THE MUDDLE FAMILIES

 

THE SUSSEX MUDDLE FAMILIES THE BUXTED MUDDLES

 

Chart of Isaac & Mary/Amelia Muddle's Family

 

Isaac and Mary’s only child was George Muddle who was born at Isfield in Sussex on 4 January 1823, and baptised at St Bartholomew’s Church in Maresfield on 9 February 1823. George moved with his parents to High Hurstwood in Sussex where his mother died in 1825. George then went to live with his grandparents, Isaac and Ann Muddle, at Streele in Buxted Parish.

When his father remarried in 1826 George went back to live with him at Streele Park, and in 1827 George started to go to school at Framfield. The family moved to Lowland near Streele in 1827, and George then went to school at Mr Hider’s, then to Charity Kingswood’s dame school at Buxted Bridge, and then to Uckfield School. The family moved to High Hurstwood in 1830, and in 1833 George transferred from Uckfield School to Crowborough School.

George left school in 1836, and went to work at Mr Winter’s, also Howbourne Farm, and other places, these being the same places that his father worked. Then in 1838 George, at the age of 15, emigrated from England to New South Wales, with the rest of the family, on the William Metcalfe.

When he was 23 years old George married 17-year-old Elizabeth Moore, known as Betsey, on 1 December 1846 at St Mary-on-Allyn Church (St Mary the Virgin Church) on the Upper Allyn River to the north of Gresford in New South Wales, which was in Houghton Parish. Elizabeth was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Moore; she had been born at Cranage in Cheshire, England on 15 June 1829, and baptised by the Preston Brook Circuit of the Primitive Methodist Connexion on 29 March 1830. In 1839, when she was 9 years old, Elizabeth emigrated from England to New South Wales with her parents, her brother Thomas and her sister Sarah on the Hero of Malown. See the page headed ‘George & Elizabeth Muddle’s Family’ for the rest of their lives and details of their family.

 

Isaac and Amelia’s eldest child (Isaac’s second) was Luke Gorringe/Muddle who was born at Mayfield in Sussex on 29 June 1826, and baptised at St Dunstan's Church in Mayfield on 23 July 1826 as the illegitimate son of Amelia Gorringe. Then 3½ months after his birth Luke's mother married his father, Isaac Muddle, who was named as his father in a Maintenance Order. In 1838 Luke, at the age of 11, emigrated from England to New South Wales, with the rest of the family, on the William Metcalfe.

When he was 30 years old Luke married Eliza Purnell, who was probably about 16, on 8 September 1856 in Dungog registration district in New South Wales. Eliza was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Purnell, and the sister of the Harriet Purnell who was to marry Luke's brother James in 1867. See the page headed ‘Luke & Eliza Muddle’s Family’ for the rest of their lives and details of their family.

 

Isaac and Amelia’s second child (Isaac’s third) was William Muddle, known as Bill, who was born at Buxted in Sussex in March 1828, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 29 June 1828. Then in 1838 William, at the age of 10, emigrated from England to New South Wales, with the rest of the family, on the William Metcalfe.

When he was 24 years old William married 24-year-old Elizabeth Creighton at St Paul’s Anglican Church in Kincumber, which is about 30 miles north of Sydney, in New South Wales on 21 July 1852. Elizabeth was the daughter of Robert and Eliza Creighton; she had been baptised at Downpatrick in Ireland on 1 March 1828, and she had migrated to Australia on the Jessie arriving on 19 February 1839. See the page headed ‘William & Elizabeth Muddell’s Family’ for the rest of their lives and details of their family.

 

Isaac and Amelia’s third child (Isaac’s fourth) was Harriett Muddle who was born at Buxted in Sussex in December 1829, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 21 March 1830. Then in 1838 Harriett, at the age of 8, emigrated from England to New South Wales, with the rest of the family, on the William Metcalfe.

When she was only 16 years old Harriett married 30-year-old Henry Lee at Allynbrook in Houghton Parish in New South Wales on 21 June 1846. Henry was the son of James and Charlotte Lee, and he had been baptised at Hemel Hempstead Church, Hertfordshire, England on 5 October 1815. He was convicted of stealing lead at Hertford Quarter Sessions on 2 January 1837 and sentenced to transportation for 7 years. He sailed on the Asia from Torbay in Devon on 4 August 1837 and arrived at Sydney in New South Wales on 2 December 1837.

Henry and Harriett had thirteen children born in the Gresford area of Paterson registration district, New South Wales between 1848 and 1874. They were living at Coulston and Henry was a labourer when he died on 30 December 1899 at the age of 84 (not 81 as given on his burial record), and was buried in the Cemetery of St Mary-on-Allyn Church (St Mary the Virgin Church) at Allynbrook on 1 January 1900. His death was reported in the Maitland Mercury of 2 January 1900:

A distressful calamity occurred in the upper portion of the district on Saturday. An old man, Mr Lee, of Allynbrook, over eighty years of age, drank a glass of carbolic in mistake for wine, and expired half an hour afterwards. An inquest is being held at Allynbrook to-day. The residents are shocked at this very sad occurrence.

