had been born at Frant in Sussex on 29 April 1888, and he was the brother of the Oswald Beale who married Katie's sister Dorothy. Donald and Katie had three children born in Uckfield registration district in 1915, 1923 and 1925. Donald was a Captain in the Royal Irish Rifles during the First World War, and then after the war he became an estate agent in Crowborough. Donald died on 14 November 1939, at the age of 51, and he was buried in St Denys Churchyard at Rotherfield. Katie died on 9 October 1962, at the age of 72, and she was buried in St Denys Churchyard at Rotherfield.

 

Donald and Katie’s eldest child is Mollie Phyllis Beale who was born in Uckfield registration district in Sussex on 8 April 1915.

 

Donald and Katie’s second child is Anthony Peter Beale who was born at Crowborough in Sussex on 30 May 1923. Anthony was a Captain in the Royal Tank Regiment during the Second World War. He has been an engineer, psychologist and management consultant.

 

Donald and Katie’s third child is Christopher Beale who was born in Uckfield registration district in Sussex on 28 May 1925.

 

John and Annie’s fourth child was John William Booker who was born at Jarvis Brook in Rotherfield Parish, Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 4th quarter of 1891. In the census of 31 March 1901 John, at the age of 9, was living with his parents in Station Road at Jarvis Brook. John was Lance Corporal G/18183 in the 5th Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment when he died, at the age of about 25, in France on 23 October 1916 during the ‘Battle of the Somme’ in the First World War. He was buried in plot V, row E, grave 2, of the Puchevillers British Cemetery, Somme, France.

 

 

John and Annie’s fifth child was Dorothy Mary Booker who was born at Jarvis Brook in Rotherfield Parish, Sussex on 1 October 1896. In the census of 31 March 1901 Dorothy, at the age of 4, was living with her parents in Station Road at Jarvis Brook. Dorothy had an adult baptism at St Denys Church in Rotherfield on 16 June 1915.

When she was 20 years old Dorothy married 25-year-old Alan Oswald Rufus Beale, known as Oswald, at St Denys Church in Rotherfield on 9 December 1916. Oswald was the son of Louis and Mary Beale; he had been born at Frant in Sussex on 10 April 1891, and he was the brother of the Donald Beale who married Dorothy's sister Kate. During the First World War Oswald was a Captain in the Bedfordshire Regiment, and was awarded the MBE, MC, and Croix de Guerre Belgique. Oswald and Dorothy had three children; the first born in 1917 while Oswald was in the army and Dorothy was living at Jarvis Brook, the second was born in 1921 when they were living at Biddenden in Kent, where Oswald was a farmer, and the third was born in 1923 in Uckfield registration district. Oswald died on 19 January 1957, at the age of 65, and he was buried in St Denys Churchyard at Rotherfield.

 

Oswald and Dorothy’s eldest child is Mary Beale who was born at Jarvis Brook in Rotherfield Parish, Sussex, on 3 September 1917, and baptised at St Denys Church in Rotherfield on 16 September 1917.

 

Oswald and Dorothy’s second child is Jeanne Beale who was born at Biddenden in Kent on 16 November 1921, and baptised at St Denys Church in Rotherfield, Sussex on 18 December 1921.

 

Oswald and Dorothy’s third child is Alan John Beale who was born in Uckfield registration district in Sussex on 23 July 1923.

 

John and Annie’s sixth child was Philip Frank Booker, known as Frank, who was born at Jarvis Brook in Rotherfield Parish, Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 4th quarter of 1899. In the census of 31 March 1901 Frank, at the age of 1, was living with his parents in Station Road at Jarvis Brook. Frank never married. He died on 30 November 1933 at the age of 34, from TB, which he had contracted during his service in the Navy during the First World War. Frank was buried in St Denys Churchyard at Rotherfield on 4 December 1933.

 

John and Harriet’s tenth child was Charity Booker who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 9 December 1855. In the census of 7 April 1861 Charity, at the age of 5, was living with her parents at Shadwell Farm in High Hurstwood. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Charity, now aged 15, was living with her parents at Frymans Farm in Brede near Rye in Sussex. In the census of 3 April 1881 Charity, at the age of 25, was living with her parents at Inchreed Farm in Rotherfield Parish. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Charity, still a spinster at the age of 35, was living with her widowed mother and her spinster sister Emily in South Street in Rotherfield. In the census of 31 March 1901 Charity was living with her other two spinster sisters, Emily and Mercy, at Chapel Cottage in Rotherfield, and she was described as living on her own means. Charity never married. She was still living at Chapel Cottage when she died at the age of 52 (not 51 as given on her burial record), and she was buried in St Denys Churchyard at Rotherfield on 7 January 1908.

 

 

John and Harriet’s eleventh child was Herbert Booker who was at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 14 June 1857. In the census of 7 April 1861 Herbert, at the age of 3, was living with his parents at Shadwell Farm in High Hurstwood. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Herbert, now aged 13, was living with his parents at Frymans Farm in Brede near Rye in Sussex. In the census of 3 April 1881 Herbert, at the age 23, was a farmer of 120 acres, employing one man and one boy, at Bassett’s Farm in Cowden, Kent. Living with Herbert was his unmarried sister, Caroline Booker, who was his housekeeper; his father’s widowed brother, Charles Booker, who was probably the man working for him on the farm; together with Caroline’s young son Ephraim Booker, and 16-year-old milkman, James Turner, who would have been the boy employed on the farm.

When he was 25 years old Herbert married 32-year-old Lavinia Harding at St Michael & All Angels Church in Withyham on 1 November 1882. Lavinia was the daughter of William and Ann Harding; she had been born at East Grinstead in Sussex and her birth registered during the 3rd quarter of 1850. Herbert and Lavinia lived at Bassett’s Farm in Cowden where they had two children born in 1883 and 1884. In the census of the 5 April 1891 they were living at Bassett’s Farm with their two children. Also living with them were Herbert’s bachelor brother, Stephen Booker, and Lavinia’s bachelor brother, Herbert Harding. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 they were living at Bassett’s Farm with their youngest daughter and their niece, 20-year-old Lillian Streatfield, who was working as their assistant.

 

Herbert and Lavinia’s eldest child was Martha Booker who was born at Cowden in Kent, and whose birth was registered during the 4th quarter of 1883. In the census of 5 April 1891 Martha, at the age of 7, was living with her parents at Bassett’s Farm in Cowden, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Martha, now aged 17, was a live-in pupil governess at a small girls boarding school at 8 Wellington Terrace in Hailsham, Sussex.

 

Herbert and Lavinia’s second child was Isabel Minnie Booker, known as Minnie, who was born at Cowden in Kent, and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1885. In the census of 5 April 1891 Minnie, at the age of 6, was living with her parents at Bassett’s Farm in Cowden, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Minnie, now aged 16, was continuing to live with her parents at Bassett’s Farm.

 

John and Harriet’s twelfth child was Alice Booker who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 23 February 1859. Alice died when only 5 weeks old, and she was buried in St Margaret the Queen Churchyard at Buxted on 5 March 1859.

 

John and Harriet’s thirteenth child was Mercy Booker who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex in about March 1861. In the census of 7 April 1861 Mercy, at the age of 1 month, was living with her parents at Shadwell Farm in High Hurstwood. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Mercy, now aged 10, was living with her parents at Frymans Farm in Brede near Rye in Sussex. In the census of 3 April 1881 Mercy, at the age of 20, was living with her parents at Inchreed Farm in Rotherfield Parish. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Mercy, still a spinster at the age of 40, was living with her other two spinster sisters, Emily and Charity, at Chapel Cottage in Rotherfield, and she was working as a domestic cook.

 

Richard and Dorothy’s sixth child was Charity Booker who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 22 September 1822. In the census of 6 June 1841 Charity, at the age of 19, was living with her parents at the Maypole Farm in High Hurstwood.

When she was 18 years old Charity married 24-year-old William Jarvis, who was a carpenter, at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 26 July 1841. William was the son of William and Martha Jarvis; he had been born at Waldron in Sussex on 13 April 1817, and baptised by the Eastbourne Wesleyan Methodist Circuit on 27 May 1817.[4] William and Charity had five children; the first was born at High Hurstwood in late 1841; the second and third were born at Waldron in 1843 and 1845; and the fourth and fifth at Southborough near Tunbridge Wells in Kent in 1847 and 1850. Their fourth child died in 1848 when only a few months old. In the census of 30 March 1851 they were living at Modest Corner in Southborough with three of their surviving children, and William was continuing to work as a carpenter. Their youngest daughter was staying with William's parents in Waldron. Charity died at the age of 32, her death being registered in Tonbridge registration district during 4th quarter of 1854.

About a year after Charity’s death William, at the age of 38, married Caroline Ashdown in Tonbridge registration district during the 4th quarter of 1855. They had five children born at Southborough between 1858 and 1865. In the census of 7 April 1861 they were living at 12 Castle Street in Southborough with their then two children and one of William’s daughters from his first marriage, and William was a journeyman carpenter. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 they were living in Castle Street with their five children, and William was continuing to work as a carpenter. In the census of 3 April 1881 they were living at 27 Castle Street with three of their children and their 1-year-old granddaughter, Ellen Jarvis. William was still a carpenter. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 they were living at 27 Castle Street with just their 11-year-old granddaughter, Ellen Jarvis, and William was continuing to work as a carpenter. In the census of 31 March 1901 just William and Caroline were living at 27 Castle Street, and William was working as a carpenter on his own account.

William died at the age of 87, his death being registered in Tonbridge registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1904. Ten years later Caroline died at the age of 90, her death being registered in Tonbridge registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1914.

 

William and Charity’s eldest child was Mary Jane Jarvis, known as Jane, who was born at High Hurstwood in Sussex, and baptised at St Mark's Church in Hadlow Down, Sussex on 5 December 1841. In the census of 30 March 1851 Jane, at the age of 9, was living with her parents at Modest Corner in Southborough near Tunbridge Wells in Kent, and she was going to school.