Harriett moved to Sydney where six years after Henry's death she died at her home, 79 Rose Street, Darlington, Sydney on 26 December 1905, at the age of 76. Harriett's death notice was published in the Saturday 13 January 1906 edition of The Sydney Morning Herald.

 

Henry and Harriett’s eldest child was Elizabeth Ann Lee who was born at Gresford in Paterson registration district, New South Wales on 1 March 1848, and baptised in Houghton Parish on 8 April 1848. Elizabeth married in 1867 and had seven children. She died when she was about 52 years old, her death being registered in Broken Hill registration district in New South Wales during 1900.

 

Henry and Harriett’s second child was Sarah Lee who was born at Caergwrle near Gresford in Paterson registration district, New South Wales on 19 October 1849, and baptised in Houghton Parish on 2 December 1849. Sarah married in 1868 and had nine children. She died in Scone registration district in New South Wales on 20 May 1923, at the age of 73.

 

Henry and Harriett’s third child was Louisa Lee who was born at Caergwrle near Gresford in Paterson registration district, New South Wales on 20 December 1851 and baptised at Paterson on 25 January 1852. Louisa married in 1876 and had six children. She died when she was about 80 years old, her death being registered in Scone registration district in New South Wales on during 1932.

 

Henry and Harriett’s fourth child was Charlotte Jane Lee who was born at Caergwrle near Gresford in Paterson registration district, New South Wales on 2 April 1854 and baptised at Caergwrle on 5 April 1854. Charlotte married in 1910. She died when she was about 82 years old, her death being registered in Auburn registration district in Sydney, New South Wales on during 1936.

 

Henry and Harriett’s fifth child, who was unnamed, was born at Gresford in Paterson registration district, New South Wales in about 1856, and died very young on 20 January 1856.

 

Henry and Harriett’s sixth child was William Newton Lee who was born at Lewinsbrook in Paterson registration district, New South Wales on 15 February 1857 and baptised at Lewinsbrook on 26 April 1857. William married in 1880 and had seven children. William died when he was about 68 years old, his death being registered in Drummoyne registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1925.

 

Henry and Harriett’s seventh child was Charles Lee who was born at Lewinsbrook in Paterson registration district, New South Wales on 19 April 1859 and baptised at Lewinsbrook on 19 June 1859. Charles married in 1881 and had ten children. He died in West Maitland registration district in New South Wales on 17 October 1937, at the age of 78.

 

Henry and Harriett’s eighth child was Emma Lee who was born at Lewinsbrook in Paterson registration district, New South Wales on 1 April 1861 and baptised on 14 June 1861. Emma married in 1877 and had eleven children. She died in West Maitland registration district in New South Wales on 25 May 1941, at the age of 80.

 

Henry and Harriett’s ninth child was James Lee who was born at Lewinsbrook in Paterson registration district, New South Wales on 18 March 1863 and baptised on 17 May 1863. James died at Waterloo in Sydney, New South Wales on 11 November 1911, at the age of 48.

 

Henry and Harriett’s tenth child was Alice Amelia Lee who was born at Lewinsbrook in Paterson registration district, New South Wales on 9 August 1865 and baptised at Lewinsbrook on 1 October 1865. Alice married in 1888 and had three children. She died when she was about 72 years old, her death being registered in Redfern registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1937.

 

Henry and Harriett’s eleventh child was Phoebe Harriet Lee who was born at Lewinsbrook in Paterson registration district, New South Wales on 15 October 1867 and baptised at Lewinsbrook on 22 December 1867. Phoebe married in 1894 and had two children. She died when she was about 91 years old, her death being registered in Caringbah registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1958.

 

Henry and Harriett’s twelfth child was Frederick Thomas Lee who was born at Lewinsbrook in Paterson registration district, New South Wales on 15 January 1871 and baptised at Lewinsbrook on 7 May 1871. Frederick died when he was about 73 years old, his death being registered in Boolaroo registration district near Newcastle in New South Wales during 1944.

 

Henry and Harriett’s thirteenth child was George Henry Lee who was born at Lewinsbrook in Paterson registration district, New South Wales on 16 January 1874 and baptised on 22 February 1874. George married in 1903 and had eight children. He died in the State Hospital in Liverpool registration district in Sydney, New South Wales when he was about 61 years old, his death being registered in during 1935.

 

Isaac and Amelia’s fourth child (Isaac’s fifth) was James Muddle who was born at Buxted in Sussex in March 1832, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 8 April 1832. Then in 1838 James, at the age of 6, emigrated from England to New South Wales, with the rest of the family, on the William Metcalfe.

When he was 35 years old James married Harriet Purnell, who was about 24, in Dungog registration district in New South Wales on 2 September 1867. Harriet was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Purnell; she had been born in New South Wales in 1843, and was the sister of the Eliza Purnell who had married James' brother Luke in 1856. James and Harriet had eleven children born between 1867 and 1885, three of whom died as infants. They were living at Bandon Grove, which is about 5 miles north of Dungog, and James was working as a tobacco twister (cigar maker) when their first child was baptised in 1868. They were still at Bandon Grove when their fifth child was born in 1871, and remained in Dungog district until the birth of their seventh child in 1875. They had moved to Halton near Gresford in Paterson registration district when their eighth child was born in 1879, and they remained in Paterson district at least until the birth of their last child in 1885, and then the death of two of their children there in 1887.