 

William and Charity’s second child was John Jarvis who was born at Waldron in Sussex, and baptised at All Saints Church in Waldron on 28 May 1843. In the census of 30 March 1851 John, at the age of 8, was living with his parents at Modest Corner in Southborough near Tunbridge Wells in Kent, and he was going to school.

 

William and Charity’s third child was Alice Ann Jarvis who was born at Waldron in Sussex, and baptised at All Saints Church in Waldron on 14 December 1845. In the census of 30 March 1851 Alice, at the age of 5, was living with her paternal grandparents, William and Martha Jarvis, at Flints in Waldron, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 Alice, now aged 15, was working as a nursemaid and living with her father and stepmother at 12 Castle Street in Southborough near Tunbridge Wells in Kent. In the census of 2 April 1871 Alice, at the age of 25, was a live-in parlour maid to the family of Thomas Carr, the Rector of Barming, at The Rectory in East Barming near Maidstone in Kent.

 

William and Charity’s fourth child was Thomas Jarvis who was born at Southborough near Tunbridge Wells in Kent, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted, Sussex on 17 October 1847. Thomas died when he was only a few months old, his death being registered in Tonbridge registration district in Kent during the 2nd quarter of 1848.

 

William and Charity’s fifth child was William Jarvis who was born at Southborough near Tunbridge Wells in Kent, and whose birth was registered during the 4th quarter of 1850. In the census of 30 March 1851 William, at the age of 6 months, was living with his parents at Modest Corner in Southborough near Tunbridge Wells in Kent.

 

William and Caroline’s eldest child (William’s sixth) was Martha Ellen Jarvis who was born at Southborough near Tunbridge Wells in Kent, and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1858. In the census of 7 April 1861 Martha, at the age of 3, was living with her parents at 12 Castle Street in Southborough. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Martha, now aged 13, was living with her parents in Castle Street, and she was going to school. In the census of 3 April 1881 Martha, at the age of 23, was working as a housemaid and living with her parents at 27 Castle Street.

 

William and Caroline’s second child (William’s seventh) was Caroline Jarvis who was born at Southborough near Tunbridge Wells in Kent, and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1859. In the census of 7 April 1861 Caroline, at the age of 2, was living with her parents at 12 Castle Street in Southborough. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Caroline, now aged 12, was living with her parents in Castle Street, and she was going to school.

 

William and Caroline’s third child (William’s eighth) was Fanny Emily Jarvis who was born at Southborough near Tunbridge Wells in Kent, and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1861. In the census of 2 April 1871 Fanny, at the age of 10, was living with her parents in Castle Street, and she was going to school.

 

William and Caroline’s fourth child (William’s ninth) was Alfred Jarvis who was born at Southborough near Tunbridge Wells in Kent, and whose birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1863. In the census of 2 April 1871 Alfred, at the age of 7, was living with his parents in Castle Street, and he was going to school. This census recorded that Alfred had had a deformed foot from birth. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Alfred, now aged 17, was living with his parents at 27 Castle Street.

 

William and Caroline’s fifth child (William’s tenth) was Harry Jarvis who was born at Southborough near Tunbridge Wells in Kent, and whose birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1865. In the census of 2 April 1871 Harry, at the age of 5, was living with his parents in Castle Street, and he was going to school. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Harry, now aged 15, was living with his parents at 27 Castle Street.

 

Richard and Dorothy’s seventh child was Henry Booker who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 10 April 1825. In the census of 6 June 1841 Henry, at the age of 16, was a live-in grocer’s apprentice to grocer Samuel Reed at Cliffton Villa in Maresfield. When he was 20 years old Henry married his first cousin, 27-year-old Sarah Ann Smith, at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 12 November 1845. Henry’s brother William was also married there on the same day. See page headed ‘Henry & Sarah Ann Booker’s Family’ for the rest of their lives and details of their family.

 

Richard and Dorothy’s eighth child was Hope Booker who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 9 September 1827. Hope died when 10 years old, and she was buried in St Margaret the Queen Churchyard at Buxted on 15 February 1838.

 

Richard and Dorothy’s ninth child was Charles Booker who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 25 July 1830. In the census of 6 June 1841 Charles, at the age of 10, was living with his parents at the Maypole Farm in High Hurstwood. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Charles, at the age of 20, was living with his parents at Newlands Farm in High Hurstwood, and he was working for his father on the farm.

When he was 23 years old Charles married 19-year-old Ann Vinall at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 9 December 1853. Ann was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Vinall; she had been privately baptised on 2 April 1834 and then received into St Margaret the Queen Church at Buxted on 1 June 1834. Charles and Ann had five children born at High Hurstwood between 1855 and 1865. In the census of 7 April 1861 Charles and Ann and their then three children were lodging with Charles’ parents at Newlands Farm in High Hurstwood, and Charles was a farm labourer. Three years after the birth of their last child Ann died at the age of 33 (not 34 as given on her death certificate), her death being registered in Uckfield registration district during the 4th quarter of 1867.

In the census of 2 April 1871 widower Charles and four of his children were living at Crossways (now White Cottage) in High Hurstwood, which was owned by his brother Richard John Booker. Also living there as his housekeeper was his niece, Caroline Booker, the daughter of his brother Richard John Booker, and thought to possibly be the mother of his youngest child, and a lodger Benjamin Turk, who was now an almsman, but had worked for Richard John Booker and was the brother of his wife. In the census of 3 April 1881 Charles and his youngest child were living at Bassett’s Farm, Cowden, Kent, with his nephew, farmer Herbert Booker, for whom Charles was presumably working as a farm labourer. Also living there, as housekeeper, was Caroline Booker who had earlier been Charles’ housekeeper.

In the census of 5 April 1891 Charles was living at Redbridge Farm in Rotherfield Parish with his niece, Caroline Booker, and her son, who was possibly Charles youngest child, and Charles was a farm labourer working for Caroline, who was now a farmer. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Charles was still living with Caroline at Redbridge Farm, and he was now her farm foreman. Three years later Charles died at Redbridge Farm at the age of 74 (not 73 as given on his burial record), and he was buried in St Denys Churchyard at Rotherfield on 14 October 1904.

 

Charles and Ann’s eldest child was Catherine Anne Booker who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 29 July 1855. In the census of 7 April 1861 Catherine, at the age of 5, was living with her parents, who were lodging with her father’s parents at Newlands Farm in High Hurstwood, and she was going to school.

 

Charles and Ann’s second child was John Booker who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 27 December 1857. In the census of 7 April 1861 John, at the age of 3, was living with his parents, who were lodging with his father's parents at Newlands Farm in High Hurstwood. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 John, now aged 13, was a live-in farm labourer with farmer David Bishop Huggetts Farm in High Hurstwood. In the census of 3 April 1881 John, at the age of 23, was living at Inchreed Farm in Rotherfield Parish with the family of his father's brother Richard John Booker, for whom he was working as an indoor farm servant.

When he was 30 years old John married 19-year-old Margaret Taylor at All Saints Church in Crowborough on 4 February 1888. They were both then living at Crowborough, and John was now a blacksmith. They had seven children. Their first four children were born in Crowborough and Rotherfield Parishes between 1888 and 1893. In the census of 5 April 1891 they were living at Sparrows near Burnt Oak in Rotherfield Parish with their then two children. John was a blacksmith, and they had 17-year-old blacksmith's apprentice, Harry Avis, living with them. Then when their third child was born on 29 January 1892 they were living with the family of John's cousin Sally Whitewood at Inchreed Farm near Burnt Oak.

Their other three children were born at High Hurstwood between 1896 and 1902. In the census of 31 March 1901 they were living at Grovehurst Farm in High Hurstwood with their six children, and John was a blacksmith and farmer working on his own account. John was still described as being a blacksmith and farmer when two of his children married in 1917 and 1919. It's thought that John worked as a blacksmith at the Smithy near Burnt Oak crossroads, and it's known that this smithy had become unused and deserted in the 1920s.

 

John and Margaret’s eldest child was Fred Booker who was born at Crowborough in Sussex, and baptised at All Saints Church in Crowborough on 9 September 1888. In the census of 5 April 1891 Fred, at the age of 2, was living with his parents at Sparrows in Rotherfield Parish. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Fred, now aged 12, was living with his parents at Grovehurst in High Hurstwood. When he was about 29 years old Fred married Eleanor Mabel Still, known as Nellie, in Steyning registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1917. They had two children born in 1921 and 1929 while they were living at Burnt Oak Cottages in Crowborough Parish and Fred was working as a farm carter. In the 1950s Fred worked at Cooks Corner Farm in the Withyham Parish area of Crowborough and they lived in a cottage down the lane leading to Gildridge Fruit Farm.

 

John and Margaret’s second child was Jabez Booker who was born at Burnt Oak in Rotherfield Parish on 24 November 1889, and baptised at All Saints Church in Crowborough on 9 February 1890. In the census of 5 April 1891 Jabez, at the age of 1, was living with his parents at Sparrows in Rotherfield Parish. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Jabez, now aged 11, was living with his parents at Grovehurst in High Hurstwood. When he was 22 years old Jabez married his 3rd cousin, 19-year-old Dorothy Mary Moon, at Holy Trinity Church in High Hurstwood on 17 August 1912.

Jabez and Dorothy had two children born in 1913 and 1919 and also adopted one. They first lived at Jarvis Brook where their eldest child was born in 1913. They had moved to Ivy Cottage in High Hurstwood by the time their daughter Kathleen started school in 1918, and their second child was born there in 1919. In 1927 they adopted Betty when she was 6 weeks old, and they also had Robert Smith as a foster child. Jabez worked as a gardener at Hurstwood House, and they had moved to a cottage called Hillside, which is now called White Briars, in High Hurstwood by the time Betty started school in 1932. They later moved to a council flat at Maypole Cottages in High Hurstwood. Jabez died on 7 April 1972, at the age of 82, and Dorothy died on 11 July 1979, at the age of 86, they were both cremated at Brighton.