Sometime during the next four years they moved Queensland and were living in Brisbane when their daughter Elizabeth died on 28 March 1891. Six years later James died in Brisbane on 4 October 1897, at the age of 65, and he was buried in South Brisbane Cemetery on 5 October 1897 in the same grave as his daughter Elizabeth. Then twenty-seven years later Harriet died in Brisbane on 20 February 1925, at the age of about 81 (not 83 as given on her burial record), and she was buried in Toowong Cemetery in Brisbane on 21 February 1925.

 

Their children were:

William John 1867-1922  James 1869-1909  Elizabeth Amelia 1870-1891

Ada Harriet 1871-?  Sarah Jane 1873-1887  Edward 1875-1947

Joseph 1879-1926  Josephine Ellen 1881-1882  Job 1881-1946

Edith Clara 1882-1884  Ernest Stanley 1885-1887

 

James and Harriet’s eldest child was William John Muddle who was born at Bandon Grove near Dungog in New South Wales on 10 December 1867, and baptised at Christ Church in Dungog on 5 August 1868. He was baptised with the name William and his birth registered under the name John. William moved with his parents to Brisbane in Queensland sometime between 1887 and 1891.

When he was 23 years old William married 23-year-old Lily Elizabeth Pratt at Brisbane on 22 July 1891. Lily was the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Pratt, she had been born at Lambeth, London, England and her birth registered during the 1st quarter of 1868. William and Lily had three children born at Brisbane between 1892 and 1901, the last of whom died when only a day old. Then the following year Lily died at Brisbane on 12 June 1902, at the age of 34, and she was buried in Toowong Cemetery, Brisbane on 13 June 1902.

Three years later William, at the age of 37, married 21-year-old Maude Ellenor Faulkner at Brisbane on 25 September 1905. Maude was the daughter of Thomas and Sarah Anne Faulkner, and she had been born in Queensland on 19 August 1884. William and Maude had five children born at Brisbane between 1905 and 1914, the first of whom died when only 6 months old. They were living at 71 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane when William's eldest son ran away from home in February 1906. In about 1915 they moved to Melbourne in Victoria where they had two more children born in 1916 and 1918. In 1922 William, at the age of about 54 (not 53 as given on his death certificate) committed suicide by cutting his throat. An inquest into his death was held on 4 April 1922.

Two years later Maude, at the age of about 40, married Peter Paul Gleeson, who was about 56, in Victoria during 1924. Peter was the son of Stephen and Johanna Gleeson, and his birth had been registered in South Melbourne registration district during 1868. Peter died at the age of 81, his death being registered in Cheltenham registration district in Melbourne during 1949. Thirteen years later Maude died at the age of 78, her death being registered in Bendigo registration district, which is about 80 miles north of Melbourne, during 1962.

 

William and Lily’s eldest child was William Joseph Muddle who was born at Brisbane in Queensland on 13 June 1892. William's mother died in June 1902 and his father remarried in September 1905, then four months later in February 1906 William at the age of 13 (not 14 as reported) ran away from his home in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. The following notice was printed in the 'Missing Friends' section of the Queensland Police Gazette of 17 February 1906:

INFORMATION is requested, at the instance of William Muddle, 71 Brunswick street, Fortitude Valley, as to the present whereabouts of his son, WILLIAM MUDDLE, who left his home on 9th instant, and has not been seen since. He is 14 years of age, fair complexion and hair, blue eyes, regular nose; dressed in grey tweed trousers (much warn), white coat, cossack boots, and black stockings. Information to the Officer in Charge, Criminal Investigation Branch, Brisbane. - O. 386. 12th February, 1906.

It's not known if William ever returned home but 14 years later, in 1920, when he was 28, his name was again the Queensland Police Gazette; when a list of prisoners discharged during September 1920 from Rockhampton Prison, which is on the coast about 325 miles north of Brisbane, included William James Muddle, who had been charged with vagrancy and sentenced at Gayndah, which is in the Great Dividing Range about 150 miles north-west of Brisbane, on 3 July 1920 to three months' hard labour. He was discharged on 9 September 1920 so he seems to have only served two months. He was described as 6ft 1¼ins tall, of medium build, sallow complexion, brown hair, brown eyes, 12st 7lb in weight, to be minus two upper front teeth, and to have a large black flesh wart in the centre of his back and another one at the back of his right armpit. Five years later William died at Brisbane on 5 July 1925, at the age of 33.

 

William and Lily’s second child was Harrington Arthur Muddle who was born at Brisbane in Queensland on 1 October 1894. When he was about 24 years old Harrington married Irene M M Jackson in Chatswood registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1928. Harrington died when he was about 66 years old, his death being registered in Marrickville registration district in Sydney during 1960.

 

William and Lily’s third child was Edward Muddle who was born at Brisbane in Queensland on 22 October 1901. Edward died at Brisbane on 23 October 1901, when he was only one day old, and he was buried in Toowong Cemetery, Brisbane on 24 October 1901, in the same grave as Mary Ann Pratt and Ellen Pratt, who were presumably relatives of his mother.