 

 

John and Margaret’s third child was May Booker who was born at Inchreed Farm near Burnt Oak in Rotherfield Parish, Sussex on 29 January 1892, and baptised at All Saints Church in Crowborough on 10 April 1892. In the census of 31 March 1901 May, at the age of 9, was living with her parents at Grovehurst Farm in High Hurstwood. May went to High Hurstwood School, which she left in mid-1904 when she was 12 years old. A Labour Certificate dated 8 June 1904 recorded that May had reached 12 years of age and had attained Standard VI in her education so she could leave school and take up employment. From postcards addressed to May it seems that she was a live-in servant at Hollymount in High Hurstwood in 1909 and then at The Homestead in High Hurstwood from at least 1910 to 1914. May was confirmed on 3 December 1912, when she was 20 years old, and she took her first communion at Holy Trinity Church in High Hurstwood on Sunday 8 December 1912.

In 1920 when she was about 30 years old May had an illegitimate daughter. Then when she was 39 years old May married 33-year-old Herbert James Garrett, known as Bert, who was then serving in the Royal Corps of Signals, in Uckfield registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1931. Bert was the son of schoolmaster Clifford Ernest Garrett and his wife Lucy, and he had been born in the School House at Farringdon near Exeter in Devon on 7 April 1898. During the First World War Bert had served in the army as Private 5044 in the Norfolk Regiment and then as Private 78104 in the Notts & Derby Regiment; for which he was awarded the British War Medal.[5] Bert and May didn't have any children and they lived at 11 Whitehill Close in Crowborough. May's grandson, John Tester/Bailey came to live with them after his father died in early 1949.

After his discharge from the Royal Corps of Signals in 1939 Bert worked as an engineer for Post Office Telephones until having to retire because of ill health in about 1962. During the Second World War he was a Corporal in the Crowborough Home Guard. He was a founder-member of Crowborough Toc H branch, a member of All Saints Church and a Sunday school teacher.

Bert died in Hawkenbury Hospital at Tunbridge Wells on 29 May 1968, at the age of 70, and he was cremated at the Kent & Sussex Crematorium at Tunbridge Wells on 5 June 1968. An obituary for Bert was published in the local newspaper:

Mr. Herbert James Garrett, of 11 White Hill Close, Crowborough, died last week, aged 70.

Born in Devon, Mr. Garrett served with the Norfolk Regt. and the Notts. and Derby Regt. in the 1914-18 war. He was demobilised in 1920, but two years later re-enlisted in the Royal Corps of Signals on a regular engagement and served in India and Palestine.

He left the army in 1939 and became a member of the Post Office Telephones engineering staff, retiring about six years ago for health reasons.

In the last war, he was a member of the Home Guard.

A founder-member of Crowborough Toc H branch, he was closely associated with All Saints' Church. Keenly interested in youth work, he was a Sunday school teacher for many years. He was an active member of Crowborough branch of the British Legion.

Mr. Garrett is survived by his wife and a daughter. A funeral service at All Saints' Church on Sunday was conducted by a former Vicar of Crowborough, the Rev. Gordon Clark.

Twenty years later May died at the age of 96, and she was cremated at the Kent & Sussex Crematorium at Tunbridge Wells on 29 March 1988. The ashes of both Bert and May were buried in the garden of remembrance in All Saints Churchyard at Crowborough.

 

 

John and Margaret’s fourth child was Kate Booker who was born at Sweethaws near Crowborough in Sussex, and baptised at All Saints Church in Crowborough on 11 February 1894. In the census of 31 March 1901 Kate, at the age of 7, was living with her parents at Grovehurst in High Hurstwood. When she was 23 years old Kate married 24-year-old Frank Rodemark at Holy Trinity Church in High Hurstwood on 4 August 1917. They were both then living at High Hurstwood, and Frank was working as a labourer. They had six children born at High Hurstwood between 1918 and 1931. From 1918 to 1925 Frank was working as a carter. They lived at 4 Stonehall Cottages in High Hurstwood until at least 1942. They were living at Maypole Cottages in High Hurstwood when Frank died at the age of 70, and was buried in Holy Trinity Churchyard at High Hurstwood on 1 February 1965. Nine years later Kate was living at 15 Maypole Cottages when she died at the age of 80, and was buried in Holy Trinity Churchyard at High Hurstwood on 25 November 1974.

 

John and Margaret’s fifth child was Alice Booker who was born at High Hurstwood in Sussex, and baptised at Holy Trinity Church in High Hurstwood on 13 December 1896. In the census of 31 March 1901 Alice, at the age of 4, was living with her parents at Grovehurst in High Hurstwood. Alice died at High Hurstwood, at the age of 14, and she was buried in Holy Trinity Churchyard at High Hurstwood on 10 May 1911.

 

 

John and Margaret’s six child was Frank Booker who was born at High Hurstwood in Sussex, and baptised at Holy Trinity Church in High Hurstwood on 9 October 1898. In the census of 31 March 1901 Frank, at the age of 2, was living with his parents at Grovehurst in High Hurstwood. When he was 21 years old Frank married 21-year-old Dorothy Bernice Maria Eldridge, known as Bessie, at Holy Trinity Church in High Hurstwood on 30 July 1919. They were both then living at High Hurstwood, and Frank was working as a cowman. When they had their two adopted children baptised in 1930 and 1932 they were living at Latchmoor, 5 Old Lane, Crowborough, and Frank was a labourer. Later they lived in Whitehill Close, Crowborough.

 

 

John and Margaret’s seventh child was Emily Booker who was born at High Hurstwood in Sussex on 21 June 1902, and baptised at Holy Trinity Church in High Hurstwood on 24 August 1902. Emily attended High Hurstwood School, probably until she was 12 years old. When she was 19 years old Emily married 26-year-old John William Wood, known as Jack, who was a soldier, in Uckfield registration district during the 1st quarter of 1922. Jack's birth had been registered in Uckfield registration district during the 4th quarter of 1895. Jack and Emily had five children; the first being born in Uckfield registration district in 1922 and the last three in Andover registration district in Hampshire between 1932 and 1938. After Jack left the army they lived at 3 Luxford Cottages in Luxford Lane, Crowborough, which was close to the Woolf Recreation Ground entrance. In the late 1970s Emily was living in sheltered housing at Jarvis Brook. Emily died at the age of 89, her death being registered in Uckfield registration district during August 1991.

 

Charles and Ann’s third child was Louisa Booker who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 15 April 1860. In the census of 7 April 1861 Louisa, at the age of 1, was living with her parents, who were lodging with her father’s parents at Newlands Farm in High Hurstwood. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Louisa, now aged 11, was living with her widowed father at Crossways in High Hurstwood, and she was going to school.

 

Charles and Ann’s fourth child was William Booker who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 3 August 1862. In the census of 2 April 1871 William, at the age of 9, was living with his widowed father at Crossways in High Hurstwood, and he was going to school.

 

Charles and Ann’s fifth child was Harriet Booker who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 1 January 1865. In the census of 2 April 1871 Harriet, at the age of 6, was living with her widowed father at Crossways in High Hurstwood, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Harriet, now aged 16, was a live-in kitchen maid for the family of timber merchant Luke Botten at Havelock House, Tonbridge, Kent.

 

Richard and Dorothy’s tenth child was Ann Faith Booker, known as Faith Ann, who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 17 November 1833. In the census of 6 June 1841 Faith, at the age of 7, was living with her parents at the Maypole Farm in High Hurstwood.

When she was 17 years old Faith married 22-year-old Isaac Veness at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 4 November 1850. Faith’s cousin John Muddle, the eldest son of Joseph Muddle, was also married there on the same day. Isaac was the son of Joseph and Mary Veness; he had been born at Ashburnham in Sussex and baptised at St Peter’s Church in Ashburnham on 26 October 1828. In the census of 30 March 1851 Isaac and Faith were living with Faith’s parents at Newlands Farm in High Hurstwood, and Isaac was a higler (trader in poultry etc.).

Isaac and Faith had twelve children born between 1851 and 1872. Their first seven children were born at High Hurstwood between 1851 and 1861, the sixth dying in 1860 when only 4 months old. In the census of 7 April 1861 they were living somewhere near Old Hall Farm in High Hurstwood with their then five surviving children, and Isaac was now a farmer of 90 acres. They then moved to Framfield where their seventh child died in early 1863, at the age of 18 months, and their eighth child was born there in late 1863, but by the time this child was baptised in April 1864 they were living at Fletching Common in Fletching Parish, and Isaac had become a threshing machine owner. Their ninth and tenth children were born in 1865 and 1867 while they were living at Fletching Common. Then when their eleventh child was born in 1869 they were living at Chelwood Common in Danehill (part of the ancient parish of Fletching). In the census of 2 April 1871 they were living at Chelwood Common with five of their children, and Isaac was described as a master steam sawyer. They were still living at Chelwood Common when the twelfth child was born in early 1872, but had moved to Newick by the time this child was baptised in July 1872. At the baptism of this child and the others since 1864 Isaac had been described as a threshing machine owner, probably combining this with being a steam sawyer, using the same steam engine to power both machines.

Then in the census of 3 April 1881 they were living at 1 Cromwell Cottage in Cricketers Road in the St Johns area of Clayton Parish with three of their children, and Isaac was working as a carpenter. Also living with them was their grandson Robert Sidney Veness, who was the illegitimate son of their daughter Elizabeth. In the census of 5 April 1891 they were living in Leylands Road at Burgess Hill and Isaac was now working as a general labourer. They had their grandson Robert Sidney Veness continuing to live with them, and also a granddaughter, Mary Maud Brown, the daughter of their daughter Mary. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 they were living at the Old School House in Junction Road, Burgess Hill, and Isaac was now a poultry farmer working on his own account at home. Their grandson Robert Sidney Veness was still living with them and their daughter Kate was back living with them. From 1901 to 1910 Isaac was recorded as being the householder at the Old School House, and to be a carpenter.