 

William and Maude’s eldest child (William’s fourth) was Myrtle Olive Muddle who was born at Brisbane in Queensland on 3 September 1905. Myrtle died at Brisbane on 7 March 1906 when she was only 6 months old, and she was buried in Toowong Cemetery, Brisbane on 8 March 1906 in the same grave as her father's first wife.

 

William and Maude’s second child (William’s fifth) was Alice Maud Muddle who was born at Brisbane in Queensland on 25 December 1906. When she was about 23 years old Alice married Ernest Edward Lloyd, who was about 33, in Victoria during 1930. Ernest was the son of Thomas Edward and Elizabeth Lloyd, and his birth had been registered in Springfield registration district, which is about 30 miles north of Melbourne, during 1897. Ernest and Alice had at least one child born in about 1935. Alice died at the age of 65, her death being registered in Richmond registration district in Melbourne during 1972. Eight years later Ernest died at the age of 83, his death being registered in Echuca registration district, which is north of Melbourne on the boarder with New South Wales, during 1980.

 

Ernest and Alice’s only known child was Alison Margaret Lloyd who was born in Victoria in about 1935. Alison died at the age of 27, her death being registered in Melbourne during 1962.

 

William and Maude’s third child (William’s sixth) was Sydney Bertram Muddle who was born at Brisbane in Queensland on 23 February 1910. During the Second World War Sydney was living at Stawell in Victoria, which is about 130 miles north-west of Melbourne, when he enlisted in the Australian Army on 26 April 1943. He was Private QX52601 in the 3rd Australian Air Maintenance Company when he was discharged on 4 April 1945.

 

William and Maude’s fourth child (William’s seventh) was Myrtle Olive Muddle who was born at Brisbane in Queensland on 25 September 1911. When she was about 27 years old Myrtle married Clifford Albert Heywood in Petersham registration district in Sydney during 1938.

 

William and Maude’s fifth child (William’s eighth) was Lilly May Muddle who was born at Brisbane in Queensland on 9 June 1914.

 

William and Maude’s sixth child (William’s ninth) was Edna Mabel Muddle whose birth was registered at Carlton in Melbourne, Victoria during 1916. When she was about 23 years old Edna married William Leslie Gair, who was about 22, in Victoria during 1939. William was the son of William Ernest and Mary Ellen Gair, and his birth had been registered in Footscray registration district in Melbourne during 1917. William and Edna had at least one child born in about 1940.

 

William and Edna’s only known child was Rosalie Alberta Gair who was born in Victoria in about 1940. Rosalie married a Newey. She died at the age of 37, her death being registered in Melbourne during 1977.

 

William and Maude’s seventh child (William’s tenth) was Hilda Marion Muddle whose birth was registered at Carlton in Melbourne, Victoria during 1918. When she was about 17 years old Hilda married Rupert Barling Goodall, who was about 22, in Victoria during 1935. Rupert was the illegitimate son of Augusta Goodall, and his birth had been registered in Williamstown registration district in Melbourne during 1913. Rupert and Hilda had at least one child born in about 1947.

 

Rupert and Hilda’s only known child was Ian Raymond Goodall who was born in Victoria in about 1947. Ian died at the age of 19, his death being registered in Upwey, which is 20 miles east of Melbourne, during 1966.

 

James and Harriet’s second child was James Muddle who was born at Bandon Grove near Dungog in New South Wales on 21 April 1869. James moved with his parents to Brisbane in Queensland sometime between 1887 and 1891. When he was 27 years old James married 23-year-old Christiana Renie Huet in Queensland on 11 November 1896. Christiana was the daughter of John and Christina Huet, and she had been born in Queensland on 20 December 1872. James and Christiana had six children; the first four born in Brisbane between 1897 and 1903, and the other two elsewhere in Queensland in 1904 and 1907; two of those born in Brisbane died when only a few days old. Then two years after the birth of their last child James died in Brisbane on 6 May 1909, at the age of 40, and he was buried in South Brisbane Cemetery on 7 May 1909.

Sixteen years after James' death Christiana, at the age of 42, married widower Charles James Ruttley on 27 March 1915. Charles had been born in New South Wales, he had married Elizabeth Jury in Brisbane during 1902 and they had three children before Elizabeth died and was buried in Toowong Cemetery in Brisbane on 18 February 1913. Christiana died at the age of 71, and she was buried in the same grave as her first husband, James Muddle, in South Brisbane Cemetery on 28 November 1944.

 

James and Christiana’s eldest child was Stanley James Muddle who was born at Brisbane in Queensland on 13 October 1897. When he was 30 years old Stanley married 27-year-old Eileen May Eugarde on 4 August 1928. Eileen was the daughter of George Henry and Margaret Eugarde, and she had been born in Brisbane on 25 April 1901.

 

James and Christiana’s second child was Norman William Muddle who was born at Brisbane in Queensland on 2 November 1899. Norman died at Brisbane on 17 November 1899, when he was only 15 days old, and he was buried in Toowong Cemetery, Brisbane on 18 November 1899 in a grave that was also to be used for his brother Henry John Muddle.

 

James and Christiana’s third child was Pearlie Josephine Muddle who was born at Brisbane in Queensland on 3 March 1901. When she was 21 years old Pearlie married Ewald Franz Baumann, who was about 31, in Queensland on 19 August 1922. Ewald was the son of Gottfried and Rosina Baumann, and his birth had been registered in Queensland during 1891.

 

James and Christiana’s fourth child was Henry John Muddle who was born at Brisbane in Queensland on 8 September 1903. Henry died at Brisbane on 19 September 1903, when only 11 days old, and he was buried in Toowong Cemetery, Brisbane on 21 September 1903 in the same grave as his brother Norman William Muddle.

 

James and Christiana’s fifth child was Lillian Christina Muddle who was born in Queensland on 2 September 1904. When she was 24 years old Lillian married Hugh Alwyn Millikan in Queensland on 2 February 1929.

 

James and Christiana’s sixth child was Thelma May Muddle who was born in Queensland on 16 March 1907. When she was 25 years old Thelma married Stephen Gow in Brisbane on 6 August 1932.

 

James and Harriet’s third child was Elizabeth Amelia Muddle who was born in Dungog registration district in New South Wales on 10 December 1870. Elizabeth moved with her parents to Queensland where she died in Brisbane on 28 March 1891, at the age of 20, and was buried in South Brisbane Cemetery on 29 March 1891 in a grave that was also to be used for her father.

 

James and Harriet’s fourth child was Ada Harriet Muddle who was born at Bandon Grove near Dungog in New South Wales on 24 December 1871. Ada moved with her parents to Brisbane in Queensland sometime between 1887 and 1891.

When she was 30 years old Ada married 26-year-old William Thomas Atkins at Brisbane on 14 May 1902. William was the son of Thomas and Fanny Atkins and he had been born in Queensland on 1 October 1875. William and Ada didn't have any children because it was only just over a month after their marriage that Ada died, on 26 June 1902, at the age of 30, and was buried in Toowong Cemetery in Brisbane on 27 June 1902.

In 1903 William married widow Eliza Jane Sutton, whose maiden name was Rhodes. Eliza was the daughter of John and Mary Jane Rhodes; her birth had been registered in Queensland during 1867 and her first husband, William Henry Sutton, had died in 1901. William and Eliza Atkins had four children, all daughters, born in Queensland between 1903 and 1907. Buried in the same grave as William’s first wife, Ada, were two infants; Ethel Sutton, the daughter of Eliza and her first husband, on 7 April 1903, and than Florence Ada Atkins, the daughter of William and Eliza Atkins on 21 February 1905.

William died on 15 August 1943, at the age of 67, and he was buried in Toowong Cemetery on 19 August 1943. Then 4½ years later Eliza died on 19 April 1948, at the age of 81, and she was buried in Toowong Cemetery on 21 April 1948 in the same grave as her daughter Bijou.

 

William and Eliza’s eldest child was Frances Ivy Atkins who was born in Queensland on 10 September 1903.

 

William and Eliza’s second child was Florence Ada Atkins who was born in Queensland 0n 14 November 1904. Florence died on 20 February 1905, when only three months old, and she was buried with her father's first wife in Toowong Cemetery in Brisbane on 21 February 1905.

 

William and Eliza’s third child was Ellen Rhoda Atkins who was born in Queensland on 27 June 1906.

 

William and Eliza’s fourth child was Bijou Atkins who was born in Queensland on 13 July 1907. Bijou never married, she died died on 4 June 1938, at the age of 30 (not quite 31 as given on her burial record), and she was buried in Toowong Cemetery on 6 June 1938.

 

James and Harriet’s fifth child was Sarah Jane Muddle who was born in Dungog registration district in New South Wales on 7 June 1873. Sarah died at Allynbrook near Dungog on 3 March 1887, when she was only 13 years old.

 

James and Harriet’s sixth child was Edward Muddle whose birth was registered in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1875. Edward moved with his parents to Brisbane in Queensland sometime between 1887 and 1891. When he was 32 years old Edward married Florence Paxton at Brisbane on 28 December 1907. Edward died in Queensland on 17 January 1947, when he was about 71 years old. Eleven years later Florence died in Queensland on 7 November 1958.

 

James and Harriet’s seventh child was Joseph Muddle who was born at Halton near Gresford, in New South Wales on 24 November 1879. Joseph moved with his parents to Brisbane in Queensland sometime between 1887 and 1891. When he was 24 years old Joseph married Letitia Paxton, known as Letty, who was about 22, at Brisbane on 6 April 1904. They must have immediately moved to Sydney in New South Wales as they had three children born in Sydney between 1904 and 1909. In the 1921 New South Wales electoral roll Joseph and Letty were listed as living at 11 Queen Street, Paddington, Sydney, and Joseph's occupation was mattress-maker. They later moved back to Queensland where Joseph died at Brisbane on 21 December 1926, at the age of 47, and was buried in Toowong Cemetery at Brisbane on 22 December 1926. Twenty-four years later Letty died at Brisbane on 14 September 1951, at the age of 70, and she was buried with her husband in Toowong Cemetery on 17 September 1951.