Isaac died at Burgess Hill on 9 January 1914, at the age of 85, and he was buried in St Andrew's Churchyard at Burgess Hill. Faith continued to live at the Old School House until 1917, but was living with the family of her daughter Martha Ann at Rosevale, 309 Junction Road, Burgess Hill when she died on 20 August 1927, at the age of 93. She was buried in St Andrew's Churchyard at Burgess Hill.

 

Isaac and Faith’s first child was Anne Maria Veness who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 26 October 1851. In the census of 7 April 1861 Anne, at the age of 9, was living with her parents in High Hurstwood, and she going to school. But two years later Anne died at Chailey in Sussex, at the age of 12, and she was buried in St Peter's Churchyard at Chailey on 16 December 1863.

 

Isaac and Faith’s second child was Isaac Veness who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 24 January 1853. In the census of 7 April 1861 Isaac, at the age of 8, was living with his parents in High Hurstwood, and he going to school. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Isaac, now aged 18, was a farm servant living with his grandparents, Joseph and Mary Veness, at Wapsbourne in Chailey, Sussex where they were farming 255 acres. In the census of 3 April 1881 Isaac, at the age of 28, was a live-in servant to banker’s agent Edgar Corrie at Fair Lawn, Fair Mile, Cobham, Surrey. Isaac married at Kingston in 1886.

 

Isaac and Faith’s third child was Joseph Veness who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 1 October 1854. In the census of 7 April 1861 Joseph, at the age of 6, was living with his parents in High Hurstwood, and he going to school. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Joseph, now aged 16, was a live-in farm servant to farmer John Fielder at Avons Farm in Chailey, Sussex. Joseph married at Brighton in 1881. Joseph died at the age of 68, his death being registered in Lewes registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1922.

 

Isaac and Faith’s fourth child was Elizabeth Veness who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 14 June 1857. In the census of 7 April 1861 Elizabeth, at the age of 3, was living with her parents in High Hurstwood, and she going to school. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Elizabeth, now aged 13, was living with her uncle and aunt, Daniel and Sarah Watson, at Lane End in Newick, Sussex and working as a general servant. Then when she was about 22 years old Elizabeth gave birth to an illegitimate son at Brighton on 18 May 1879, who lived with and was raised by Elizabeth’s parents. In the census of 3 April 1881 Elizabeth, at the age of 23, was a live-in general servant to the family of magistrate Edward Swan at Cants Villas in Burgess Hill, Sussex. Elizabeth married twice, at Burgess Hill in 1887, and then after being widowed, at Southwick in 1904.

 

Elizabeth’s illegitimate son was Robert Sidney Veness who was born at Brighton in Sussex on 18 May 1879. In the census of 3 April 1881 Robert, at the age of 1, was living with his maternal grandparents, Isaac and Faith Veness, at 1 Cromwell Cottage, Cricketers Road, St Johns Common, Clayton. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Robert, now aged 11, was living with his maternal grandparents at Leylands Road in Burgess Hill, and he was going to school. In the census of 31 March 1901 Robert, at the age of 21, was working as a general labourer and living with his maternal grandparents at the Old School House in Burgess Hill.

 

Isaac and Faith’s fifth child was Mary Veness who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex on 16 September 1858, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 31 October 1858. In the census of 7 April 1861 Mary, at the age of 2, was living with her parents in High Hurstwood. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Mary, now aged 12, was living with her parents at Chelwood Common in Danehill, Sussex, and she was going to school. When she was about 23 years old Mary married John Wellstead Brown in St Saviour registration district in London during the 3rd quarter of  1881. They had at least one child born at 138 Leadenhall Road in London during 1885.

 

John and Mary’s only known child was Mary Maud Brown who was born at 138 Leadenhall Road in London on 27 October 1885. In the census of 5 April 1891 Mary, at the age of 5, was staying with her maternal grandparents, Isaac and Faith Veness, at Leylands Road in Burgess Hill, Sussex.

 

Isaac and Faith’s sixth child was John Veness who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 15 April 1860. John died when only four months old, and he was buried in St Margaret the Queen Churchyard at Buxted on 9 May 1860.

 

Isaac and Faith’s seventh child was Margaret Veness who was born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex, and her birth registered during the 4th quarter of 1861. She was baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 5 October 1862. Margaret died at Framfield in Sussex when she was 18 months old, and she was buried in St Margaret the Queen Churchyard at Buxted on 3 March 1863.

 

Isaac and Faith’s eighth child was Alexander John Bailey Veness who was born at Framfield in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 4th quarter of 1863. Alexander was baptised at St Andrew and St Mary the Virgin Church in Fletching, Sussex on 22 April 1864. In the census of 2 April 1871 Alexander, at the age of 7, was living with his parents at Chelwood Common in Danehill, Sussex, and he was going to school.