 

Joseph and Letitia’s eldest child was Pearl Frances Muddle whose birth was registered in Sydney registration district in New South Wales during 1904. When she was about 23 years old Pearl married John Frank Healey, known as Frank, in Paddington registration district in Sydney during 1927. Frank had been born at Toowoomba, Queensland on 5 March 1905. During the Second World War they were living at Kelvin Grove, Queensland when Frank, at the age of 35, enlisted in the Australian Army at Redcliffe, Queensland on 4 July 1940. He was Lance Sergeant QX13979 at the RAE Traning Centre when he was discharged on 13 April 1945.

 

Joseph and Letitia’s second child was Norman Joseph Muddle whose birth was registered in Sydney registration district in New South Wales during 1906. When he was 30 years old Norman married Beryl Lorraine Buchanan, known as Grace, in Brisbane, Queensland on 19 December 1936. They had three children. They were living at Wassel Street in Dundas, Sydney when Beryl died in hospital on 21 April 1980.[2] Fourteen years later Norman had been living at Dundas in Sydney when he died on 28 October 1994, at the age of 88.[3]

 

Joseph and Letitia’s third child was Andrew Gordon Muddle, also known as Gordon Andrew Muddle, who was born in Sydney registration district in New South Wales on 29 December 1909. Gordon moved to Queensland where, at the age of 25, he married 22-year-old Evelyn Joyce Lea in Brisbane on 22 December 1935. Evelyn was the daughter of William James and Julia Sarah Lea, and she had been born in Queensland on 25 May 1913.

During the Second World War they were living at Alderley in Queensland when Gordon, at the age of 31, enlisted in the Australian Army at Enoggera in Queensland on 13 January 1941. He was Corporal QX48296 in the 1st Australian Sea Ambulance Medical Staff when he was discharged on 22 February 1946.

 

James and Harriet’s eighth child, one of twins, was Josephine Ellen Muddle who was born in Paterson registration district in New South Wales on 9 March 1881. Josephine died when about a year old, her death being registered in Paterson registration district during 1882.

 

James and Harriet’s ninth child, one of twins, was Job Muddle who was born in Paterson registration district in New South Wales on 9 March 1881. Job moved with his parents to Brisbane in Queensland sometime between 1887 and 1891. When he was 28 years old Job married 27-year-old Agnes Martin at Brisbane on 2 October 1909. Agnes was the daughter of John and Selina Martin, and she had been born in Queensland on 17 April 1882. Job and Agnes had two children; born at Brisbane in 1910 and 1917. Job died in Queensland on 9 January 1946, at the age of 64.

 

Job and Agnes’ eldest child was Dorothy Josephine Muddle who was born at Brisbane in Queensland on 9 April 1910. When she was 23 years old Dorothy married Stanley Herbert Taylor in Brisbane on 16 November 1933. Stanley was the son of Herbert John and Mabel Taylor, and he had been born in Queensland on 29 October 1910.

 

Job and Agnes’ second child was Leslie Jobe Muddle who was born at Brisbane in Queensland on 27 March 1917. Leslie married Evelyn Alice Disher. During the Second World War they were living in South Brisbane when Leslie, at the age of 26, enlisted in the Australian Army on 31 May 1943. He was Corporal QX54509 in the 18th Australian Supply Depot Platoon when he was discharged on 3 January 1946. Leslie and Evelyn had at least one child, born in about 1949, who died in 1953, at the age of 4. Evelyn died at Brisbane in 1998.

 

Leslie and Evelyn’s only known child was Jeffery Donald Muddle who was born in about 1949. Jeffery died on 12 September 1953, when only 4 years old, and he was buried in Balmoral Cemetery in Brisbane on 14 September 1953.

 

James and Harriet’s tenth child was Edith Clara Muddle, known as Clara, who was born in Paterson registration district in New South Wales on 9 August 1882. Clara died when about two years old, her death being registered in Paterson registration district during 1884.

 

James and Harriet’s eleventh child was Ernest Stanley Muddle, known as Stanley, who was born in Paterson registration district in New South Wales on 10 July 1885. Stanley died when about two years old, his death being registered in Paterson registration district during 1887.

 

Isaac and Amelia’s fifth child (Isaac’s sixth) was Ann Muddle who was born at Buxted in Sussex in March 1834, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 27 April 1834. Then in 1838 Ann, at the age of 4, emigrated from England to New South Wales, with the rest of the family, on the William Metcalfe.

When she was about 17 years old Ann married 26-year-old Benjamin Boorer on 10 March 1851 at St Mary’s Church, Upper Allyn,[4] which is north of Gresford on the Allyn River in New South Wales, and in Houghton Parish. Benjamin was the son of William and Susanna Boorer; he had been baptised at St Martin’s Church in Brasted, Kent, England on 1 January 1825, and he had emigrated from England to Australia in 1849 on the John Bright.

Benjamin and Ann didn’t have any children, because soon after their marriage Benjamin went off to the gold diggings at Oakenville Creek near Hanging Rock, which is about 110 miles north of Newcastle, and there he died on 24 October 1852 as the result of injuries received in a fight. The magisterial inquiry held at Oakenville Creek on the body of Benjamin Boorer, late of Paterson, who died from injuries received in a fight with a man named Skelton Head, found that:

From the evidence tendered, it appeared that the deceased and Skelton were tossing with halfpence on the previous Thursday, when a dispute arose. Skelton then challenged the deceased to fight, the deceased wished to give up the money and end the dispute, but on Skelton insisting they commenced fighting. During the course of the dispute, the deceased fell and was moved to his tent where Mr. Fry, a local medical practitioner attended him. The good Doctor deposed that on visiting the deceased he found him in a state of collapse. He rallied a little on Saturday morning. Mr. Fry’s opinion was that the deceased died from an injury to the spinal cord. The deceased left a widow who resided on the estate of W. Boydell Esq., Paterson River. A warrant was issued for the arrest of Skelton Head.

Benjamin’s place of burial is unknown, but he is commemorated on a plaque in Hanging Rock Cemetery. Then about eighteen months later Ann married Thomas Boorer, who was Benjamin’s brother, at West Maitland in New South Wales on 11 April 1854. Thomas was the son of William and Susanna Boorer; he had been born in about 1832 and baptised at St Martin’s Church in Brasted, Kent, England on 26 January 1834. He had emigrated from England to Australia with his brother William; they left Plymouth on 10 June 1851 in the Earl Grey and arrived at Sydney on 15 October 1851.

Thomas and Ann had nine children born in the area just to the north of Dungog in New South Wales between 1855 and 1875. Thomas was a farmer and over the years purchased a number of leases on Crown Lands in the parish of Wangat north of Dungog. By 1865/6 he had a total of 3080 acres. They were living at Wangat when Thomas died on 5 May 1909, at the age of 77, and was buried in St Peter's Church of England Cemetery at Bendolba near Dungog. Seven years later Anne was living at Wangat when she died on 27 September 1916, at the age of 82, and she was buried with her husband in St Peter's Church of England Cemetery at Bendolba.

 

Thomas and Ann’s eldest child was Martha Boorer who was born at Bandon Grove near Dungog in New South Wales on 21 August 1855. Martha married in 1879 and had eight children. She died at Dungog on 30 January 1936, at the age of 80.

 

Thomas and Ann’s second child was William Boorer who was born at Bandon Grove near Dungog in New South Wales on 3 June 1857. William married and had five children. He died when he was about 63 years old, his death being registered in Wingham registration district in New South Wales during 1920.

 

Thomas and Ann’s third child was Jane Boorer who was born at Dungog in New South Wales on 21 August 1859, and baptised at Dungog on 13 November 1859. Jane married in 1885 and had six children. She died at Tenterfield in New South Wales on 30 September 1938, at the age of 79.

 

Thomas and Ann’s fourth child was Sarah Boorer who was born at Williams River to the north of Dungog in New South Wales on 2 June 1862. Sarah married and had six children. She died at Armidale in northern New South Wales on 5 November 1944, at the age of 82.

 

Thomas and Ann’s fifth child was Benjamin Boorer who was born at Williams River to the north of Dungog in New South Wales on 18 April 1865. Benjamin married in Victoria in 1894 and had five children. He died at Eaglehawk near Bendigo in Victoria, which is about 80 miles north of Melbourne, on 30 December 1914, at the age of 49.

 

Thomas and Ann’s sixth child was Stephen Boorer who was born at Williams River to the north of Dungog in New South Wales on 1 November 1867. Stephen never married. He was a miner living at Little River, Wangat, which is about 12 miles north of Dungog, when he died on 5 December 1887 at the age of 20, from acute appendicitis while travelling into Dungog to seek medical attention. He was buried in St Peter's Church of England Cemetery at Bendolba near Dungog on 6 December 1887.

 

Thomas and Ann’s seventh child was Ann Boorer who was born at Williams River to the north of Dungog in New South Wales on 19 June 1870. Ann married in 1894 and had eight children. She died at Dural, just to the north of Sydney, in New South Wales on 16 June 1919, at the age of nearly 49, from the plague

 

Thomas and Ann’s eighth child was Henry Boorer who was born at Williams River to the north of Dungog in New South Wales on 11 October 1872. Henry married in 1898 and had two children. He died in Dungog registration district on 24 August 1936, at the age of 63, and was buried in Dungog General Cemetery.

 

 

Thomas and Ann’s ninth child was David Boorer who was born at Williams River to the north of Dungog in New South Wales on 11 October 1875. David married in 1896 and had three children. He died in Taree registration district in New South Wales on 9 June 1947, at the age of 71.

 

Isaac and Amelia’s sixth child (Isaac’s seventh) was Edward Muddle who was born at Buxted in Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 3 July 1836. Then in 1838 Edward, at the age of 2, emigrated from England to New South Wales, with the rest of the family, on the William Metcalfe. There seem to be no more records of Edward after the family’s arrival in Sydney, so it’s thought that Edward probably died during the first few years that the family was in Australia.

 

Isaac and Amelia’s seventh child (Isaac’s eighth) was Charles Muddle who was born at Ivy Hole in High Hurstwood within Buxted Parish, Sussex on 15 March 1838, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 15 April 1838. Charles was his name in the baptism register, but his birth was registered with the name Henry; as this registration was done by surgeon Peter Lyon and not a family member it’s thought more likely that this is the incorrect record. Then just two weeks after his baptism Charles is thought to have started on the emigration from England to New South Wales with the rest of the family, but as there is no record of Charles arriving in Sydney or of him having died on the voyage, it must be assumed that he died in England before they sailed.