 

 

Isaac and Faith’s ninth child was Sarah Jane Veness who was born at Fletching in Sussex on 16 March 1865, and baptised at St Andrew and St Mary the Virgin Church in Fletching on 4 March 1866. In the census of 2 April 1871 Sarah, at the age of 6, was living with her parents at Chelwood Common in Danehill, Sussex, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Sarah, now aged 16, was working as a domestic servant and living with her parents at 1 Cornwell Cottage in Cricketers Road in the St Johns area of Clayton Parish, Sussex. In the census of 5 April 1891 Sarah, at the age of 26, was working as a servant at the Great Northern Hotel in Euston Road, St Pancras, London.

When she was 27 years old Sarah married 32-year-old Charles Benjamin Symes in Islington registration district in London during the 2nd quarter of 1892. Charles was the son of Charles and Sarah Symes, and his birth had been registered in Chelsea registration district in London during the second quarter of 1860. Sarah had been living at 41 Salisbury Road in Islington when she died in the London County Asylum at Ilford, Essex on 20 March 1918, at the age of 53, from tuberculosis.

 

Isaac and Faith’s tenth child was Thomas James Veness who was born at Fletching in Sussex on 27 February 1867, and baptised at St Andrew and St Mary the Virgin Church at Fletching on 2 June 1867. In the census of 2 April 1871 Thomas, at the age of 4, was living with his parents at Chelwood Common in Danehill, Sussex. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Thomas, now aged 14, was working as a brickmaker and living with his parents at 1 Cornwell Cottage in Cricketers Road in the St Johns area of Clayton Parish, Sussex. Thomas was a seaman and sailed frequently to and from New York. He married at Burgess Hill in 1901 and had four children. He died at the age of 81, his death being registered in Thurrock registration district in Essex during the 2nd quarter of 1948.

 

Isaac and Faith’s eleventh child was Martha Ann Veness who was born at Chelwood Common in Danehill within Fletching Parish in Sussex on 7 November 1868, and baptised at St Andrew and St Mary the Virgin Church in Fletching on 1 August 1869. In the census of 2 April 1871 Martha, at the age of 2, was living with her parents at Chelwood Common in Danehill. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Martha, now aged 12, was a live-in domestic servant to widowed schoolmistress Caroline Hoffman in Newport Road at Clayton, Sussex. In the census of 31 March 1901 Martha, at the age of 32, was a live-in housemaid to bachelor and retired civil servant Albert Wigney and his spinster sister at 2 College Terrace in Brighton, Sussex.

When she was 35 years old Martha married 34-year-old Ernest Henry Wheeler at St John's Church in Burgess Hill, Sussex on 16 February 1904. Ernest was the son of William and Maria Wheeler, and he had been born at Warminster in Wiltshire on 11 March 1870. He joined the army in 1889 and did much of his service in India. He was in the Royal Garrison Artillery when he married. After their marriage Ernest and Martha lived at 52 Guthrie Street in Glasgow as Ernest was then stationed in Scotland, and their three children were born there between 1905 and 1908. Ernest left the army in 1910 and the family settled in Burgess Hill where Ernest became a butcher. They lived at Rosevale, 309 Junction Road, Burgess Hill from at least 1924 to 1949. Martha died at Rosevale during January 1949, at the age of 80. Then six weeks later Ernest died at the home of his daughter Faith in Haywards Heath on 9 March 1949, at the age of 79.

 

Ernest and Martha’s eldest child was Faith Elsie May Wheeler who was born at 52 Guthrie Street in Glasgow, Scotland on 13 July 1905. When she was 29 years old Faith married William Henry Jacques, known as Harry, at St Andrew's Church in Burgess Hill, Sussex during the 3rd quarter of 1934. Harry and his twin brother had been born at Springfield Villas in Wantage, Berkshire on 30 December 1903.

 

Ernest and Martha’s second child was William Henry Wheeler who was born at 52 Guthrie Street in Glasgow, Scotland on 30 November 1906.

 

Ernest and Martha’s third child was Kathleen Annie Wheeler who was born at 52 Guthrie Street in Glasgow, Scotland on 1 December 1908.

 

Isaac and Faith’s twelfth child was Kate Veness who was born at Chelwood Common in Danehill within Fletching Parish in Sussex on 12 April 1872, and baptised at St Andrew and St Mary the Virgin Church in Fletching on 7 July 1872. In the census of 3 April 1881 Kate, at the age of 8, was living with her parents at 1 Cornwell Cottage in Cricketers Road in the St Johns area of Clayton Parish, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Kate, now aged 18, was a live-in housemaid to boarding house keeper Annie Whitman at Wynnstay on the Keymer Road at Burgess Hill in Sussex. In the census of 31 March 1901 Kate, at the age of 28, was living with her parents at the Old School House in Burgess Hill. Kate never married. She had been living with the family of her sister Martha at Rosevale, 309 Junction Road, Burgess Hill when she died in the East Sussex Mental Hospital at Hellingly, Sussex on 23 April 1948, at the age of 76.

Copyright © Derek Miller 2008-2011

Last updated 22 August 2011