 

Isaac and Amelia’s eighth child (Isaac’s ninth) was Isaac Muddle who was born at Gresford in Paterson registration district, New South Wales on 23 September 1839, and baptised at Houghton Parish Church on 24 March 1840. Isaac ‘married’ Ann (no marriage recorded has been found, so it may have been a common law marriage), and they had one child who was born during 1865 in Wellingrove registration district, which is about 220 miles north of Newcastle in New South Wales. Isaac died on 23 June 1899, at the age of 59, in Armidale registration district, which is about 60 miles south of Wellingrove. Nothing more is know of Ann or her daughter, and it’s possible that they reverted to using Ann’s maiden name, which is unknown.

 

Isaac and Ann’s only child was Sarah A Muddle whose birth was registered in Wellingrove registration district in New South Wales during 1865.

 

Isaac and Amelia’s ninth child (Isaac’s tenth) was Elizabeth Muddle who was born at Gresford in Paterson registration district, New South Wales on 22 September 1841, and baptised at Houghton Parish Church on 7 March 1842. When she was 22 years old Elizabeth married Henry George Brooker in Paterson registration district on the 13 July 1864. Henry was the son of John and Sarah Brooker, and he had been born at Camden in New South Wales, which is about 30 miles south-west of Sydney, on 26 October 1843. Henry and Elizabeth had eight children born in Paterson registration district, which is 13 miles south of Gresford, between 1865 and 1882. Elizabeth died at Singleton, which is about 25 miles south-west of Gresford, on 25 October 1891, at the age of 50, and she was buried in Paterson Church of England Cemetery on 26 October 1891. Elizabeth’s death was reported in the Maitland Mercury of the 26 October 1891:

The sad news of the death of Mrs Henry Brooker has cast quite a gloom over our town. Mrs Brooker was away on a visit to her friends at Singleton, and was seized with an attack of inflammation of the lungs. In spite of medical attention, she succumbed to the disease on Sunday morning. Her remains were conveyed to Paterson this morning, and will be interred in the Church of England Cemetery this evening. Profound sympathy is felt with the bereaved family.

It was twenty-eight years later that Henry died in Paterson registration district on 22 July 1919, at the age of 75.

 

Henry and Elizabeth’s eldest child was Frederick Henry George Sultan Brooker who was born in Paterson registration district in New South Wales on 25 April 1865. Frederick married twice in 1892 and 1901, and had fifteen children. He died in Port Macquarie registration district in New South Wales on 30 April 1941, at the age of 76.

 

Henry and Elizabeth’s second child was John Henry Brooker who was born in Paterson registration district in New South Wales on 5 March 1867. John married in 1892 and had four children. He died in Maitland registration district in New South Wales on 1 June 1935, at the age of 68.

 

Henry and Elizabeth’s third child was Ada Sarah Jane Brooker who was born in Paterson registration district in New South Wales on 7 July 1869.

 

Henry and Elizabeth’s fourth child was Alice Amelia Brooker who was born in Paterson registration district in New South Wales on 12 April 1872. Alice married in 1898 and had one child. She died in Paterson registration district on 10 March 1903, at the age of 30.

 

Henry and Elizabeth’s fifth child was Minnie Jane Brooker who was born in Paterson registration district in New South Wales on 12 May 1874. Minnie married in 1896 and had 3 children. She died when she was about 89 years old, her death being registered in Sydney registration district in New South Wales during 1963.

 

Henry and Elizabeth’s sixth child was William Joshua Brooker who was born in Paterson registration district in New South Wales on 26 October 1876. William married in 1902 and had ten children. He died in Maitland registration district in New South Wales on 10 April 1943, at the age of 66.

 

Henry and Elizabeth’s seventh child was Annie Martha Brooker who was born in Paterson registration district in New South Wales on 5 October 1879. Annie married in 1913 and had four children. She died in East Maitland registration district in New South Wales on 23 March 1951, at the age of 71.

 

Henry and Elizabeth’s eighth child was George Albert Brooker who was born in Paterson registration district in New South Wales on 24 July 1882. George married in 1908 and had five children. He died in Dungog registration district in New South Wales on 21 June 1966, at the age of 83.

 

Isaac and Amelia’s tenth child (Isaac’s eleventh) was Sarah Muddle who was born at Bandon Grove near Dungog in New South Wales in about 1844. Sarah died on 11 April 1859, at the age of 15, and she was buried at Bandon Grove on 13 April 1859.

 

Isaac and Amelia’s eleventh child (Isaac’s twelfth) was John Muddle who was born on 29 January 1846, probably at Bandon Grove near Dungog in New South Wales, and baptised on 26 April 1846. When he was 22 years old John married Barbara Kemp at Allynbrook in New South Wales on 8 June 1868. See the page headed ‘John & Barbara Muddle’s Family’ for the rest of their lives and details of their family.

Copyright © Derek Miller 2008-2011

Last updated 29 November 2011